ASEAN Welcomes East Timor, Asia's Youngest Nation, as 11th Member
Time for infographic artists and geography teachers in the region to update their work on ASEAN.
Into the Infernal Heat of One of Saigon's Last Remaining Forges
It's no exaggeration to say that working in a forge is akin to being in a fiery sauna.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Origin of the Strange Lights You See Before Landing in Saigon
What are those astonishingly bright lights seen from an airplane window when approaching Saigon at night? I’ve had visitors ask me this on the drive home from the airport, and the question appears on Reddit every few months. I remember being befuddled myself the first time I witnessed the patchwork radiance.
My Mom’s Care Packages Remind Me That Home Can Fit Inside a Box of Food
“What do you guys crave? I’ll send some.”
New 12,000-Year-Old Skeleton Breaks Record of Oldest Human Remains Found in Vietnam
After analysis, scientists believe that a 12,000-year-old set of human remains found in Ninh Bình belonged to a prehistoric man who died from infection after being struck by a quartz-tipped projectile.
As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past Era
Among Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.
Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
Wipha, Yagi and Luc-Binh: How Are Tropical Storms Named in the Pacific Region?
Wipha was the latest typhoon to batter Vietnam this year, sweeping through northern provinces like Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, and Thanh Hóa and causing dangerous floods. It was 2025’s third and probably will not be the last that Vietnam will have to endure this year.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s
I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...
Honest Scrap Collector Hands Over US$50,000 Found in Rusty Box
In late 2013, a complete stranger sold scrap vendor Huynh Thi Anh Hong an iron box for 100,000VND ($4.70). When Hong opened the to see if she could sell it, she found a staggering 5.2 million yen (US$...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Saves 431,000 kWh Of Electricity During Earth Hour
Vietnam airport plan returned for clarifications [Thanh Nien] Vietnam strives to reduce logistics costs [SGGP] Vietnam Set to Open First Online Bitcoin Trading Floor [Vietnam Briefing...
Saigoneer Throwback Monday
We're in Hanoi for the day so while we won’t be posting any new content, here are some of our staff’s favorite articles which we’ve published in the past.
Barack Obama to Visit Vietnam Soon
At the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands earlier this week, US President, Barack Obama told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung that he would visit Vietnam soon, reports Thanh Nie...
Morning News Roundup: New Cable Car to Transform Sleepy Sapa
Vietnamese students on way to global energy contest [Tuoi Tre] Australian tourist dies in road crash in Mui Ne [VietNamNet] Russia hands over 3rd submarine to Vietnam [Thanh Nien]
Morning News Roundup: Saigon Zoo Tiger Delivers Five Cubs
The nuclear power plan beyond Vietnam’s ability, Russian specialist [VietNamNet] Vietnam zoo tiger delivers five cubs [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Airlines’ flight attendant arrested in Japan ...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Economists Warn Against Addiction to Foreign Investment
Unknown future for market trains in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] First quarter GDP hits three-year record high [SGGP] A budding alliance: Vietnam and the Philippines confront China [Business Mi...
Dong Thap Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Attacking 4 Colleagues with Acid
Authorities in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap have arrested a local teacher for allegedly throwing acid on 4 co-workers, leaving them with serious burns, according to Thanh Nien.
Morning News Roundup: Foreign Tourist Dies After Fall in Nha Trang
Meet Vietnamese, 24, who can speak 8 foreign languages [Tuoi Tre] Breaking bad: Vietnam's female rap stars [AFP] HCM City Steps Up Poverty Reduction Drive [Bernama]
After 23 Years, Lufthansa to Close HCMC Route
Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline, will close its Frankfurt-HCMC route after 23 years, reports the Saigon Times.
Fake Diplomas Continue to Undermine Vietnamese Education System
Once again the issue of fake qualifications has hit the news in Vietnam, and it comes as no surprise that once again the problem seems to be in the state sector, according to Tuoi Tre. What is surpris...
Vietnam is the World’s 4th Largest Consumer of Instant Noodles
Given the huge stocks of instant noodles in the aisles of Vietnamese supermarkets and corner stores, this probably won’t come as much of a surprise: a recent report found that Vietnam is now the world...
Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Woman Wants to Marry a Death Row Prisoner
One more vaccine-related death triggers worries in Vietnam [Global Times] Saigon woman wants to marry a death row prisoner [VietNamNet] Vietnam calls for aviation expansion [TTR Weekl...
Morning News Roundup: Not Allowed to Board, Passenger Threatens to Blow Up Jetstar Pacific Plane
Not allowed to board, passenger threatens to rocket Jetstar Pacific’s plane [VietNamNet] Vietnam expressways get Japan tech [Bangkok Post] Vietnam, Russia to construct $500 mln atomic ener...
Vietnamese Businessman Rescued from Chinese Kidnappers who Demanded $323,000 Ransom
After a month of captivity, a Vietnamese businessman and his interpreter, being held for a $323,000 ransom, were rescued by Chinese police last week, reports Tuoi Tre.
Morning News Roundup: Polluted Rivers, Dwindling Groundwater Threaten Vietnam City Supply
Red tape hinders construction of HCMC underground parking lots [VietNamNet] Polluted rivers, dwindling groundwater threaten Vietnam city supply [Thanh Nien] Exhibition showcases metal arte...
[Updated] End of an Era? Authorities Reportedly Crack Down on Bui Vien Street Drinking
[Update Below] Bui Vien, the land of drunken backpackers and general debauchery, underwent a makeover yesterday when police removed motorbikes and plastic furniture from the area’s sidewalks, accordin...
Vietnam’s First McDonald’s Has Served More than 400,000 Customers
Henry Nguyen, owner of Good Day Hospitality, which operates McDonald's in Vietnam, announced yesterday that the company’s first Vietnamese branch served over 400,000 customers in its first month of op...
Morning News Roundup: Norway’s Crown Prince to visit Vietnam
Vietnam seeks to reduce citizens’ papers with new ID card [Thanh Nien] Vietnam’s mobile apps industry starts to toddle [VietNamNet] Study says Vietnam at H7N9 risk as two new cases noted&n...
Survey: 38% of Vietnamese Support Same-Sex Marriage
In a recent survey conducted by Vietnam’s Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment and the Health Strategy and Policy Institute (that’s a mouthful!), more than one-third of respondent...
