Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
Thoughts I've Had While Stranded in Murky Floodwater on Saigon's High-Tide Days
I’m willing to forgive nearly everything about Saigon. It’s a sign of a sustainable relationship, as I still wish to coexist in peace with this city. To me, Saigon’s midday, even when the searing sun flares the strongest, is when the trees are the most glorious. The sudden bouts of torrential rain are indeed a nuisance, but I tell myself that at least the streets can get a wash after a dusty day. But there’s one thing that never goes away and that I can never write off; something I can’t, for the life of me, find reasons to romanticize or defend. Those are the infuriating floods that submerge Saigon streets every time the tide is high.
Saigon Sees a 10-Year Low of 18°C. What Are the City’s Highest and Lowest Temperatures?
This January, Saigoneers have been enjoying an unusually pleasant stretch of weather, with daytime temperatures hovering around the mid-20s and dipping to 18–20°C late at night and in the early morning.
Vietnam Bans Unskippable Ads, Requires Skip Button to Appear After 5 Seconds
If things go our way, YouTube’s notorious unskippable ads might be a thing of the past come this February.
Grindr Year-End Report Names Vietnam as Country With Biggest Top Shortage
Ever since Spotify launched its first global Wrapped function a few years ago, December has turned into an exciting season of stats-driven year-end reviews. “Wrapping” is now a tradition embraced by numerous apps, such as Strava, Duolingo, YouTube, Reddit, and of course, Grindr.
When Donations Are All Womenswear, Men in Flood Zones Turn Necessity Into Fashion
Vietnam’s South-Central Coast region is going through an especially grueling time of the year as both the local people and authorities have to deal with the aftermath of historic rainfall and flooding. Still, amid the mourning and strenuous rebuilding efforts, moments of levity shine through — a testament to the resilience, optimism, and incredible humor of the Vietnamese people in the face of hardships.
Đắk Lắk, Khánh Hòa Are Next Victims of 2025's Historic Flooding. Here's How to Help.
After nearly a week of constant downpour, many provinces of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and South-Central Coast regions have suffered severe flooding and landslides, causing catastrophic damage to local infrastructure, economic activities, and deaths. This has been yet another month of loss and destruction for Vietnam in 2025, which is shaping up to be the most devastating year in recent history due to consecutive powerful typhoons and atypically high rainfall.
After Years in Limbo, Saigon's Metro Line 2 Is Officially Breaking Ground in Jan 2026
After years under development limbo, Saigon’s Metro Line 2 has finally gotten an official date for breaking ground, but will this timeline stick?
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...
[Video] Vietnamese Students Cross Raging Floodwaters to Get to School
Education is one of the most valued possessions in Vietnamese society and many children outside of the country’s urban centers expend a great deal of time and energy and, in some cases, risk their liv...
Morning News Roundup: Korean Company Director Found Dead in Vietnam
Big players' entry to hot up Vietnam cable TV market [Thanh Nien] E-payment catches on with Vietnamese consumers [SGGP] Vietnam to Lower Key Policy Rates to Support Economic Growth [B...
Morning News Roundup: 7,000 Vietnamese Inmates Write Apology Letters to Victims
Foreign textile firms invest in Vietnam to take advantage of TPP [Thanh Nien] Too Many Vietnam Seaports Spoiling Terminal Business [Bloomberg] Vietnam’s museums to display artifacts in New...
Morning News Roundup: Ex-bank Official Faces Death in $90 mln Swindle Case
Ex-bank official faces death in $90 mln swindle case [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to clean river with $4 mil mangroves project [Thanh Nien] China pours more money into Vietnam, raising bigger worrie...
Victim in Deadly Hoi An Accident Identified as Honeymooning Australian
Well, this sad story just got that much sadder. According to The Age, the victim in last Thursday’s deadly Hoi An traffic accident was 26-year-old nurse, Katie Hirth from Geelong, Australia who was ho...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam OKs Plan to Set up HCMC Tourism Dept
Vietnam OKs plan to set up HCMC Tourism Dept [Tuoi Tre] Visa exemption for foreigners to Phu Quoc takes effect [SGGP] Scientists seek strong legal base for AO victims [Vietnam Plus]
Cheating Man Lured Home with Promise of Car. Has Penis Cut by Wife Instead
Well, here’s your penis slashing story for the month. On Saturday morning, a man was brought to HCMC’s 115 People’s Hospital with his member nearly sliced off. The man’s wife, angry with his cheating ...
Morning News Roundup: Tired of China, Concerned About Thailand, Japan’s FDI Heads for Vietnam
US business execs visit Vietnam to assess TPP opportunities [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese warned against casino, brewery, seaport, airport movements [VietNamNet] Five people hospitalized after e...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Rejects $10 mln Price for World Cup TV Rights
Men account for most of Vietnam city’s road traffic deaths [Thanh Nien] Vietnam and Microsoft to combat cybercrime [FutureGov] Vietnam rejects $10 mln price for World Cup TV rights [T...
[Video] Footage of the Search for Flight MH370
The hunt for the enigmatic Malaysia Airlines flight which disappeared last Sunday morning is intensifying with teams from numerous countries taking part in the search. Vietnam has been leading th...
Brian Letwin in Asia
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam - All Forces Deployed to Search Missing Malaysian Jet
All forces deployed to search missing Malaysian jet [Vietnam Plus] Japan firm licensed to operate $2 mln Vietnam bus route [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam property market sees activity as prices fall&n...
