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?
[Updated] Malaysia Airlines Flight en Route to Beijing Goes Missing
[Updates Below] A Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777, traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, is presumed to have crashed into waters near Phu Quoc Island in South Vietnam, according to a senior Navy ...
HCMC Cabbie Arrested for $11,100 Theft
A Vinasun taxi driver was arrested last Saturday for allegedly stealing a bag containing US$11,100 of cash, gold and diamonds from a customer on her way to Tan Son Nhat, reports Thanh Nien.
Foreign Woman Killed in Hoi An Traffic Accident
Yesterday morning a foreign woman was killed in Hoi An when her motorbike was hit by a truck.
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Morning News Roundup: Women Make Up 70% of HCMC Traffic Rule Violations
Most areas fail to inspect food safety [SGGP] Women occupy 70% of HCMC traffic rule violation number [Tuoi Tre] Tien Giang police expel iPhone-using beggar [Vietnam Net]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Stock Market Growth Among Strongest in the World
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, in 2014, Vietnam’s stock markets (it has one each in Hanoi and HCMC), along with some SE Asian neighbors, have been outperforming every other Asian ...
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Morning News Roundup: Sole Vietnamese Billionaire Drops 118 Notches in Rankings
Chinese deported after in-flight stealing attempts [VietNamNet] Vietnam allows US to increase MIA search teams [Nhan Dan] Vietnam doctors separate conjoined baby boys [Thanh Nien]
E-cigarettes and Shisha Banned in Cambodia
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has banned imports and sales of shisha tobacco and electronic cigarettes for fear they are having a negative impact on the youth, according to the Wall Street Journal....
Morning News Roundup: Will Vietnam Change Time Zone to GMT+8?
Cambodia-made car causes shocks to Vietnam’s auto industry [VietNamNet] Vietnamese swimmer shines at US competition [Vietnam Plus] Ho Chi Minh Trail recognized as special national relic&nb...
HCMC Experiencing Strong Economic Growth in 2014
Ho Chi Minh City is currently experiencing a period of strong economic performance, according to a report from Vietnam Briefing, with a diverse set of business sectors seeing “robust” growth compared ...
HCMC to Name Street After Marxist Icon, Che Guevara
Ho Chi Minh City is set for a massive street renaming program in honor of historical figures from both Vietnam and abroad, according to Tuoi Tre. Along with the obvious Vietnamese heroes, such as gene...
Morning News Roundup: Japanese Cosplayer Apologizes for 'Suggestive' Poses at HCMC Fest
Oyster growing pollutes rivers [SGGP] Southern national park faces risk of forest fires following dry spell [SGGP] Italians offered insight into Vietnam's history [Vietnam Plus]
Tighter Regulations for Foreign Workers in Vietnam Announced
Foreign workers will be expected to produce even more paperwork to secure a job in Vietnam, reports Tuoi Tre. The document, Circular 03/2014 places emphasis on the Vietnam labour code on foreign worke...
Official: Vietnam Should Adopt Red-Light Districts
At a conference on measures to prevent and control prostitution, a government official suggested that Vietnam establish red-light districts to curb prostitution, reported Thanh Nien.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Sees Faster-Than-Expected Growth of Motorbikes
Vietnam’s primary education ranked good: survey [VietNamNet] Vietnam builds $1.27 thermal power plant in the north [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Opens First Centre For Surgical Robots [Bernama...
Morning News Roundup: Hundreds of Luxury Cars "Abandoned" at Saigon Seaports to be Handled
Hi-tech park proposes $2,400 salary for foreign experts [Tuoi Tre] S. Korea scrutinizing U.S.-Vietnam nuclear deal [Global Post]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Farmers Don’t Benefit from Global Fast Food Chains
Vietnam simplifying Business Law to attract investment [Thanh Nien] Vietnam to seek brand identity [TTR Weekly] Vinamilk to import 5,000 dairy cows from Australia [Tuoi Tre]
Australian Man Dead After 14 Story Fall from Sheraton Hotel in HCMC
On Monday morning, a 50-year-old Australian man fell to his death from the 20th story of the Sheraton Hotel. According to VietNamNet, hotel guests panicked when they saw the unidentified man fal...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Business Climate Improving: EuroCham
Doctors blame vaccination neglect as measles makes a comeback [Thanh Nien] Vietnam may set barriers to prevent waste imports [Vietnam Net] EuroCham: Vietnam’s business climate improving&nb...
Vietnamese Are Most Economical in Southeast Asia: Nielsen
According to a recent Nielsen consumer confidence survey, Vietnamese are the most economical in SE Asia, reported Vietnam Net. If you have Vietnamese family, this probably doesn't come as a surprise.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Morning News Roundup: Obama Approves Nuclear Cooperation With Vietnam
Vietnam doctor charged for dumping patient's body into river [Thanh Nien] Old Quarter in Hanoi, Vietnam, braces for makeover [Newsday] Obama Approves Nuclear Cooperation With Vietnam ...
