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?
Hoi An Government Officials Required to Ride Bicycles to Work
Starting next month, all Hoi An government officials will ride their bikes to work, reported Tuoi Tre. The program, organized by the Hoi An City Party Committee’s secretary Nguyen Su, seeks to reduce ...
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam, U.S. Cooperate in Developing Renewable Energy
Vietnam pushes for reform in science, tech sectors [Eetasia] Woman drowns at Bo Cap Vang eco-tourist site [Tuoi Tre] Japanese companies lobby against Vietnam's plan to restrict motorcycles...
HCMC to Relocate 1,300 Households at Risk of Natural Disasters
City authorities have identified 1,294 households across 62 locations that are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods and landslides. To ensure that the 5,075 people in these hig...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Morning News Roundup: 'Vengeful Heart' Becomes Vietnam's Highest-Grossing Film Ever
Illegal taxi driver returns overcharged money to foreigners [Tuoi Tre] Victor Vu's VENGEFUL HEART Becomes Vietnam's Highest-Grossing Film Ever [Twitch] 474 companies voted High-quality Vie...
Morning News Roundup: Teacher-Students Scuffle Provokes Another Online Brawl in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City plans to attract US$550 million to industrial parks [Nhan Dan] Snow falls in Sa Pa again [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam seaside tourism projects left to rust, locals have no sea acces...
New US Visa System Streamlines Application Process
The US Embassy in Vietnam has announced that some significant changes will take place with regards to US visa procedures. The US Embassy has said that this is part of the US Department of State’s cont...
Morning News Roundup: 11 Arrested for Pickpocketing Foreigners in Southern Vietnam
Work to begin on $2.5b thermal plant [VNS] 11 arrested for pickpocketing foreigners in southern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Mexico, Vietnam join Patrick's Day festival list [RTE]
Morning News Roundup: Last Prince of Vietnam’s Last Feudal Dynasty Dead
Vietnam to ease restrictions on overseas Vietnamese buying property [Thanh Nien] Vietnam to send 90,000 workers abroad in 2014 [Shanghai Daily] Pickpockets who targeted foreigners in HCMC ...
Deportation for British Beggar in Saigon
You may have noticed an elderly British man begging for money at the intersection of Ly Tu Trong and Pham Hong Thai in District 1 over the last few months. According to multiple reports, he has overst...
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam to See 7% GDP Growth in 2016: Forecast
Survey reveals lingering poverty for resettled citizens [SGGP] Power industry faces competition test in 2016 [Vietnam Net] Vietnam police arrest 2 taxi drivers for attacking, robbing Korea...
Strange Fruit: Old Man Nearly Dies After Squash Mishap
Oh, Tuoi Tre, you sure know how to find the best stories. An 81-year-old Can Tho man hit a bum note when he was hospitalized after putting a squash up his anus to relieve his constipation, according t...
Morning News Roundup: Taiwanese Investigated for Allegedly ‘Selling’ Visas to Vietnamese Students
Vietnam jet deal boosts Asian role in global aviation [Daily Times] Seven kids die on measles outbreak in Vietnam [Xinhuanet] Spainish coach wants to take Vietnam futsal to top four Asia&n...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Cashes in on Cave Adventures
In Vietnam, genetically modified organisms find fertile ground to grow [Thanh Nien] Vietnam province culls ducks as bird flu threat re-emerges [Thanh Nien] Vietnam jet deal boosts Asian ro...
Get Ready to Pay More for Alcohol and Cigarettes in Vietnam
Get ready to shell out more cash for your alcohol and cigarettes. In an effort to cut consumption and generate tax revenue, the Ministry of Finance has proposed increases to the special consumption t...
Morning News Roundup: “Đờn Ca Tài Tử” Receives UNESCO Certificate
Australia sends first buffalo shipment to Vietnam [VoV] 9 Vietnam private bank executives charged in massive scam [Thanh Nien] Vinamilk's 2013 gross profit jumps 16 pct [Reuters] Hyd...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Seeks to Downsize Government
Vietnam seeks to downsize government [Thanh Nien] HCM City needs $600mil for transport infrastructure [Vietnam Net] Vietnam City Hoi An To Pedal Towards Eco-city Status [Bernama]
Video: Real Virtuality #1
Richie.vn and friends just released a video with a bit of social commentary about the role of mobile devices in Saigon and what often happens when groups of friends get together (everyone just playing...
Weekend News Roundup: Passengers Refuse to Disembark After Cruise Liner Skips Stop in Vietnam
Exports will save Vietnam’s steel industry [Vietnam Net] War on bear bile farms in Vietnam continues [Express.co.uk] Vietnam manufacturing in best health in 33 months [Thanh Nien]
Morning News Roundup: Business Back to Normal as Holiday Winds Down
Business back to normal as holiday winds down [VNS] Vietnam carrier poised to close $6.1 bln Airbus deal [Tuoi Tre] Murder charges sought for brutal babysitter in southern Vietnam [Th...
Morning News Roundup: Over 160 Die From Traffic Accidents During Tet Holidays
Over 160 die from traffic accidents during Tet holidays [SGGP] Foreign firms to show off GMO corn in Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Czech botanists find new kind of vanilla in Vietnam [Prague M...
