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?
Morning News Roundup: Highway, Railway Traffic Paralyzed as Truck Plunges Off Mountain Pass
Highway, railway traffic paralyzed as truck plunges off mountain pass [Tuoi Tre] City invests over US$40 million in industrial zones [SGGP] Vietnam city to examine visitors for new bird fl...
Morning News Roundup: ‘Jungle Men’ Adapt to New Life, Preparing for Tet
Modern rural market facilities prove expensive for vendors [VNS] Road Construction Slow Due to Lack of Funding [SGGP] Foreign capital into real estate is increasing [Vietnam Net]
Weekend News Roundup: Organic Food Favorability Brings Great Opportunities to Vietnam’s Rice
Fireworks to sparkle nationwide on Lunar New Year’s Eve [Tuoi Tre] Research on ancient ceramics wins int't award [VNS] VietJet Air Expands Fleet To Meet Rising Demand [Bernama]
Dairy Queen Opens First HCMC Locations
While McDonalds’ entry into the Vietnamese market has been getting a ton of press, another American fast food chain just made its Vietnam debut – Dairy Queen.
Morning News Roundup: In Vietnam, Hundreds of Thousands of Workers Get No Tet Bonus
Vietnam’s state companies get fat on privileges [Thanh Nien] Five Hospitals to be Expanded in HCMC, Hanoi [SGGP] Vietnam’s Middle Class the Fastest Growing in Southeast Asia [Vi...
Farewell, Cold Weather: Saigon Set to Warm up Before Tet
If you’re tired of getting out of the shower cold and shivering we’ve got some good news - Saigon is set to warm up with the arrival of Tet.
Morning News Roundup: Rescue Teams Sent to Stop Oil Spill Threat in Saigon River
Rescue teams sent to stop oil spill threat in Saigon River [Vietnam Net] Vietnam hots up for Muslim travellers [TTG] Vietnam bonds up on banks' liquidity, low inflation [Reuters]
[Updated] Hydrofoil Goes up in Flames on Saigon River. Operators Were Warned About Safety Risks
[Update Below] Yesterday afternoon a hydrofoil traveling from Saigon to Vung Tau caught fire near Phu My Hung. Even with unclear evacuation instructions, the boat’s 80 passengers were able to safely e...
Morning News Roundup: Efforts on to Prevent Oil Spill After Hydrofoil Accident
Vietnam reports first bird flu death in nine months [Global Post] Vietnam wins $3.75 billion int'l court case [Vietnam Net] 4 arrested for Samsung factory riot in Vietnam [Thanh Nien]...
Morning News Roundup: 30 Get Death in Largest-Ever Heroin Trial in Vietnam
Ministry wants ban on natural forest exploitation [SGGP] Gold US dollar bills for sale on Saigon streets [Tuoi Tre] Privatization has its pitfalls in Vietnam [Thanh Nien]
Weekend News Roundup: 2 Get Death for Killing, Dismembering Gay Partner in Southern Vietnam
Vietnam to revise laws to cope with runaway foreign investors [Vietnam Net] Nuclear safety concerns in Vietnam could delay Japanese project [Asahi] Vietnam on Alert for H7N9 Virus [SG...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam May Delay Building 1st Nuclear Power Plant
Chill continues in North, temp drops to 15.6°C in South [Tuoi Tre] Real estate investors destroying Vietnam capital’s rivers [Thanh Nien] Economists believe transparency in price adjustmen...
Hai Phong: The Latest Vietnamese City to Add Free WIFI
Add Hai Phong to the list of Vietnamese cities offering free WIFI to their residents. The northern port city just completed its VND4.5 billion network that will serve 3 areas of the city, encom...
Morning News Roundup: Bitcoin Has Arrived in Vietnam
Ministry asks fuel wholesalers to keep fuel price stable [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam raises $626 mln to clean Vinashin's foreign debt in 2013 [Reuters] Vietnam wary after tourists to Israel disappe...
2 Vietnam Destinations Make New York Times "Must Visit" List
The New York Times just released their list of "52 Places to Go in 2014" and 2 Vietnam locations made the list - Quang Binh's Son Doong Cave and the Mekong River (yeah, we'll count that...
Morning News Roundup: Accurate Sketch of Baby Kidnapper Leads to Arrest
Accurate sketch of baby kidnapper leads to arrest [Tuoi Tre] Rockefeller’s Firm Plans $2.5 Billion Vietnam Development [Bloomberg] Vietnam PM approves findings about power monopoly’s viola...
Morning News Roundup: Falling Glass From Posh Vietnam Hotel Sends Tourist to Hospital
Hospital director accepts responsibility in baby kidnapping [SGGP] Police probe Samsung factory riot in northern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Walmart to promote Vietnamese goods [Tuoi Tre]
Chemical Explosion Blamed for the Death of 4 HCMC Students
Well, this isn’t the news we like to see as Vietnam gears up for the Tet holiday. Last weekend, 4 students were killed when a blast tore through their District 10 house. Based on witness interviews, p...
Report: Cu Chi Tunnels Threatened by Erosion
One of Saigon’s most popular tourist attractions, the Cu Chi Tunnels, are under threat of erosion, according to a government statement.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Entrepreneur to Test his Submarine Next Week
Vietnam to get IAEA help in building nuke plants [First Post] VIETNAM: Textile and garment exports soared 19% in 2013 [Just Style] Vietnam entrepreneur to test his submarine next week ...
