Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus

We are all in this, but not together.

in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Saigon

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?

Back Stories

in Stories

Morning Stories Roundup: Foreign Reserve Record, New Venture Debt Fund, Central Highlands Resume

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Public Electric Bus Routes, Run by VinBus, May Be Coming to Hanoi

The routes would utilize electric buses manufactured by VinFast.

in Stories

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnamese Designer Introduces New Collection at London Fashion Week

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC Reopens Bars, Dance Clubs as Coronavirus Put Under Control

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

New Decree Makes Selling Beer to People Under 18 a Fineable Offense

Beer is now legally off-limits for Vietnamese teens, but it’s unclear if the regulations will effectively deter underage drinking.

in Vietnam

Da Nang Resumes Intercity Transport After Week Without New Covid-19 Cases

As of Monday, September 7, all train, vehicle and air travel to and within Da Nang will return to normal.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Metro Experts, 2020 Army Games, and Rice Claims

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Saigon Transport Department Wants $900m for Waterway Development

Water-based public transportation is still considerably underdeveloped for a city with an extensive network of water bodies like Saigon.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Reports Only 1 Local Covid-19 Infection in Last 5 Days

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Experts Visiting Vietnam for Under 14 Days No Longer Need to Quarantine

They will have to follow health and safety guidelines while in the country.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vegan Pâté Probe, Medical Robots, and Tan Son Nhat Upgrades

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Parking Lot Fire, Roadworks, and Mekong Delta Ferry

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Flights to East Asia, Lobster Farms, and Illegal Milk Tea

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Co.opmart Cong Quynh, Saigon's Oldest, Might Have to Close Next Year

Say it ain’t so!

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Da Nang Discharges 31 Covid-19 Patients

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Stories

Morning Stories: Chinese Men Run Away From Quarantine, Fish Sauce Association Set Up and Renewable Energy Incentives

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Donate Over VND300m for Victim of Vicious Cobra Attack

While the snake bite victim is currently stable, he’s facing many complications from the venom.

in Vietnam

F1 Releases Complete 2020 Race Calendar Without Vietnam

F1 is pressing ahead with a revised race schedule for the rest of the year, but fans in Vietnam hoping to see an actual race in the country might be disappointed.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Lam Son Park, Noi Bai Upgrade, and Road Accidents

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...

in Saigon

Tan Binh Residents Tear Down Part of Homes for Metro Line 2

Homeowners on Cach Mang Thang Tam and Truong Chinh streets in Tan Binh District have spent the last few days dismantling parts of their homes to make way for the city's second metro line.