Xuân Phương

in Hanoi

Every Bánh Chưng Season, Vietnam’s Lá Dong Capital Comes Alive With Harvest Frenzy

On the patches of sandy soil by the river in Kim An Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi, there’s a tiny village named Tràng Cát, where dong leaves have been embedded in local history, memory, and economy for centuries. Right in local courtyard, these broad green leaves were transformed into bánh chưng, ready for Tết feasts across the country.

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.

Back Stories

in Saigon

Harley-Davidson's First Vietnam Dealership is Open for Business

World famous motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson, opened its first showroom in Vietnam last weekend in District 7. The showroom, located in Phu My Hung, opened its doors a day before the government lif...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Condom Fashion Collection Earns Vietnam Guinness Record

Vietnam makes remarkable progress in HIV/AIDS control [SGGP] Customs did not check the shipment containing 230kg of heroin [Vietnam Net] Digital ad market booming in Vietnam [Thanh Ni...

in Stories

Morning News Roundup: Air Pollution Cause of Chronic Diseases in Big Cities in Vietnam

Vietnam ministry seeks gov’t approval to limit personal vehicles [Thanh Nien] Vagina massage services freely advertised in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] New Hemiphyllodactylus gecko species discovere...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Public Debt May Reach 95% of GDP

Diabetes goes boom in Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Poor transport holds Delta back [VNS] Vietnam Airplane lands on fuselage [Vietnam Net]

in Asia

Morning News Roundup: Bill Gates Foundation Brings Free Internet to Rural Vietnam

Gold prices hit record low [VoV] Vietnam probes 229 kg heroin case busted by Taiwan [Tuoi Tre] Racehorse owners scrambling since closure of Vietnam’s lone track [Thanh Nien]

in Vietnam

What the Phở Happened This Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

US$36 billion funded for nationwide poverty reduction [Nhan Dan] Giant sinkhole found in Vietnam street [Thanh Nien] Sleeping with call girls earns $24-$237 fines: decree [Tuoi Tre]

in Vietnam

Number of Vietnamese Women Marrying Foreigners per Year? 100,000 and Rising.

At a recent conference in Hanoi, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Vietnam Women’s Union released figures showing that 100,000 Vietnamese women marry foreigners annually.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Thai Tourist Motorcycles Seized in Vietnam

New penalties on inappropriate public cultural behavior [SGGP] Thai tourist motorcycles seized in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Hanoi approves massive transport project [Nhan Dan] 

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Strange Skin Disease, the First Ever in World, Found in Vietnam

Crunch time as Vietnam set for education shakeup, again [Thanh Nien] Vietnam steps into an era of mobile data explosion [PC Advisor] Strange skin disease, the first ever in world, found in...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Tourism Sector to Hit Goal Two Years Ahead of Plan

Death toll in Vietnam flooding raised to 41, with 80,000 people displaced [Edmonton Journal] Vietnam’s 5 tons of relief goods reach Philippines [Tuoi Tre] Fire kills 6 in Vietnam capital&n...

in Stories

31 Dead; Hoi An Deep Underwater After Massive Flooding Hits Central Vietnam

At least 31 people have died and 3 are missing after massive flooding on Vietnam’s central coast last weekend. According to the Central Highlands Center for Floods Control and Prevention, 13 were fou...

in Stories

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

Chinese woman receives life sentence for drug trafficking [Vietnam Net] Singer fined $165 for flaunting breast onstage [Tuoi Tre] Low-pressure system moving toward southern Vietnam [T...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: HCMC’s Diabetics Rise by 300% in 10 Years, Quadruple World Level

Vietnam court sentences Chinese meth smuggler to life [Thanh Nien] Japan to put on film festival in Vietnam [AJW] Saigon to have two new theaters [Vietnam Net] HCMC’s diabetics rise ...

in Roundups

Morning Links: Same-Sex Weddings Officially Permitted in Vietnam

House approves two new Deputy Prime Ministers [Tuoi Tre] Same-sex weddings officially permitted in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Vietnam holds anti-corruption dialogue with int'l donors, business ...

in Saigon

Dunkin’ Donuts Prepares to Open in Saigon

Watch out, Starbucks, there’s a new coffee chain coming to town. Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s leading coffee seller is preparing to open its doors in Phu My Hung in the next month.

in Stories

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Man Caught Cooking Tiger Bones

Russian President Putin visits Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Vietnam man caught cooking tiger bones [Thanh Nien] 51 traffic accidents per day over past week nationwide [Tuoi Tre]

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Suffers 14 Deaths, but Spared the Worst of Typhoon Haiyan

Vietnam has strong retail market with high potential [SGGP] Vietnam asks Australia and US for spying explanation [Vietnam Net] Market for luxury cars growing in Vietnam [Thanh Nien]

in Stories

List: 20 Vietnamese Foods You Really Should Be Trying

Buzzfeed community member, Christina, just published a list - 20 Vietnamese Foods You Really Should Be Trying. It’s pretty comprehensive and seems to cover most of the staples though we probably would...

in Asia

What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed

Vietnam, US talk on intellectual property issues [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam considers reusing 2G to upgrade 3G services [Vietnam Net] Power motorbikes given green light [Vietnam Bridge]

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Super Typhoon About to Enter East Sea, Heading for VN

Vietnam courts orders fresh probe after ten-year convict exonerated of murder [Thanh Nien] Vietnam: “Still much to do” on factory fire safety [Just Style] VN textile & garment firms ma...