in Vietnam

Is It Possible to Feel Nostalgic for Rest Stops, the Liminal Space We're Supposed to Forget?

If the long-distance bus is a person, there’s a high chance that it’s a character who’s not very well-liked. Perhaps it’s a rude guy who smokes like a chimney and often yells whenever someone overtakes him. If the bus is female, then it’s a moody princess, especially during long holidays. Countless people queue up in hopes of accompanying her on trips, but she only takes the few earliest arrivals, and will give them a hard time with everything.

Paul Christiansen

in Vietnam

The Grotesque Food on AI Slop Signs Ushers in the Age of Flattened Human Experience

The AI slop has arrived, our streets conquered by vibrant, same-same cartoon faces with goofy grins slapped atop gradient-drenched backgrounds, every inch of space smeared with colorful activity that distracts from wonky details: clocks with nonsensical numerals, bánh mì with reptile skin, and passion fruit oozing juice from sinkhole centers.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Simple Pleasures of Kite-Flying in Thủ Thiêm

One of the most elegant means to observe the textured heft and untethered strength of otherwise-invisible wind — there is plenty one could say about the poetry of flying kites. 

Uyên Đỗ

in Saigon

Into Saigon's Charming Hidden Third Spaces in the Shade of Bridges

Third place (noun): A space outside of one's home and workplace, where people meet and interact socially.

in Saigon

Saigon Uncovers 9 of Possible 900 Human Remains From 1968 Tết Offensive Beneath Local Park

Authorities believe nine soldiers, alongside artifacts including a military poncho and hammock, are part of a mass grave of about 900 soldiers killed in the 1968 Tết Offensive, according to Tuổi Trẻ. After an eight-year forensics undertaking, local officials have undertaken a mission to recover the remains beneath Lê Thị Riêng Park in Hòa Hưng Ward (former District 10). 

Xuân Phương

in Hanoi

In Suburban Hanoi, With Summer Comes the Red-Purple Cascade of Mulberries

In suburban Hanoi, this is the season when mulberry branches heavy with bright red fruits dangle in the summer wind.

in Saigon

After Saigon Police Bust Major Pet Theft Ring, the City Rallies to Help Care for 400 Cats

After an extended investigation, the Hồ Chí Minh City Police Department has busted a major cat theft and distribution ring that operated across multiple southern provinces.

in Saigon

A Visit to Lê Minh Xuân, a Rare Craft Village Making Incense Sticks Amid Saigon

From inside the workshop, artisans carry bundle after bundle of freshly made incense sticks into the courtyard amid the morning mist. A gentle scent of spices linger in the air.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Fines Chinese Tourist $1,700 for Distributing Maps

Vietnam fines Chinese tourist $1,700 for distributing maps [Asia One] Vietnam’s film industry struggles to improve [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Navy receives first of six amphibious aircraft from Ca...

in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Population to Hit 90 Million Tomorrow

Tomorrow at 12am, Vietnam’s population will reach 90 million according to the General Office of Population and Family Planning.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Construction of North - South Express Railway Re-Proposed

Construction of North - South express railway re-proposed [Vietnam Bridge] Vietnam climate change response reviewed [Eco-business] Vietnam cops suspended for drunkenly insulting reporters&...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Over 20,000 New Companies Open In HCM City In First Nine Months

Makers of fake veterinary medicine uncovered [Tuoi Tre] Over 20,000 New Companies Open In HCM City In First Nine Months [Bernama] Vietnam foreign investment up 66 percent [Thanh Nien]...

in Vietnam

Last Remaining Ancient Muong House Burned to the Ground by Moronic Tourists

Last week, a group of tourists had the bright idea to start a fire in an ancient Muong house to cook up some corn. Why not? Corn is delicious! Unfortunately, the house was made of wood and quickly wen...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Over 50 Children Hospitalized After Vaccination; Vaccine Use Continues

Over 50 children hospitalized after vaccination; vaccine use continues [Tuoi Tre] Economic slump hits Vietnam rural migrants hard [Thanh Nien] Restructuring: Does it really happen? [V...

in Asia

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

Rice farmers losing out on production profits [Vietnam Net] 7 dead, 40 injured in north Vietnam bus accident [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Plugs into Renewable Energy Sources [Prensa Latina]

in Stories

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Population Hits 90 Million

Vietnam health official apologizes for death involving cosmetic surgeon [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Motor Show opens in Ho Chi Minh City [SGGP] “Wall Streets” in Saigon [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam’s...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Beauty Clinic Owner Arrested for Allegedly Killing Customer

Vietnam beauty clinic owner arrested for allegedly killing customer [Thanh Nien] Vietnam: a nation of online gamers dominated by Chinese and Korean games [DW] Saigonese artists featured in...

in Saigon

HCMC Street to be Named in Honor of Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap

Like many other countries, Vietnam uses street names to honor fallen national heroes. As such, it should come as no surprise that both HCMC and Hanoi are planning to name streets after the recently de...

in Vietnam

After Police Chase, 49 Endangered Pangolins Found in Ambulance

In yet another case of shady wildlife smuggling in Vietnam, after a brief chase, traffic police in the northern province of Phu Yen pulled over a suspicious ambulance and found 49 endangered pangolins...

in Stories

Vietnam Airlines Flight Lands in Da Nang Missing a Front Wheel

Have you seen a giant wheel falling from the sky? When a Vietnam Airlines flight landed in Da Nang yesterday afternoon, everything seemed to be normal. But after technicians carried out a routine exa...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Man Dies in Underground Hole While Committing Gambling Fraud

Vietnam airlines plan fleet boom as roads and rail fail [WTAQ] Vietnam city police to probe utilities for paying excessive salaries [Thanh Nien]  Student keen on conserving ancient HC...

in Saigon

Yesterday's Flooding Breaks Record for HCMC. Today May be Even Worse.

If you were caught in waist-deep water yesterday, you weren’t the only one. The floodwaters reached 1.64 meters, breaking the previous record. But the worst might not yet be over.

in Vietnam

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

Chinese woman caught with 2.2 kg of drugs at airport [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam gives green light to genetically modified crops [Vietnam Net]  Vietnam's economy regaining growth momentum ...

in Asia

Morning News Roundup: Vegetable Prices Jump After Storm Nari

Government decrees support for atomic energy studies [Nhan Dan] Oil refinery projects erected all across Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam cyber crime rising in 2013 - Vietnam Economic Times ...

in Asia

Typhoon Nari Leaves Path of Death and Destruction Across SE Asia

As Typhoon Nari swept through SE Asia this week, it left a path of death and destruction from the Philippines to Laos. Thousands of homes were destroyed, dozens of lives were lost and it may have even...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Video: Girl Causes Accident, Brushes it off Like a Boss

Even though drivers in Vietnam seem to have mastered driving the wrong way on one way streets, this tactic can still result in accidents. Especially when the offender drives in the middle of the road....

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Want City, Airport, Avenue Named After Gen. Giap

Half of Vietnam’s industrial sewage dumped into rivers untreated [Thanh Nien]  Vietnamese want city, airport, avenue named after Gen. Giap [Tuoi Tre] Vinalines former head guilty of c...

Brian Letwin

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Chief Warns Against Growing Economic Divide, Again

Vietnam Vows Dong and Interest-Rate Stability for Growth [Bloomberg] US alliance says Vietnam software piracy decreasing [Thanh Nien] Dogs in Vietnam: Not just for dinner anymore [Reu...