As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past Era
Among Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.
Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
Wipha, Yagi and Luc-Binh: How Are Tropical Storms Named in the Pacific Region?
Wipha was the latest typhoon to batter Vietnam this year, sweeping through northern provinces like Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, and Thanh Hóa and causing dangerous floods. It was 2025’s third and probably will not be the last that Vietnam will have to endure this year.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s
I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...
Khôi Phạm in Saigon
Letter to the People I Met as We Hid From the Rain Under a Bridge Together
“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.”— Vladimir Nabokov.
Hanoi's Bát Tràng Ceramic Village Turns Historic Craft Into Global Fame
Bát Tràng has been producing ceramics for over 700 years, but it’s the recent decades that interest me most: a period in which this small village has mirrored Vietnam’s rapid economic growth.
Final Merging Plan Brings Vietnam's Locality Number From 63 to 34
After extended working sessions to gather insights from experts and locals, Vietnam’s state government has announced the final version of the country’s administrative map.
Múa Lân Is Officially Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage
In Chợ Lớn, every Tết, amid the aroma of burning joss sticks and an onslaught of red-color decorations is the echoing beats of lion dance instruments. For generations of Saigoneer, the presence of múa lân, or lion dance, is a sign of festivity and celebration.
Uyên Đỗ in Saigon
How Saigon's Free Water Coolers Quench Thirst and Spread Kindness
In recent years, stories about climate change's impacts on the lives of Vietnamese people have been increasingly making the news.
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Unable to Flirt with 10-year-old Girl, Man Sprays Acid on 5
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Special team to investigate fatal accident [VNS] - Foreign investment shifting to new locales in Vietnam [...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Lam Dong Scam Facilities Make Tea from Buffalo Dung
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - American doctor frees many Vietnamese from tumors in short visit [Thanh Nien] - Lam Dong scam facilities make t...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Starbucks Opens Second Store in Saigon
Last Thursday, Starbucks opened the doors to their second location in Saigon (and Vietnam), just 6 months after the company arrived in the Vietnamese market. According to Patricia Marques, general ma...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
Good morning, Saigon. Here are some of the top stories you may have missed this weekend: - Vietnam man almost choked to death by live fish [Thanh Nien] - One dead, 8 missing in Vietna...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: The 50 Vietnamese Most Effective Businesses of 2013
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - The 50 Vietnamese most effective businesses in 2013 [VietnamNet Bridge] - ECF Asks Vietnam to Look Into Coffee ...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam’s Power Price Goes up by 5%
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Bank lay-offs in Vietnam could continue for two years [Thanh Nien] - City Museum ranked among most attrac...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vietnamese Businessman Buys US Town with Plans to Create Coffee Empire
In April 2012, Pham Dinh Nguyen, a Vietnamese businessman, bought the town of Buford, Wyoming at auction for US$900,000. If you’re wondering why the sum is so small, 1) it’s in Wyoming and 2) the popu...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: New Species of Toed Lizard Discovered in Tuy Hoa
Good morning, Saigon! Here's what's making news around Vietnam today: - Vietnam to launch micro satellite [SpaceDaily] - Vietnam failing to combat coastal erosion [Vi...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Proposes Ban on Shisha
The Ho Chi Minh City government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health that shisha be banned from businesses to protect the public’s health. Shisa, a water-based tobacco pipe, traces its ...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Asia's Largest Underground Mall Opens in Hanoi
On July 26, Owner of Vinagroup, Pham Nhat Vuong, opened the doors to Asia’s largest underground mall, Royal City. The new megamall, covering 230,000 square meters, has already filled 95% of its retai...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
Vietnam to have unmanned military aircraft [VietnamNet Bridge] Urban Apartheid in Vietnam [New York Times] Vietnam symphony orchestra to tour Japan [Thanh Nien]
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Big Changes Proposed for Driving Fines
When news broke that new regulations would fine those driving vehicles not registered in their name, many were confused and unhappy. For Vietnamese, motorbikes are often shared among numerous family m...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Gets Tough on State Firms in Economic Growth Push
- Vietnam gets tough on state firms in economic growth push [Thanh Nien] - New Vietnam Airlines route is good news for Asia explorers [Easier] - Vietnam Devalues Its Currenc...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Bigwig’s Son Arrested for Attacking Cop
- Vietnam Stocks Fall the Most in 4 Weeks as Inflation Accelerates [Bloomberg] - Another prostitution ring for foreigners busted in Vietnam hub [Thanh Nien] - Vietnamese football...
Brian Letwin in Asia
9 Taiwanese Face Charges for Anal Gold Smuggling
Well, this is impressive. South Korean customs officials have announced that they have broken up a gold smuggling ring. The kicker? The mules would bring in the gold through their anuses. According t...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Traffic Violator Seized After 4km Chase, Cops Criticized for Endangering Road Users
A struggling Vietnamese rock music industry in a booming economy [Astroawani] Vietcombank CEO named Vietnam central bank deputy governor [Thanh Nien] US federal agencies banned from buying Viet...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Cops Using Thugs for Protection?
- City moves to alleviate overcrowding in bus stations [VNS] - Overseas Vietnamese wins TV's Master Chef [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam province opens world’s largest cave to tour...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
City Authorities to Demolish Hundreds of Illegal Homes
Over the next three weeks, city authorities will demolish 500 illegally-built houses in Binh Chanh, Thu Duc, Binh Tan, Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Go Vap and Tan Phu Districts. A few weeks ago, city authorities...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- HCM City: Explosion at U.S. Consulate General store kills one [Vietnam Net Bridge] - Vietnam 'Running Man' says he was invited by Arsenal to UK [Global Post] - American busine...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Saigon Couples Encouraged to Make More Babies
Even though Vietnam’s population has been steadily growing the last few decades, a declining birth rate has prompted HCMC officials to encourage couples to have more than one child.
