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?
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 9 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam's Economy to Grow 5.3 Percent in 2013 [Malaysia Sun] - Vietnam concerned over HIV donor funding cuts [IRIN] - VN firm wins management contract for Myanmar skyscraper [V...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Slideshow: When Capitalism Returned to Vietnam
When Vietnam opened it's doors to capitalism and the free market in the mid 90s, almost overnight, multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Kodak and Pepsi rushed to exploit the country's u...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Obama Invites Vietnam President for Rare Trip
- Bonus marks for Vietnam Heroic Mothers at university exams [Vietnam Net Bridge] - Italian communist leader on visit in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] - 7 arrested in Vietnam for fatal brawl ove...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: The Real Owner of Highlands Coffee
- China remains largest rice consumer of Vietnam [CRIEnglish] - The real owner of Highlands Coffee [Vietnam Net Bridge] - 576 undocumented people granted Vietnamese citizenship [Tuoi ...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Bigwig to be Charged in Fatal Drunk-Driving Accident
- New shrew discovered in Vietnam forest [Mongbay] - Vietnam bigwig to be charged for fatal drunk-driving accident [Thanh Nien] - Vietnam faces challenges of increasing work forc...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Chicken Smuggled From Vietnam to China Had Been in Storage Since 1967
If you’re eating, you’ll probably want to stop for a moment. Chinese authorities have raided a food storage facility in Nanning, China and found tons of substandard meat, imported from Vietnam. Oh, an...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Where Driver’s Licenses are Bought
- Vietnam losing shine in attracting FDI to regional rivals: Minister [Tuoi Tre] - Vietnam, Laos complete border demarcation [Saigon GP Daily] - Where driver’s licenses are...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
- Vietnam’s 2nd Russian-made sub completes sea trials [Thanh Nien] - Southern hub embraces CNG bus fleet [VietnamNet Bridge] - ADB gives $500 mln loan to HCMC metro project&...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Police to Crack Down on Noisy Pham Ngu Lao Bars
We’re sure nothing will come of this (other than some hush money) but the District 1 People's Committee has set up a joint inspection team address the late night noise from Pham Ngu Lao’s bars.
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vinh Gang Busted for Stealing 4,000 Cats Over 2 Years
Apparently dogs aren't the only pets you need to watch out for. Police in Vinh City have arrested 6 men for allegedly stealing and selling the meat of up to 4,000 felines. Picking up four to six cats...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
[Updated] Cops Bust Out Net Launchers to Stop Traffic Violators
Our strategy of avoiding eye contact with traffic police to evade tickets may soon be rendered useless. Authorities in Thanh Hoa Province are planning to mass produce fishnet launchers to catch those...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Sidewalk Nước Mía Sellers Earn $2,500/month
Vietnam cops accused of beating man with cerebral palsy [Thanh Nien] Street children inspire paintings [VietnamNet Bridge] Vietnam military deploys vehicles to help college applicants [Tuo...
Brian Letwin in Stories
BarcampSaigon Returns on July 7th
BarcampSaigon, a great knowledge-sharing event returns to Saigon this Sunday at RMIT. Try to make it if you can! You can even register to speak on any topic of your choice (relating to tech in some wa...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Vinamilk Gets Approval to Export Dairy Products to US
Vinamilk, Vietnam's favorite dairy brand, has been given the go-ahead by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin exporting products to the US – a first for the Vietnamese dairy industry. U...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Weapons Grade Uranium Removed from Da Lat
A joint American and Russian program has removed the last remaining, highly enriched uranium from Da Lat’s nuclear research facilities. Over the last 6 years, the US and Russia have shipped out 35 po...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Vietnam Introduces Digital Textbooks at Select Schools
- Foreign giants hunt for retail space in HCM City [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam introduces digital textbooks at select schools [Thanh Nien] - US: Vietnam's weapons-grade uranium remo...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
What the Phở Happened This Weekend? 9 Stories You May Have Missed
While you were busy this weekend checking out emerging Vietnamese artists and trying to stay dry, you may have missed this weekend’s news: - Vietnam Devalues Dong for First Time Since Decem...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: Reckless Driving Turns Vietnam's Highways into Horror Show
- Two Africans expelled from Vietnam for conning locals [Thanh Nien] - Lethal injection “is still being prepared” [VietnamNet Bridge] - Vietnam Economic Growth Quickens as Inves...
Brian Letwin in Roundups
Morning Links: US citizen caught at airport with giant heroin haul
-US citizen caught at Vietnam airport with giant heroin haul [Thanh Nien] -Heineken ‘absolutely on top’ of fake beer threat after Vietnam gang bust [Beverage Daily] -Drunken man sleeps on highw...
Brian Letwin in Stories
Vietnam Airports Charging Premium Prices for Low-Quality Products
We’ve all been there – in the rush to get to the airport on time, you forgo a necessary meal. You arrive only to find that your (insert budget airline here) flight has been delayed 2 hours. Maybe ther...
