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.

in Saigon

As Thanh Đa Faces Redevelopment, Writer Dạ Ngân Reflects on What Will Be Lost

To me, my trip to Cư xá Thanh Đa in summer 1982 was a serendipitous encounter. It was Saigon’s largest-scale residential complex in the first half of the 1970s, with nearly 4,000 separate units housing about 50,000 inhabitants. Cư xá refers to a residential quarter reserved for gainfully employed citizens, with a vision to establish a model community with a high quality of life. Here, in their three-bedroom apartments, civil servants, professors, doctors, and military leaders ranked major or higher lived in pride of being a part of a cư xá like that.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Hanoi to Enforce Social Distance at Cafes, Restaurants From August 19

Beginning Wednesday, August 19 at 12am, all patrons at cafes and restaurants in Hanoi must be one meter apart from one another and staff must wear masks. 

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Flash Floods, Tropical Depression, and Illegal Bike Race

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: World Uni Ranking, Coal Imports, and Covid-19 Recoveries

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

Get Tested or Face Criminal Charges, Saigon Warns 3,000 Da Nang Returnees

If any Saigon resident who visited Da Nang last month fails to complete a health declaration by the end of today, they could face criminal charges.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Collision in Saigon, Covid-19 Recoveries, and Vaccine Progress

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: Road Use Fees, Plasma Donations, and 3 Covid-19 Cases

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: National Exam, New Covid-19 Cases, and Growth Prediction

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 Fines Over 800 People for Not Wearing Masks Last 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 Saigon

Saigon Zoo Staff Take Voluntary Pay Cuts to Keep Animals Fed

Difficulties related to COVID-19 have led the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens staff to take voluntary 30% pay cuts so food can be purchased for the animals.

in Saigon

Saigon Creator of Rice 'ATM' Introduces Machine for Free Face Masks

The worst of times bring out the best in some people.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Business Losses, Solar Power, and Port Fees

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

Large Sinkhole Appears in Go Vap During Thunderstorm Last Night

Driving in the rain in Saigon exposes residents to a range of dangers, now including one that’s right beneath their wheels.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: HCMC Asks to Suspend Children Summer Activities

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: Bridge Project, New Covid-19 Cases, and Dairy Donation

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: 2 Covid-19 Cases, Gambling Ring, and Financial Aid

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 Will Fine Citizens for Not Wearing Masks in Public From Tomorrow

Wearing face masks in public in Saigon is not just a safety guideline anymore, as city officials have decided to once again start fining Saigoneers for flouting the rule.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Reports 10 Covid-19 Cases Linked to Da Nang

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 Hanoi

Hanoi Tests 50,000 of 70,000 People Who Visited Da Nang in July

Over the weekend, Hanoi carried out testing for thousands of city dwellers who had been to Da Nang in July.

in Vietnam

Da Nang Is Turning a Sports Arena Into a 700-Bed Field Hospital

Expected to open this week, the hospital will have 700 beds, a figure that can be increased to 1,000.

in Saigon

New Eastern Bus Station to Partially Open This Month

The first phase of the massive Mien Dong Bus Station will open on August 15.