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.

in Saigon

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?

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Teacher Among 50 Finalists for Global Teacher Prize 2020

The Global Teacher Prize is an annual award given out by the Varkey Foundation, a global philanthropic organization based in the UK.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Covid-19 Updates, Can Tho FDI, and Tokyo Olympics

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: Animal Protection, Bar Contact Tracing, and 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 Vietnam

Vietnam Airlines to Suspend All International Flight Routes Until April 30

Due to the worrying escalation of the Covid-19 pandemic, many airlines have stopped certain flight routes connecting Vietnam to coronavirus-infected regions.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Quarantine Facilities, Growth Target, and Drought Updates

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 Vietnam

Discrimination Against Foreigners on the Rise Amid Covid-19 Fears

After three weeks of no new virus cases in February, the majority of Vietnam’s 60 new cases have been linked to foreign tourists.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Moves up 23 Spots in Economic Freedom Index

The country ranked 105th out of 180 nations.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Red Cross Society Supports Drought-Affected People

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 Vietnam

Vietnam Stops Issuing Visas to Any National From Any Country in the World

We are living in extraordinary times. To deal with the threat of the coronavirus, Vietnam has issued a 30-day ban on issuing visas to any national from any country in the world.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Innovation Awards, Air Travel Curb, and Test Kits

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 Vietnam

Illegal Hotel on Ma Pi Leng Pass to Be Converted Into Tourist Rest Stop

The six-story building on Ha Giang Province's Ma Pi Leng Pass stoked controversy last October since it was built illegally.

in Vietnam

Major Growth in Online Shopping Amidst Coronavirus Concerns

Many people are turning to online shopping during the surge of coronavirus infections in Vietnam.

in Vietnam

Coronavirus Concern in Vietnam Drives Major Online Shopping Growth

Many people are turning to online shopping during the surge of coronavirus infections in Vietnam.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Ministry Postpones National High School Graduation Exam Again

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: Gas Price Drops, Bui Vien, and Water Shortage

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 Vietnam

Vietnam Will Pay for Tests, Treatment, Quarantine of Coronavirus Patients

Free treatment will be offered for all Covid-19 patients in Vietnam. 

in Vietnam

Weekly Stories Roundup: New Covid-19 Cases, 'Adorable Home' Goes Vietnamese & Wildlife Trade Ban

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each week, we digest the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietnam and beyo...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Tax Delay, Free Face Masks and Saltwater Intrusion

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: Film Festival, UV Levels and Covid-19 Updates

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 Asia

Singapore to Introduce Vietnamese Language to School Curriculum

Singapore's Ministry of Education (MoE) will introduce Vietnamese and Thai studies alongside increased attention to Malay and Chinese.