BackStories » Saigon

in Saigon

HCMC to Relocate 1,300 Households at Risk of Natural Disasters

City authorities have identified 1,294 households across 62 locations that are particularly susceptible to natural disasters such as floods and landslides. To ensure that the 5,075 people in these hig...

in Saigon

Dairy Queen Opens First HCMC Locations

While McDonalds’ entry into the Vietnamese market has been getting a ton of press, another American fast food chain just made its Vietnam debut – Dairy Queen.

in Saigon

Farewell, Cold Weather: Saigon Set to Warm up Before Tet

If you’re tired of getting out of the shower cold and shivering we’ve got some good news - Saigon is set to warm up with the arrival of Tet.

in Saigon

Chemical Explosion Blamed for the Death of 4 HCMC Students

Well, this isn’t the news we like to see as Vietnam gears up for the Tet holiday. Last weekend, 4 students were killed when a blast tore through their District 10 house. Based on witness interviews, p...

in Saigon

Report: Cu Chi Tunnels Threatened by Erosion

One of Saigon’s most popular tourist attractions, the Cu Chi Tunnels, are under threat of erosion, according to a government statement.

in Saigon

Saigon Experiencing Coldest Weather in 10 Years

Sapa isn’t the only part of Vietnam dealing with record breaking cold weather. Over the past few days, morning and night time temperatures in Saigon dropped to their lowest points in a decade.

in Saigon

Vietnam's First McDonald's to Open in HCMC After Tet

Last Friday, international burger giant, McDonald’s confirmed what has been predicted for years – its opening its first store in Vietnam, just after Tet. 

in Saigon

2 Foreigners Arrested for iPhone Snatching

In a reminder that crime transcends race, 2 foreigners were arrested last Friday for stealing an iPhone from a local woman in District 1. The 2 thieves were identified as Sean Douglas, 17, an Austral...

in Saigon

Report: 7-Eleven Coming to Saigon in 2014

Like McDonalds, 7-Eleven has been eyeing the Vietnam market for years. Now that Circle K, Family Mart and Shop & Go have softened the market for convenience stores, the ubiquitous brand is set to ...

in Saigon

Airplanes Blamed for Damaged Roofs in Go Vap

There are many quality of life issues for residents living next to airports – pollution, noise and even increased blood pressure to name a few. But some residents in Go Vap District are encountering a...

in Saigon

Harley-Davidson's First Vietnam Dealership is Open for Business

World famous motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson, opened its first showroom in Vietnam last weekend in District 7. The showroom, located in Phu My Hung, opened its doors a day before the government lif...

in Saigon

Dunkin’ Donuts Prepares to Open in Saigon

Watch out, Starbucks, there’s a new coffee chain coming to town. Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s leading coffee seller is preparing to open its doors in Phu My Hung in the next month.

in Saigon

Mysterious Street ‘ Volcano’ Stumps Authorities

When a giant, fire-spewing sinkhole appeared on a HCMC street last week, city authorities rushed to find the cause. After a week of investigation, things are no clearer as scientists and firefighters ...

in Saigon

HCMC Man Throws Acid on Woman who Rejected his Love

Well, here’s your ‘what the phở?’ story of the day. A 30-year-old Ho Chi Minh City man has been arrested for throwing acid on 5 young women in a bout of jealousy.

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 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.

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 Saigon

Video: iPhone Thievery

Crime is on the rise in HCMC. The city may be installing video cameras and increasing the number of security personnel, but these won't solve the problem on their own. Thieves are conniving and thrive...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

South Korean Man Found Dead in HCMC Apartment

In what's becoming a seemingly weekly occurrence, another foreign national has died in Saigon. Korean Kim Tea Sik was found dead in his HCMC apartment yesterday morning. Sik's naked body was discover...

Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Japanese National Killed at Ben Thanh Bus Station

In what seems to be a worrying trend, another foreigner has died in Saigon, this time a Japanese lecturer on her way home from school. The 50-year-old victim was a teacher of Oriental Studies at ...