Back in Time to the 1990s, When Vintage Renault Goélette Roamed Vietnam
A sturdy, stately vehicle roamed Vietnam's city streets and rural roads not too long ago.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
The Curious Case of Quy Hoà Leprosy Colony's Park of Busts
A delightfully bizarre place, Quy Nhơn’s Quy Hoà leprosy colony deserves exploration in full, but clustered in a grove of trees on its outskirts in Nhân Ái Park stands a particularly peculiar assembla...
Postcard-Ready Vintage Album Highlights a Lonesome Hanoi in the 1920s
Looking at past albums of our cities today, I’m always stricken by a bewildering vastness — every street, every square, every building seemed to have been constructed in a ghost town, serving lonesome...
Hẻm Gems: Flan by the Canal, a Cute, Affordable Date in the Age of Inflation
Skip the formal attire, a bit of loose change is all you need for a waterfront rendezvous in Saigon.
From Trash to Treasure: How Sở Thú Studio Crafts Animated Stories From Scraps
From old newspapers, coffee grounds, used styrofoam boxes, sticks, and more, Sở thú Studio, a collective of young creatives, has created many fascinating animation projects.
Local Illustrator Recreates Saigon's Convenience Stores as Adorable Cartoon Houses
In the early 2010s, convenience stores emerged as an affordable alternative for Vietnamese youths, especially those with limited disposable income, to chill. A decade later, the widespread mushrooming...
For Trans Vietnamese, Healthcare Providers Are Respectful, but Red Tape Still Hurts
Vietnam has been increasingly progressive in protecting and promoting LGBT rights. In November 2015, Vietnam made a big milestone when it granted individuals who have changed their gender the right to...
Strategies for Navigating Vietnam's Foreign Work Permit Process
The greatest source of stress for foreigners living in Vietnam is often obtaining a work permit. Complicated and frequently changing regulations coupled with long wait times and burdensome paperwork m...
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
An Ode to Saigon’s Chò Nâu Trees
It’s too cold for chò nâu to grow where I’m from, but we still gave it an English name: dipterocarp.
Vietnam Airlines Sells VND14bn Worth of Inflight Bubble Tea Last Year
Gone were the days of brackish peanuts and lukewarm apple juice, today’s flyers can satiate their sugar cravings right in the air.
Inside the Sawdust Alley in D8 Where Old Furniture Goes to Get Repurposed
My lungs began to heave with raspy coughs as I ventured deeper into the alley of 124 Phạm Thế Hiển.
Paul Christiansen in Natural Selection
The Prehistoric Permanence of Cá Sấu, Vietnam's Farmed Predator
I’ve always hated cá sấu. Not because they’ve threatened my safety or had any real impact on my life whatsoever, but simply because they survived. When a meteor cratered into Earth 66 million years ag...
Health Ministry Stresses 'LGBT Is Not a Disease' in Response to Rise in 'Gay Cure' Clinics
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health recently issued an official dispatch stressing that homosexuality is not a disease.
Once Derided, 'Lục Xì' Is a Trail-Blazing Lesson in Nuanced Sympathy
Lục Xì is a reportage written by Vũ Trọng Phụng in the first volume of Tương Lai newspaper in 1937. In the series, Phụng describes his experiences visiting the dispensary (nhà lục xì) where prostitute...
The Collector Preserving Decades of Saigon History, From Vintage Brands to Pandemic Memories
"A Việt Kiều customer living in France paid me a visit. She looked at my sofa and started tearing up because its design was so similar to one she had in her childhood home. She said she missed home an...
Saigon Postcard No. 30: The Cacophony of a Healed Saigon
It doesn’t feel so long ago that Saigon went into battle mode against invaders of microscopic scales.
Due to Bidding Red Tape, Pasteur Institute HCMC Runs Out of Vaccines
Saigoneers wishing to inoculate themselves or their children have recently been turned away at the Pasteur Institute in HCMC as the institute struggles to secure its vaccine supplies.
Khôi Phạm in Film & TV
Review: 'U Linh Tích Ký' Shows Made-in-Vietnam Animation Prowess, but Is Light on Narrative
Premiered less than 24 hours ago, a made-in-Vietnam animation project has quickly become the talk of the town in the local cybersphere thanks to its high production values and intriguing concept.
World Economic Forum Names Vietnam Health Startup Among Promising Tech Companies
Selected because of its contributions to digital health care, Docosan was one of 100 companies globally to receive the distinction.
Beauty Behemoth Sephora Enters Vietnamese Market With Digital Store
Sephora, the wide-reaching consumer goods retailer, has launched an e-commerce portal for Vietnamese customers, but has revealed no plans for physical stores in Vietnam.
Hanoi Opens First Milk Bank at National Children's Hospital
The milk bank will provide pasteurized milk for more than 1,000 babies at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi to reduce the risk of late neonatal infection amongst infants unable to...
Paul Christiansen in Natural Selection
Kiến Ba Khoang: A Harbinger of Dread and Divine Punishment
People’s skin erupted with horrific boils that burst open, spilling stinging pus across vicious rashes. According to the Christian Bible, along with water turning to blood, frogs, lice, gnats, disease...
Vietnamese Studio Builds First Electric Batmobile for $25,000
The Tumbler — the Batmobile in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight — has been recreated by 23-year-old artist and architect Nguyễn Đắc Chung and his team at Macro Studios.
[Photos] Inside a Vaccination Point in Vietnam Nearly 100 Years Ago
A century ago, the colonial government was active in inoculating Vietnamese citizens against a variety of diseases.
From Silicone and Clay, a Hanoi Duo Craft Intricate Cosmetic Prostheses
“The products we make are fake arms, legs, noses, ears…from silicone. The value we create is emotional healing, giving our customers confidence in themselves and their lives — the things they lack aft...
'54 Shades of Dần,' a Tribute to Tết in Tiger-Themed Playing Cards
Tết is coming, a time of joy, new beginnings and, for some, the ideal time for card games.
Lego to Build First Carbon-Neutral Factory in Binh Duong
Vietnam is set to produce the beloved bricks as regional demand for the Danish toy rises.
Felled Heritage Trees on Nguyen Binh Khiem Cause Outrage Among Saigoneers
Over the weekend, some Saigoneers were shocked to see images surfacing online showing city maintenance workers chopping down heritage trees along Nguyen Binh Khiem Street.
Bồ Kết: When Nature Dreams of Bubbles and Silky Hair
The first memory I have of bồ kết was when it was concocted into something completely different from its unassuming, modest self.
A Striking Tapestry of Emotions in the Exhibition 'Postcards From the Pandemic'
“Postcards From the Pandemic,” a community exhibition organized by Work Room Four and Hanoi Grapevine, is on display in Hanoi from November 10 to 23. After days of seeking public contributions, the e...
What If Disney Fairy Tales Took Place in Vietnam? A Local Illustrator Wonders.
Cinderella, Snow White and The Little Mermaid are all iconic animated characters whose imagery has left a strong impression on generations of children. What if these stories, popularized by Disney car...
Into the Storm: Saigon's Outbreak Through the Eyes of a Frontline Volunteer
“The best way to overcome fear is to face it,” 33-year-old Hương Nguyễn thought when she decided to volunteer as a frontline worker during Saigon’s most deadly weeks of the pandemic.
As Cases Drop, Saigon Announces Roadmap to Phase out Covid-19 Field Hospitals
Hospital beds were once a scarcity that became filled as soon as they were set up, but the number of cases in southern COVID-19 hot spots has plummeted to the point that many field hospitals are no lo...
Vietnam Announces New App to Unify All Previous Covid-19 Apps
One app to rule them all.
'Thần Đồng Đất Việt' Author Lê Linh: 'I Will Never Stop Working With History'
For Vietnamese comic fans of the past two decades, the names Lê Linh and Thần Đồng Đất Việt will most definitely ring a bell.
Linh Pham in Postcards
Hanoi Postcard No. 11: Saddle Chill Time
Who is better at the art of chilling on a motorbike than the xe ôm?
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Born Into Traditional Craft, a Young Sculptor Finds Joy in Carving Pop Culture
“Even though they know deeply that it’s beautiful, they cannot feel it because it’s not familiar to them,” Duy Trần says of younger generations that gaze upon the traditional wood sculptures in his fa...
Hung Vuong Hospital Opens Care Center for Babies Born to Mothers With Covid-19
As the coronavirus makes its way across Saigon and Vietnam, maternity care has become a particularly serious issue as more and more pregnant residents are getting infected.
Đại Việt Kỳ Nhân: When Vietnam's Prolific History Meets Board Game
After copious exchanges with friends from abroad, Tô Quốc Nghị had a flash of realization: just like his friends’ countries, Vietnam has always had a wicked awesome history, but the dull, uninspiring ...
Gojek Launches New Car Ride-Hailing Service
But you'll have to wait to use it.
FV Hospital Seeks Approval to Collect Fees for Vaccination Services
FV Hospital is seeking permission to both ramp up its vaccination facilities, and begin charging for vaccination services.
Amid Tourism Slump, Saigon's Hotels Provide Free Stays, Meals to Frontline Workers
Amid Saigon’s most devastating outbreak of COVID-19, the city’s various economic sectors have pivoted to supporting frontline workers in their enduring efforts against the epidemic.
Find Literary Divination in This Special Deck of 'Tale of Kiều' Tarot
In the world of tarot, each of the 78 cards represents a metaphysical inquiry into life and the human psyche. Meanwhile, in Nguyễn Du’s epic poem, each of the 3,254 verses offers a philosophical explo...
Q&A: An Interview With 'Raya and the Last Dragon' Co-Writer Qui Nguyen
When Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon was released in March, it was a cultural milestone for Southeast Asians. Raya is the first Southeast Asian Disney princess in the Walt Disney Company’s...
Historic Gate of Saigon Children's Hospital Destroyed by Car Collision
The Children’s Hospital 2 is one of Saigon’s oldest medical facilities, dating back to the 19th century.
Vietnamese Modders Create Drivable VinFast Car in Grand Theft Auto V
Curious about VinFast’s vehicles but can’t afford one? Well, now you can (kind of) drive around one of these flagship cars in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V).
Dầu Gió, a Poignant Link Between My Family Legacy and Traditional Medicine
This is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of the book Pills, Teas, and Songs: Stories of Medicine Around the World by Debby Nguyen, republished with permission. Debby's family of pharmacists and doc...
Vietnam Begins Covid-19 Vaccinations With Hospital Staff in Hanoi, Saigon, Hai Duong
Less than two weeks after the first batch of vaccine doses landed, Vietnam officially began its national vaccination campaign against COVID-19.
VinFast Approved For Autonomous Car Testing in California, Eyes US Exports
Vietnamese automaker VinFast has targeted the US market not only for vehicle export but also for testing its autonomous self-driving technology.
Shift to Cargo Shipping Helped VietJet Turn a Profit in 2020
With a profit of VND70 billion (US$3 million), it is one of the only airlines in the world to not reduce its workforce and remain profitable last year.
[Photos] Watching the Sunset From Fansipan, the Roof of Vietnam
Conquering Mount Fansipan’s 3,147 meters was once a feat reserved for those willing to take on the potential multi-day hike from Sapa to the summit and back.
2nd Made-in-Vietnam Covid-19 Vaccine Candidate Enters Human Trials
A second COVID-19 candidate vaccine has officially entered the human trial phase.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 28: Embrace a New Fashion
What if cải lương tuồng cổ costumes became a new trend?
Vietnam Detects First Case of New Covid-19 Variant Discovered in UK
The individual in question was quarantined upon arrival, posing no threat to the community.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 27: Santa Claus Is Coming to Quarantine
Vietnam makes no special safety-protocol exceptions for Santa Claus.
Vietnam Slightly Advances on UN Human Development Index to No. 117 of 189
Over the last 30 years, Vietnam's HDI (Human Development Index) has grown by 46%, amongst the biggest jump in the world.
Japan Plans to Ban Sale of Gasoline Cars by Next Decade
By the mid-2030s, all new cars sold in Japan will need to be hybrid gasoline-electric or fully electric.
First Covid-19 Vaccine Candidate in Vietnam Moves to Human Trials
Sixty Vietnamese have volunteered to participate in the first human trial of the vaccine to begin this month.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 26: Urban Decay
What happens after the cho thuê nhà signs go up?
Saigon to Open New 1,000-Bed Oncology Hospital With Helipad Next Month
After years of delay, the second campus of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital will finally open its doors to patients next month.
US to Open Southeast Asia CDC Office in Hanoi
The office will allow the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to have an increased presence in monitoring, aiding responses to, and learning from health issues, including COVID-19...
Review: Red Balloons, a Fresh Musical Take on Vintage Vietnamese Cartoons
At 6:30pm on July 5, Red Balloons: Music for 20th Century Vietnamese Animation took place at the Institut français de Hanoi-L'Espace. It was organized by The Onion Cellar and The Centre for Assis...
[Photos] Inside the Dust-Covered World of Ninh Van's Traditional Stone Carvers
It's a rare treat to see generations of skill in person.
F1 Releases Complete 2020 Race Calendar Without Vietnam
F1 is pressing ahead with a revised race schedule for the rest of the year, but fans in Vietnam hoping to see an actual race in the country might be disappointed.
3 Vietnamese Films Selected for Locarno Film Festival
The Locarno Film Festival opens this month for the 72nd year running, this time as a new hybrid edition titled "For the Future of Films."
Vietnam Increases Carbon Emissions Reduction Target in Next Decade
The country is now aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9% by 2030.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 25: Child's Play
Who builds Saigon's bridges?
[Photos] A Hanoi in Transition, Over a Century Ago
Today, Hoan Kiem Lake has no lantern-lifting Statue of Liberty that people fish beside, Russian naval ships don't moor in the Red River, and nón lá hardly cover every head in the capital.
Saigon Approves Plan to Charge Cars Fee to Enter Downtown
To improve downtown Saigon’s traffic situation, city authorities are planning to boost public transportation while imposing more hurdles on private vehicles entering the area.
Cine-Concert Refreshes Vintage Vietnamese Cartoons With Soundtracks by Current Musicians
This July brings to Hanoi a unique cine-concert experience combining live music and Vietnamese animation archives. Red Balloons: Music For 20th-century Vietnamese Animation, organized by The Onion Cel...
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 24: A Slice of New Saigon
Saigon is a cake with many bakers.
Hai Phong to Open New Cable Car Route Connecting Cat Ba, Cat Hai Islands
On June 6, the northern city of Hai Phong will welcome a cable car line connecting Dong Bai Commune on Cat Hai island and Phu Long Commune on Cat Ba island.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
We Made Some Saigoneer Coloring Templates for You Because Adults Need Whimsy Too
Feeling monochromatic? Well, Saigoneer can help with that.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 23: A Round of Applause
"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'"
Vietnam Only Records 4 New Covid-19 Cases Over the Weekend
The nation's tally for Covid-19 cases hit 241 on Sunday night, but Monday arrived without any new patients testing positive since the previous evening.
Inside Saigon's Grassroots Carton and Aluminum Recycling Plants
With plastics claiming many of the headlines worldwide and constituting a major issue in Vietnam, scant attention is being paid to other recyclable materials, namely cardboard and aluminum.
Coronavirus Update: 57 Cases, Compulsory Masks and Saigon's Nightlife Closures
Despite tightening restrictions on movement and air travel, Vietnam’s number of Covid-19 cases jumped from 39 last Thursday to 57 by the end of Sunday.
Vietnam Will Pay for Tests, Treatment, Quarantine of Coronavirus Patients
Free treatment will be offered for all Covid-19 patients in Vietnam.