Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
Cold War History With a Side of Nem Rán in Prague's Little Hanoi
Across English-speaking countries the US and Australia, the Vietnamese diaspora established close-knit “Little Saigon” towns whenever they settle down, founding large markets, starting financial servi...
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
To Appreciate Tao Đàn More, Study the Park's Past, Present, and Future
Shallow shrub and fern roots tussle to send shoots, tendrils and stalks up and outwards, sprawling across uneven ground and grasping at patches of light. A musky, funky, fetid soil stink emanates from...
New Proposal Plans Metro Line Linking Long Thành Airport, Thủ Thiêm
Let the paperwork begin!
Huế Becomes 1st City With Dedicated Lanes on Pavements for Bicycles
The growing popularity of biking as a recreational activity in Vietnam has been acknowledged officially by urban planners in Huế.
Saigon Metro Line 1 Announces July Launch Date, Free Rides in Phase 1
Will 2024 be the auspicious year when our legs could finally step on the metro platform for the first time?
Sweating out My Sadness on the Canal's Exercise Machines
We're all unlucky in love sometimes. When I am, I go jogging. The body loses water when you jog, so you have none left for tears.
The Tumultuous Tale of Three Ga Sài Gòn Locations, From 1885 Until Now
Travelers arriving by train in Hồ Chí Minh City sometimes express surprise that the main Saigon Railway Station is located in Hòa Hưng, some distance from the central business district. In fact, this ...
Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line
In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam h...
Khôi Phạm in Culture
What to See, Taste, and Do If You Have a Free Morning in Tân Định
There’s not much you’ll need to do to persuade me to drive, walk, crawl, scuttle or skate along the Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal — I adore its shaded, tree-lined pavements that much.
Khôi Phạm in Literature
From Architecture to Folklore: 5 Indie Book Projects for Vietnamese Culture Buffs
In our years of writing about Vietnam, Saigoneer has had the pleasure to meet many passionate, inquisitive individuals whose creative and academic projects inspired us to appreciate the many facets of...
Without State Subsidies, Hanoi Metro Records $2.3m in Losses in 2021
Pre-subsidies, Vietnam's first operational metro route — Hanoi's Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line — recorded VND54 billion (US$2.32 million) in losses in 2021.
All Aboard Bus 146, Home of Plushies, Rubber Chickens and a Side of Humanity
“Cute” doesn’t seem like a fitting descriptor for any mode of public transport, but a bus in Saigon is driving straight into the heart of Saigoneers for being the quintessence of “smotheringly ad...
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.
Huế Launches Public Bicycle Trial Program With 7 Stations, 250 Bikes
This Monday, Huế launched the pilot phase of its public bike rental system.
Saigon Plans to Add 10ha of Public Parks by End of 2022
The additional parks are part of a goal to have 3–4 square meters of green space per Saigon resident by 2030.
Đàm Lê Đức, Educator Extraordinaire and Matriarch of 218 Lý Tự Trọng, Passes Away at 91
If there’s such a thing as a celebrity teacher, Madame Đàm Lê Đức would be a shining example of Saigon’s educator extraordinaire.
At Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge's Launch, Exuberance and Selfies Galore
After seven years under construction, the Thủ Thiêm 2 Bridge officially opened for traffic at 5pm, April 28. This was a much-anticipated project for Saigoneers, with over VND3.1 trillion in investment...
Hanoi Envisions 6 More Metro Lines for City Center by 2050
Earlier this week, Hanoi unveiled a general plan for the underground development of the city center which includes adding six metro lines and 81 underground stations.
5 Biggest Cities Told to Restrict Motorbikes From 2030
Will motorbikes in downtown Saigon be a thing of the past in eight years?
New Proposal to Move Tôn Đức Thắng Underground to Make Room for Walking Plaza
It's ambitious, to say the least.
After Initial Success, Saigon's Public Bike Scheme to Expand to 4 More Districts, Hanoi
Pedal power!
Saigon to Launch Investigation Into Rampant Sexual Harassment on Buses
In response to many online accounts from young Saigoneers recounting their traumatic experiences on local buses, the city has announced that it would launch an investigation into the matter.
After Years of Delay, Operating Company of Saigon's 1st Metro Line Is Broke
Years of delay, which has been further compounded by the extended pandemic, have depleted the funding for Saigon Metro's operator.
Saigon's Bạch Đằng Park to Get Trees, Restrooms, Parking Space After Complaints
After a few months under renovation, District 1’s Bạch Đằng Wharf was unveiled as a brand-new park just before Tết last month.
Adorable Metro Illustrations Take Viewers on a Joyride Through Saigon
As fans of Vietnam’s busiest city, graphic designers An Nguyễn and Học Nguyễn launched a mock communication campaign to create prospective visual branding for the upcoming Ho Chi Minh City Metro. The ...
Saigon's First Electric Bus Line to Debut This Quarter
The wheels on the (electric) bus go round and round.
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
Finding Fun and Revelation Aboard Saigon's Wayward Waterbus
Cement, clay, clapboard, spackle, rebar, piping, plaster smears, paint drips, pencil scrawlings: to witness the rise of a building, observe its innards, is to marvel at the pretense of an ego, for wha...
Youth Mental Health Advocacy Calls On Young Adults to Open Up About Their Mental Struggles Through New Music Video
In collaboration with free tele-counseling service Ngày Mai Hotline, a group of organizers has created an audio-visual project called 'Mental Sound' to promote their message. Using youth-targeted lang...
Mattress Company Fined VND137m for Half-Naked Santas on Hanoi Metro
A mattress company was fined VND137 million for its recent advertising stunt involving half-naked men showing off their abs on the Hanoi metro.
Vietnam Says No to Proposal to Import 37 Used Train Cars From Japan
Even though the plan to repurpose secondhand trains from Japan might be cost-effective, state officials deem them too old to be imported.
Public Bike Service Finally Launches in Saigon After Week of Delay
After an unexplained delay, Saigon's first public bike rental system launched today.
Hanoi Looks Into Banning Motorcycles in City Center From 2025
Authorities are researching a plan to ban motorcycles in the city center from 2025 onward.
Public Bike Rental Service to Launch in Saigon on Friday
Saigoneers are about to have a new way to get around town.
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...
Saigon Proposes 2 New Waterbus Routes Linking Districts 1, 7
Saigoneer's favorite form of transportation has just proposed adding two new routes linking District 7 and District 1.
Hanoi's First Metro Line Will Officially Open Tomorrow
Hanoi's Cat Linh-Ha Dong Line will be the first metro system in Vietnam to commence operation.
Saigon Begins Vaccinating Students to Prepare for School Reopening
The city aims to administer Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to approximately 780,000 children aged 12 to 17.
Saigon to Resume Flights, Buses, Taxis, App-Based Car Rides in Limited Capacity
Buses, cars and private ride options will resume in limited capacity in Saigon this week.
Over 1,500 Schoolchildren Become Orphans Due to Saigon's Covid-19 Outbreak
The current COVID-19 crisis has crippled Saigon’s economy and disrupted the daily life of millions of people, but most tragically, it has also taken thousands of lives.
Vietnam Launches Campaign to Donate 1m Computers to Students for Remote Learning
The free computers, set to be distributed by the end of this December, are part of a larger effort to help the nation's K-12 students during remote learning.
A New Generation of Vietnamese Chefs Is Shaking Things up in Prague
Saigon Faces Online Study Woes as Thousands of Students Still Without Internet, Smart Devices
What started as a temporary solution last year became an official measure in the COVID-19 education playbook in Vietnam this year.
What Happens When Artists Turn a Fishing Village Into Their Canvas?
Imagine if your home village was suddently transformed into a giant canvas for murals.
Hanoi Puts Finishing Touches to Get First Metro Line Running by End of April
Fingers crossed!
Vietnam National University to Add Golf to PE Curriculum in Pilot Program
Fore!
Vietnam Introduces Korean, German as Foreign Language Options of Public Syllabus
Students at public schools across Vietnam now have two more choices in the pool of foreign languages for their formal education.
To Teach Children the Importance of Play, First Bring Playgrounds Back to Hanoi
In rapidly developing urban Hanoi, finding engaging outdoor play areas for young children is near impossible. But since 2014, the social enterprise Think Playgrounds has colored public spaces across V...
Saigon Approves 1-Year Trial of App-Based Public Bike Program
Where would you ride your bike?
Saigon Approves $142m Rapid Bus Line That Runs Along Vo Van Kiet
Will it happen?
Hanoi Begins Full-Scale Test Runs of Cat Linh-Ha Dong Metro Line This Weekend
At last, some progress.
How Much Would a Trip on Saigon's Future Metro Line 1 Cost?
With a train ticketing system that’s a decade old, riders on Saigon’s Metro Line 1 might face inconvenience even before even setting foot on the subway.
Michael Tatarski in Health
How a Simple Toilet Improved the Life of a Small Ben Tre Family
Do you ever pause for a second when using the toilet?
Saigon's Metro Line 2 Acquires 70% of Land Needed for Construction
Construction on the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line is expected to commence in 2021.
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.
Vietnam to Increase Fines for Not Wearing Masks 10-Fold in November
The penalty for not wearing facemasks in public places will soon increase by a factor of 10.
Hanoi's Second Metro Line Welcomes First Train From France
The train cars arrived in Hai Phong after being shipped from France.
First Saigon Metro Train Arrives From Japan for Test Runs
Much excite!
Saigon Transport Department Proposes Yet Another Public Bike Project
According to the proposal, it would include 43 stations around central Saigon.
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.
Saigon Wants to Expand Pedestrian-Only Zone to 5 More Streets in D1
Saigon might create more pedestrian zones in the city in the future.
Hanoi Gears up to Start Building Metro Line 5 in 2022
The proposed route would cover 39 kilometers.
Vietnam Will Allow Phone Use in Class for Educational Purposes
This doesn't mean students will be able to use Facebook and TikTok during class though.
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...
Public Electric Bus Routes, Run by VinBus, May Be Coming to Hanoi
The routes would utilize electric buses manufactured by VinFast.
Saigon Creator of Rice 'ATM' Introduces Machine for Free Face Masks
The worst of times bring out the best in some people.
New Eastern Bus Station to Partially Open This Month
The first phase of the massive Mien Dong Bus Station will open on August 15.
Saigon Unveils New Public Bus App Made by Grab
The Go!Bus app will show travelers information for bus routes and connect them to Grab cars or bikes to bring them there if the nearest station is beyond 200 meters away.
Saigon Reveals Plans to Spend $17bn on Public Transit Over 10 Years
This is part of an effort to increase public transport usage and reduce private vehicle numbers as traffic and air quality continues to worsen.
Vietnam in Negotiations to Resume Flights With Japan, South Korea, China
The news comes amid ongoing speculation regarding the resumption of inbound commercial international flights.
Karaoke Chain Nnice Submits Plea for Permission to Reopen, Citing Financial Woes
Karaoke parlors nationwide have remained closed since March 15.
Saigon Launches Citywide Tree Inspection After Falling Phượng Kills Student
In the near future, some students from Saigon’s public schools might witness the removal of their favorite canopy trees.
Drug-Resistant Bacteria Flourish in Southeast Asia's Antibiotic-Filled Sewage
The fetid vapors of a sewer canal may be unpleasant, but what lurks beneath the surface can be a killer.
Bars, Cinemas, Sports Get Green Light, Karaoke and Clubs Remain Closed
Vietnam residents can now knock back a few cold ones at their local watering hole, but they'll have to leave their karaoke dreams at home.
Vietnam Confirms 17 New Coronavirus Cases From UAE, All Quarantined on Arrival
The patients are Vietnamese nationals who returned on a repatriation flight from the United Arab Emirates last Sunday.
As Metro Line 1 Nears Completion, Saigon Moves Forward With Plans for Line 3A
The 20-kilometer-long Metro Line 3A would run from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Tan Kien Ward in Binh Chanh District.
Michael Tatarski in Food Culture
One's Expired Craft Beer Is Another's Hand Sanitizer Ingredient
Amid the relentless pace of upsetting news related to the coronavirus pandemic, bright spots of ingenuity and compassion have shone through.
