Pure Passion Turns Dark: The Unexpected Dangers of the Wild Turtle Trade
Seeking a companion during quarantine, Khánh*, a 25-year-old Hanoian, bought a baby turtle through a Facebook group.
Saigon's Next Top 5 Congested Streets Are Announced. Here Are the Winners.
Local streets are buckling under the pressure of Saigon's ever-increasing population density, here are the city's most frequently jammed roads, according to the municipal Department of Transportation....
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street
In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiri...
Lemaire's Campaigns Blend Vietnam's Street Scenes, French Fashion
Stuck in traffic on a Honda Cub, but make it fashion.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Our Toxic Relationship With Saigon Traffic: A Diagnosis
There is no way to describe Saigon traffic literally and have it understood by someone who has not experienced it.
Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi
I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year...
Hanoi, Home to 51% of Vietnam's Captive Bears, Remains Bile-Farming Hot Spot
Hanoi has more than half of Vietnam's registered captive bears, which makes the capital the biggest, and the last, hot spot of bear bile farming in the country.
Last Weekend's Downpour Was the Heaviest Rain Hanoi Has Seen Since 1986
On Sunday afternoon, torrential rain following an unprecedented downpour inundated many streets and paralyzed traffic in Hanoi.
5 Biggest Cities Told to Restrict Motorbikes From 2030
Will motorbikes in downtown Saigon be a thing of the past in eight years?
Hanoi Zoo to Take Over Care of 8 Tigers Rescued in Nghệ An
After months in temporary custody at an ecotourism complex, eight rescued tigers in Nghệ An will resettle in the Hanoi Zoo.
Michael Tatarski in Environment
Scientists Confirmed 91 New Species in Vietnam in 2020, WWF Report Shows
A new report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) highlights just how biodiverse the Greater Mekong region remains, even as major threats continue to impact flora and fauna populations.
Hoi An Signs Agreement With Four Paws to Cease Consumption of Dog, Cat Meats
The move is certainly a step in the right direction, though it remains to be seen which concrete steps local authorities will take to honor their promise.
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.
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.
Chris Humphrey in Society
Q&A: Blue Dragon Co-CEO Skye Maconachie on How the Pandemic Affects Vietnam's Most Vulnerable
Saigoneer talks to Skye Maconachie, Co-CEO of Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a respected, Hanoi-based NGO known for rescuing victims of human trafficking and supporting street kids in the capital....
Da Lat Installs First-Ever Traffic Lights to Stem Road Congestion
A new era has begun for the increasingly busy mountain city.
Da Lat Is Getting First-Ever Traffic Lights to Help With Congestion
Wild times in Da Lat.
The Story of Hồng Hoàng: From the 1st Vietnamese in Antarctica to a Fervent Wildlife Activist
For Hồng Hoàng, a career in environmental activism in Vietnam began with a polar expedition.
Online Ranking Places Hanoi, Saigon Among Cities With Lowest Quality of Life
Do you agree?
Vietnam Traffic Police Introduce Bamboo Nozzles for Breathalyzers
Vietnam’s nascent green movement is hitting the streets in a unique way.
Higher Fee, Worse Pickup Location at Airport Draw Ire of Passengers, Rideshare Drivers
While aiming to reduce congestion at the domestic terminal, a new lane designation policy imposed by the Tan Son Nhat administration has created new inconveniences.
Saigon Transport Department Wants $900m for Waterway Development
Water-based public transportation is still considerably underdeveloped for a city with an extensive network of water bodies like 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.
New Directive Aims to Strengthen Illegal Wildlife Trade Enforcement
On July 23, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc issued a new directive with the aim of tightening control against illegal wildlife trade and consumption.
Vietnam Arrests 7 for Trafficking Chinese Nationals Into Vietnam
The arrests come amid a crackdown on trafficking following a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 cases in central Vietnam.
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.
New Study Shows Coronavirus Strains in Vietnam's Field Rats, Guano Farms
Data from a study published in June 2020 suggests that, by the time field rat meat reaches restaurant tables, more than half of it is infected with coronaviruses.
China Removes Pangolin Scales From Official Traditional Medicine List
The move has given conservationists hope in the fight to save the world's most-trafficked animal.
Work Begins on Nguyen Van Linh-Nguyen Huu Tho Intersection Upgrade
A major project is underway to relieve congestion at a notorious traffic hotspot in Saigon.
Vietnam Mulls Allowing Personalized License Plate Number, for a Fee
For a fee, and possibly through participation in an online auction, drivers would be able to select their own license plate numbers, rather than have them randomly assigned.
11 Nests of Rare Sea Turtles Found in Thailand Amid Lockdown
When the cat's away, the mice will play; or in this case, during pandemic lockdown, animals will reclaim the spaces once bustling with human activity.
90% of Vietnamese Surveyed in WWF Covid-19 Study Support Closing Wildlife Markets
The first survey analyzing public opinion about the connection between COVID-19 and the wildlife trade in Asia shows widespread support for the elimination of wildlife markets.
As Vietnam's Streets Turn Empty During Pandemic, Traffic Violations Surge
Despite the nation's positive results in containing Covid-19, a grim byproduct of Vietnam’s stay-at-home orders and social distancing campaigns was identified earlier this week.
[Video] Rescued Pangolin Gives Birth in Vietnamese Sanctuary
For the first time ever, a baby Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) was born in a captive environment at the Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) facility in Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam.
Over 23,000 Drivers Fined for Driving Under Influence in First 2 Months of 2020
After the new bill on alcohol consumption was passed by the National Assembly, stricter regulations on driving after having consumed alcohol were enforced.
Vietnam Sees Sharp Drop in Traffic Accidents in January Compared to 2019
During the four weeks leading up to Tet, the number of traffic accidents plummeted across Vietnam, a positive sign considering those also made up the country’s busiest period.
Vietnam's Beer Sales Down 25% Since Strict Drunk Driving Laws Come Into Force
Are you drinking less?
Saigon to Restore Square in Front of Opera House After Years Under Construction
The area has been fenced off for six years to make way for the construction of the metro.
He Boasted About Driving From Saigon to Hanoi in 20 Hours. The Police Aren't Amused.
To Ha Dong Nghi, a 25-year-old professional racer, recently caused controversy after announcing on Facebook that he finished a drive from Saigon to Hanoi in only 19 hours and 45 minutes.
[Photos] Road Safety Campaign Pokes Fun at Vietnam's Traffic Offenses
Titled “Traffic in Wonderland,” a road safety campaign features a series of photos taken on Vietnam’s streets, with added cheeky drawings.
Hanoi Again Considers Banning 3-Wheel Rickshaws, Xích Lô
How will sunburned tourists get around?
Almost 3,500 Vietnamese Trafficked Since 2013, Government Says
The statistics come in the wake of 39 Vietnamese nationals being found dead in a container truck in southeast England.
New Saigon Trial Uses AI-Powered CCTV Cameras to Catch Traffic Offenders
The artificial intelligence (AI) technology was developed by TSMG, a tech company based in Hanoi that specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) systems and big data.
Research Reveals High Rates of Drunk Driving, Low Seat Belt Use in Saigon
High rates of intoxicated driving, improperly worn helmets and not using seat belts are amongst the worrying results of a recently released survey of Saigon drivers.
Saigon Pilots Park-and-Ride Scheme at Ham Nghi Central Bus Terminal
Authorities hope the parking facility will increase convenience for bus riders.
New Proposal Seeks to Pedestrianize More Old Quarter Streets
Perhaps Hanoi's Old Quarter streets won't be such a nightmare for pedestrians in the future.
68% of Vietnamese Insist on Driving Themselves Home After Drinking Sessions
More than two-thirds of people who drink at a nhậu session or restaurant admit to driving afterwards, contributing significantly to traffic accidents.
Thai Prime Minister Suggests Moving Capital to Help Overcrowded Bangkok
In what seems to be a growing trend among overcrowded Southeast Asian capitals, Thailand's Prime Minister has floated the idea of relocating its capital from Bangkok.
Current Public Transport Satisfies Less Than 10% of Saigon's Mobility Demand
The city is scrambling for ways to provide more and better public transportation options as traffic continues to worsen.
The Delicate Process of Helping Bears Recover From Trauma
Bear bile farms, which exist in some Asian countries like Vietnam and China, are a terrible reality for Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus).
Tam Dao's Bear Sanctuary and the Fight Against Bile Farms
Bear bile farming is a custom that originates from China, having been practiced for thousands of years. The bile, harvested from bears’ gallbladders, is used in various traditional Chinese medicines. ...
[Photos] Inside Cat Tien National Park's New Bear Sanctuary Made From Wire and Pebbles
The group of buildings inside Cat Tien National Park provides a comfortable home to 40 sun and moon bears that have been rescued from illegal trafficking and the bear bile industry.
Saigon Needs Smart Cards for Public Transport Instead of Single-Use Tickets: Experts
Could a single contactless card allow riders access to bus, water taxi, tram, monorail and metro routes?
Minibuses That Run in Hẻms Might Be the Latest Transport Pilot Program in Saigon
Will there be room in Saigon’s hẻm system to fit small buses?
Maneuver Vietnam's Hectic Traffic in This Quirky, Locally Made Minigame
Haven’t gotten enough of Vietnam’s traffic pandemonium in real life? Now you can also experience it virtually through this quirky brand-new mobile game.
Ben Thanh Bus Terminal to Be Demolished, Moved to Ham Nghi Next Week
Saigon’s Ben Thanh bus terminal is the next city landmark slated for demolition in order to make way for District 1’s metro construction.
Brian Letwin in Development
Da Nang Taps IBM to Design Advanced Traffic System
Why is it that Da Nang keeps getting all the cool toys? As if free, city-wide WIFI weren’t enough, the city has signed a deal with IBM to install a high-tech traffic management system.
Brian Letwin in Development
How Saigon Plans to Avoid the 'Car Age'
“A developed city is not one in which the poor get around by car but one in which the rich get around by public transit” - Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá. It seems like every time I’m stall...
