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.
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?
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...
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
On a Boat Ride Through Nhiêu Lộc Canal, a Fish's-Eye View of Saigon
Could your life in Saigon be made into a quirky indie film?
English-Language Edition of 'Chinatown' by Thuận Wins US Translation Award
The 2023 National Translation Award for fiction was given by the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) to Nguyễn An Lý’s translation of Chinatown by Thuận.
Brian Letwin in Heritage
Tàu Cánh Ngầm: The Curious Case of Saigon’s Lost Soviet Hydrofoils
Not long ago, hulking “creatures” glided atop the waters between Saigon and Vũng Tàu. Like the dinosaurs that came before them, they slowly disappeared, until all that was left were their skeletons.
In the Mekong Delta, Ferries Are Childhood Friends and Daily Companions
The Mekong Delta is called Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long in Vietnamese — the Nine Dragons River, for the way the mighty Mekong splits into multiple strands as it nears its final destination, the East Sea.
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 Film & TV
A (Non-Exhaustive) Ranking of 10 Vietnamese Queer Movies in History
How would you define a “queer” film?
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...
The History of Hanoi's Lost Tramway Network
When they first drew up plans for a citywide tramway network in 1894, it seemed as though the Hanoi authorities would follow Saigon’s example by opting for steam traction. Yet, by the time government ...
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.
Officials Announce (Yet Another) Plan to Restore Historic Đà Lạt-Tháp Chàm Railway
The 84-km railway line connecting Đà Lạt and Tháp Chàm (Phan Rang) was built between 1908 and 1932 and abandoned in 1976.
Vietnam Consumer Protection Watchdog Asks Grab to Explain New 'Hot Weather' Fee
A “hot weather” fee is Grab’s latest surcharge on a shopping list of other additional fees the ride-hailing giant tacks on to each ride.
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...
Huế Launches Public Bicycle Trial Program With 7 Stations, 250 Bikes
This Monday, Huế launched the pilot phase of its public bike rental system.
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.
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.
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 ...
How Indie Book Publisher Bar De Force Marries Art, Literature and Translation
“A collision of literature and art on the pages” is the descriptor that Bar De Force, a Vietnamese independent press, gives itself.
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...
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.
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 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.
Without Ride-Hailing, Public Buses, Saigon's Taxis Are Thrust Into the Frontline
Through the windows of a taxi cab making its way through deserted Ho Chi Minh City, the once-bustling Vietnamese metropolis is almost unrecognizable as empty street after empty street rolls by.
Saigon Allows Shippers to Operate Again in 'Red Zones,' Requires Daily Covid-19 Tests
In an effort to ease pressures on ward officials, Saigon authorities have allowed shippers to resume operation from today, albeit with some caveats.
Paul Christiansen in Music & Arts
Saigon Designer Envisages Classic Vietnamese Transportations With Some Pizzaz
What if your motorbike had rocket propulsion?
Saigon's Young Voice Actors Learn There's More to Dubbing Than Pretty Voices
Voice actors are rarely given enough attention, for they are always working behind closed curtains, giving the movie its "life." Nonetheless, many young people continue to be drawn to this nascent car...
Hanoi Puts Finishing Touches to Get First Metro Line Running by End of April
Fingers crossed!
Saigon Metro's Foreign Experts to Be Paid at Least $23,000 Per Month
Teaching train driving is a bankable field nowadays.
Her Schedule on Saturday
Imagine that on the weekend a splinter flies into your eye and you have to see the doctor.
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.
Vietnam Confirms 1st Community Covid-19 Case After 88 Days in Saigon
After going 88 days without any detected community transmission of COVID-19, last night the Ministry of Health announced a new case in Saigon.
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.
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.
81% of Saigoneers Plan to Use Metro Line 1 When It's Finished, Survey Shows
Do you plan to use the metro lines in these cities?
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.
Hanoi Gears up to Start Building Metro Line 5 in 2022
The proposed route would cover 39 kilometers.
Public Electric Bus Routes, Run by VinBus, May Be Coming to Hanoi
The routes would utilize electric buses manufactured by VinFast.
Da Nang Resumes Intercity Transport After Week Without New Covid-19 Cases
As of Monday, September 7, all train, vehicle and air travel to and within Da Nang will return to normal.
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.
New Eastern Bus Station to Partially Open This Month
The first phase of the massive Mien Dong Bus Station will open on August 15.
Da Nang Restarts Social Distancing After Cases of Covid-19 Community Transmission Emerge
Over the weekend, Vietnam recorded five new COVID-19 infections, four of which are community transmissions, putting an end to the country’s 99-day streak without local infections.
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.
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.
First Floor of Opera House Metro Station Completed Ahead of Schedule
At long last, visible progress on the underground section of Saigon's first metro line has appeared.
Trains for Saigon’s First Metro Line Undergo Final Testing in Japan
On April 11, Saigon’s Urban Railway Management Board announced that the trains ordered to serve the city’s first metro line had begun their final technical inspections in Japan.
Saigon's Blood Reserve Faces Critical Shortage as Pandemic Cancels Donation Drives
Saigon’s public hospitals will face an acute blood shortage in the next few days if the lack of donors continues.
Paul Christiansen in Postcards
Saigon Postcard No. 22: Feline Obstruction
If one needs further proof of cats' superiority to humans, one simply needs to consider their response to Saigon's perpetually stalled public transportation plans.
After Much Delay, New Eastern Bus Station to Begin Service in April
The new Mien Dong, or Eastern, Bus Station is finally scheduled for service.
From April, Cars for Ride-Hailing Apps Might Be Required to Install Taxi Signs
In 2016, a pilot for the application of science and technology to support transport management on a contractual basis was issued, allowing ride-hailing services such as Grab to operate without being s...
Vietnam to Install Surveillance Cameras on Buses to Combat Sexual Harassment
A decree recently approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will make several changes to transportation services including the addition of surveillance cameras to 170,000 transportation vehicles.&nb...
Saigon to Preserve Part of Old Binh Loi Railway Bridge
The new Binh Loi railway bridge, built 12 meters away from the old one, has been open for public use since September last year.
Nhậu Places Respond to Drunk Driving Law With Their Own Transport Services
In response to a decline in customers following stricter laws regarding driving after drinking, bars and restaurants across the country are offering transportation services for patrons.
'The Sorrow of War' Author Bao Ninh to Release Part of New Novel
The excerpt will be released on December 25.
WiFi to Be Installed at Bus Stops Throughout Hanoi
Perfect for reading Saigoneer while waiting for your bus.
New Myanmar-Thailand Bridge Brings ASEAN Closer to Trans-Regional Corridor
The transnational highway will pass through Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, invigorating regional trade and potentially curtailing economic dependence on China.
Hanoi Again Considers Banning 3-Wheel Rickshaws, Xích Lô
How will sunburned tourists get around?
