Paul Christiansen in Saigon
How to Curate the Best Playlist to Listen to While Riding the Saigon Metro
When you get a new toy, it's only reasonable to take it out to play with as often as possible.
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?
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 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 ...
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.
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.
Saigon's First Electric Bus Line to Debut This Quarter
The wheels on the (electric) bus go round and round.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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 Saigon Metro Train Arrives From Japan for Test Runs
Much excite!
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Proposed Hai Phong–China Train Route Raises Concerns Over Hefty Price Tag
From Hai Phong, the 390-kilometer line would run through Hanoi and Lao Cai before reaching China’s Hekou County.
Major Extensions Considered for Several Metro Lines
While no sections of Hanoi's metro system are operational yet, city officials are already planning massive extensions for future lines.
Central Hanoi Streets Blocked Off for Construction of Metro Line
Expect traffic woes for the foreseeable future due to metro construction.
A Brief History of Saigon's Now-Defunct Thu Thiem Ferry Service
While the Thu Thiem Bridge and Thu Thiem Tunnel allow easy access to the District 2 peninsula from nearby districts, for decades past Saigoneers had to rely on the Thu Thiem Ferry to cross the river.
Saigon Suspends Bus Rapid Transit Plan Over High Costs, Low Ridership Estimates
After years of planning, Saigon’s BRT system was recently scrapped by the municipal administration.
Brian Letwin in Development
Massive Transportation Plan for Saigon Revealed
We’ve heard a lot over the last few years about proposed improvements to Saigon’s transportation infrastructure. These include the new Long Thanh International Airport and expanding the city center in...
