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in Health

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.

in Sports

A Glimpse Into the Epic Underground Shows of Vietnam Pro Wrestling

Back in 2018, Saigon witnessed the birth of Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW), the first and only Pro Wrestlers in the whole of Vietnam, and a lot has changed since then.

in Sports

Saigon Heat Wins Intracity Rivalry Over HCMC Wings, Closing Out VBA Regular Season

Families of fans filed into the “Fire Pan” on September 3, wearing red, white, and black jerseys. The atmosphere hums with anticipation.

in Saigon

A Brief History of Cung Văn Hóa Lao Động and Saigon's First Swimming Pool

Once a fashionable rendezvous for the elite of colonial society, the Labour Culture Palace (Cung Văn hoá Lao động) at 55B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai is today one of Hồ Chí Minh City’s most popular spor...

Linh Phạm

in In Plain Sight

The Unbearable Delight of Watching a Live Football Match at Hàng Đẫy Stadium

“The government sells it for VND100,000. Just give me VND150,000. Gate 3, right in the center.” 

in Hanoi

Hanoi Railway Cafe Gets Into Trouble for Hosting Dortmund Footballers

A photo of players from the Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund enjoying coffee on the tracks running through Hanoi's shuttered train street circulated earlier this week, prompting authorities to say th...

in Saigoneer Getaways

Tà Năng, One of Vietnam’s Most Beautiful Trails and Best-Kept Secrets

Whether we choose to participate or not, most of us are fascinated by Vietnam’s motorbike culture.

in Music & Arts

Japan-Vietnam Football Manga 'Sơn Goal!' Releases 1st Volume in Vietnamese

If Captain Tsubasa was a treasured part of your childhood, perhaps you can give Sơn Goal! a try. 

Linh Phạm

in Parks & Rec

Left Foot Brake, Right Foot Gas: Hanoi's Go-Kart Track Is Fast and Glorious

Moments before the engine started, I became aware of the fact that just a few centimeters of metal and plastic separated my butt and the asphalt.

in Sports

Here's What a Night of Post-Football Đi Bão Looks Like in Saigon and Hanoi

In Vietnam, the dynamic between football and đi bão is not much different from monsoon rain and garden mushrooms.

in Sports

With 205 Gold Medals, Vietnam Finishes 1st at SEA Games, Breaking Previous Record

The closing ceremony, which took place last night, May 23, officially marked the end of this year’s Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

in Sports

Vietnam Wins Gold Medals in Men's and Women's Football at SEA Games

After a gold medal in men’s football last night, Vietnam ended the SEA Games 2021 with a historic medal haul and successfully defended our reign in both men’s and women’s football.

in Sports

Saigon Climber Becomes First Vietnamese Woman to Reach Mount Everest

To date, only four Vietnamese are reported to have successfully reached the tallest point on Earth.

in Sports

Long Jumper Proposes to Sepak Takraw Partner After Winning Gold at SEA Games

In a rare moment of levity, a SEA Games proposal tied everything up in a neat bow after a medal-packed day for Vietnam.

Brian Letwin

in Parks & Rec

Slugging It Out at Saigon’s Baseball Cage

For much of my adult life, in the months from February to October, my mood was dictated by the results of New York Mets games. 

in Sports

Alleged SEA Games Branding Designs Draw Criticism for Numerous Typos

The 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), set to take place in two months, have faced a number of hurdles since it was announced years ago.

in Society

For VBA Player Nguyễn Phú Hoàng, Family and Health Are What Matters Most

For fans of Vietnam's basketball league, the name Nguyễn Phú Hoàng is most likely a familiar one. The Hanoi-born-and-raised point guard was well-known in the local streetball community long before the...

in Sports

Acrobatic Giang Brothers Shatter Guinness World Record in Stair-Climbing

Next step: finding a practical application.

in Parks & Rec

In a Schoolyard, a Close-Knit Community Spearheads Saigon's Archery Scene

Laser-focused gazes, shiny bows, colorful targets, and looking cool as hell: these are the components of a picture-perfect post one might find on the Instagram of any budding archer. But social media ...

in Sports

Boxer Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi Becomes Vietnam's First WBO Belt Holder

In a heated bout that lasted all ten rounds, Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi bested Etsuko Tada and walked away with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title in the mini-flyweight division.

in Sports

Ánh Viên, Vietnam's Most Decorated Swimmer, Wants to Resign From National Team

Citing a desire to spend more time with her family and a drop in her performance, Nguyễn Thị Ánh Viên reportedly reached the decision after returning from the Tokyo Olympics this past summer.&nbs...

in Sports

[Video] The Fiery Spectacle of Vietnam's Professional Wrestling Scene

In skimpy shorts, menacing facepaint, and sometimes even impressive props, members of the Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW) club engage in energetic “battles” that incorporate flying acrobatics and dynamic ...

in Sports

With Just Few Games Left, VBA Cancels 2021 Basketball Season

There is more to life than ball.

in Music & Arts

To Celebrate the Olympics, Japanese Artists Reimagine National Flags as Anime Fighters

As nations gather in Tokyo for the summer Olympics, a group of Japanese artists have shown their support by creating anime characters based on the participating countries' flags.

in Sports

Thanh Hoa Groom Runs 19km to Bride's House on Wedding Day

If recent developments in Vietnam’s COVID-19 outbreak have dampened your spirit, here’s a wholesome pick-me-up.

in Sports

As Covid-19 Batters Region, Vietnam-Hosted SEA Games Postponed to July 2022

Despite early containment success, Southeast Asian countries facing the Delta variant are channeling resources to healthcare instead of sports.

in Health

In the Pandemic, Hanoi's Newfound Cycling Love Sends Bike Sales Zooming

Thanks to COVID-19, gyms, yoga studios, and parks have closed, but the need for physical exercise remains.

Michael Tatarski

in Parks & Rec

Emerging From Complete Obscurity, Saigon Roller Derby Storms the Rink

It’s a Tuesday night in Binh Quoi, and a group is lacing up their skates at a skating rink next to a football pitch.

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Recreation; Sustainable Trends in Hanoi and Saigon

A new Saigoneer Podcast is available now!

in Sports

Vietnam Officially Forms National Baseball, Softball Federation

Batter up!

in Sports

HCMC FC Player Suspended, Fined for Brutal Tackle That Broke Opponent's Leg

Last night, Saigon’s football fans witnessed one of the most violent tackles in contemporary history, one that will likely put both involved parties out of commission for a long time.

in Sports

Vietnam National University to Add Golf to PE Curriculum in Pilot Program

Fore!

in Sports

Vietnam's Bobsled Team Prepares for Winter Olympics

If the athletes qualify, it would be the first time Vietnam has ever competed in the Winter Olympics.

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Saigon's Covid-19 Cluster; Video Games in Vietnam

We're back!

in Sports

In Saigon, a Movie Studio Becomes the New Home for Vietnam's Basketball 'Bubble'

A tight game heading towards halftime in Ho Chi Minh City. The crowd bashing thundersticks to egg on the competitors. And then a chant breaks out: “Let’s go Hanoi.”

in Music & Arts

How a Controversial SEA Games Mascot Design Inspired an Art Campaign

The upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) will take place next year in Hanoi and some nearby provinces.

in Vietnam

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.

in Sports

As Epidemic Subsides in Vietnam, Return of VBA Not an ‘If,’ but a 'When’

Rebooting professional basketball during a global pandemic is no slam dunk.

in Sports

Dalat Ultra Trail Race Called off After Flash Flood Kills Runner

Last weekend's Ultra Trail Dalat Marathon ended in tragedy.

in Vietnam

Bac Giang, Hoa Binh Are Getting 3 New Golf Courses

They will be located in Bac Giang and Hoa Binh provinces.

in Culture

[Photos] Scaling the Cliffs of Northern Vietnam

Despite its incredible potential, rock climbing in Vietnam still flies relatively under the radar.

in Culture

Field of Dreams: The History and Future of Baseball in Vietnam

Whenever I tell someone that I am on my school’s baseball team, the immediate reaction is surprise that the school has a baseball team, followed by inquiry about my reasons for joining.

in Sports

Coach Park Hang-Seo Plans to Open Football Academy in Vietnam

He aims to remain in Vietnam after his coaching contract ends.

in Hanoi

My Dinh Named Among ASEAN's 5 Best Stadiums by Asian Football Confederation

The capital's main stadium is part of a new list from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

in Hanoi

Hanoi to Spend $6.4m on My Dinh Upgrades to Prepare for SEA Games

The VND150 billion (US$6.4 million) upgrade will include replacing the grass and repairing the broken track.

in Sports

Nguyen Van Duong Is Vietnam's First Boxer to Qualify for the Olympics in 32 Years

With an impressive performance at the qualifiers in Jordan, Nguyen Van Duong has become the first Vietnamese boxer to qualify for the Olympics in 32 years. 

in Sports

[Video] Meet Ta Anh Dung, Tao Dan Park's One-Legged Martial Arts Master

As one of Saigon’s few remaining green spaces, Tao Dan Park is a choice location for athletic city dwellers to hone fitness skills, catch some fresh air or relish the coolness of the park’s extensive ...

in Sports

[Photos] Inside the Non-Stop Action of a Muay Thai Fight Night in Saigon

I arrived with eager anticipation on Sunday, December 29 at the Tao Dan Sports Center for the start of the club matches.

in Sports

Vietnam Basketball League Welcomes 7th Team, Nha Trang Dolphins, in 2020

The Nha Trang Dolphins will join the Vietnam Basketball Association when the fifth season tips off this May.

in Sports

In a D5 Gym, a Soft-Spoken Muay Thai Legend Trains Future Fighters

I first encountered Muay Thai on a photo assignment in Bangkok a number of years ago, and this graceful, devastatingly lethal martial art has piqued my curiosity ever since. After returning to the Uni...

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: A SEA Games Deep Dive; Restaurateurs Phuong Ngo & Jerome Buzenet

Our latest episode is available now!

in Sports

Vietnam’s Female Football Team Ranks 32nd of 155 in FIFA World Rankings

The national women's football team is currently the highest-ranked team in Southeast Asia.

in Sports

Quang Hai Might Have to Say Goodbye to SEA Games Due to Injury

Hai is currently the U-22 team’s midfielder and captain.

in Sports

2 Fans Fly to the Philippines With 60kg of Food for Vietnam's Female Football Team

Wholesome.

in Sports

Coach Park Hang-Seo Extends Contract With Vietnam Football Federation

Good news for Vietnamese football fans!

in Sports

In Its 2nd Edition, Coupe de Hue Features Bach Ma Mountain Trail, World-Famous Cyclist

Vietnam is opening itself up as a destination for international-standard competitive cycling events. But can the momentum last? 

in Sports

U-23 Vietnam’s Doan Van Hau to Play in Top Dutch Football League

Hau, who is playing full-time for Hanoi FC, is going to the Netherlands on a one-year loan contract.

Paul Christiansen

in Sports

On Dreaming of a Time When Vietnam Loves Basketball as Much as Football

How lucrative is being a professional basketball player in Vietnam? To help make ends meet, “some work at fast-food restaurants,” admits Ho Chi Minh City Wings small forward Nguyen Ky Quan.

Chris Humphrey

in Culture

Scaling the Dragon: An Urbexer's Guide to Long Bien Bridge

Urban exploration, urbex or UE, is a form of recreational urban trespass. Urbexers find a way into anything from derelict theme parks, sewers and asylums to factories, skyscrapers, missile silos and p...

in Sports

Coach Park Hang-Seo Dedicates $100,000 in Prize Money to Develop Vietnam Football

Coach Park Hang-seo and the national team have been the recipients of many monetary prizes after achieving the gold medal for the recently concluded AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 last Saturday.

in Sports

Delay Threat Still Looms Over AFC U-23 Final as Heavy Snow Blankets China

There’s still a chance that heavy snowfall might affect the schedule of today’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 final match.

in Sports

[Photos] Ambulance, Tractor, Hearse: A Compilation of Vietnam's Football Shenanigans

It is a nationally known fact that after every big football win, Vietnam's road network will be flooded with flown flags, vigorous chants, and random objects blaring odd noises.

Khoi Pham

in Sports

It's Official: Vietnam Beats Qatar, Advances to Final of AFC U-23 Cup

Un-f*cking-believable!

in Vietnam

Vietnam National Team Stuns Iraq in U-23 Asian Tournament to Reach Semifinals

If you noticed thousands of jubilant people boasting Vietnamese flags flooding onto the street last night, there's a good reason why: Vietnam pulled off a stunning upset against Iraq in the quarterfin...

in Saigon

Date With the Wrecking Ball: The Cercle Sportif Saigonnais

Local conservation groups have expressed concern about a plan approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Culture Palace to demolish the much-loved 1925 Cercle Sportif Saigonnais and replace it with a stat...