Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
Thoughts I've Had While Stranded in Murky Floodwater on Saigon's High-Tide Days
I’m willing to forgive nearly everything about Saigon. It’s a sign of a sustainable relationship, as I still wish to coexist in peace with this city. To me, Saigon’s midday, even when the searing sun flares the strongest, is when the trees are the most glorious. The sudden bouts of torrential rain are indeed a nuisance, but I tell myself that at least the streets can get a wash after a dusty day. But there’s one thing that never goes away and that I can never write off; something I can’t, for the life of me, find reasons to romanticize or defend. Those are the infuriating floods that submerge Saigon streets every time the tide is high.
Saigon Sees a 10-Year Low of 18°C. What Are the City’s Highest and Lowest Temperatures?
This January, Saigoneers have been enjoying an unusually pleasant stretch of weather, with daytime temperatures hovering around the mid-20s and dipping to 18–20°C late at night and in the early morning.
Vietnam Bans Unskippable Ads, Requires Skip Button to Appear After 5 Seconds
If things go our way, YouTube’s notorious unskippable ads might be a thing of the past come this February.
Grindr Year-End Report Names Vietnam as Country With Biggest Top Shortage
Ever since Spotify launched its first global Wrapped function a few years ago, December has turned into an exciting season of stats-driven year-end reviews. “Wrapping” is now a tradition embraced by numerous apps, such as Strava, Duolingo, YouTube, Reddit, and of course, Grindr.
When Donations Are All Womenswear, Men in Flood Zones Turn Necessity Into Fashion
Vietnam’s South-Central Coast region is going through an especially grueling time of the year as both the local people and authorities have to deal with the aftermath of historic rainfall and flooding. Still, amid the mourning and strenuous rebuilding efforts, moments of levity shine through — a testament to the resilience, optimism, and incredible humor of the Vietnamese people in the face of hardships.
Đắk Lắk, Khánh Hòa Are Next Victims of 2025's Historic Flooding. Here's How to Help.
After nearly a week of constant downpour, many provinces of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and South-Central Coast regions have suffered severe flooding and landslides, causing catastrophic damage to local infrastructure, economic activities, and deaths. This has been yet another month of loss and destruction for Vietnam in 2025, which is shaping up to be the most devastating year in recent history due to consecutive powerful typhoons and atypically high rainfall.
After Years in Limbo, Saigon's Metro Line 2 Is Officially Breaking Ground in Jan 2026
After years under development limbo, Saigon’s Metro Line 2 has finally gotten an official date for breaking ground, but will this timeline stick?
Morning Stories Roundup: 4 More Vietnamese Sites Recognized as ASEAN Heritage Parks
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
Southern Vietnam Will Be Hardest-Hit by Power Shortages from 2021
An electricity shortage will affect the whole country starting from 2021.
Morning Stories Roundup: New Tropical Depression Changes Direction Towards Philippines
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Customs to Confiscate Volkswagen Car With Illicit ‘Nine-Dash Line’ Map
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietn...
To Combat Smog, Hanoi to Ban Coal Stoves From 2021
The move is part of a major effort to improve air quality and living conditions in the capital.
Site Clearance for Saigon Metro Line 2 Expected to Finish in June 2020
While progress on Saigon’s first metro line is somewhat nearing the finish line, the city’s second line is undergoing site clearance.
British Embassy Staff Hold 1-Minute Silence to Commemorate Migrant Victims
All across Vietnam, people remain shocked and saddened by the news of the United Kingdom truck deaths.
Vietnam Needs Large-Scale Recycling Using Plastic Waste as Resource, Official Says
On October 22, a conference on preventing plastic waste was held in Hanoi by the Vietnam Association for Community Health Education (VACHE), which presented potential amendments to the current environ...
Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Takes Over ASEAN Chairmanship From Thailand
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
Morning Stories Roundup: Central Regions to Face Another Low Tropical Pressure System
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietn...
Weekend Stories Roundup: Vietnam to Lift MacBook Pro Laptop Ban on Aircraft
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
Weekend Stories Roundup: Monsoon Festival, Macbook Pro Ban and Coal Addiction
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietn...
Seoul Closes All Dog Slaughterhouses in Campaign to Stop Dog Meat Trade
After committing to ending the dog meat trade over a year ago, on October 26, Seoul’s mayor, Park Won-soon, announced the official closure of all canine slaughterhouses in the city.
Saigon Proposes Forming Special Police Force to Protect Children Against Abuse
The proposal is one of the conclusions drawn by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in their latest report on child protection legal policies.
Morning Stories Roundup: Hanoi Joins UNESCO's Network of Creative Cities
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietn...
Morning Stories Roundup: Storm Matmo Causes Widespread Blackout in Central Region
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
Is Tourism in Vietnam Reaching a Tipping Point?
Tourism is surging in Hanoi and Vietnam as a whole, but is it too much of a good thing?
Morning Stories Roundup: F&B to Drive Retail Property Market in HCMC
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from Saigon, the rest of Vietnam and beyond, and digest them...
Morning Stories Roundup: Storm Matmo Weakens into Tropical Depression, More Heavy Rains Forecast
Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Each morning, we select some of the most important stories from the capital, the rest of Vietn...
Storm Matmo, This Year's 5th, Will Hit Southern, Central Vietnam This Evening
In the next 24 hours, provinces in central Vietnam should expect very heavy rain and subsequent flooding as newly formed tropical storm makes landfall.
