Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Origin of the Strange Lights You See Before Landing in Saigon
What are those astonishingly bright lights seen from an airplane window when approaching Saigon at night? I’ve had visitors ask me this on the drive home from the airport, and the question appears on Reddit every few months. I remember being befuddled myself the first time I witnessed the patchwork radiance.
My Mom’s Care Packages Remind Me That Home Can Fit Inside a Box of Food
“What do you guys crave? I’ll send some.”
New 12,000-Year-Old Skeleton Breaks Record of Oldest Human Remains Found in Vietnam
After analysis, scientists believe that a 12,000-year-old set of human remains found in Ninh Bình belonged to a prehistoric man who died from infection after being struck by a quartz-tipped projectile.
As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past Era
Among Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.
Khôi Phạm in Vietnam
Wipha, Yagi and Luc-Binh: How Are Tropical Storms Named in the Pacific Region?
Wipha was the latest typhoon to batter Vietnam this year, sweeping through northern provinces like Hưng Yên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, and Thanh Hóa and causing dangerous floods. It was 2025’s third and probably will not be the last that Vietnam will have to endure this year.
Paul Christiansen in Saigon
The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s
I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...
Khôi Phạm in Saigon
Letter to the People I Met as We Hid From the Rain Under a Bridge Together
“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.”— Vladimir Nabokov.
Hanoi's Bát Tràng Ceramic Village Turns Historic Craft Into Global Fame
Bát Tràng has been producing ceramics for over 700 years, but it’s the recent decades that interest me most: a period in which this small village has mirrored Vietnam’s rapid economic growth.
For Hanoi's Đào Vendors, Sleeping in Tents Outside Is Part of the Job
Some kumquat and peach blossom sellers on the streets of Hanoi have resorted to sleeping in tents to guard their trees.
Hanoi Confirms First Omicron Covid-19 Case in the Community
The capital city confirmed its first case of community-transmitted Omicron COVID-19 variant on January 26.
Buddhist Peace Activist Thích Nhất Hạnh Passes Away at 95
The Vietnamese Zen master passed away at age 95 after an influential life promoting mindfulness, compassion and nonviolence.
Sassy Tiger Statues in Bạc Liêu Get Makeover to Be Less Sassy, Turn Sullen Instead
‘Tis the season of peculiar animal statues.
Saigon Confirms First 3 Omicron Covid-19 Cases in the Community
Does the appearance of the highly transmissible variant in the community mean another wave of the pandemic for Saigon?
Food Bank Warehouse for Saigoneers in Need Opened in Saigon
The warehouse is aimed at streamlining the food distribution process between donors and Saigoneers in need.
Saigon Announces Plan to Give Poor Residents Smartphones to Aid Digitization
As more municipal administrative procedures migrate online, underprivileged citizens without smart devices are often left behind.
NPO Keep Hanoi Clean Prepares to Collect Plastic Waste After Kitchen God Day
Keep Hanoi Clean is preparing for its biggest event of the year: cleaning up Lễ cúng Ông Táo, or Kitchen God day.
Culture Ministry Asks Cities to Cancel Tết Fireworks to Minimize Covid-19 Risks
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested relevant provincial and municipal authorities under its jurisdiction to cancel firework displays for the Lunar New Year to avoid a spike in CO...
Saigon Records Fewest Covid-19 Deaths in Over 5 Months
Only 21 people passed away from COVID-19 on January 6 in Saigon.
Murder Charge Announced for Woman Who Beat 8-Year-Old to Death
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department announced yesterday that they are now investigating Nguyễn Võ Quỳnh Trang for murder in response to evidence that she beat her fiance's eight-year-old daughter t...
Year in Review: Saigoneer's Picks for Favorite Features (and More) of 2021
In 2021, it seems impossible to browse the news anywhere without coming across a COVID-19 update. While pandemic news is crucial to get people informed, we can all concur that reading grim information...
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.
Vietnam to Build Nuclear Research Reactor With Help From Russia
With assistance from Russia, Vietnam will build a 10-megawatt nuclear reactor for researching medical treatments that could be the first step in eventually reviving moribund plans to build nuclear pow...
Xòe, a Thái Dance Tradition, Is Recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Xòe, a distinctive performance art by members of the Thái ethnic minority, was the latest Vietnamese cultural tradition inscribed by UNESCO as an officially recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Vietnam to Cut Quarantine for Vaccinated Passengers to 3 Days From Jan 1
Promising changes are on the horizon for those wishing to return to Vietnam.
Public Bike Service Finally Launches in Saigon After Week of Delay
After an unexplained delay, Saigon's first public bike rental system launched today.
UNICEF Report Reveals Harsh Realities for Women, Children, Ethnic Minorities
Over 70% of Vietnamese under the age of 15 experience verbal or physical abuse, according to a new UNICEF report.
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.
