Xuân Phương

in Hanoi

Every Bánh Chưng Season, Vietnam’s Lá Dong Capital Comes Alive With Harvest Frenzy

On the patches of sandy soil by the river in Kim An Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi, there’s a tiny village named Tràng Cát, where dong leaves have been embedded in local history, memory, and economy for centuries. Right in local courtyard, these broad green leaves were transformed into bánh chưng, ready for Tết feasts across the country.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus

We are all in this, but not together.

in Saigon

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.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Vietnam

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.

Back Stories

in Saigon

Saigon Pours $347m More Into Flood-Reduction Projects Across City

Saigon is going all out to make sure citywide floods like those is 2015 and 2016 won't be a common occurrence.

in Vietnam

Holiday Stories Roundup: Saigon Heatwave, Golden Kite Awards and Notre Dame Fire

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...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Prices of Fish, Chicken Go up in HCMC Due to Fear of Swine Fever

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...

in Vietnam

Saigon Co.op to Stop Selling Plastic Straws in Supermarkets Nationwide

The supermarket chain will opt for environment-friendly alternatives such as rice straws, paper straws and steel straws instead.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Seeks Foreign Capital for Renewable Energy Projects

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...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Says African Swine Fever Epidemic Put Under Control

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...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: National English Program and Can Gio Tourism

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...

in Vietnam

Japan Recalls Over 18,000 Bottles of Vietnamese Chili Sauce Due to Food Safety

A popular chili sauce from Vietnam is under fire for food safety concerns.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: HCMC to Use Its Autonomy to Raise Alcohol Tax

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...

in Asia

Indonesian Theme Park Covers Breasts of Mermaid Statues, Citing 'Eastern Values'

Two mermaid statues in an Indonesian theme park were the latest victim of haphazard censorship.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Solar Energy, Seized Pangolin Scales and UN Council Seat

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...

in Vietnam

Singaporean Convenience Store Chain Shop & Go Sold to Vingroup for One Dollar

In October 2018, the giant also acquired convenience store chain Fivimart, which entered the market in 1997.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Fashion Week, Stem Cells and Floral Design

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...

in Saigon

Saigon Is the Most Expensive City in Vietnam to Live, Statistics Show

Followed closely by Hanoi and Da Nang, the southern stronghold took the top spot due in large part to high tuition fees.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnamese Comedian Anh Vu Found Dead During US Tour

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...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Suspect in Kim Jong-Nam Assassination Case Expected to Walk Free Next Month

In February 2017, 30-year-old Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong and 26-year-old Indonesian Siti Aisyah were accused of killing Kim Jong-nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's estranged half-brother, at an air...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Suspect in Kim Jong-Nam Assassination Expected to Walk Free Next Month

In February 2017, 30-year-old Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong and 26-year-old Indonesian Siti Aisyah were accused of killing Kim Jong-nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's estranged half-brother, at an air...

in Vietnam

Vietnam's Pig Farmers Hit as Consumers Shun Pork Due to Swine Fever Fear

The African swine fever (AFS) epidemic affecting several northern provinces and cities in Vietnam has caused pork consumption in the country to nosedive.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Son Doong Research, New Patrol Boats and Tarantula Species

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...

in Hanoi

New Swan Boat Ride-Hailing App, SwanGo, to Take Off in Hanoi Next Month

Ever since the departure of Uber in 2018, Vietnam’s ride-hailing market has seen a plethora of new additions, both Vietnamese and foreign. Yet this latest arrival, SwanGo, appears likely to enter stra...