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.
Saigon Begins Vaccinating Students to Prepare for School Reopening
The city aims to administer Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to approximately 780,000 children aged 12 to 17.
Saigon Restaurants, Cafes Resume In-Person Dining at 50% Capacity
What's the first restaurant on your list?
Over 75% of Saigoneers Have Received 2 Shots of Covid-19 Vaccines
After a sluggish start, Saigon has sped up inoculation efforts, becoming Vietnam’s locality with the most vaccine coverage.
Major Typhoon Kompasu to Hit North-Central Vietnam Tomorrow
In preparation for the storm's expected landfall Thursday morning, the government is evacuating 250,000 people in the North-Central Region.
As Cases Drop, Saigon Announces Roadmap to Phase out Covid-19 Field Hospitals
Hospital beds were once a scarcity that became filled as soon as they were set up, but the number of cases in southern COVID-19 hot spots has plummeted to the point that many field hospitals are no lo...
Da Lat Installs First-Ever Traffic Lights to Stem Road Congestion
A new era has begun for the increasingly busy mountain city.
Vaccine QR Codes Are the Hottest New Fashion Accessory in Saigon
Sometimes fashion trends are not born of creativity, but practicality.
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.
In Q3 of 2021, Vietnam's Economy Shrinks for the First Time Since 2000
The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, combined with severe lockdown restrictions, has led to Vietnam's worst economic quarter in decades.
Vietnam Pushes for Mutual Recognition of 'Vaccine Passports' With Some Nations
Vaccine passports may soon become part of a “new normal” as more Vietnamese are getting their two shots.
Vietnam's NanoDragon Satellite to Be Launched Into Orbit From Japan on Friday
To infinity, and beyond!
Without Income, Saigon Zoo Requests VND30bn in Financial Support From City Authorities
Taking care of its plants and animals costs the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens VND3–4 billion (US$132,000–176,000) a month, while no income has been generated since May.
Saigon Resumes Domestic Tourism in 'Green' Districts for Fully Vaccinated Guests
Domestic tourists will eventually be allowed to enter Saigon if they have been fully vaccinated or recovered from a past COVID-19 infection.
Hanoi Eases Lockdown Restrictions, Reopens Malls, Barbershops
Starting at 6am today, Hanoi began applying social distancing rules under the previous Directive 15, allowing various shops to reopen and businesses to function at 50% capacity.
Over 1,500 Schoolchildren Become Orphans Due to Saigon's Covid-19 Outbreak
The current COVID-19 crisis has crippled Saigon’s economy and disrupted the daily life of millions of people, but most tragically, it has also taken thousands of lives.
Kit Humphrey in Asia
Inside Cambodia's Floating Village, Where 40% of People Are Ethnic Vietnamese
Chong Kneas floating village, only 15 kilometers south of Siem Reap, is one of hundreds that line Tonle Sap Lake. Tens of thousands of families live in these clustered homes, around 40% of whom are Vi...
19 Districts in Hanoi Allowed to Reopen Shops, Takeaway Service
Starting at noon today, districts with no new COVID-19 community transmission cases since September 6 are allowed to reopen various businesses and restaurants.
Vietnam Launches Campaign to Donate 1m Computers to Students for Remote Learning
The free computers, set to be distributed by the end of this December, are part of a larger effort to help the nation's K-12 students during remote learning.
Saigon to Resume Shipping Across Districts From September 16
After weeks of being banned, Saigon will soon allow shippers to deliver citywide.
Saigon's Lockdown to Be Extended, Likely Until End of Month
Hopefully you hadn't gotten too excited about September 15.
