Brian Letwin

in Saigon

Every Morning, I'm Grateful for My Carless Ride to Work on Hoàng Sa Street

In the decade-plus of Saigoneer’s existence, we’ve had six offices strewn across different parts of Districts 1 and 3. Over that period, my homes have been located in Bình Thạnh and Thảo Điền, requiring significant commuting time.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal's Comeback Story

Water has no hometown.

Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

Our Toxic Relationship With Saigon Traffic: A Diagnosis

There is no way to describe Saigon traffic literally and have it understood by someone who has not experienced it.

in Hanoi

Sweating for a Good Cause at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation Walk in Hanoi

I learnt of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in my first year living in Hanoi, through friends that had worked for the fantastic organization, or that were regular donors supporting it. This year, I was super excited to see their “Blue Dragon Marathon Walk” annual fundraiser announced, with the main Hanoian event looping around Thống Nhất Park's lake. Embracing the opportunity to contribute, I put my hand up for a 10K walk and enticed friends and family from around the world to send donations to the wander-for-a-cause.

in Vietnam

In the Mekong Delta, Ferries Are Childhood Friends and Daily Companions

The Mekong Delta is called Đồng bằng Sông Cửu Long in Vietnamese — the Nine Dragons River, for the way the mighty Mekong splits into multiple strands as it nears its final destination, the East Sea.

in Hanoi

Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line

In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam had enjoyed no such air-conditioned, traffic-immune method of transportation.

Back Stories

in Saigon

Saigon Police Asked to Facilitate Transport to Airport

That's nice of them.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Consumed the 3rd-Most Instant Noodles Globally in 2020

How many instant noodle packs did you eat during 2020's social distancing periods?

in Saigon

Tan Son Nhat Ranked Among World's Busiest Airports in 2020

Makes sense.

in Vietnam

US Vice President Kamala Harris to Visit Vietnam This Month in First Asia Trip

She will become the first sitting US Vice President to visit Vietnam.

in Saigon

FV Hospital Seeks Approval to Collect Fees for Vaccination Services

FV Hospital is seeking permission to both ramp up its vaccination facilities, and begin charging for vaccination services.

in Saigon

Saigon Starts Vaccinating Delivery Drivers, Requiring Armbands, QR Code

Some protection is on the way for a crucial part of the city's lockdown lifeblood.

in Saigon

As National Cases Surpass 100,000, Saigon Imposes Night Curfew, Restricts Movements

With daily new cases in the thousands, Saigon has imposed additional levels of movement restrictions on top of the most severe lockdown since the pandemic began.

in Vietnam

Sapa Park With Ugly Statue of Liberty Ordered to Remove Ugly New Elsa Statue

The lazy eyes, large hands and exaggerated bosom of the poorly depicted Frozen character threatened to ruin Sapa's natural beauty, according to critics.

in Saigon

Saigon Shoppers Turn to Post Offices, Pharmacies, Beauty Stores for Fresh Produce

While mounting pressure on local supermarkets has started to ease, there are many new avenues in Saigon where fresh produce is available.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Considers Eventually Merging Small, Sparsely Populated Provinces

Any plans to combine sparsely populated locales will, however, not happen anytime soon, as significant research and time for public input is needed. 

in Saigon

A New Baby Giraffe Was Born at the Saigon Zoo. You Can Help Name Her.

Will this attempt at another public naming contest go wrong or remain wholesome this time?

in Saigon

Amid Tourism Slump, Saigon's Hotels Provide Free Stays, Meals to Frontline Workers

Amid Saigon’s most devastating outbreak of COVID-19, the city’s various economic sectors have pivoted to supporting frontline workers in their enduring efforts against the epidemic.

in Saigon

Saigon Has Imposed Over $50,000 in Fines so Far to Enforce Lockdown Rules

Huge amounts of fines have been levied since Directive 16 went into effect in Ho Chi Minh City.

in Saigon

After Series of Shocking Pet Poisonings, Owners Push for Stricter Animal Welfare Laws

About two hours after her morning walk in the Lang Bao Chi area of Thao Dien one recent Sunday, Nguyễn Hoàng Thanh Cao’s two-year-old beagle, Peanut, began vomiting and convulsing uncontrollably.

in Saigon

Thuan Kieu Plaza to Be Converted Into Covid-19 Field Hospital

Saigon authorities are preparing for scenarios in which the number of local COVID-19 cases increases too fast.

in Vietnam

Nearly 13m Workers in Vietnam Financially Impacted by Current Covid-19 Wave

Economic damage related to the pandemic continues to mount.

in Vietnam

Vietnam Crossed 1,000 Daily Covid-19 Cases for the First Time Yesterday

July 5 was a dark day in Vietnam’s epidemic, as the country’s single-day COVID-19 case tally surpassed 1,000 for the first time since the pandemic began last year.

in Saigon

D1 Proposes VND32.5bn Revamp Project of Me Linh Square Park

The VND32.5 billion (US$1.4 million) effort will focus on repairing the T​rần Hưng Đạo Statue, planting ornamental trees and performing road repairs.  

in Saigon

Saigon Pilots Home Quarantine for F1 Cases, Albeit With Strict Criteria

To ease mounting pressure on centralized quarantine facilities, Vietnam has agreed to let those who have had direct contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases (F1) in Ho Chi Minh City to isolate at home on...

in Saigon

Saigon Approves $39m Aid Package for Workers, Businesses Affected by Covid-19

The city's outbreak has severely impacted the livelihoods of many residents.