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.
Who's Eligible for 'Vaccine Green Pass' and What Activities Are Passholders Allowed?
Fully vaccinated Saigoneers might be able to enjoy more freedom of movement in the future.
As Lockdown Intensifies, Animal Shelters Struggle to Rescue, Care for Abandoned Pets
Even before the pandemic, pet shelters struggled to find the time, money and resources to provide adequate care for their resident animals. But as the COVID-19 crisis worsens, rescue groups are facing...
Saigon Allows Takeaway Again, but Few Vendors Can Afford to Reopen
Bún riêu, bún thịt nướng, phở, bánh mì, cơm tấm, we’ve missed you.
Saigon Faces Online Study Woes as Thousands of Students Still Without Internet, Smart Devices
What started as a temporary solution last year became an official measure in the COVID-19 education playbook in Vietnam this year.
Hanoi Extends Lockdown for 2 More Weeks in 10 Central Districts
After September 6, 10 districts in the city's center with the highest risk of COVID-19 infection will continue with strict Directive 16 lockdown until September 21.
Education Department Proposes Vaccinating Students to Reopen Schools
Today, thousands of students across Saigon officially began a new school year at home.
Saigon Allows Shippers to Operate Again in 'Red Zones,' Requires Daily Covid-19 Tests
In an effort to ease pressures on ward officials, Saigon authorities have allowed shippers to resume operation from today, albeit with some caveats.
US VP Kamala Harris Pledges 1m Pfizer Doses, Opens CDC Office During Vietnam Visit
It's been an eventful visit to Hanoi for United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
Pandemic Pushes 80m People in Asia Into Extreme Poverty, ADB Data Shows
The global pandemic has undone decades of economic improvement in some nations.
Stricter Lockdown Begins for Saigon at Midnight
Stay safe out there, Saigoneers.
Saigon Police Asked to Facilitate Transport to Airport
That's nice of them.
Vietnam Consumed the 3rd-Most Instant Noodles Globally in 2020
How many instant noodle packs did you eat during 2020's social distancing periods?
Tan Son Nhat Ranked Among World's Busiest Airports in 2020
Makes sense.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
