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.

in Hanoi

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.

in Vietnam

Final Merging Plan Brings Vietnam's Locality Number From 63 to 34

After extended working sessions to gather insights from experts and locals, Vietnam’s state government has announced the final version of the country’s administrative map.

in Saigon

Múa Lân Is Officially Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

In Chợ Lớn, every Tết, amid the aroma of burning joss sticks and an onslaught of red-color decorations is the echoing beats of lion dance instruments. For generations of Saigoneer, the presence of múa lân, or lion dance, is a sign of festivity and celebration.

Uyên Đỗ

in Saigon

How Saigon's Free Water Coolers Quench Thirst and Spread Kindness

In recent years, stories about climate change's impacts on the lives of Vietnamese people have been increasingly making the news.

Paul Christiansen

in Vietnam

What a Mango Flower Looks Like: On the Unexpected Beauty of Fruit Flowers

What does a mango flower look like?

Back Stories

in Hanoi

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.

in Saigon

Education Department Proposes Vaccinating Students to Reopen Schools

Today, thousands of students across Saigon officially began a new school year at home.

in Saigon

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.

in Vietnam

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.

in Asia

Pandemic Pushes 80m People in Asia Into Extreme Poverty, ADB Data Shows

The global pandemic has undone decades of economic improvement in some nations.

in Saigon

Stricter Lockdown Begins for Saigon at Midnight

Stay safe out there, Saigoneers.

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.