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 Seeks $6.7m for Canal Dredging Project to Solve Tan Son Nhat's Flooding Threat

Tan Son Nhat's drainage systems consist of Hy Vong Canal, Nhat Ban Canal and A41 Canal.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vietnam Officially Wins Rights to Broadcast ASIAD 2018

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

Hanoi, Saigon Among Most-Improved Cities in Liveability: Economist

The country's two largest cities were among the most improved in the world on the Global Liveability Index.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Bamboo Airways, Overcrowded Schools and Tornadoes in Kien Giang

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

Tropical Storm Bebinca Kills 10, Causes Widespread Flooding in Nghe An

At least 10 people have been killed and many displaced after Tropical Storm Bebinca swept through north-central Vietnam.

in Saigon

Saigon, Hanoi Among Most-Improved Cities in Liveability: Economist

The country's two largest cities were among the most improved in the world on the Global Liveability Index.

in Vietnam

93% of Foreign Tourists Had 'Satisfactory' Experience in Vietnam in 2017: Survey

More than 93% of foreign travelers expressed their satisfaction towards trips to Vietnam in 2017, according to statistics by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

in Roundups

Weekend Stories Roundup: Typhoon Bebinca Aftermath, Uber Lawsuit and Kofi Annan's Passing

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

Bleak Prospect for Vietnamese Suspect in Kim Jong-Nam Murder After Judge Rules 'Enough Evidence' to Proceed to Trial

A Malaysian judge ruled the two suspects — Vietnamese Doan Thu Huong and Indonesian Siti Aisyah who were accused of murdering Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader ...

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Vegan Food Festival, Freed Black Bears and Aretha Franklin

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

It's a Race Against Time to Save Quang Nam's Critically Endangered Grey-Shanked Doucs

The grey-shanked douc, a monkey native to several central Vietnamese provinces, is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered.

in Saigon

Led by Doan Ngoc Hai, District 1 Dog-Catching Team Starts Removing Strays From Local Streets

On August 8, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Veterinary Department, a dog inspection team started capturing stray dogs on the streets of District 1.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Hi-Tech Dairy Farms, Renewable Energy Week and Mobile Game

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

Faced With Imminent Shortage, Vietnam Might Soon Start Buying Electricity From Laos, China

Vietnam might have to resort to buying electricity from neighboring countries in the next few years if the national consumption of energy continues growing at this rate.

in Vietnam

US-China Trade War Will Hit Vietnam the Hardest in Southeast Asia: Report

The US and China's tit-for-tat moves could wreak havoc on many economies in Asia.

in Roundups

Morning Stories Roundup: Swine Flu, Asian Games and New Tourism Portal

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

Despite Massive Profits, 3 Biggest Airlines in Vietnam Want to Increase Airfares

Vietnam’s air travel industry has been raking in hundreds of billions of dong in profits this year so far.

in Saigon

Restrooms, Fountains, Food Stalls Among New Amenities Planned for Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Water fountains, multi-colored lights, drink vending machines, food stalls and more restrooms are planned for Saigon's popular pedestrian promenade.

in Vietnam

Tropical Storm Bebinca Is Heading to Northern Vietnam

Tropical Storm Bebinca is bearing down on northern Vietnam and could bring up to 350 millimeters of rainfall to the region.

in Hanoi

[Video] Inside a Test Run of Hanoi's Cat Linh-Ha Dong Metro Ahead of Its Launch in 6 Months

The Cat Linh–Ha Dong metro line is being put through a trial period in August, according to Vu Hong Phuong, deputy director of the Ministry of Transport’s Railway Project Management Board, with some m...