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 Vietnam

Vietnam's Adult Obesity Rate Is the Lowest in the World: Study

A new study shows that Vietnam has the lowest rate of adult obesity in the world. 

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam's Exporters Hunt for Robusta Coffee as Supplies Dwindle

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam's exporters hunt for robusta coffee as supplies dwindle [VnExpress] Saigon...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Ranks 6th on Global Retail Development Index

With India topping the list, an international retailer index recently placed Vietnam sixth, jumping five places from 2016.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Toxic Spill Feared as Chemical Tanker Stranded in Vietnam Waters

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Toxic spill feared as chemical tanker stranded in Vietnam waters [VnExpress] Austr...

in Saigon

[Video] New Helicopter Shuttle Service to Take Off in Saigon

Forget taxis; Saigoneers may soon be able to avoid congestion on the ground by flying into town from the airport.

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Conglomerate to Invest $1bn in Solar Power Projects

The prospects for a significant boost in Vietnam’s renewable energy production are optimistic as real estate conglomerate TTC Group has announced plans to invest heavily in the country’s development o...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Saigon Water Park Apologizes for Sensual Dance in Kids’ Presence

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Saigon water park management apologizes for sensual dance in kids’ presence [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Saigon

Saigon Considers Charging Businesses More for Sidewalk Usage

Saigon's transport department has unveiled a plan to increase fees on businesses which use city sidewalks for commercial purposes.

in Saigon

Bui Vien to Become Pedestrian-Only Street on Weekend Nights From July

Saigon's Bui Vien Street will become a vehicle-free zone on weekend nights in the near future.

in Asia

'Brain Drain' Is Taking Its Toll on ASEAN Workforce and Economy: Study

Highly skilled members of the ASEAN workforce are pursuing more lucrative opportunities outside of their home countries.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Extends Visa Waiver for 5 European Countries

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam extends visa waiver for five European countries [Tuoi Tre] Inside the golf...

in Vietnam

Hanoi Metro Officials Apologize for Using Student-Made Terminal Map Without Permission

The management board of Hanoi's Ha Dong - Cat Linh railway project recently came under fire for using a map illustration stolen from the Internet.

in Asia

A Heroes’ Retirement Plan for De-Mining Dogs in Cambodia

An animal rights activist in Phnom Penh plans to open a specialized retirement home for Cambodia’s de-mining dogs.

in Vietnam

H&M's First Store in Vietnam to Open in Saigon This Autumn

From later this year, fans of fast-fashion retailer H&M will not have to make a trek to Bangkok to shop, as the Swedish brand recently announced the launch of a flagship store in downtown Saigon.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Asia Continues Battle as Vietnam Declares Free of Bird Flu

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Asia continues battle as Vietnam declares free of bird flu [VnExpress] Police deta...

in Vietnam

Hanoi to Uproot 1,000 Trees to Make Way for Road Expansion

In order to expand Hanoi’s Ring Road 3, the city will axe about 1,000 trees before October, while another 300 will be relocated or pruned. Many of the trees are four or five decades old and ...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Skincare Clinic Goes Viral for Using Logo of Fictional Zombie-Making Company

A skincare clinic in Saigon has been the butt of Internet mockery recently after eagle-eyed netizens discovered that their official logo is a carbon copy of a fictional zombie-creating company in the ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam, Japan Ink $22bn Worth of Trade Deals at 'Historic’ Conference

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam, Japan ink $22bn worth of trade deals at ‘historic’ conference [Tuoi Tre] ...

in Vietnam

Vietnam Increases Maximum Loan Limits to Help Poverty-Stricken Students

From June 15 this year onward, Vietnamese students can take out 20% more in loans to support their studies.

in Saigon

Sections of New Overpasses Near Tan Son Nhat to Open This Month

Sections of two new overpasses near Tan Son Nhat International Airport are expected to open later this month.