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 Roundups

Morning Stories: Gov. to Pay Women to Have 2 Kids, Stock Market Plunges and New IP Laws

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

What We Know So Far About Vietnam's New 84-Case Covid-19 Wave

Health authorities are moving fast to contain Vietnam’s latest COVID-19 outbreaks — which so far include a total of 84 new cases — in northern provinces.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Ben Thanh Vendors Go Online, Unlicensed English Centers and Fuel Prices Jump

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

Online Ranking Places Hanoi, Saigon Among Cities With Lowest Quality of Life

Do you agree?

in Saigon

Saigon Shelter for Abused Pets Publishes Special Calendar to Raise Funds

Since its formation in 2005, the Sài Gòn Time (SGT) animal shelter has rescued, nurtured and nursed numerous abused pets to health until they find a new home. To promote animal welfare and seek financ...

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Karaoke Noise Feud, Russia Lifts VN Travel Ban and More Airports

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 Roundups

Morning Stories: Record Low Hotel Occupancy, Asia’s Tallest Buddha Statue and E-commerce Growth

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

As Air Pollution Worsens in Hanoi, Heavy Smog Disrupts Flights at Noi Bai

Dark days for residents of the capital as local air pollution gets thick ahead of Tết.

in Vietnam

Standard Chartered Predicts 7.8% GDP Growth for Vietnam in 2021

It's going to be a good year, according to a recent report.

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: Toyota Recall, Metro Repairs and Cryptocurrency Legal Framework

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 Roundups

Morning Stories: Nuclear Power Delayed, Dioxin Cleanup and Another Hanoi Pedestrian Street

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

Ahead of Tết, Vietnam Cuts Repatriation Flights, Requires Full 14-Day Quarantine

Ahead of the Tết holiday next month, Vietnam has decided to tighten regulations regarding foreign arrivals and their quarantine period.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Grab Wants Dedicated Lane at TSN, Polluting Factories Shut and New Singaporean Ambassador

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

Vietravel Airlines, Vietnam's 6th Carrier, Officially Starts Flying This Month

The nation's sixth air carrier, Vietravel Airlines, is officially taking off.

in Vietnam

Phu Tho Theme Park Suspended After Roller Coaster Accident Kills 1, Injures 2

One student died and two others were hospitalized after a roller coaster accident at an amusement park.

in Roundups

Morning Stories: Dong Nai-Da Lat Expressway, Car Sales Drop and Vinamilk Exports to China

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...

Brian Letwin

in Roundups

Weekend Stories: More Cold Weather, VN's Second Covid Vaccine and New Bamboo Airways Routes

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

Southern Vietnam Records One of Coldest Temperatures in 4 Decades

"Ok campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cold out there."

in Roundups

Morning Stories: HCMC-Can Tho Railway, AB Inbev Merger and VN Vaccine Trials Continue

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 Roundups

Morning Stories: Limits on HCMC High Rises, D12's Mischievous Monkeys and Mekong Mega Irrigation System

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...