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 Vietnam

[Video] Hanoi Electronics Store Claims It Only Used Bikini-Clad Women to Promote 'Sex Education'

Nothing says safe sex like electronics stores and bikinis.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Airport Denies Claims That Foreign Passengers Were Beaten During Delay

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. After 10 years, each Vietnamese burdened with additional $1,200 public debt [VietnamNet...

in Vietnam

US Mulls Lifting Ban of Weapon Sales to Vietnam

Ahead of United States president Barack Obama's visit to Vietnam, the Southeast Asian nation is renewing its request for the North American power to fully lift its arms ban.

in Vietnam

[Photos/Video] Vietnam Roads Turn Into Holiday Hellscape

Now that we're all back to work, checking our Facebook feeds and Instagrams from our desks after a sunny, long weekend of checking our Facebook feeds and Instagrams at the beach, let's complain about ...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Da Nang to Build 2 Green Urban Projects in Q2

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Da Nang to build 2 green urban projects in Q2 [VIetnam Plus] Foreign scientists he...

in Asia

Chinese Cartoon Warns Female Civil Servants Against Dating Foreign Spies

In honor of its first-ever National Security Education Day, China put together a 16-panel cartoon warning its government employees against being seduced by ginger-haired foreign spies.

in Vietnam

Woman Swallows 10cm Spoon While Drinking Lemonade in Central Vietnam

A young woman in central Vietnam is recovering after doctors removed a 10-centimeter-long steel spoon from her intestine earlier this month.

in Asia

South Korea's Latest Drama Is a Hit...in North Korea

Thanks to the unstoppable power of Hallyu, South Korea's latest drama, Descendants of the Sun, is fast gaining a worldwide audience. The 14-episode series has become a sensation not only in its home c...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Experts Stunned as Vietnam Officials Deny Link Between Taiwan Firm and Mass Fish Death Disaster

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Experts stunned as Vietnam officials deny link between Taiwan firm and fish kill disaster&nb...

in Vietnam

[Video] Officials Find No Conclusive Link to Formosa in Mass Fish Deaths

As droves of marine creatures continue to wash up on the shores of central Vietnam, the cause of the region's mass fish deaths remains unknown.

in Asia

After Elephant Dies, Petition to End Cambodia's Elephant Rides Reaches 56,000 Signatures

An online petition which aims to put a stop to elephant rides in Siem Reap has garnered more than 56,000 signatures after the sudden death of an elephant at Angkor Wat last week.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Locals Cash in on Poisoned Dead Fish

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Seafood vendors protest ban on Vung Tau beaches [Thanh Nien] Saigon bus route link...

in Vietnam

Vung Tau Bans Eating, Drinking on Beaches

Thanks to a new regulation from the local People's Committee, beachgoers in Vung Tau are now barred from enjoying a seaside meal.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Mysterious Death of Diver Adds to Ongoing Environmental Crisis in Central Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Mysterious death of diver adds to ongoing environmental crisis in central Vietnam [Than...

in Saigon

Saigon's $1.2bn Solar Panel Manufacturer May Soon Be a Reality

The southern hub may soon be getting its own solar panel manufacturing facility as a long-ignored project is set to take on a new investor this summer.

in Vietnam

With Grab and Uber on the Road, Vinasun Predicts 20% Profit Loss

While passengers are praising the arrival of UberMOTO, the latest motorbike-hailing app to enter the Vietnamese market, not everyone is thrilled about the influx of new transportation services availab...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Man Killed in Suspected Suicide Bomb in Vietnam

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. New IoT Competition hopes to turn HCMC into a smart city [Geektime] Vietnam to see...

in Asia

[Video] In Thailand, Sleeping Driver Goes for a Spin

We've all had a morning commute where we probably could have used more coffee or, better yet, more sleep. You would think – what with the honking and the traffic and the general melee – that it's damn...

in Vietnam

In Central Vietnam, Mass Fish Death Raises Alarm

Authorities in central Vietnam are investigating a steel firm and its wastewater pipeline after scores of dead saltwater fish began washing up on the shores of Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh and Thua ...

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: HCMC Canals May be Used to Regulate Floods

Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam a new hot spot for tech startups [The Nation] Ancient arms museum re-opens...