Paul Christiansen in Saigon
Loneliness Too Waits for the Bus
We are all in this, but not together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After Years in Limbo, Saigon's Metro Line 2 Is Officially Breaking Ground in Jan 2026
After years under development limbo, Saigon’s Metro Line 2 has finally gotten an official date for breaking ground, but will this timeline stick?
[Photos] Large Fire Rips Through District 4
A large fire in an alley behind the District 4 People’s Committee yesterday morning destroyed eight homes and damaged two others.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Hackers Steal 50,000 Accounts From Local Telecom Giant
Vietnamese high-tech products conquer world market [Vietnam Plus] Taxi cab robberies become violent [Vietnam Net] Vietnam’s PC market is the only one in Asia still growing [Vietnam Net]
Vietnamese Man Among 100 Finalists For Mars Mission
A 32-year-old Vietnamese man has been selected as one of the final 100 candidates for a one-way ticket to Mars.
Weekend News Roundup: Cosmetics With Human "Stuff" Banned In VN
Cartoon campaign launched against littering [Vietnam Plus] Woman writer likens men who avoid sharing housework as "pigs" [DTI] Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air fined for flight delays [DTI]
Saigon’s New Electric Busses To Include Service To Pham Ngu Lao
Saigon’s new electric bus service, scheduled to open later this year, will not only serve tourists on Le Loi, Nguyen Hue, Le Duan, Nguyen Du and Thai Van Lung Streets, but also Pham Ngu Lao.
[Photos] “French Village” to Open in the Hills Above Da Nang
The outskirts of Da Nang are about to get a significant, yet somewhat odd tourist attraction – a “French Village” that looks like something straight out Louis XIV’s Versailles.
Morning News Roundup: 101-yr-old Vietnamese Asked To End Vain Hunt For 4,000 Tons Of Gold
Vietnam faces economic concerns on fuel and power price hikes [DTI] Viettel eyes global status by 2020 [SGGP] Vietnam to host ASEAN traditional music festival 2015 [SGGP]
[Video] Mekong Man Uses Feet to Drive Motorbike Down Highway
If the Darwin Awards were an actual thing, this Mekong man would probably make the short list.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Fuel Retail Prices Rebound, Following Environment Tax Hikes
German media firm pumps $14 mln into Vietnamese browser developer [Thanh Nien] Young Vietnamese man dreams of conquering Mars [Vietnam Net] Exhibition on LGBT community opens in Hanoi [Vietnam ...
Public Karaoke Parties Drive Saigon Residents Mad
If you live in a Saigon alley, you’ve undoubtedly been kept up by loud music blaring from the speakers of your neighbors celebrating a birthday, wedding or funeral.
[Photos] Deadly Train Accident Rocks Vietnam’s North-South Railway
Last night, a deadly accident occurred on Vietnam’s North-South railway when a SE5 train collided with a truck in Quang Tri Province.
Morning News Roundup: Work Starts On $180mn Urban Area Fronting Vietnam’s Iconic Ha Long Bay
Masses of dead shellfish wash ashore in Ha Tinh Province [SGGP] 60% of university students cannot meet self-study requirements [Vietnam Net] Recluse artist's work on display after 31 years [Vietnam ...
Elephant Dies of Exhaustion While Serving Tourists in Dak Lak: Report
On Sunday, authorities from Dak Lak Province announced that a 40-year-old elephant died suddenly while serving tourists at the Ban Don tourist area.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Approves 6-Day Holiday In April
International happiness day celebrated nationwide [Vietnam Plus] Students singing “adult love song” stirs debate [Vietnam Net] First wind power farm in Central Highlands kicked off [Vietnam Net]
New Proposal: Drive Drunk, Lose Your Ride
In an effort to improve road safety in Vietnam, the country’s National Traffic Safety Committee has proposed that those found to be drinking and driving have their vehicles confiscated by police.
Vietnamese American Stabs And Kills Man For “Vulgar Gaze”
On Sunday, police arrested a Vietnamese American in Hue for allegedly killing another bar patron for looking at him the wrong way.
Weekend News Roundup: Two Vietnamese Indicted In One Of Largest Data Breaches In US
Spring festivals become a burden on local communities [Vietnam Net] Businesses anxious about higher petrol, electricity prices [Vietnam Net] Vietnam attends UN debate on human rights, climate change...
Morning News Roundup: Authorities Look For Rare Animal Famous On Facebook, Unsure What It Is
Hai Phong turns green with electric-bus project [Vietnam Net] Economy starts year ‘all guns blazing’ [Voice of Vietnam] HCMC moves to improve business environment for foreign firms [SGGP]
US$450 Million Allocated To Clean Up Saigon’s Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal
Saigon’s most important canal is set to clean up its act with a new round of funding.
Suboi, Tim Doling To Headline CNNGo Episode Featuring Saigon
Saigon will be featured in the next episode of CNNGo, a monthly travel show that seeks to provide an inside look at Asia’s most dynamic cities.
