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?
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Government Wants Violent Festivals, Traditions Gone
Vietnam Airlines sale of shares could reap VND6.3 trillion [Vietnam Net] Science minister takes notice of submarines made by amateurs [Vietnam Net] Unusual outbreak of dengue fever kills 3, inf...
40 Beautiful Vintage Japanese Postcards
The early decades of the twentieth century brought about rapid transformations to countries across the globe. Japan was no exception as it morphed from an agricultural economy to an international indu...
Cleanup Of Vung Tau’s Oil-Covered Beaches Underway
While Vung Tau is an attractive getaway spot for Saigon residents and tourists, oil-covered beaches have long been a sticking point for would-be visitors. The situation has been particularly bad over ...
Morning News Roundup: First Vietnamese Model To Appear On Vogue Italy
Foreigners to receive VAT refund at Phu Quoc international airport [Nhan Dan] New rural program narrows rural, urban income gap [SGGP] HCM City students ask for more lively history lessons [DTI]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Airlines Asks to Buy Entire Terminal of Hanoi Airport
China remains top trade partner [Vietnam Net] HCMC leads country in FDI capital [SGGP] World Bank approves 100 mln USD credit for Vietnam’s poverty reduction [Vietnam Plus]
Scan Finds Monk Hidden Inside 1,000-Year-Old Buddha Statue
Historians at a museum in the Netherlands made an unexpected discovery when they began to restore a millennium-old Buddha statue last year – the mummy of a meditating monk. But it wasn’t until after p...
Weekend News Roundup: Pissed-Off Bees Attack 22 Bus Passengers Relieving Themselves In Vietnam Street
District in central Vietnam to reward those reporting littering, tourist bothering [Tuoi Tre] Two Vietnamese entrepreneurs on Forbes’ list of 50 most powerful Asian businesswomen [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam'...
Saigoneer Sunday Rewind
Saigoneer's staff highlights their favorite articles from the past week.
Saigoneer Sunday Rewind (2)
Saigoneer's staff highlights their favorite articles from the past week.
Morning News Roundup: Abused, Imprisoned Vietnamese Slave Away In UK's Cannabis Farms
Vietnam plans to sell operating rights for airports [Thanh Nien] Abused, imprisoned Vietnamese slave away in UK's cannabis farms [Thanh Nien] Mekong Delta authorities instructed to stockpile ri...
Bus Carrying 20 Tourists Nearly Plunges Into Saigon Canal
A bus carrying 20 foreigners and overseas Vietnamese nearly fell into the waters of the Tàu Hủ Canal yesterday afternoon due to a flat tire.
[Photos] 11 Hilarious English Translation Fails On Chinese Signs
While Vietnam may boast an impressive amount of entertaining signage, it looks like China has it beat in this category thanks to what appears to be an over-reliance on Google Translate.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam To Offer Largest Ever Rewards (Up To US$250k) For Whistleblowers
Why Vietnam’s agriculture industry is unsustainable [Vietnam Net] HCMC to complete traffic projects this year [SGGP] HCMC borrows US$1.08 billion for anti-flooding [SGGP]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Named 5th Most Recognised Coffee Producer In US
Vietnam named 5th most recognised coffee producer in US [Vietnam Plus] High hopes for TPP signing in 2015 [Voice of Vietnam] VN retailers face pressure as foreign firms enter the market&nb...
A Sneak Peek Into Saigon’s New Metro Cars
We might have to wait another five years to ride in one of them (at least physically), but soon you can check out the interior of the carriages that will eventually run on Saigon’s first metro line.
41,050 Hospitalized In Vietnam For Brawling, Food Poisoning And Traffic Accidents During Tết
Tết may be the Vietnam’s most festive holiday, but it’s also the most dangerous if measured by the number of people admitted to the country’s hospitals.
Walls of Saigon’s Notre Dame Cathedral Being Stained by Graffiti, Urine
Saigon’s Notre Dame Cathedral is facing something of an aesthetic crisis as sections of the church’s brick walls, which were imported from France well over a century ago, have been defaced by graffiti...
Morning News Roundup: Toxic Tet Kumquats Highlight Vietnam's Pesticide Problem
IT companies in search of more experts in 2015 [DTI] Can Tho strives to become Mekong Delta economic hub [DTI] Berlin to host Vietnamese music and fashion show [Vietnam News]
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Chúc mừng năm mới, Saigoneers! We'll return to action on February 24. Have a safe and happy Tết!
[Video] Tết Decorations On Majestic Hotel's Façade Catch Fire
Tết decorations hung on the façade of District 1’s Majestic Hotel caught fire yesterday evening. Though hotel staff quickly extinguished the fire, the ensuing rush of emergency services resulted in he...
