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?
[Video] A Look At One Of Hanoi’s Most Ridiculous Intersections
Despite its intended role as a helpful conduit, Hanoi’s Xã Đàn – Ô Chợ Dừa intersection is one of the city’s most confounding crossroads.
16 Foreigners Rescued After Tourist Boat Goes up in Flames in Ha Long Bay
Last night a tourist boat carrying 25 passengers was engulfed in flames as it was anchored in Ha Long Bay.
Cambodia Deports 3 French Men for Nude Photoshoot at Angkor Wat
Three Frenchmen were deported from Cambodia last weekend after they admitted to taking nude photos of themselves at the popular tourist destination of Angkor Wat.
Morning News Roundup: Italy Willing To Train Vietnam’s Traffic Police
Series of events to popularise Vietnamese literature [Vietnam Plus] Italy willing to train Vietnam’s traffic police [Vietnam Plus] Teachers say new student-assessment method difficult to implement [...
Check Out Where Saigon Ranks In The Latest Safe City Index
The Economist recently released its Safe Cities Index in which 50 cities around the world are ranked according to levels of safety. While many of these types of lists come out every year based on murd...
Traffic Accident In Cần Thơ Forces Bus Atop Bridge
Around 4am on February 2, a Phương Trang bus carrying 30 passengers narrowly avoided an accident with a truck as it crossed the Láng Sen Bridge in Cần Thơ City.
Morning News Roundup: HCM City's Fire Department Using Robot-Operated Trucks
Advert law drives up costs of billboards [Vietnam Net] HCMC steps up bio gasoline sales [SGGP] Taxi and long-range coach companies slash fares [Vietnam News]
After International Outrage, Vietnam Backpedals on Destroying Thousands of Smuggled Cats
Last week, Hanoi police discovered a truck packed with three tons of live cats destined for Vietnamese restaurants. After it was reported that the felines were to be destroyed in accordance with local...
Plans For Vietnam's First Hooters In The Works
If you thought the penetration of American restaurant culture in Vietnam was complete with the arrival of McDonald’s last year, you’re in for a surprise.
Weekend News Roundup: Public Skeptical About Plan To Axe 6,700 Trees In Hanoi
Vietnam Is Becoming the 'New China' With Foreign Manufacturers [The Street] Homeland Spring 2015 for overseas Vietnamese to be held in HCMC [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City to offer Tet allowance to...
Morning News Roundup: EVN Could Go Bankrupt If It Cannot Raise Electricity Prices, Ministry Says
EVN could go bankrupt if it cannot raise electricity prices, ministry says [Vietnam Net] VNPT, MobiFone prepare for overseas investments [Vietnam Net] Russian-made submarine arrives at Cam Ranh port...
Morning News Roundup: Bach Dang Wharf To Close In April
Ho Chi Minh City struggles to clear land for its first subway, again [Thanh Nien] Vietnam sees positive change towards gay people: survey [Thanh Nien] Ho Chi Minh City picks fight with SMS spammers ...
Crew Feared Dead After Military Helicopter Crashes In HCMC
[Update Below] A military helicopter crashed in HCMC’s Bình Chánh District this morning after departing from Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and its four crew members are feared dead.
[Video] New Reality Show Puts Fashion Bloggers To Work In A Cambodian Sweatshop
A new Norwegian reality show set to air this April strays from the typical nature of the genre, transplanting three 17-year-old bloggers into Cambodian sweatshops for one month.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC To Spend Big To Beautify Road To Tan Son Nhat
Female trafficking a growing problem in Nghe An Province [DTI News] VNU-HCMC hopes to offer world-class courses in next decade [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam’s exports look to shine for 2015 [VoV]...
[Video] Topless Tarzan Swings From Trees, Causes Traffic Jam In Hanoi
Hanoi’s trees may be slowly disappearing, but it seems like one local is still making use of them.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Pulls Plug On So-Called Electric Cars
Education-universalization law prevents teachers from doing their job [Vietnam Net] Architects discuss new coat for Saigon Central Post Office [SGGP] Vietnam promotes sending guest workers to k...
79 Vietnamese Pilot Trainees Abandoned In California As Training Center Owner Flees
The abrupt closing of a U.S. pilot training program being attended by 79 Vietnamese pilot trainees who are now out $80,000 a piece after its abrupt closure.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnamese Spent At Least $3.1 Billion On Beer In 2014
Low oil prices can boost Vietnam’s economic growth [Nhan Dan] Code of conduct discussed to prevent sexual harassment at workplace [Nhan Dan] Vietnamese aviation training poor [DTI]
Vietnam’s Undersea Internet Cable Repaired Ahead Of Schedule
After 18 days of slowed internet access to international websites, connections are back to normal in Vietnam after repairs to the Asia-America Gateway Cable were completed late last week.
