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?
Brian Letwin in Stories
Morning News Roundup: 20-Year-Old Dog Thief Sentenced To Death In HCMC
Intense controversy erupts over project to build 25-story ‘lighthouse’ in central Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Large cluster of ancient stone shot discovered in Thanh Hoa [Vietnam Plus] Japanese exp...
Morning News Roundup: Motorbike Owners In Saigon Required To Pay Road Fees From Jan 1
Most schools eager for “university autonomy” [Vietnam Net] Art stages find ways to lure foreign tourists [Vietnam Net] Vietnam extends visa, residency terms for foreigners [Thanh Nien]
Đà Nẵng Set To Complete Another Ambitious Public Works Project
Đà Nẵng, home of the now famous Dragon Bridge is set to get another impressive conduit.
Massive Fire In District 3 Kills 1, Destroys At Least 5 Buildings
Last night just after 9pm, a deadly fire broke out at a District 3 karaoke parlor and quickly spread to neighboring buildings.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Waives Visas For Tourists From Seven Countries
20-year-old dog thief sentenced to death in Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Vietnam waives visas for tourists from seven countries [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam seeks high-tech solution to traffic death toll [Thanh Nien]...
Officials: Bodies Recovered In Search For AirAsia Flight QZ8501
After three days of searching for AirAsia Flight QZ8501, The Indonesian Navy has announced that 40 bodies have been found in the Java Sea off the Indonesian part of Borneo, reports the The Jakart...
[Photos] The Ghost Ships Of Ha Long Bay
Nine abandoned ships worth millions of dollars sit idle in a corner of Ha Long Bay. Not only do the rusting hulls represent another black eye for state-owned shipping giant, Vinashinlines, but also an...
As Fuel Prices Plummet, Vietnamese Taxi And Bus Companies Refuse To Lower Fares
A massive drop in global fuel prices can already be felt at Vietnam’s petrol pumps where topping off your tank will cost you significantly less than it did a few months ago. But even though the countr...
Morning News Roundup: Ban On Organizing Same Sex Marriage To Be Lifted Next Year In Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines signs $6 billion 2015-16 insurance coverage contract [Thanh Nien] HCMC’s working women aren't so crazy about kids: health official [Thanh Nien] Ban on organizing same sex marriage t...
2 Men Arrested In HCMC For Trying To Ship Gun and Grenade In Guitar Case
Two local men were arrested last Tuesday after attempting to ship a rifle, grenade and 5 bullets to Hanoi in a guitar case. Surprisingly, neither of the men were Antonio Banderas.
Collapse On Hanoi Metro Construction Crushes Cars On Street Below
At 4am yesterday morning, a section of the Hanoi railway project collapsed, raining concrete and scaffolding onto the street below.
Weekend News Roundup: Hanoi Not To Pilot Female-Only Bus Routes For Now
Deputy PM Phuc urges using technology to reduce traffic accidents [Nhan Dan] Women’s participation in politics important to gender equality [Nhan Dan] Vietnam to export cholera vaccine [Vietnam Plus...
AirAsia Flight Carrying 162 Goes Missing En Route To Singapore
An AirAsia flight carrying 162 people has gone missing en route to Singapore.
Christmas Comes Early For Hong Kong Residents As HK$15mil Spills Onto Streets
On Tuesday, packs of banknotes amounting to HK$15 million (US$1,932,491) spilled from a security Van on the streets of Hong Kong.
Hanoi To Launch Female-Only Busses To Protect Against Sexual Harassment
After surveys of Vietnamese women found that most are victims of sexual harassment in public spaces, Hanoi officials have ordered that the city launch an all-female bus service.
HCMC To Welcome 2015 With Epic Bitexco Fireworks Display
HCMC’s 2015 New Year’s Countdown promises to be pretty epic based on details released at a press conference last week.
[Photos] Massive Crowds Hit Vietnam’s Streets on Christmas Eve
While many people stayed indoors on Christmas Eve to avoid the massive crowds in downtown Saigon and Hanoi, other embraced the festive atmosphere, taking to the streets in droves to take advantage of ...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Ups Ante In Bids To Clear Tourist Cities Of Cigarette Smoke
HCM City reports lowest total fertility rate in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Vietnam Airlines runs first int’l flight at new terminal [Vietnam Plus] Magnificent volcanic cavern found in Central Highlands [...
Morning News Roundup: Farmer Turns Down VND30m Offers For Giant Chicken
Vietnamese committee opposes Laos’ new dam [Thanh Nien] HCMC adds more buses during New Year holidays [SGGP] Italian authors release book on Vietnamese folklore in Rome [Tuoi Tre]
Flower Street 2015 To Feature Floral Metro Line
Saigon’s Flower Street will take on a decidedly modern twist this year. In addition to the typical natural landscapes and traditional Vietnamese cultural symbols, the 2015 edition will also feature a ...
