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: Ho Chi Minh City To Bring Beggars, Homeless To Social Centers
Ho Chi Minh City to bring beggars, homeless to social centers [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to slap two taxes on Uber: official [Tuoi Tre] Officials downplay concerns foreign goods will flood market [VoV] &nb...
HCMC Launches Taxi Booking App To Compete With International Players
As HCMC’s relationship with international taxi booking app companies becomes increasingly tumultuous, the city has launched its own app which is available for mobile devices.
Weekend News Roundup: Workers Hit Bombs, Bullets While Building School In Southern Vietnam
Thai Vietjet makes its debut [Voice of Vietnam] Vietnam climbs one place up on FIFA rankings [Shanghai Daily] 90% of Hue’s royal dishes are not authentic: Vietnam seminar [Tuoi Tre]
[Video] Brazen HCMC Dog Thieves Strike In Broad Daylight
So, in today’s WTF section, here’s a video from Binh Tan District of a guy shooting and stealing a dog in broad daylight. This problem seems to be all too common these days, and with Vietnam consuming...
Hydrofoil Service Between HCMC And Vung Tau To Resume After Year-Long Ban
HCMC’s Hydrofoils are set to resume service to Vung Tau by the end of the month following a year-long ban.
Morning News Roundup: HCMC Urges Firm To Give Up Land For Metro Line
Researchers alarmed over abusive incidents at school [Vietnam Net] Vietnam spends big money on Chinese phones [Vietnam Net] Paid Christmas escorts trending among young Vietnamese [DTI]
Nha Trang To Install Loudspeakers On Beaches To Warn Of Robbery And Rip-Offs
Nha Trang authorities are planning to install a loudspeaker system on city beaches to “promote local tourism, improve rescue activity, and issue warnings to tourists regarding robberies and rip-offs.”...
Morning News Roundup: Rescue Underway At Site Of Collapsed Tunnel In Central Vietnam
CAAV proposes cut in air ticket prices [DTI] Sex education from church and state sends mixed messages in Vietnam [Guardian] Approved! Social enterprise receives legal status in Vietnam [Guardia...
Anal Inflation Prank Lands Victims in Hospital
So, yeah, this happened.
Vietnam Airlines Pilot Accidentally Signals Hijacking After Pressing Wrong Button
A Vietnam Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh City to the northern city of Vinh made an emergency landing in Hanoi on Tuesday after encountering mechanical problems.
Work Begins On Underground Section Of Saigon’s First Metro Station
Work has officially kicked off on the underground portion on Saigon’s first underground metro station at the intersection of Le Loi and Nguyen Hue Streets.
Morning News Roundup: First Vietnam Bike Week To launch In HCMC
VN urged to quickly improve labor productivity [Vietnam Net] Early snowfall in Sapa attracts visitors [Voice of Vietnam] City programme separates organic, inorganic waste [Vietnam News]
[Photos] Japanese Businessmen Show You How To Pass Out In Public With Class
Japanese work culture is characterized by insane hours and grueling deadlines. To relax and blow off steam, businessmen from the Land of the Rising Sun take the same approach to drinking as they do to...
Morning News Roundup: Gov’t To Tax Sales On Facebook, Affecting Small Shops
Gov’t to tax sales on Facebook, affecting small shops [Vietnam Net] Ministry seeks candidates for new textbook compilation [Vietnam Net] Vietnam faces difficulties in wind power development [Tu...
Financial Records Requested In Probe Of Suzuki Cup Loss
Following the “incomprehensible” 4-2 loss to Malaysia in the AFF Suzuki Cup, Vietnam’s football team is now the focus of an investigation into match fixing.
Yahoo To Close Offices In Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia: Report
Yahoo is slated to close offices in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia this month in a restructure of its International operations according to Techcrunch, a California-based tech website.
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Steps Up Food Safety
Land information more available in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Vietnam steps up food safety [SGGP] Vietnam strives to raise skilled workers [SGGP]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Arrests Technician Blamed For Blackout At Tan Son Nhat
Vietnam arrests technician blamed for blackout at Tan Son Nhat airport [Thanh Nien] Flappy Bird Creator – a top 10 internet millionaire [DTI] Universities to use national high school exit exami...
Expect Organized Chaos On Saigon’s Streets Tonight
Tonight, Vietnam will match up again against Malaysia in the 2014 Suzuki Cup. The city’s football-crazed fans will be out in full force as a win or a draw would propel the national team into a final w...
Alleged Sex Tape Of Vietnamese Monk Goes Viral
A Buddhist monk from Nha Trang has made headlines in recent days as a video and pictures allegedly showing him engaged in sexual acts with a woman surfaced on the internet. The monk, referred to as a ...
