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?
Repair Work Begins On Southern Vietnam's Last Citadel
Biên Hòa Citadel, originally built by the Khmer Chan Lap in the 14th and 15th centuries, has been approved for a VND14 Billion ($650,000) makeover.
Inside HCMC’s Taxi Battles
For anyone living in Saigon, Vinasun and Mai Linh are ubiquitous when it comes to grabbing a cab. Granted, there is a smattering of other providers, but the heavyweights are the ones we all rely on a ...
[Video] 128kg Endangered Barb Fetches $8,000 For Mekong Fisherman
Last weekend, a Vinh Long fisherman coaxed a 128kg Giant Barb fish out of the Mekong River, nearly 10 times bigger than any fish he had ever previously caught.
Morning News Roundup: Storm Hagupit To Weaken Before Hitting Vietnam
Nearly 2,000 public internet access points set up [Vietnam Plus] Vietnam Airlines changes flight schedule due to typhoon Hagupit [VoV] National budget hangs in the balance as oil prices plummet...
Spectacular Meteor Shower To Be Visible In The Skies Above Vietnam This Weekend
The annual Geminid Meteor Shower will rain down on Earth this weekend and will be viewable in Vietnam at around 1am on December 14.
British Man Dies After Fall From Hostel Balcony In Phạm Ngũ Lão
A 33-year-old British National died on Monday when he allegedly fell from a Phạm Ngũ Lão hostel’s forth floor balcony, reports Thanh Nien.
Morning News Roundup: Hanoi, HCMC Asked To Combat Sexual Harassment Against Women
HCMC customs officials awarded for finding heroin in unlikely places [Thanh Nien] Photo copyright centre to be set up [Vietnam Plus] Voters complain about quality of VN banknotes [Vietnam Net]
Authorities Debate Whether To Save One Of Saigon’s Oldest Buildings
Built in 1876, the former Cercle des Officiers building which currently houses the District 1 People’s Committee is one of the oldest French colonial buildings left in the city. Not rec...
40 Countries Vietnamese Citizens Can Visit Without Applying for a Visa
As Vietnam’s middle and upper classes grow, people within them have access to plenty of money for international travel. However, it’s notoriously difficult for Vietnamese citizens to receive visas to ...
Vietnamese Cities To Launch “Taking Drunkards Home” Service
Drunk driving is a serious problem in Vietnam that often has fatal consequences. To address this social ill, three Vietnamese cities are launching a pilot program that they hope will get drunk drivers...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Crewman Shot Dead In Pirate Attack Off Singapore
Vietnamese crewman shot dead in pirate attack off Singapore [Thanh Nien] VN tops ASEAN in domain names [Vietnam News] New expressway bad for Hanoi-Lao Cai rail line [DTI]
Hagupit Likely To Hit HCMC This Week
Tropical storm Hagupit hit the Philippines today bringing heavy flooding to some regions and claiming at least three lives. If the storm stays on its current course, it will hit Ho Chi Minh City later...
[Photos] Bloodshed Erupts At Malaysian Stadium Following Vietnamese Win
As streets and hems across Vietnam erupted in celebration last night after the national football team defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the 2014 Suzuki Cup semifinal, Vietnamese fans at Kuala Lumpur’s Shah Ala...
World’s Second Biggest Insect Discovered in Vietnam
Scientists have recently discovered a new species of giant stick bug in Vietnam. Phryganistria heusii yentuensis is over 32cm long or 54cm with its legs outstretched. Before you have a heart attack an...
87% High Percentage of Vietnamese Woman Sexually Harassed In Public: Report
A recent survey by three organizations (ActionAid, Research Centre for Gender, and Family and Environment in Development and Plan) found that 87% of Vietnamese women say they have been victims of sexu...
Weekend News Roundup: Hanoi Reduces Its Tangle Of Wires
Tiger farm found located near residential area [DTI] Traffic cop crashes BMW 750 into militiamen; 2 dead [Tuoi Tre] HCMC tries to improve students’ nutrition condition [SGGP]
HCMC Announces $570 Million Infrastructure Project For Thu Thiem
The Thu Thiem Urban Area has been stalled for over a decade. Even though the land has been cleared at a cost of nearly $1 billion, developers have been hesitant to invest in the project until the prop...
[Video] Incredible Japanese “Prawn Cannon” That Cooks Shrimp In 3 Seconds
Japan has built up one of the world’s strongest technology bases, leading the world in the production of creepy robots and sex dolls. But sometimes, Japanese inventors need a break from serious work a...
Morning News Roundup: 2 Women In Southern Vietnam Take On Drunk Cop
Ha Noi cuts trees in pilot beautification project [Vietnam News] 2 women in southern Vietnam take on drunk cop [Thanh Nien] Free Wi-Fi in Vietnam? Beware of security risks [Thanh Nien]
Mekong Man Arrested For Marrying 14-Year-Old Girl
According to police in Can Tho's O Mon District, 21-year-old Tran Van Co was arrested this week after marrying a girl seven years his junior.
