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 Listed Among Countries With Low English Proficiency
Vietnam produces international-standard submarines [Vietnam Net] Vietnam listed among countries with low English proficiency [Tuoi Tre] Parents want extra classes for their kids despite ban [DTI]
HCMC Taxi Driver Returns Bag With $8,000, iPhone, iPad
On Monday, a Vietnamese-American woman left a bag full of seemingly everything she owned - $8,000 in cash, an iPad, an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy 3 and her identity papers - in a Vinasun taxi.
U-Turn: Vietnam Considers Legalizing Uber
Just days after declaring Uber illegal in Vietnam, the country’s transport ministry said it will consider legalizing the taxi service.
Morning News Roundup: Land In Hanoi Old Quarter Over VND1 Billion Per Square Meter
Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Eyes $4 Billion Vietnam Casino [Bloomberg] Students named scientific contest finalists for idea of greening Saigon footbridges [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam farmer makes win...
PM Approves 9-Day Tết Holiday
For the second straight year, the Vietnamese government has approved a 9-day Tết holiday.
Major Security Drills Taking Place In Saigon This Week
You may see columns of fire engines, police and military personnel around downtown Saigon this week. These security drills are neither related to a zombie apocalypse, nor filming for Vietnam’s next bi...
Morning News Roundup: Bizarre South Korean Kidnap-Torture Case Unfolds In Vietnam
40,000 die of smoking-caused diseases every year in Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to export $70 million oil rig part to India [Tuoi Tre] US singer Kelly Clarkson to perform at Miss Vietnam pa...
HCMC Begins To Crack Down On “Illegal” Uber Taxis
Could this be the beginning of the end for Uber in Vietnam?
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam To Hold First Art Fair To Pique Public Interest Next Month
Hanoi, Da Nang rank eighth among top tourist attractions [Vietnam Net] Vietnam to hold first art fair to pique public interest next month [Tuoi Tre] VN designers shape new fashion scene&nb...
Morning News Roundup: State-Run Cinemas ‘Dying’ In Vietnam
Vietnam vows to promote rights of people with disabilities [Vietnam Plus] Book casts light on little known Vietnamese workers in France [Vietnam Plus] Int’l experts urge Vietnam to build rice brand ...
Nguyen Hue Street Promenade To Block Traffic With "Smart Pillars," Reopen By Tet
Nguyen Hue Street, currently closed down for the constriction of a pedestrian promenade, will not be completely closed to traffic when it opens next year, according to city authorities.
Vietnamese Model Named Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian
Truong Thi May, a Vietnamese model who represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant in 2013, has been named Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian by the NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PE...
Morning News Roundup: A Vietnamese Depositor Receives 20 Cents For 30-Year Bank Savings
Vietnamese has lowest wages in ASEAN [DTI] Hanoi authorities admit defeat on relocating historic markets [DTI] Transport fees reduce in three big cities [SGGP]
Beware Of The “Frankennote”
Want to make VND1,000,000 from VND520,000? Sure, you could invest in Vietnam Airlines stock, but as rumors have it, you could make your money work for you by splitting it down the middle, literally.
Vietnam Approves Law Allowing Foreigners to Buy Property
In an attempt to boost the country's stagnant real estate market, Vietnamese lawmakers yesterday approved a law allowing foreigners to buy land.
Morning News Roundup: Transport Minister Calls Vietnam's Air Traffic Control Corps 'Low-Quality,' Citing Nepotism
Millions of people expected to join VN’s first Black Friday [Vietnam Net] University teachers, students complain about clothing ban [Vietnam Net] Four more Asian records for Vietnam [Vietnam Plus]
[Photos] Hanoi’s Pedestrian-Only Streets Flooded With Vehicles
Back in October, Hanoi officially launched a plan to keep a number of streets in the Old Quarter free from vehicles. Even though signs and barriers have been installed, many have ignored the new schem...
Lovers’ Feud Causes Delay Of Vietnam Airlines Flight
After a week of major safety hiccups at Tan Son Nhat Airport, a slightly less serious disturbance took place last Friday night when two female passengers engaged in a soap opera-like brawl over a male...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Named Asia’s Most Attractive Nation For Manufacturing
Vietnam named Asia’s Most Attractive Nation for Manufacturing [Nhan Dan] HCMC underfinanced for evacuation of households on canals [SGGP] Factory workers denounce employers for low-quality meals [DT...
Vietnamese Police Confiscate Thousands Of Stuffed Endangered Sea Turtles
While some Vietnamese are taking steps to save them, the country continues to struggle with protecting its endangered sea turtles.
