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?
Weekend News Roundup: Vietnam Gas Prices Down Further On Global Falls
Shipwrecks reveal ancient trade routes [Vietnam Net] Jobs for Low-Skilled Workers Moving from China to Vietnam [Forbes] Education Ministry plan to rewrite textbooks divides NA legislators [DTI]...
Man Arrested For Allegedly Murdering Vietnamese Woman In Singapore
Yesterday afternoon, Singaporean police responded to a “call for assistance” from an apartment block on Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 and, upon their arrival at the scene, found the body of an unidentified Vie...
3 Massive Statue Heads Unearthed At Cambodian Temple
Last weekend, three massive Angkorian-era statue heads at Banteay Chhmar temple in Banteay Meanchey Province were unearthed.
Civilian And Military Aircraft Nearly Collide Over Tan Son Nhat
Authorities met yesterday to discus an incident in which a military helicopter and civilian passenger jet “narrowly missed” colliding over HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport on October 29.
Morning News Roundup: Alien Species Pose Threat To Vietnamese Wildlife
Vietnam aims to foster space technology [Vietnam Plus] Motorbike expected to be popular in Vietnam for 30-40 more years [DTI News] In Vietnam, foreigners can rent a forest, but can't buy a hous...
HCMC Authorities Scrap Plan For Helipad, Tunnels At New Admin. Center
Plans for a helipad and tunnels within HCMC’s new administrative center have been omitted from the latest proposal.
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Should Not Limit Motorcycles: World Bank
Circular ownership poses threat to Vietnamese school system [Vietnam Net] HCMC sets to market bio gasoline [SGGP] Vietnamese tea not grown in dioxin polluted soil, official [SGGP]
Trung Nguyen Is Finally Going Global: Plans 100 Shops For UAE
After eyeing international expansion for years, Vietnamese coffee giant, Trung Nguyen seems set to take its first step in that direction, starting with the United Arab Emirates.
Morning News Roundup: Residents Blow Whistle On Mangrove Destruction
CNN TV crew to highlight martial art Vovinam [Thanh Nien] Residents blow whistle on sanctioned mangrove destruction in southern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] French photographer shows Vietnam heritage a...
Saigonese Take To The Streets, Web To Protest Removal Of Tôn Đức Thắng Trees
After 51 old trees in front of the Saigon Opera House were felled back in July, 84 mahogany trees on Tôn Đức Thắng Street are encountering a similar fate. Refusing to stay silent about what they perce...
Cover Of Vietnamese Law Book With Topless Comedian Atop Fireball Sparks Outrage
A book on Vietnam’s Civil Code and its guiding documents is drawing flack for its cover which shows a smirking Vietnamese comedian holding the scales of justice while standing atop a fireball. Not onl...
Man Racks Up $1200 WIFI Bill On Singapore Airlines Flight
In a reminder to always read the small print (and forego airplane WIFI?), a Canadian man was charged $1,200 for WIFI on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore last week. The customer has...
Morning News Roundup: Non-Lethal Weapons Illegally Sold In Ho Chi Minh City
FPT users in Vietnam lose control to hacked Chinese modems [Thanh Nien] Hanoi struggles to manage ‘leaping frog' street markets [Vietnam Net] Ceremony held in remembrance of traffic accident vi...
[Video] PM Dung Meets With US President Obama
At last week’s East Asia Summit in Myanmar, Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung and U.S. President Barack Obama met with the press and discussed strengthening relations between their countries.
Weekend News Roundup: New Taxi App Uber Frustrates Officials
FPT users in Vietnam lose control to hacked Chinese modems [Thanh Nien] HCMC leader demands results or resignations at water authority [Thanh Nien] Vietnamese coffee chain Trung Nguyen to enter...
Morning News Roundup: Central Highlands Elephants On The Verge Of Extinction
Vietnam flick ‘flaps’ to Hollywood film fest [Tuoi Tre] Ho Chi Minh City to organize $1.5mn pyrotechnic, light shows on New Year’s Eve [Tuoi Tre] Vietnamese could have 9 days off for Lunar New Year,...
[Video] Woman Narrowly Escapes Death By Truck With Acrobatics
For those who haven’t had one, it’s hard to imagine the feelings of terror followed by euphoria after a near-death experience. For this Saigon woman, the later must have been particularly satisfying a...
Morning News Roundup: Over 1,600 Investors Register To Buy Vietnam Airlines Shares
Saigon Co.op makes Asia Pacific top 10 retailer list [DTI] Black boxes show speeding on the rise in Viet Nam [Vietnam News] Vietnam's taxi firms to cut fares as fuel prices fall [Thanh Nien]
HCMC To Build 100 More “5-Star” Toilets
HCMC is stepping up its toilet game with plans to add 100 more “5-Star” public lavatories around the city.
New Saigon Bikewash Offers Customers Free WIFI, AC And Massages
VietWash, a new, high-end carwash chain has just launched in Saigon and offers both customers and their motorbikes some pretty nifty amenities.
