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: Police Chase, Arrest Man for Robbing Japanese Tourist
In Vietnam, police chase, arrest man for robbing Japanese tourist [Thanh Nien] All schools in HCMC close due to storm [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to host 28th Asian Advertising Congress [NST]
Mysterious Street ‘ Volcano’ Stumps Authorities
When a giant, fire-spewing sinkhole appeared on a HCMC street last week, city authorities rushed to find the cause. After a week of investigation, things are no clearer as scientists and firefighters ...
Vietnamese Defence Minister: Don’t Trust Psychics
Due to the superstition present in Vietnamese society, many use psychics to get insight into everything from their future to finding the remains of loved ones who perished during the American war. But...
HCMC Man Throws Acid on Woman who Rejected his Love
Well, here’s your ‘what the phở?’ story of the day. A 30-year-old Ho Chi Minh City man has been arrested for throwing acid on 5 young women in a bout of jealousy.
Morning News Roundup: iPad Air Available in Vietnam, No iPad Air Fever
iPad Air available in Vietnam, no iPad Air fever [Vietnam Net] British scooter buff creates electronic Vespa [Tuoi Tre] Typhoon Krosa is forecast to strike Vietnam as a tropical storm ...
Can Vietnamese Fish Sauce Become an International Hit?
Fish sauce may be a daily staple in Southeast Asia but when it comes to the rest of the world, it’s relatively unknown (or known it it’s ketchup form). But some Vietnamese producers are looking to mak...
Brian Letwin in Vietnam
Bac Lieu Man Fined for Driving with his Feet
We’ve seen plenty of people do tricks on their motorbikes, usually late at night after some drinking. But police won’t hesitate to give you a massive ticket if they catch you in the dangerous act. Jus...
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
Powerful storm approaching Central Vietnam [Tuoi Tre] CNN continues broadcast in Vietnam under new rule [Thanh Nien] New programmes in the pipeline for overseas residents [Vietnam Net]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Fines Chinese Tourist $1,700 for Distributing Maps
Vietnam fines Chinese tourist $1,700 for distributing maps [Asia One] Vietnam’s film industry struggles to improve [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Navy receives first of six amphibious aircraft from Ca...
Vietnam’s Population to Hit 90 Million Tomorrow
Tomorrow at 12am, Vietnam’s population will reach 90 million according to the General Office of Population and Family Planning.
Morning News Roundup: Construction of North - South Express Railway Re-Proposed
Construction of North - South express railway re-proposed [Vietnam Bridge] Vietnam climate change response reviewed [Eco-business] Vietnam cops suspended for drunkenly insulting reporters&...
Morning News Roundup: Over 20,000 New Companies Open In HCM City In First Nine Months
Makers of fake veterinary medicine uncovered [Tuoi Tre] Over 20,000 New Companies Open In HCM City In First Nine Months [Bernama] Vietnam foreign investment up 66 percent [Thanh Nien]...
Last Remaining Ancient Muong House Burned to the Ground by Moronic Tourists
Last week, a group of tourists had the bright idea to start a fire in an ancient Muong house to cook up some corn. Why not? Corn is delicious! Unfortunately, the house was made of wood and quickly wen...
Morning News Roundup: Over 50 Children Hospitalized After Vaccination; Vaccine Use Continues
Over 50 children hospitalized after vaccination; vaccine use continues [Tuoi Tre] Economic slump hits Vietnam rural migrants hard [Thanh Nien] Restructuring: Does it really happen? [V...
What the Phở Happened Last Weekend? 10 Stories You May Have Missed
Rice farmers losing out on production profits [Vietnam Net] 7 dead, 40 injured in north Vietnam bus accident [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Plugs into Renewable Energy Sources [Prensa Latina]
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Population Hits 90 Million
Vietnam health official apologizes for death involving cosmetic surgeon [Thanh Nien] Vietnam Motor Show opens in Ho Chi Minh City [SGGP] “Wall Streets” in Saigon [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam’s...
Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Beauty Clinic Owner Arrested for Allegedly Killing Customer
Vietnam beauty clinic owner arrested for allegedly killing customer [Thanh Nien] Vietnam: a nation of online gamers dominated by Chinese and Korean games [DW] Saigonese artists featured in...
HCMC Street to be Named in Honor of Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap
Like many other countries, Vietnam uses street names to honor fallen national heroes. As such, it should come as no surprise that both HCMC and Hanoi are planning to name streets after the recently de...
After Police Chase, 49 Endangered Pangolins Found in Ambulance
In yet another case of shady wildlife smuggling in Vietnam, after a brief chase, traffic police in the northern province of Phu Yen pulled over a suspicious ambulance and found 49 endangered pangolins...
Vietnam Airlines Flight Lands in Da Nang Missing a Front Wheel
Have you seen a giant wheel falling from the sky? When a Vietnam Airlines flight landed in Da Nang yesterday afternoon, everything seemed to be normal. But after technicians carried out a routine exa...
