Stay connected with Saigoneer on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook. Vietnam aims to cut 2 percent of government jobs every year [VnExpress] Giant rooster to be featured on Ho Chi Minh City's iconic flower street [Tuoi Tre] 14 foreigners rescued as boat catches fire in Ha Long Bay, again [Tuoi Tre] Hanoi’s first fast bus system still a work in progress [VnExpress] Vietnamese still want to buy Galaxy Note 7 despite explosion problems [VietnamNet] Smoking costs $1 trillion, soon to kill 8 million a year: WHO/NCI study [VietnamNet] Northern Vietnam named Forbes’ cheapest travel place [DTI] Real estate activities to bloom in HCM City's outer areas [DTI] Samsung Display plans to invest another $2.5 billion in Vietnam: Yonhap [Reuters] Monopoly is letting you decide if they should change the classic tokens [Time] Video of the Day:
VietnamVietnam Bans Unskippable Ads, Requires Skip Button to Appear After 5 SecondsIf things go our way, YouTube’s notorious unskippable ads might be a thing of the past come this February.By SaigoneerJan 6, 20262 minRead story →
VietnamGrindr Year-End Report Names Vietnam as Country With Biggest Top ShortageEver 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.By SaigoneerDec 23, 20252 minRead story →
VietnamWhen Donations Are All Womenswear, Men in Flood Zones Turn Necessity Into FashionVietnam’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.By SaigoneerNov 28, 20252 minRead story →
VietnamĐắk 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.By SaigoneerNov 25, 20254 minRead story →
VietnamNew 12,000-Year-Old Skeleton Breaks Record of Oldest Human Remains Found in VietnamAfter analysis, scientists believe that a 12,000-year-old set of human remains found in Ninh Bình belonged to a prehistoric man who died from infection after being struck by a quartz-tipped projectile.By SaigoneerSep 3, 20253 minRead story →
From Fine Dining to Comfort Food: Why Chef Thierry Mounon Followed up La Villa with La Fontaine“Beyond awards or recognition, a restaurant is about welcoming people, creating memories and bringing joy around a table,” explains Chef Thierry Mounon of his decision to expand from French fine dining into comfort food.Aug 27, 20264 min read
Art Exhibition ‘Limerence’ Explores Where Romantic Desire Distorts Into ObsessionThom Nguyen utilizes portraiture and depictions of mushrooms and organic objects to explore the concept of limerence in a solo exhibition at Permanently Closed Gallery in Thảo Điền, beginning Friday, August 28.Aug 25, 20262 min read
This Suburban Hanoi House Answers 'Yes' to 'How Many Windows Do You Want?'Do you love the tropical summer? Does bathing in the warmth of the sun spark joy in you? How many windows are enough to solar-power your everyday life? If you, too, are toiling with these existential concerns on a daily basis, perhaps this recent residential project might provide some inspiration.Aug 18, 20262 min read
As Saigon Moves Forward, Xích Lô Lag Behind as Nostalgic Remnants of a Past EraAmong Bùi Viện's assortment of xe ôm drivers and street food vendors, Bible-toting religious enthusiasts and other colorful personalities, 66-year-old Nghĩa stands out for his kind eyes and walrus-like mustache.Aug 19, 20253 min read
The Surprisingly Recent History Behind Bình Thạnh's Lonely 'Gia-Đinh' GateIt’s claimed by several tourism websites that a gateway from one of the ancient Gia Định citadels has survived and may be viewed on the Lê Văn Duyệt-Phan Đăng Lưu intersection in Bình Thạnh District, close to the Lê Văn Duyệt Mausoleum . However, a little research into the history of that area reveals that the gateway in question has more recent origins.Aug 1, 20253 min read
Reminiscing About the Last Days of Downtown Saigon’s Pigeon CoopThe first time I pay a visit to the Pasteur pigeon coop, Lê Văn Âu assures me the place is probably not going anywhere.Sep 13, 20244 min read