Traffic gridlock takes more than just time from millions
Millions of people in Vietnam’s major cities are losing valuable time each day due to worsening traffic congestion.
Ho Chi Minh City to start construction of footbridge over Saigon River next month
Deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong has approved the start of construction for a pedestrian bridge across the Saigon River on March 29.
Hanoi apartment rents among highest in Asia
A two-bedroom apartment in Hanoi costs US$715 per month on average to lease, higher than in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta or Mumbai, a study has found.
Hanoi wants to increase fines for flouting road rules to 1.5-2 times
Hanoi city authorities want to increase fines for 107 traffic violations to 1.5-2 times the current levels by July this year.
Unresolved long-standing bottlenecks fuel traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is currently grappling with severe traffic jams, worsened by long-standing bottlenecks and inadequate infrastructure.
Fines for riding on sidewalks set at $236 while workers earn $330 monthly
The increased fines of VND4-6 million (US$157-236) for motorcyclist riding on sidewalks have recently sparked debate, given that workers’ average monthly income is only at VND8.5 million (US$334).
Motorbikes will remain Vietnam’s primary means of transport for another 20 years
Traffic congestion in Vietnam is not caused by motorbikes themselves; it’s the result of rapid urban growth outpacing the development of infrastructure.
Hoi An ancient houses risk collapse over degradation
Many ancient houses in the central ancient city of Hoi An have deteriorated, but restoration is not feasible due to their designation as protected heritage sites.
Banning motorcycles in Hanoi is not so straightforward
Hanoi stands at a critical crossroads. The city’s air quality and traffic congestion have long been in a state of crisis, and bold action is needed to reverse the damage.
HCMC approves $9B Can Gio coastal urban development project
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved the planning for the Can Gio coastal urban area, which covers an area of 2,870 hectares and is projected to attract nearly US$9 billion in private investment.
100-year-old villa faces demolition for road project in southern Vietnam
A 100-year-old French-style villa in southern Dong Nai Province may be demolished to make way for a riverine road project in Bien Hoa City.
HCMC sidewalks are for everyone except pedestrians
A recent survey put Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi among Asia’s best cities for tourists to explore on foot, but readers strongly disagreed.
Hoi An’s Pagoda Bridge reopened after 19 months of renovation
Chua Cau (Japanese Pagoda Bridge), a historic landmark in the ancient city of Hoi An, has reopened to visitors following a 19-month closure for restoration work.
In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the lure of moving to the city grows even stronger amid climate shocks
The lure of the city has always been strong for the poor in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
Crossing Vietnamese streets, pedestrians are at mercy of drivers
The unwritten Vietnamese rule has become that pedestrians need to raise their hand to seek permission to cross the crowded streets, and then motorists can decide if they’ll allow it.
Putting a stop to the noise epidemic
Everyone complains about the karaoke noise epidemic, but I have never seen a regulatory body bring a noise measuring device to check the levels in my neighborhood.
‘Vietnam has an amazing system that allows you to catch local buses between regional centers’
I went on a bus! Not a big thing for most people, but I went on a bus for the first time, alone, and in Ho Chi Minh City. The bus network has always been a bastion of fear for…
Chinese firm joins bridge, metro line projects in Hanoi
The Hanoi Department of Transport, China Pacific Construction Group, and Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint stock Corporation (Vinaconex) on Thursday morning inked a memorandum of understanding to study and build Tu Lien Bridge and metro link No. 5 in the…
Nha Trang reclaims resort beach for public use
A private luxury resort along the coastal road in Nha Trang has been dismantled to create open space for the public to enjoy the city’s famed natural beach.
Vung Tau wants pedestrian tunnels for its beach
Vung Tau authorities want to build eight tunnels leading straight to its most popular beach, Bai Sau (Back Beach).
HCMC prepares sidewalks for fee collection in 2024
Several HCMC districts have listed roads with wide sidewalks and drawn lines on them to prepare for fee collection in 2024.
Ho Chi Minh City urban street fest offers vibrant fusion of culture, art delights
The Saigon Urban Street Fest has unfolded with a captivating array of contemporary circus, comedy, and free street dancing in front of the Saigon Central Post Office in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam wants garbage classified next year at latest
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered localities to start enforcing a new three-category trash sorting policy no later than Dec. 31, 2024.
Lack of water a devastating problem for Hanoians
Nguyen Thi Phuong drives 70 km daily, from Hanoi’s Nam Tu Liem District to her hometown in Phuc Tho District and back, to bring 100 liters of water to her family.
HCMC’s ‘sleep boxes’ are uncharted territory for Vietnam
« Sleep boxes » measuring two square meters are a trending housing option in HCMC for people with low incomes, but they lack safety from fire and other hazards.
Saigon residents lose homes after buying cheap land via hand-written papers
Many families in HCMC’s Binh Tan District had to hand over their homes after authorities followed up on warnings made years ago that the land they bought was encroaching public land.