Floating Through Life

Saigon’s past and present relationship with canals Imagine for a second that Nguyen Hue, the wide promenade leading up to the vibrant, stately People’s Committee headquarters, is not the pedestrian-rich strolling area that it is today, but a giant harbor filled with commercial boats shipping fruits and other goods. That’s a pretty close approximation of … Read more

Deep Rooted Solutions

How Mangrove forests can protect the coastal areas and rice fields of the Mekong Delta from storms and flooding It seems like the time of dramatic pronouncements of climate forecasts: a United Nations report released in October said humans have just over a decade left to reverse the course on climate change, and this should … Read more

River Life

Sam Beumkes captures everyday life along the Saigon River, from exercising and fishing to trading and walking man’s best friend, there’s something about the stillness of the water that makes life a little bit calmer in this bustling city. Vinhomes in District 1 6 in the morning The river homes in District 2 Proof people … Read more

Floating Downstream

With Tet slowly peering around the corner, Vietnam’s waterways will soon be busier than ever The gentle ‘put-put’ of a single-cylinder Chinese diesel engine is the soundtrack to the waterways of Vietnam. While large, modern, metal-hulled freighters and sand barges have taken over much of the heavy lifting required for Vietnam’s rapid modernization and industrial … Read more

From Land To Water

How Saigon is rediscovering its aquatic spirit The Saigon Waterbus (saigonwaterbus.vn) is only about a year old, but the project’s creators see it as a spiritual successor to Vietnam’s lasting historical partnership with the nation’s water resources. The first boat left Bach Dang Station in November 2017, but the idea visited the project’s creators in … Read more

Some R&R

Relax and re-use by the river Schiller River Club (www.facebook.com/schillersaigon) is not just another expat bar, well—at least that’s what German owner and founder Ben Schiller is aiming for. Located way out of town in Thu Duc, this riverside venue is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, a key factor behind its … Read more

Seafood BBQ Buffet at An Lam Retreats Saigon River

So often, the phrase “culinary experience” is used to describe what turns out to be a simple meal. However, An Lam Retreats Saigon River‘s newly announced Seafood BBQ Buffet is truly a “culinary experience” in every sense of the phrase. Organized every second and fourth Saturday of the month, the evening begins with a speedboat … Read more

Escape the city along the Saigon River

Slow boat rides along rivers and canals may well be one of the last leisurely modes of transportation. Beyond the inviting languid afternoons that pass by at 5mph, this millennia-old form of cruising along the Saigon River guarantees a taste of the local culture – and an up-close view of gorgeous meandering landscapes studded with villas, bamboo … Read more

Where the Sea Meets the River

Can Gio is a family friendly escape from the city with something for everyone Text by James Pham Images by Quinn Ryan Mattingly Heading south from the Bach Dang Pier in District 1, a cruise along the Saigon River is an exercise in serenity. City life incrementally gives way to country. Bridges get less ornate, … Read more