Paul Christiansen in Natural Selection
Kiến Ba Khoang: Not an Ant, but a Harbinger of Dread and Divine Punishment
People’s skin erupted with horrific boils that burst open, spilling stinging pus across vicious rashes. According to the Christian Bible, along with water turning to blood, frogs, lice, gnats, diseased livestock, hail, locusts, darkness for three days and the killing of firstborn sons, the boils were one of the plagues God sent down to ancient Egyptians to compel them to free the Israelites.
Khôi Phạm in Tech
Review: Horror Game 'Tai Ương' Exposes the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Our Culture
Natural disasters, illnesses, accidents, breakages, or even deaths: when a series of consecutive tragedies engulf a family, it’s often said that tai ương has befallen the unfornate victims. The term is also the name of a recently published Vietnamese horror game that has been making waves amongst gaming communities both nationwide and internationally, thanks to its layered narrative, chilling atmosphere, and meticulously crafted game environment.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
WildAct's Trang Nguyễn Turns to Social Media to Inspire a New Generation to Love Nature
Dr. Trang Nguyễn — a wildlife conservation scientist with a PhD from Cambridge and the founder of WildAct — needs little introduction. She has been recognized as one of Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30, called a conservation “hero” by Sir David Attenborough on BBC’s Planet Earth III, and had her inspiring story, which includes going undercover to bring down illegal ivory poaching rings in Africa after surviving cancer, covered widely. But much of her work has been behind the scenes or at least in corners devoted to conservations. Her recent arrival on the social media scene, amongst memes, music videos, and TikTok challenges, represents a shift in approach.
Phạm Phú Vinh in Architecture
Vietnamese Vernacular Modernism Is a Local Language Created by the Ordinary People
In the history of architecture, rarely have we seen such a challenging movement as Vietnamese modernism. Not only does it show how a culture evolves and expresses itself across historical epochs through its building practice, from the traditional to colonial and eventually modern period, but the language of Vietnamese vernacular modernism also reveals deeper understandings of human creative potential.
How Saigon's V.A.R Building Epitomizes Vietnam's Architectural Autonomy
Completed in 1973, the V.A.R building at 9 Nguyễn Công Trứ Street in Nguyễn Thái Binh Ward, District 1, is a prominent example of Vietnamese mid-20th-century modernist architecture designed by architect Lê Văn Lắm. It not only represents the Vietnamese architectural identity in post-colonial eras, but also exemplifies its cultural autonomy.
Quy Nhơn’s Quy Hoà Leprosy Village to Be Relocated for Mega Resort Project
Authorities in Gia Lai Province have approved plans to relocate the Quy Hoà leprosy village from its current ocean-side setting in Quy Nhơn to make room for an ambitious real estate and tourism project.
Opinion: Electric Vehicles Are Southeast Asia's Way out Amid the Global Fossil Fuel Crisis
As the Iran war crunches global energy supplies and disrupts prices, Southeast Asian leaders may need to diversify oil and gas supplies in order to protect ordinary people.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
An Ancient Turtle Named After Bánh Xèo Can Teach Us a Lot About Whimsy in Science
Nước mắm — that ruby-hued elixir; that salty, fish-flesh-sweet open secret in your favorite recipe; that indispensable icon of Vietnamese culture and, by extension, identity — owes itself to Commerson’s anchovies. That’s right, if your fish sauce comes from the central region, where it was first developed, the fish pressed with salt to produce it are Stolephorus commersonnii, a species named in 1801 after Philibert Commerson, a white Frenchman. Picture all the hardscrabble village homes suffering under the yoke of colonialism, where one of the day’s few pleasures was a humble meal made delicious by a carefully rationed dash of fish sauce and an ingredient whose name pays homage to their colonizers.
Amid Growing 'Hate Culture,' Vietnam Wants to Create Etiquette Guide for Internet Users
The prevalence of online hate speech is a growing concern for authorities.
Vietnam to Build a Code of Conduct for Internet Users
The prevalence of online hate speech is a growing concern for authorities.
Will Tracking Technology Help Combat Vietnam's Chronic Bike Theft Problem?
The surest way to keep your bike safe might just be to lo-jack it.
[Renderings] Here's What the Upcoming Hilton Saigon Hotel Will Look Like
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is developing 11 properties all over Vietnam, including two in Saigon.
Kit Humphrey in Environment
Q&A: The Wisdom of Hanoi’s Weatherdude
With storm season a yearly occurrence in Vietnam, it's always a good time to sit down with the fount of climate knowledge that is Hanoi’s Weatherdude to learn about the atmospheric movements of our pl...
Cheap Cosmetics Brands Mumuso, Minigood Accused of Faking Their Korean Identity
Amidst an increasingly saturated landscape of Korean merchandise and stores inspired by K-Pop trends in Vietnam, there are concerns that some brands risk misleading customers over their identity.
Anatomy of a Teen Magnet: Da Lat's Iconic Yellow Wall
For those who don't know, Coi Xay Gio Bakery's yellow wall has been taking Vietnam's social media by storm.
Opinion: The Virtues of Riding the Saigon Bus
On a brutally hot day back in January, I was riding Saigon bus No. 65 out to District 10 when I made an amateur’s mistake.
Most of Vietnam's Untreated Wastewater Is Released Directly Into the Environment: Report
In Vietnam, the annual production of household wastewater – currently accounts for 30% of all wastewater discharge – is increasing due to the country's rapid urbanization.
One Student’s Advice on Getting an International University Scholarship
More students in Vietnam are opting to attend international high schools, which prepares them to study at some of the top universities around the world.
Maternity Mortality Rates Fall; Contraceptive Rates Rise in Vietnam: Health Ministry
Maternal mortality rates have dropped nearly 75% since the 1990s, from 233 per 100,000 live births to 58.3.
[Photos] This Da Nang Hẻm Cafe Is Like a Contemporary Greenhouse
This new hẻm coffee shop in Da Nang epitomizes a neat balance between cost-effectiveness and aesthetic appeal.
New Zero-Commission Ride-Hailing Platform to Launch in Vietnam in July
The blockchain-based platform wants a piece of the ride-hailing pie in Vietnam following Uber's retreat from Southeast Asia's market.
[Video] Reflecting on a 2,000km Bicycle Ride From Hanoi to Saigon for Charity
Last month, 19 intrepid cyclists rode nearly 2,000 kilometers from Hanoi to Saigon, all in the name of charity.
Vietnam Earns Peanuts in Tax From Facebook, Google Despite Their Massive Profits
The technology and social media empires are raking in enormous revenues, but as a result of the limitations of Vietnam's current tax laws and poor regulation, very little of that money stays in the co...
[Photos] Old Couple Moves to Long An, Builds Vietnam's Fanciest Chicken Coop
Although domestic animals such as cats and dogs are the norm when it comes to keeping pets, for residents of Vietnam's countryside, backyard birds are viable options.
One of Hanoi’s Last Remaining Wet Markets, Chau Long, Is Still Standing Strong, But for How Long?
Located in the center of Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District, Chau Long Market stands in stark contrast to the surrounding urban residences and bustling streets. It is one of the last remaining traditional marke...
'Cable Car' Tourism Developer FLC Group Wants to Build a Mega-Resort in Quang Ngai
Experts and locals have voiced concerns over the impact a proposed mega-resort on the coast in Quang Ngai Province may have on the environment and the local community.
After Phu Quoc, Hoi An Is Getting a $4bn Casino Complex
The biggest casino in Vietnam will open next year.
Opinion: In Response to the Surreal Rise of Vietnam's Gated Communities
Our recent article on gated communities generated a lot of conversation, and we’ve decided to publish this letter from a Hanoi-based expat in response. The views and opinions expressed ...
