
In the Era of Constant Rebuilding, We Turn to Vietnamese Modernism for Nostalgic Comfort
For two years now, I've checked the Vietnamese Modernist Architecture Facebook group almost every day. Here, members post ...

How Laos's Dams Are Powering Vietnam, Other ASEAN Nations Despite Mekong Concerns
Following a spate of foreign investment in the 1990s, Laos began producing surplus electricity and looked to export it. Today, around 80% of its energy, largely from hydropower, is sold to neighbors. Electricity exports from Laos generate around US$2.6 billion for what is one of the poorest nations in mainland Southeast Asia. Across the region, neighbors including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia have become reliant on hydropower from Laos. Slowly but surely, however, this is changing.

A Pop-up Night Park Brings the Joy of Playing in the Rain to Phú Mỹ Hưng
A lack of public spaces and activities has been a chronic problem plaguing Saigon’s urban planning since the city experienced its first population boom a few decades ago. If you happen to be near District 7 in the next two months, a pop-up park could be a new option for children, and perhaps some particularly exuberant adults, to frolic in the rain and the evening.

Living, Learning, Loving From the Earth at Ninh Bình's Lá Library
A stone's throw away from Cúc Phương National Park in Ninh Bình Province sits Lá Library, an education center promoting sustainable living through sustainable agriculture farming, earthen building techniques and the art of chilling out.

The Saigon House That Swapped Its Front Door for a Moat
Does a house need walls?

Is the Yeti Vietnamese? This Ancient Ape Might Hold the Answer.
Can you name a Vietnamese animal that hasn’t been hunted to the precipice of extinction or become a commodified item whose flesh, fur, or feathers are only deemed significant in relation to their practical use by humans?

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.

A Hanoi Duo Crafts Intricate Silicone and Clay Prostheses for People With Disabilities
“The products we make are fake arms, legs, noses, ears… from silicone. The value we create is emotional healing, giving our customers confidence in themselves and their lives — the things they lack after surgeries,” Phúc shared while introducing their products.

Vietnam PM Directs Education Ministry to Ban Sales, Advertising of Soft Drinks in Schools
Are soft drinks to blame for Vietnam’s impending child obesity epidemic?

[Video] In Saigon, the Christmas Spirit Lives in Tuan's Garbage Cart
Is this Saigon’s most festive garbage cart?

How the Creater of Zalo, Vietnam's Home-Grown Chat App, Went From Hacker to Manager
Vietnam's popular chat app and social media platform, Zalo, was born from its creator's curiosity about hacking.

Scientists Discovered 65 New Species of Plants and Animals in Vietnam in 2016: WWF Report
The Greater Mekong region continues to prove its important role as one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems.

[Photos] Inside Binh Thanh's Xóm Nước Đen by the Cau Bong Canal
In recent years, development in Saigon has exploded, giving rise to towering skyscrapers, office towers and residential complexes throughout the southern hub. But even as the city’s modernization hits...

[Photos] Chau Doc's 'Corrugated Metal' Home by the River
After a makeover, a once-precarious home in Chau Doc has been transformed into a contemporary home without looking out of place in a traditional riverside neighborhood.

A Cafe in Hanoi Is Replacing Its Waitstaff With a Robot
Are you sick of human interaction? This café in Hanoi might have just the solution to your blight.

[Video] Take a Ride on the Saigon Waterbus
Now that the Saigon Waterbus has been open for a few weeks, the service is starting to settle into a rhythm, with six daily trips from each terminus.

Vietnam's Generation Z Earns Little, but Loves Eating Out: Report
Despite having little money, many members of Vietnam’s Generation Z spend a large percentage of their budget on eating out.

On Preserving Laos' Botanical Diversity in the Garden of Luang Prabang
In a region where rapid urbanization, hydropower development and resource demand is devastating natural ecosystems, a dedicated team is working hard to preserve Laos’ unique plant species.

Almost 2m Vietnamese Children Under 5 Suffer From Malnutrition: Nutrition Institute
Despite considerable national health progress in the recent decade, nearly a quarter of Vietnamese children under the age of five currently still suffer from malnutrition.

On the Vietnamese Language’s ‘Cuk Cak’ Conundrum
Is there room for improvement in the way we write Vietnamese? According to a project by a local academic, the Vietnamese language might be due for a major overhaul.

Pasteur Institute Tests Find E. Coli in 100% of Meat Samples Taken From Saigon, Dong Nai
According to a recent test, a worrying amount of meat samples from provinces in Vietnam's southeast contained traces of E. coli.

The Story of Giang Nguyen, Grab's First Blind Coder
Saigon native Giang Nguyen was born completely blind, but that hasn’t stopped him from succeeding as a coder for Singapore-based ride-share app Grab.

Saigon's Coworking Movement and the Rise of the City's Creative Class
I like working in cafes: every visit, I find myself a comfy seat, plug in my laptop, get the WiFi password and camp out for the whole day. But while this sounds nice, it’s only the sugar-coated versio...

[Photos] In D3, an Owner Transforms Her Childhood Home Into an Colorful Tube House
After a recent major renovation, this tube house in District 3 is now a spacious living quarter for a multi-generational family.

Vietnamese Men Are Most Likely to Favor Good Looks Over Personality: 20-Country Survey
A new survey of people from 20 countries found that Vietnamese men were the only respondent group that's more likely to value their partner's appearance over their personality.

Hanoi Starts Cleaning Hoan Kiem Lake 2 Years After Beloved Turtle Died From Pollution
Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake will be cleaned up two years after its famous reptile resident died in its polluted waters.

Vietnamese From Rural Regions Are Using Smartphones and Facebook More Than Ever
Thanks to reductions in smartphone prices, these devices are now increasingly popular among Vietnamese all over the country.

Sharks, Anchors & Red Tape: Why It Takes Forever to Fix Vietnam's Broken Internet Cables
Are the sharks all to blame, or should other aquatic creatures also be held responsible for Vietnam’s sluggish internet?



