Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

The Reason to Cry for Cu Li, Vietnam's Deeply Misunderstood Primate

A drop of the animal’s blood renders the soil barren; entire mountains can crumble and collapse where it landed. Be wary of this slow wayfarer of the forest, for if you catch sight of its glowing eyes in the distant darkness, your trip is doomed and should be abandoned immediately. And if someone brings one back to the village, make all efforts to return it to the jungle, lest you invite sorrow and ruin into your home. Don’t let its meagre stature, a mere 500 grams, and slow, cuddly demeanor confuse you; the cu li guards the gates to hell.

in Environment

The Hunt for Vietnam's Dinosaurs Has Found Nothing Yet, but There Is Hope

Why aren’t there any Vietnamese dinosaurs?

in Parks & Rec

In Hanoi, Waacking Is Not Just a Dance, but a Home for Creativity, Gender Fluidity Too

“I get to express my madness.” That is what Trần Khánh Linh, also known as Lyna, says when asked why she has been waacking for the last 10 years. By day, Lyna is a jewelry and gemstone seller, but by night, she joins her friends at the Soul Waackers, a waacking group based in Hanoi, and practices a dance style that allows her a vibrant way to self-express.

Uyên Đỗ

in Tech

There's a Cordial Vietnamese Greeting That Has Been Floating in Space Since 1977

At this very moment, while you're reading these lines, a silver “bird” of human design is hurtling away from the Sun at roughly 60,000 kilometers per hour, slipping past the boundaries of our solar cradle and into the endless quiet of the cosmos.

Paul Christiansen

in Environment

How a Self-Taught Documentarian Spreads His Boundless Enthusiasm for Vietnam's Nature

Why “Sticky Discovery”? This was the first question I asked during my interview with the man behind the YouTube series of...

in Architecture

In a D7 Residence, Natural Wood Textures Hark Back to Vietnam's Traditional Homes

During a new decade when architecture projects in Vietnam are increasingly looking towards the future and influences outside the national boundaries for inspirations, Memories House decided to do the opposite by integrating old heirloom furniture and elements from the past into the living space.

in Environment

Searching for the World's Largest Woodpecker Species in Yok Đôn National Park

You first know she’s approaching by the sound of her wings; her broad shadow flashing across the forest floor. Even from far below, her body looks enormous. At half a meter long, she is roughly five times the size of the woodpeckers seen in the gardens of Europe or North America. She is the largest woodpecker left in the world, and the jewel of Yok Đôn National Park.

Paul Christiansen

in Sports

Thống Nhất Stadium Offers Unexpected Opportunities to Reflect Upon the Soul

Where do you find revelation?

Back Society

in Development

[Photos] Unique Thai Nguyen Primary School Criticized for Alleged High Cost, Low Attendance

A toxic rumor has cast doubt on a primary school project in one of Thai Nguyen province’s most secluded communes.

Michael Tatarski

in Development

A Tale of Two Plans: Thu Thiem, Phu My Hung and Future Saigon

Across the Saigon River from central District 1’s glass-and-steel skyscrapers, the Thu Thiem New Urban Area is slowly – very slowly – taking shape. Named after the swampy peninsula on which it sits, t...

in Tech

Maneuver Vietnam's Hectic Traffic in This Quirky, Locally Made Minigame

Haven’t gotten enough of Vietnam’s traffic pandemonium in real life? Now you can also experience it virtually through this quirky brand-new mobile game.

in Society

Vietnam's 2019 Education Reform Will Take Inspiration From Nordic Countries

Vietnam’s education authorities have started looking northward for ways to improve local schools and curricula.

in Tech

Scientists Reveal Ambitious Plans to Build Made-in-Vietnam Satellites

Vietnamese scientists hope to build and launch domestically produced satellites within the next two years.

in Tech

Vingroup Begins Construction of $3.5bn Car Factory in Hai Phong

Vingroup, Vietnam's largest real estate developer, has begun construction of an automobile production plant in an effort to expand the country's auto industry.

in Development

Vietnamese Firm Suggests Chinese Power Plant Contractor to Take on Construction of Long Thanh Airport

Although it still only exists on paper, Long Thanh International Airport is already embroiled in its first controversy regarding prospective contractors.

in Society

Poorly Planned Development Projects Leave Vietnam's Poorest Minorities Vulnerable to Natural Disasters

Since the beginning of August, flooding and landslides have devastated northwest Vietnam, leaving ethnic minorities living in extreme poverty at the highest risk of property damage and loss of life.

in Sports

Female Athletes Won Two-Thirds of Vietnam's SEA Games Gold Medals: Sport Official

Vietnam performed well during this year’s SEA Games in Malaysia, finishing third, and just two gold medals shy of exceeding its pre-tournament goal.

in Society

Vietnam's Textbooks Lack Gender Diversity, Reinforce Stereotypes: Report

A new study has shown that male-centric content dominates school textbooks in Vietnam, hindering gender equality.

in Tech

Vietnamese Entrepreneur Makes Silicon Valley Top 40 Under 40 List

A Vietnamese entrepreneur recently made the list of Silicon Valley’s 40 under 40 this year.

in Architecture

[Photos] Vo Trong Nghia Graces Binh Thanh With 'Glass Box' Office Tower

Saigon’s Binh Thanh District is about to get a flashy new Vo Trong Nghia-designed “glass box” office building.

in Sports

Swimmer Anh Vien Clinches 2 Gold Medals, Breaks Own SEA Games Records

Vietnam's athletes have won an impressive haul of medals over the last two days at the 2017 SEA Games, currently underway in Kuala Lumpur.

in Society

Vietnam's University Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs That Match Their Skills

University graduates in Vietnam have the highest rate of unemployment among young people, a fact that could seriously jeopardize the country’s growth.

in Development

Saigon's 'Ghost Tower' Seized as Collateral After Owners Fail to Repay Debt

The future of Saigon’s most prominent skeleton tower has become even murkier.

in Tech

82-Year-Old Japanese Coder Creates Apps for the Elderly

Masako Wakamiya, an 82-year-old Japanese woman, has shown that mobile phone app developers don't always fit the mold of Silicon Valley stereotypes.

in Sports

Wushu Martial Artists Earn Vietnam's First Gold Medals at SEA Games 2017

Vietnam’s delegation at this year’s SEA Games competition is off to a good start after wushu martial artists clinched the country’s first two gold medals late last week.

in Society

Vietnam's Female Business Owners Upend Gender Stereotypes

Although there are still issues surrounding gender roles and perceptions of women in Vietnam, the country is in some ways more progressive than its regional neighbors when it comes to gender diversity...

in Development

Korean Giant CJ Group Invests $63m to Build Frozen Food Factory in Saigon

CJ Group, a Korean conglomerate, has announced plans to expand its presence in Vietnam's food market.

in Development

Massive Long An Theme Park Project Abandoned Due to Debt

Once set to become the largest theme park in all of Southeast Asia, Long An province's Happyland entertainment complex may never open to the public due to debt.