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 Health

Cash-Strapped University Students in Vietnam Resort to Platelet Donations Despite Health Risks

A wave of Vietnamese students who experience economic hardships have resorted to selling their platelets regularly in order to make ends meet.

in Sports

A Brief Primer on Vietnam’s Football History

How Vietnamese teams made the jump from small-time local leagues to national franchise football.

in Society

The Trials and Tribulations of Life in Saigon's Hẻms With Multiple Slashes

For some, Saigon's hẻms are a treasure trove of hidden urban gems. But for those living in these alleyways, they can also be a relentless source of inconvenience and frustration.

in Society

Meet the Man Who Owns Vietnam's Largest Collection of Seashells

While traditional hobbyists often pursue items such as stamps, coins or old records, a Da Nang native has a passion for an item which some may brush aside as a children’s toy: seashells.

in Architecture

[Photos] Bamboo Bridges the Gap Between Indoor and Outdoor Space in Hanoi Home

In the midst of the chaos and pollution of Hanoi, A House in Trees offers a sanctuary to its residents.

in Health

Vietnam Has Both the Highest and Fastest-Growing Rate of Diabetes in Southeast Asia: Expert

Professor Thai Hong Quang, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology (VADE), recently reported that diabetes is affecting roughly 5 million Vietnamese people.

in Society

[Photos] Photographer Showcases Hong Kong's Hidden Corners From Above

Tugo Cheng, a Hong Kong-based architect and photographer, uses drone photography to give viewers a completely different perspective on the famously dense, high-rise packed city.

in Tech

Are Electric Cars Coming to Vietnam?

As urban Vietnam makes a push toward cars and away from motorbikes, could electric vehicles be on the horizon?

in Society

Between 2 Worlds: The Dilemma of Vietnam's Foreign-Educated Grads

Every six months, Thuy* leaves Vietnam for Sydney to spend time with her two children, Ha* and Quang*. Far from the bustle of Saigon, Thuy enjoys Australia’s pristine environment and the time spent wi...

in Society

[Photos] Vietnam's Best-Looking Bridges

Bridges have always been an indispensable part of Vietnam’s infrastructure, as rivers and streams spread across the country’s geographic formations.

in Society

[Photos] Wander Through Ton That Dam's Chợ Cũ at Twilight

Downtown Saigon is in flux these days, as old buildings come down and new structures rise from the rubble. While the past few years have brought major changes to District 1, this year has been particu...

in Society

Hanoi's Skinny-Dipping Club Bares All for Fitness, Fun and Friendship

Vietnam’s capital city has a reputation for being a pretty conservative place. So it might come as a surprise for some to know that there is an entire community of adult men who like to skinny-dip nea...

in Health

Vietnam Struggles to Contain Nationwide Dengue Fever Outbreak

An ongoing nationwide dengue fever outbreak has health officials scrambling to halt its spread.

in Tech

Vietnam Ranks 101st Out of 195 Countries on Cybersecurity: UN Report

Vietnam has a lot of work to do to make sure its cybersecurity infrastructure keeps up with its economic growth.

in Society

[Photos] A Day in the Life of Ninh Thuan's Shepherds

In Ninh Thuan province, local shepherds lead a nomadic life, traversing the region's barren land to look after some of the country’s largest sheep herds.             ...

in Development

Korean Giant Lotte Breaks Ground on $885m Eco Smart City in Thu Thiem

Lotte, the giant South Korean conglomerate, has agreed to develop a US$885 million complex in District 2's Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

in Environment

Noise Pollution Throughout Vietnam Negatively Impacts Quality of Life: Study

About 20% of Vietnam’s population is subject to the effects of noise pollution.

in Tech

Amazon Eyes Southeast Asia Expansion Through Singapore

It looks like residents of Southeast Asia will soon be able to enjoy American online retailer Amazon’s services.

in Development

[Renderings] Da Nang May Get a Flashy Public Space Along the Han River

As urban centers across Vietnam compete to become the most modern versions of themselves by 2030, Da Nang is getting a fancy new public space.

in Architecture

[Photos] D7 Industrial House Opens to Natural Light, Ventilation

While some Saigon abodes may opt for an elaborate chandelier or painting as their interior centerpiece, the owner of this house in District 7 decided to make its door the most unique part of the struc...