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 Architecture

The Battle Is on to Save Cambodia's 'New Khmer Architecture' Legacy

Much of Cambodia’s most impressive and culturally rich architecture is under threat of demolition or ruin as Cambodia’s upcoming generation faces a new kind of war: the battle to preserve Cambodia’s c...

in Development

Work Set to Resume on Saigon's Largest 'Ghost Tower'

Saigon's most prominent unfinished skyscraper is finally set for completion thanks to a new investor.

in Environment

Child Labor to Surge in Vietnam Due to Climate Change: Experts

As climate change wreaks havoc on Vietnam, more children will be forced to work from an early age, experts say.

in Society

Out and About in Binh Thanh's Budding Japan Town

Only a ten-minute ride away from Saigon's established Little Tokyo, another Japanese neighborhood is in the making in Binh Thanh District — and it's a whole world apart.

in Architecture

[Photos] Saigon Architects Create Zen In a Tube House

This tube house in suburban Saigon looks ike a residential structure, a spa and a Buddhist retreat rolled into one.

in Sports

Hanoi Runner Becomes 1st Vietnamese to Complete Everest Marathon

A Hanoi native recently became the first Vietnamese national to complete the Everest Marathon in Nepal.

in Development

Inside Tan Son Nhat's Massive Golf Course

Tan Son Nhat Golf Course, located on the grounds of Saigon's international airport, has come under increased scrutiny recently as airlines have run out of space to park their planes.

in Development

[Video] A Virtual Tour of Saigon's Ben Thanh, Opera House and Ba Son Metro Stations

Ever wonder what Saigon’s future underground metro stations will look like?

Brian Letwin

in Society

[Photos] This Binh Duong Warehouse Is a Treasure Trove of Vietnam's Automotive Heritage

In a dusty Binh Duong warehouse lies one of the world’s largest collections of Citroën Traction Avants, a car commonly associated with Vietnam’s late colonial era. One might hazard a guess that the co...

in Development

[Photos] Take a Tour of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area From Above

Two decades after being approved for development, the Thu Thiem Peninsula is slowly taking shape as one of Saigon’s major future urban areas.

in Architecture

[Photos] Vo Trong Nghia's 'Bamboo House' Is a Green Oasis in Sweltering Saigon

The latest addition to Vo Trong Nghia Architects’ "House for Trees" series is a fusion between bamboo and a typical Saigon tube house.

in Tech

Spotify Likely to Expand to Thailand and Vietnam This Year

It appears likely that Spotify, the popular Swedish music streaming service, will expand to Vietnam and Thailand this year.

in Development

Historic Maison du Combattant to Be Replaced by Mixed-Used Complex

Two years after the real estate giant Tan Hoang Minh won the bid for Saigon's "gold land" property at 23 Le Duan, the former Maison du Combattant will finally meet the bulldozer this fall.

in Tech

Vietnamese Startup VNG Reaches for Country's First IPO Abroad

Vietnamese startup VNG Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding to list on New York's Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

in Architecture

[Photos] Suoi Tien Park Playground Gets Colorful Makeover

To brighten up an otherwise drab and nondescript playground, all you need is a few hundred colored flags.

in Society

Meet Vietnam's Most Tech-Savvy Great-Grandma

Despite her advanced age, a great-grandmother in Hanoi uses Google, Facebook and Skype to check the news and keep in touch with her family, in addition to regularly writing and painting.

in Development

[Photos] The State of Saigon's Metro: 2017 Progress

Last year you had a chance to marvel at Hanoi’s first metro line from above, now get ready for a glimpse into Saigon’s future Metro Line 1.

in Tech

Vietnam Is Crazy About the New Nokia 'Brick' 3310

Vietnam’s most popular phone model ever has officially made a comeback.

in Architecture

[Photos] Saigon Architects Turn Derelict Office Space Into Colorful Apartment

A Saigon-based architecture firm has made full use of vibrant colors to create a lively living environment that strikes a balance between form and function.

in Society

[Photos] Meet Tao Dan Park's 'Squirrel Lady'

You’ve heard stories about Saigon’s famous cat lady, now meet Tao Dan Park’s squirrel lady.