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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
A Brief Primer on Vietnam’s Football History
How Vietnamese teams made the jump from small-time local leagues to national franchise football.
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.
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.
[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.
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.
[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.
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?
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...
[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.
[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...
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...
Vietnam Struggles to Contain Nationwide Dengue Fever Outbreak
An ongoing nationwide dengue fever outbreak has health officials scrambling to halt its spread.
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.
