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.
[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. ...
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.
Noise Pollution Throughout Vietnam Negatively Impacts Quality of Life: Study
About 20% of Vietnam’s population is subject to the effects of noise pollution.
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.
[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.
[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...
Vietnam’s Video Game Market Ranks 28th Globally in Total Revenue: Report
With spending on video games in Vietnam expected to hit US$365 million in 2017, the country is quickly becoming a lucrative market for game makers.
Hanoi’s 'Ex-Market' Provides Post-Breakup Solace for Local Youths
This isn't your usual flea market: here, one man's, or woman's, unwanted mementos and emotional baggage from previous love affairs may just be another man's treasure.
In 10 Years, Da Lat Might Run out of Clean Water Due to Pollution
The popular Central Highlands city of Da Lat may run out of clean water in the next 10 years, according to a local official.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Society
At Hanoi’s Fury Room, Young Vietnamese Relieve Stress Through Destruction
Next time you’re in the capital and looking to unwind, you could opt for the standard walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and an ice-cold bia hơi. Or you could break something.
Vo Trong Nghia Brings Low-Cost Prefabricated S Houses to Northern Vietnam
Could Vo Trong Nghia's low-cost prefabricated S House provide a sustainable solution for Vietnam’s architectural needs?
[Renderings] What the Nhon-Hanoi Metro Line Will Look Like in the Future
As the capital's Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway inches closer to the finish line, construction on the Nhon - Hanoi Station route has once again been prolonged to 2021.
[Photos] Quang Binh's Light, Airy Abode: When an Architect Experiments on His Own House
A local architect in Dong Hoi has created a distinct, airy house that stands apart from more traditional houses in the city.
Saigon's Tattoo Culture Flourishes Thanks to Changing Attitudes
Danis Nguyen remembers the first time he saw a tattoo. It was on TV, in a world far away from his childhood home in Nha Trang: a world of rebellion, electric guitars and round sunglasses. At 18, ...
Dana Filek-Gibson in Health
In Vietnam, Taboo and Tradition Hinder Contraception Awareness
With many urban Vietnamese waiting longer to get married, the country’s younger generations are recognizing the need to open up about sex education in the conservative country.
[Photos] A Bird's-Eye View of Saigon's Remaining Green Spaces
As Saigon’s downtown area is slowly being filled with construction projects, a crucial part of its charm and scenery is also being compromised: green spaces.
[Photos] Backyard Atrium Brings Radiance Into This Saigon Tube House
A back-of-house atrium and a well-designed staircase help to optimize natural lighting and ventilation in this Phu Nhuan tube house.
Vietnam’s First Professional MMA Fighter to Make Professional Debut in August
This August, Vietnam’s first professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter will make his debut.
Vietnam's Gender Imbalance to Have Major Consequences by 2050: Report
As the United Nation’s World Population Day approaches on July 11, Vietnam must face its ongoing struggle with gender imbalance throughout its population.
[Photos] Thuan Kieu Plaza Receives Makeover, May Open Again This September
One of Saigon’s most iconic landmarks of the early 2000s – Thuan Kieu Plaza – is receiving a makeover.
