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] 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.
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.
[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.
Vietnam Is Crazy About the New Nokia 'Brick' 3310
Vietnam’s most popular phone model ever has officially made a comeback.
[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.
[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.
[Photos] Hanoi Neighborhood Grows Roadside Vegetable Garden
A neighborhood in Hanoi has turned a patch of roadside into a community garden.
[Photos] This West Lake House Is the Perfect Place for a Weekend Getaway
Sometimes you need a home away from home.
Mel Schenck in Architecture
Opinion: Saigon’s Architecture Should Express Our Times Today, Not the Past
Based upon its fascinating history, modern-day Saigon displays a rich character all its own, with buildings across the city representing each era of its storied past. However, several faux colonial bu...
Work Begins on $3bn Tourism Complex on Cat Ba Island, Threatening National Park
Sun Group has begun construction of a US$3 billion resort and entertainment complex on Cat Ba Island in northern Vietnam.
52% of Computers in Vietnam Are at Risk of Ransomware Attack: Cybersecurity Experts
Vietnam’s computer users are at high risk of being attacked by ransomware, according to a recent cybersecurity report.
Saigon's Metro Line 1 Might Extend Into Binh Duong and Dong Nai: Study
The governments of both Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces are studying the feasibility of extending Saigon's Metro Line 1 into their areas.
[Photos] Saigon's 'Binh House': A Harmonious Blend of Nature and Concrete
This irregularly shaped house is the latest addition to VTN Architects’ “House for Trees” series, a project aimed at introducing more green spaces to Vietnam’s urban housing projects.
[Photos] A Tour of Saigon's Biggest Motorbike 'Prisons'
In Saigon, motorbikes can go to jail just like their human counterparts.
New ISHCMC Campus Propels Saigon’s First International School into the Future
Upon opening in 1993 ISHCMC, or the International School of Ho Chi Minh City, became the first such school in Saigon. Though it is the oldest international school in the city it is also the most innov...
Gaming, Movies and Kid's Stuff: Here's What Vietnam Watches on YouTube
Vietnamese spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos and being online, recent research shows.
[Photos] A Green Oasis in the Heart of Hanoi
With Hanoi’s environment getting worse by the minute, a group of architects has attempted to create a dash of green scenery to brighten up this Dong Da abode.
Officials Present Dire Environmental Indicators at Hanoi Summit on Air Pollution
Shocking information on the state of Vietnam's environment was presented at a seminar in Hanoi earlier this week.
Facebook Policy Head, Vietnamese Minister of Information Discuss Curbing ‘Toxic Content’
Representatives of Facebook met with Vietnamese authorities this week to explore preventive measures regarding alleged false information on the social networking site.
[Video] Forest in South-Central Vietnam Cleared for Golf Course Without Approval
A forest in Phu Yen province has been cleared to make way for a golf course and resort, despite the fact the project hasn't been approved.
