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.
Viettel to Launch New Luxury Smartphone Later This Year
Time to save up, Saigoneers: rumor has it that Viettel will launch a new luxury smartphone by the end of the year.
[Photos] Hanoi's 'Party Apartment' Is Perfect for the Fun-Loving Crowd
Hanoi’s spacious “Party Apartment” is the perfect home for local social butterflies out there.
Brian Letwin in Development
Capital City Series Returns With Edition on Phnom Penh’s Rapid Development
Michael Waibel, the German human geographer, is back with another book in his series that takes a close look at the development of Southeast Asian cities from the perspective of both built environment...
Bear Rescue Center in Northern Vietnam Expands in Effort to End Bile Farming
Vietnam's most well-known bear sanctuary recently expanded, creating more space for animals rescued from bile farming.
Uber and Grab Are Making Hanoi and Saigon's Congestion Worse: Officials
Authorities in Vietnam’s most populous metropolises are now considering limiting operations of ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Grab, accusing them of worsening traffic.
Vietnamese Beekeepers Fight Climate Change With New Initiatives
Beekeepers and researchers in northern Vietnam are looking for ways to combat declines in vital bee populations.
[Photos] A Glimpse Into Binh Thanh's Terracotta Abode
In Saigon, nothing is impossible when it comes to building a home, even when the lot is 40 meters long and wedged in the middle of a tight space.
Apple Warns Unauthorized Local Shops to Stop Using Trademark
In the future, Saigon’s neighborhood phone stores might have to think twice before putting the Apple logo on their front sign.
[Images] Updated Google Earth Timelapse Shows Three Decades of Development in Vietnam
How has Vietnam changed in the span of three decades, as seen through Google Earth?
Social Stigmas in Vietnam Deter Gay Men From HIV Testing and Treatment
Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam still face social and bureaucratic barriers when accessing HIV testing and treatment, a survey has found.
Singaporean Architects Design Hotel Featuring Own Ecosystem
A hotel in downtown Singapore features its own ecosystem and an array of innovative environmental features.
Vietnam to Get Nationwide 4G Coverage by End of April
Under the central government’s ambitious plan to bring Vietnam up to speed with the region's internet standards, local mobile carriers are extending their fourth-generation (4G) high-speed network.
Michael Tatarski in Society
Chasing Pavements: In Defense of Saigon's Sidewalk Economy
As Doan Ngoc Hai, the leader of Saigon’s most aggressive sidewalk-clearing campaign in recent memory, takes a brief hiatus, headlines about towed cars and demolished buildings often obscure the r...
Cambodia to Relocate 5 Floating Villages Along Tonle Sap River to Curb Pollution
Cambodian officials are preparing to relocate five floating villages in Kampong Chhnang province to help reduce water pollution.
[Photos] Torn Paper House Brings Bright, Minimalist Living to Go Vap
A Saigon-based architecture firm has transformed a small plot in Go Vap District into an enviable townhouse.
Vietnam's Pension System to Go Digital by 2018
Vietnam’s pension distribution system is seeking to catch up with the digital age.
Saigon Winter Park Now Offers Skiing, Sledding, Snowman-Building
As of this month, tropical Saigon is now home to its own winter wonderland.
[Photos] Educational Campaign Paints Saigon Walls With Rhino Graffiti
Over the last month, walls along a number of District 1 streets have been covered in graffiti as part of an awareness-raising campaign.
Vietnamese Game 'Sky Garden' Wins People's Choice Award at Gaming Event
A Vietnamese game recently surpassed Pokemon GO, Super Mario Run and other famous world titles to earn the prize for most popular at this year's IMGA Global event.
Hanoi Pilots Program to Collect Parking Fees via Mobile App
This May, Hanoi will test out a digital parking system on select streets in Hoan Kiem District.
