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.
[Video] Saigon Wants to Build 5 Elevated Highways to Ease Traffic Congestion
Construction of an elevated road near Tan Son Nhat International Airport will be begin in 2017 as part of a grand scheme to build five new above-ground highways to ease Saigon's traffic congestion.
Even With Vingroup, Affordable Housing Will Remain a Challenge in 2017: Former Official
Shortly after the announcement of Vingroup’s new affordable housing brand, Vincity, another luxury real estate developer is entering the low-cost housing market.
Vietnam Aims to Provide Health Insurance for All HIV Patients in 2017
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health just announced a plan to provide health insurance to 100% of local HIV patients in the future.
[Video] This Vietnamese Bà Stands up for Marriage Equality
A Vietnamese grandma has won the internet by speaking out in support of marriage equality in Australia.
Here’s What Will Replace Saigon’s Historic Tax Center
Just a couple months after Saigon’s 136-year-old Tax Center met a sudden and untimely end, Japanese hotel firm Okura Nikko Hotel Management has announced a partnership with the southern hub’s Saigon T...
Honda Invests in Grab, Promising Driver Education and Bike Safety
On Monday, the ride-hailing app Grab announced a new partnership with Japanese auto firm Honda.
Local University Students Named Among World’s Best Coders
Students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Science have been named among the world’s best coders, according to an American tech outfit.
Saigon Fines 74 Households for Failing to Take Preventive Steps Against Zika
As Zika spreads in Vietnam, local authorities are imposing stricter regulations and punishments in the name of public health.
Vietnam’s Overseas Remittances Now a Source of Business Investment
Once used primarily to support family members, overseas remittances in Vietnam are now being used to bolster economic endeavors in the country.
Southeast Asians Are Revolutionizing Social Media Shopping
Businesses in Southeast Asia are using social media sites to reach consumers as internet and smartphone usage rates in the region explode.
[Photos] Take a Tour of Hanoi’s Pint-Sized Architecture Studio
These days, every architecture firm in Vietnam is after pretty much the same thing: trying to bring light, air and more space to the country’s cramped urban buildings.
Vietnamese Students Rank Above US, EU in Global Science Assessment
We already know that Vietnamese students are exceptionally good test takers, but local high school pupils are really putting the rest of the world’s 15-year-olds to shame.
Vingroup Announces Countrywide Affordable Housing Project
Vietnam’s leading property developer, Vingroup, recently unveiled Vincity, a brand-new project aimed at providing affordable apartments in seven major cities and provinces throughout the country.
Hanoi’s Electrical Wiring Recognized Among World’s Worst by Engineering Magazine
One of Hanoi’s telltale tangles of black wires was recently named among the world’s worst electrical wiring systems by a British engineering publication.
As New Emission Standard Deadline Approaches, Vietnam May Not Be Ready
Even though Vietnam has already set a deadline to comply with European level 4 exhaust emission standards (Euro 4), whether the new legislation is feasible remains unclear.
Misconceptions Surround Sexual Harassment, Abuse in Vietnam: Survey
A recent ActionAid survey has uncovered troubling views on sexual harassment not only among Vietnamese men but also Vietnamese women.
[Video] Kicking and Screaming: Vietnam's Centuries-Old Love of Đá Cầu
Originally a game played by ancient soldiers to let off steam, in today’s Vietnam, đá cầu, or foot badminton, is practiced by locals from all walks of life.
[Photos] Hanoi Displays Possible Designs for Long Thanh Airport
If you happen to be in Hanoi over the next two weeks, drop by Van Ho Exhibition Center at 2 Hoa Lu Street for a chance to see a slew of potential designs for Long Thanh International Airport.
Construction on D2’s Rach Chiec Sports Complex to Start Next Year
After over two decades of deliberation, construction is set to begin on District 2’s Rach Chiec Sport Complex in 2017.
Vietnam’s TicketBox Lands New Round of Investment
Vietnamese online ticketing service TicketBox has acquired a new round of funding.
