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.
Michael Tatarski in Environment
Huế's Fantastic Herbs and Where to Find Them, Now in Book Form
Have you ever walked past a plant and wondered "Hey, I wonder what that could do?"
The Strict Stipulations Behind Takashimaya's Top-Notch Service
Along with a slew of foreign brands and mouthwatering Japanese pastries, Saigon’s new Takashimaya department store has also brought its unique brand of hospitality to the southern hub in hopes of wowi...
Vietnam: The Other, Other Asian Tiger
As we enter the final quarter of the year, it’s safe to say 2016 hasn’t exactly been the economic success Vietnam had hoped.
A Brief History of Vietnam's Pokemon GO Adventures
Exactly one week after Niantic unleashed Pokemon GO on Vietnam, the country’s love for the colorful pocket monsters has shown no sign of waning. If anything, the Pokemon craze has only grown stronger ...
Swimmer Joseph Schooling Beats Michael Phelps to Win Singapore’s First-Ever Olympic Gold
We’re barely halfway through the 2016 Summer Olympics, and already athletes in Rio have left a considerable mark on the history books. In addition to Vietnamese shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, who won the co...
[Photos] Step Inside Da Lat's Hobbit-Like 'Uncle's House'
This Da Lat abode perfectly blends modern and traditional elements to bring its owners closer to nature.
[UPDATED] Apple Finalizing Plans to Open $1bn Data Center in Da Nang
[UPDATE] On August 11, Chairman Huynh Duc Tho of the Da Nang People's Committee informed reporters that Apple, Inc. has not confirmed plans to construct a US$1 billion data center in the central city,...
2 More Weeks for AAG Repairs, Hanoi to Get Free WiFi Network
In the ongoing saga of Vietnam’s temperamental WiFi connection, we’ve got good news and bad news.
[Photos] Past and Present Mingle in Hanoi’s ‘Attic Apartment’
When it comes to the scores of cramped and aging homes in urban Vietnam, local architects have a knack for transforming these unusual spaces into not only liveable but trendy and functional housing.
[Video] The Story of San Francisco’s Suu the Street Sweeper
When she first arrived in the United States, single mother Suu Ngo spoke no English.
[Infographic] Here's How to Get Fined While Driving a Motorbike
With an ever-changing set of traffic laws and penalties, it can be hard to keep up with Saigon's rules of the road.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Development
For Japanese Retailers, Saigon Center Opening a Sign of Good Things to Come
Across the street from a colorful, decades-old Hindu temple, motorbikes pour into the parking garage of the newly opened Saigon Center. Spiraling five floors below ground, the downtown shopping m...
Saigon’s Book Street Is Popular, Even With Declining Sales
Since its opening in January, Saigon’s downtown book street has seen plenty of visitors but fewer sales than expected.
[Illustrations] Japanese Architect Sketches Tokyo Metro Stations and the Chaos Above Them
In the dozens of digital renderings which envision a city’s future, you’ll find soaring skylines and innovative architecture but very little personality.
Laos’ Third Mekong River Dam Spells Danger for the Delta
Laos is preparing to begin construction on its third hydropower dam along the Mekong River.
[Photos/Video] Hanoi Architects Breathe New Life Into a Standard Tube House
By now, everyone in Vietnam is familiar with the standard tube house layout: a staircase in the middle, bedrooms on the sides and a ground floor that usually substitutes as a parking garage.
MobiFone's 4G Users Unimpressed by New Service
The recent rollout of MobiFone’s 4G trial service left much to be desired as early subscribers reported choppy reception and a hefty price tag.
Heart Disease on the Rise Among Young Urban Vietnamese: Experts
Young Vietnamese city dwellers are increasingly at risk of heart disease, according to local health officials.
Hanoi Approves Controversial Hoan Kiem Hotel Project
Hanoians will soon see a new hotel overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, and not everyone is happy about it.
Vietnamese Spend 3 Working Days a Week Online: Report
On average, Vietnamese internet users spend over 24 hours a week online.
Quang Tri Considers Another Solar Power Plant
Not long after breaking ground on its first solar power facility, Quang Tri province is considering another sun-powered clean energy plant.
