Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Is the Yeti Vietnamese? This Ancient Ape Might Hold the Answer.

Can you name a Vietnamese animal that hasn’t been hunted to the precipice of extinction or become a commodified item whose flesh, fur, or feathers are only deemed significant in relation to their practical use by humans?

in Architecture

This Suburban Hanoi House Answers 'Yes' to 'How Many Windows Do You Want?'

Do you love the tropical summer? Does bathing in the warmth of the sun spark joy in you? How many windows are enough to solar-power your everyday life? If you, too, are toiling with these existential concerns on a daily basis, perhaps this recent residential project might provide some inspiration.

in Health

A Hanoi Duo Crafts Intricate Silicone and Clay Prostheses for People With Disabilities

“The products we make are fake arms, legs, noses, ears… from silicone. The value we create is emotional healing, giving our customers confidence in themselves and their lives — the things they lack after surgeries,” Phúc shared while introducing their products. 

in Architecture

Listen to the Unique 'Dialects' Found in Regional Vietnamese Modernist Architecture

“It was my uncle who came up with the design. There are no drawings left; everything was improvised back then,” the owner of a modernist homestay in Ninh Thuận told me. No architect, just an idea and a craftsman to pour it into concrete.

in Environment

How Overreliance on Pesticides Traps Thai Farmers in a Vicious Circle of Debt

As the sun rises over the village of Ban Wichit Pattana in north-east Thailand, 62-year-old Chuchart Srithachum does his morning exercise, walking as best he can on his prosthetic leg along the street outside his home.

Khôi Phạm

in Architecture

Illustration Project 'Con Ốc Nhỏ' Archives Southern Vietnam's Diverse Architectural Facades

Riding a motorbike is the most popular mode of transport in Vietnam. Albeit convenient and fast, being on a bike, merging in and out of the ever-flowing, hurried traffic, might not afford you the slow pace needed to fully appreciate the urban landscapes and their hidden gems. Vietnamese artist Bờm Sketcher, on the other hand, is fully in support of walking as the best way to document the most fascinating corners of local streets onto his pages.

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.

Back Society

in Development

Developer Proposes Saigon River Park and Underground Mall

Local developer Van Thinh Phat Group has submitted to city officials a proposal to build a new public park and underground trade center along the western bank of the Saigon River.

in Environment

Da Nang Locals Call for Inspection of Industrial Park Accused of Pollution

Locals in Da Nang's Lien Chieu District are calling upon authorities to investigate a nearby industrial park whom they have accused of polluting local rivers and damaging public health.

in Environment

40 Dead Tiger Cubs Discovered in Tiger Temple Freezer

Last Wednesday, authorities made a grisly discovery while shutting down Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, recovering 40 dead tiger cubs from an on-site freezer.

in Environment

Phnom Penh's Canals Disappear Beneath a Sea of Pollution

While Saigon has its own polluted canals to contend with and Hanoi works to clean up its act, our neighbors to the west are also struggling to bring their rubbish woes under control.

in Architecture

The D2 House of Your Dreams, Where Traditional Architecture Meets Contemporary Style

Inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture, the Saigon-born architects of VACO Design have outfitted this chic District 2 home with intelligent design, both inside and out.

in Development

Hanoi to Invest $5.5bn in New Airport Facility

Hanoi officials announced on Monday their plan to expand the capital's airport facilities at a cost of US$5.5 billion.

in Health

Vietnam Remains Among Countries With Most Smokers in the World

Though Vietnam has made a dent in its tobacco fixation, the country still has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world.

in Development

Saigon Officially Approves Thu Thiem's Eco Smart City

After years of small steps forward, the US$2.2 billion Eco Smart City project planned for Thu Thiem has finally received the official stamp of approval.

in Architecture

[Photos] Hanoi's CN House Proves Good Things Come in Small Packages

Hanoi-based architects MON Atelier recently transformed a tiny house tucked away in one of the capital's alleys from an aging, 45.6-square-meter structure to a charming, cozy residence known as the CN...

in Development

Vietnam, General Electric Enter 1,000MW Wind Power Pact

American-based General Electric (GE) and Vietnam’s trade ministry have agreed on a massive wind power deal that will supply the country with 1,000 megawatts of power by 2025.

in Development

[Video] This D7 High-Rise Is Getting Its Own Artificial Island

Last month, local firms An Gia Investment and Phat Dat Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company joined forces with Japan's Creed Group to introduce one of the city's most ambitious luxury residence...

in Tech

Vietnamese Telecoms Aim for Global Domination

While much of the conversation surrounding Vietnam’s largest state-owned companies relates to privatization and removing foreign ownership limits, two of Vietnam's telecommunications giants, FPT and V...

in Development

[Photos] Proposed Design for Bac Ninh’s City Hall is a Stunner

Vietnam’s Modern architecture scene continues to mature as local outfits - like 23o5studio, Nishizawa Architects and Nha Dan Architecture, to name a few – show a consistent pattern of innovation in th...

in Tech

Vietnamese Students Take Home Prize at Intel ISEF 2016

Two Saigon high school students made a big impression at an international science-engineering fair in the US for their all-terrain wheelchair design.

in Development

Saigon to Roll out Smart Parking Lots

Saigon is poised to deploy smart parking lots in downtown areas to meet the growing demand for space.

in Tech

Google Translate Adds Offline Mode, Instant Chinese Translation

Google just made some major improvements on its translation tools.

in Architecture

[Photos] 22.House: An Homage to Vietnamese Modernist Architecture

Situated near Nha Trang's central market, this creation from architecture firm Chon.a serves as a homage to the aesthetics of Vietnamese modernist architecture.

in Development

The State of the Metro: An Update on Saigon's Subway Construction

Now entering its fourth year, construction of the Saigon Metro system is chugging along. With several lines in development and plenty of work still to go, Saigoneer takes a closer look at the pro...

in Development

Sapa May Be Getting an Airport

The province of Lao Cai is close to having its own airport, as several ministries have backed a plan whose construction could begin as soon as next quarter.

in Architecture

[Photos] Architect Pairs Minimalist Design With Green Surroundings

 Located in a greenery-free neighborhood of Binh Duong province, the beauty of Up2Green house lies not only in the urban zen of its architectural elements but also in the homeowners' motivations ...