in Society

Meet Tâm, a Crossing ‘Guardian’ Protecting Saigon Traffic and Trains From Each Other

In a small kiosk overlooking the crowded Nguyễn Trọng Tuyển Street in Phú Nhuận, Nguyễn Thị Tâm routinely checks the clock and reviews the day’s train schedule meticulously. She’s repeated these tasks countless times, a crucial component of a job that she’s done for two decades as a train crossing attendant.

in Environment

Learning to Coexist in Peace Is the First Step to Protect Vietnam's Last Remaining Elephants

A trail of enormous footprints, criss-crossing slabs of cracked concrete, lead to a battered ranger station in Vietnam’s Pù Mát National Park. Park staff say the wild Asian elephant that left the tracks is as friendly as it is lonely.

in Sports

A Glimpse Into the Epic Underground Shows of Vietnam Pro Wrestling

Back in 2018, Saigon witnessed the birth of Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW), the first and only Pro Wrestlers in the whole of ...

in Development

HCMC Approves VinSpeed, VinGroup's Railway Arm, to Build Metro Line to Cần Giờ

A roughly 50-kilometer-long urban railway route will run from September 23 Park in downtown Saigon to VinGroup's Green Paradise project in Cần Giờ, beginning in 2028 at an estimated cost of VND102.43 trillion (nearly US$3.9 billion).

in Society

Diving (Literally) Into Hoàng Hoa Thám's Mountains of Secondhand Clothes

In a hẻm, clothing sprawled out on platforms lined with the plastic sacks the clothing came in, overspilling onto the ta...

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Đà Lạt’s Indigenous Pine Trees, Tropical Miracles Threatened by Urbanization

“The shimmering pine trees stand in silence / Branches and leaves seem to have sunk silently. / How can one distinguish between reality and fantasy!”

in Development

Saigon Unveils Plan to Build 2 Pedestrian Bridges Over Tôn Đức Thắng Street

Tourists will soon lose one of their favorite “crossing Saigon streets is so crazy!” filming locations when two new pedestrian bridges connecting to Bạch Đằng Wharf are completed. 

in Architecture

Inside Quảng Nam's School for Children From Ethnic Minorities, Designed by VTN Architects

Can a school protect against harsh climate conditions and foster productive academic and social activities in a sustainable and affordable way, while paying attention to the aesthetic values of the region?

Back Society

in Development

[Renderings] A Look Inside Landmark 81, Vietnam's Future Tallest Skyscraper

In less than three years, the colossal Landmark 81 will rise from what was once a container port next to Saigon Pearl. Once completed, the 461.2 meter structure will be the tallest building in Vietnam...

in Architecture

[Photos] Da Nang Spa Is a Modern-Day Twist on Babylon’s Hanging Gardens

“In this palace he erected very high walks, supported by stone pillars; and by planting what was called a pensile paradise, and replenishing it with all sorts of trees, he rendered the prospect an exa...

in Development

Design For Saigon’s Underground Metro Tracks Approved

While the concrete pylons that comprise the above ground portion of Saigon’s first metro have lined the North-South Expressway for years, things are finally ramping up on its subterranean stations.

in Health

Up To 54% Of Ice In Saigon Found To Be Contaminated

From trà đá and cafe sữa đá to bia hơi, ice is an important element of beverage culture in Saigon. But according to a new study by the city’s Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, more than half of i...

in Development

Car Sales In Vietnam Have Increased 58% Over Last Year

Over the past year, 103,500 automobiles were sold in Vietnam, perhaps signaling the dawn of the car age in a country where motorbikes have long reined king.

in Development

[Photos] Behind The Scenes Of Hanoi’s First Metro Line

Wavy tracks and all, work is quickly moving ahead on Hanoi’s aboveground Cat Linh-Ha Dong railway. Seemingly on pace with Saigon’s first metro line, last week workers moved ahead with tricky girder in...

in Development

Design Officially Approved For Vietnam’s Tallest Building

Binh Thanh District's Landmark 81 skyscraper has been officially approved by the city's People’s Committee, clearing the path for the construction of Vietnam’s tallest building.

in Tech

Viber Closes Its Vietnam Office Due To Poor Performance: Insiders

Viber, maker of the instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) app of the same name, announced that it has closed its Vietnam office and moved its operations to the Philippines.

in Development

Saigon to Demolish 61 Old Apartment Buildings

Saigon plans to take down 61 deteriorating apartment buildings and relocate their 7,200 households to resettlement areas. However, it's easier said than done.

in Development

City Announces Plans for New Bridge Connecting Thu Thiem and South Saigon

Another significant feature of Thu Thiem’s transportation infrastructure is in the works as the city is planning to build a bridge between the new urban area and South Saigon in District 7.

Brian Letwin

in Architecture

[Photos] The Disappearing Japanese Colonial Architecture Of Korea

Like the European empires of France, Britain, Spain and the Netherlands, Japan once occupied wide swaths of Asia, imposing its military and cultural influence over its colonies.

in Development

$2bn Thu Thiem Eco Smart City Set to Break Ground This Year

A week after the city unveiled Thu Thiem Empire City, a project that will include Vietnam’s tallest building, a group of Asian developers have announced that they will break ground on its neighbor, th...

in Development

Garbage Is Trashing Vietnam’s Natural Beauty

Over on his blog, Vietnam Coracle, Tom just posted an insightful piece about garbage consuming Vietnam’s once pristine natural landscapes.

in Development

Transport Ministry: Hanoi’s Wavy Metro Tracks Are Safe

In an attempt to address safety concerns about wavy sections of Hanoi’s new metro line, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has released a statement saying that the project observes technical standards.

in Tech

Apple Music Launches in Vietnam at Absurdly Low Price

Vietnamese users can now enjoy Apple’s new streaming music service at a significantly lower price compared to the U.S., poising it to steal business away from both Spotify and Vietnamese web-based mus...

in Health

Beer Prices In Saigon Among The Cheapest On Earth: Index

According to the 2015 Beer Price Index, Saigon has some of the cheapest been in the world.

in Development

Future Saigon: Thu Thiem’s Empire City

Yesterday afternoon, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held a ceremony to announce the Thu Thiem Empire City development, the crown jewel of the city’s new urban area.

in Tech

Bphones Recalled Less Than 2 Weeks After Delivery

Two weeks following the release of the Bphone, dubbed “the best smartphone in the world,” by its maker, the company has announced that the handsets are being recalled for a software update and camera ...

in Architecture

[Photos] Vietnamese Solar-Powered, Green-Roofed Toilet Design Wins Architecture Award

A restroom/garden design constructed in Vietnam's northern province of Cao Bang by Hanoi-based H&P Architects has taken home the Social Good Award at the 2015 AZ Awards.

in Sports

Vietnam Plans to Send 15 Athletes to 2016 Summer Olympics

Following a strong showing at the SEA Games earlier this month, Vietnam has announced that it will send up to 15 athletes to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games next year in Brazil.