in Natural Selection

Is Dã Tràng Vietnam's Cutest Sand Artist or a Folk Symbol of Fruitless Pursuits?

Strolling along Vietnam’s beaches when the tides are low, one might encounter a number of whimsical patterns created by countless sand pellets. These are the works of a tiny species of crustacean called dã tràng. Not only are these little crabs fascinating, thanks to their sand-sieving mechanism, which is how they obtain food, but they are also the subject of an intriguing folktale that often leaves readers pondering its philosophical implications. 

in Architecture

5 Iconic Buildings in Saigon That Showcase Vietnamese Modernist Architecture

Take a stroll along any random street in downtown Saigon , one is bound to bump into a hodgepodge of architectural styles....

in Parks & Rec

I Know Where the Caged Bird Sings: The Joy of Saigon's Birdsong Competition

One by one, motorbikes arrived, carrying the tell-tale cages covered with cloth and parked in the gravel lot beside the coffee shop where Saigoneer sat listening to the caged birds suspended above a patch of scrabbly grass.

in Architecture

A New Reading Space in Trà Vinh Creates Comfort From Recycled Materials

“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us,” according to famed Czech writer Franz Kafka.

in Ẽplain

Vietnam's Trendiest Way to Flaunt Your Social Status Is a Meme Lychee Tea

Lychee tea can be found anywhere and anytime around Saigon, from street stalls to artisanal cafes. Averaging VND20,000–50,000, it’s a popular choice among Vietnamese youths. However, Thái Công Cafe prices their version of the fruit tea at around VND160,000 on their rather pricy menu. Yet, the drink remains extremely popular at the cafe and even went viral amongst Gen Z-ers on TikTok. The reason behind this virality is actually a meme.

in Sports

Saigon Powerlifter Lê Văn Công Earns Vietnam's First, Only Medal at Paralympics

Even though Vietnam’s delegation finished the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris without any medals, our Paralympics team managed to clinch one bronze from powerlifting.

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...

in Architecture

This Terracotta Workshop Makeover Sings the Praises of Vietnam's Red Bricks

A Quảng Nam brick kiln that's been operating for over twenty years has received a makeover that allows guests to get a more intimate look at the traditional craft of making terracotta.

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in Environment

New Species: Multi-Colored, Spiked Frog Discovered in Central Vietnam

Even as pollution and environmental degradation are becoming increasingly severe in Vietnam, there are still huge pockets of the country that offer unique biodiversity with new species being discovere...

in Development

Harvard Prof: Vietnam Could See 13.6% GDP Growth by 2025

In what would only be described as a dream come true for Vietnamese economists and politicians, a Harvard professor, speaking at a conference in Hanoi last week, said that the country could experience...

in Health

After 5 Years, Boy Finally Has Battery Removed from Nose

Doctors in central Vietnam treated a 10-year-old boy in Tam Tri Da Nang General Hospital earlier this week for emitting “unpleasant odors” from his nose, according to Tuoi Tre.

in Tech

Can Vietnam Inspire a New Generation of Mobile Games?

Recently, Vietnam’s mobile gaming industry was in the global spotlight thanks to Flappy Bird which had over 50 million downloads before being taken down by its creator, Dong Nguyen. Flappy Bird highli...

in Development

[Slideshow] Rooftop Views from Saigon Pearl's Ruby Tower

Since you folks seem to love pictures taken from high vantage points in Saigon (so do we!) Michael Waibel, editor of the TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book, supplied us with a fresh set, captured f...

in Development

Binh Thanh House Wins ArchDaily's 'House of the Year' Award

Green and sustainable buildings are still in their infancy in Vietnam. However the trend is becoming more popular and slowly but surely, Vietnamese architects are entering this arena with great succes...

in Development

Vietnam Airlines (Finally) Announces IPO Date

Well, that only took 7 years. According to Vietnam Investment Review, Vietnam Airlines has finally announced its official IPO for this September.

in Health

Vietnamese Consumers Turn to the Internet for Safe Produce

Farmers in Vietnam are using an increasing amount of pesticides to boost productivity and meet food security targets. As Vietnamese consumers become increasingly wary about the safety of produce in th...

in Development

[Slideshow] Amazing Views from the City Garden Apartment Towers

The City Garden Towers luxury condominium apartment complex is located in Binh Thanh District within the midst of a seemingly endless maze of the typical low-rise high-density buildings and small bodi...

in Development

US, EU Approve $1 Billion Aid Package for Vietnam

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union (EU) have pledged up to $1 billion over the next 6 years to help Vietnam improve state governance, healthcare, social welfa...

in Development

Report: Growth of Vietnam’s Ultra-Wealthy Fastest in the World

When Vietnam adopted a free-market(ish) economy in the mid-1990s, it experienced an influx of wealth unlike the country had ever seen. In turn, a substantial wealthy class has taken shape as evidenced...

in Tech

Why Bitcoin Matters in Vietnam - Part 3

This is the final part of our 3 part series on Bitcoin in Vietnam. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

in Development

Saigon’s Airport Dilemma: Part 2

This is Part 2 in our series, “Saigon’s Airport Dilemma.” To read Part 1, click here. There are 2 competing solution to Saigon’s airport dilemma – build Long Thanh or expand Tan Son Nhat, with each p...

in Development

Vietnam Exports See Massive Growth as Neighbors Lag Behind

There are plenty of issues facing Vietnam’s economy – bad debt, over-reliance on FDI and weak consumer demand. But according to the Wall Street Journal, Vietnamese exports are enjoying tremendous grow...

in Tech

‘Flappy Bird’ Maker Ranked One of the World’s Most Influential App Developers

He’s probably sitting in his room, cursing them for it, but Dong Nguyen of ‘Flappy Bird’ fame has made Business Insider’s list of “the world’s 11 most influential people working in apps.”

in Development

Future Saigon: Renderings of the Majestic Hotel Expansion

Downtown Saigon is riddled with empty lots where plans for massive developments have stalled in the wake of the downturn in Vietnam’s property market. In addition to new construction, plans for "upgra...

in Development

Saigon's Airport Dilemma: Part 1

Tan Son Nhat began its life as a French military landing strip in the early 1930s. Since its construction, Saigon’s main airport has evolved from a buzzing military base (during the American War) to V...

in Tech

Why Bitcoin Matters in Vietnam: Part 2

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on Bitcoin in Vietnam. You can read part 1 here. What is Bitcoin anyway and why does it matter?

in Environment

Vietnam Mulls Destruction of Illegal Ivory, Rhino Horn and Tiger Bone

As Vietnam struggles to curtail the import of illegal wildlife products, officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development say they are considering “crushing” confiscated rhino horn, el...

in Development

Saigoneer Exclusive: Interview with the Editor of the HCMC MEGA City Photo Book

The TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA City photo book examines major themes relating to HCMC's rapid urban development. We sat down with one of the book's editors, Michael Waibel, and asked about how hi...