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.

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

One Nation's Beloved Cá Lóc Is Another Nation's Horror Movie

America has been losing its shit over snakeheads. All summer long my algorithm-led newsfeed has been alerting me to ominous headlines including “‘Horror movie’ snakehead fish that can slither on land invading Missouri amid fourth sighting,” “Voracious, invasive ‘frankenfish’ reeled in from Delaware River at Easton,” and “Snakehead Fish Found in Georgia: ‘Kill It Immediately.’” 

in Environment

Vietnam, Southeast Asian Nations Burst Into the Solar Energy Landscape

Sunny Southeast Asia has made significant strides in solar energy, with solar farm capacity exceeding 20GW across ASEAN c...

in Architecture

'Slow/ed/ing Architecture': When Architects Ruminate on Architecture Together

The super cute duo that make up the design studio “Exutoire” are Bùi Quý Sơn and Paul-Antoine Lucas. Life and work partners, they moved back(ish) to Vietnam from Oslo last year, and are currently preparing the opening of the exhibition “OUTLET: Slow/ed/ing Architecture” in Saigon.

Paul Christiansen

in Environment

An Octopus? In My Cà Mau Swamp? It's More Likely Than You Think.

Worms live in the ground, birds live in the air, cá lóc live in lakes and octopuses live in the ocean, right? Wrong! Octopus can also live in the river.

Back Society

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Cầy Mực: A Critter With Popcorn Pee

Vietnam is home to a diverse range of species, from the elusive sao la to Hanoi's pungently fragrant hoa sữa. As an ode to the wondrous nature of the country, we're introducing a new article series, Natural Selection. Each article will feature a species of plant or animal native to Vietnam — starting with the laidback cầy mực (binturong).

in Environment

This Earth Day, Try Insect Snacks, Electric Bikes at D2's 'Sustainability Matters' Event

What better way to celebrate Earth Day?

in Architecture

How Saigon's V.A.R Building Epitomizes Vietnam's Architectural Autonomy

Completed in 1973, the V.A.R building at 9 Ho Tung Mau Street in Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, is a prominent example of Vietnamese mid-20th-century modernist architecture designed by architect L...

in Development

Hanoi Puts Finishing Touches to Get First Metro Line Running by End of April

Fingers crossed!

in Health

The Average Height of Vietnamese Children Increased, but So Did Obesity Rates

Vietnam's children are getting taller, but also wider.

in Society

The Quotidian Hẻm Life Along the Railway Track in District 3

I have made multiple trips up and down the hẻm along the railway from Le Van Sy to capture the moods both during the week and on weekends. As the hẻm serves both pedestrians and ...

in Sports

Vietnam Officially Forms National Baseball, Softball Federation

Batter up!

in Architecture

Architect Association Urges Hanoi to Preserve Decades-Old Cung Thiếu Nhi

With the commencement of a new youth center in outer Hanoi, many can’t help but wonder about the fate of the existing structure on Ly Thai To Street.

in Architecture

[Photos] New House in Bat Trang Village Pays Homage to Its Pottery Traditions

The unique house in suburban Hanoi showcases a new way that buildings could lionize the raw beauty of bricks.

in Architecture

[Photos] New House in Bat Trang Village Pays Homage to Its Pottery Traditions (2)

The unique house in suburban Hanoi showcases a new way that buildings could lionize the raw beauty of bricks.

in Environment

Saltwater Intrusion Might Damage 40,000ha of Crops in Mekong Delta, Experts Say

Saltwater intrusion will threaten huge stretches of fruit plantations in the coming days and weeks.

in Tech

Vietnamese Modders Create Drivable VinFast Car in Grand Theft Auto V

Curious about VinFast’s vehicles but can’t afford one? Well, now you can (kind of) drive around one of these flagship cars in Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V).

in Architecture

[Photos] A Rustic Hue House as Charming as Grandma's Cottage

Who doesn't want a getaway home nestled in a garden?

in Sports

HCMC FC Player Suspended, Fined for Brutal Tackle That Broke Opponent's Leg

Last night, Saigon’s football fans witnessed one of the most violent tackles in contemporary history, one that will likely put both involved parties out of commission for a long time.

Michael Tatarski

in Environment

On Phú Quốc, New Program Links Waste Pickers, Factory to Reduce Low-Value Plastic

Not all plastics are treated equally.

in Environment

Vietnam Ranks Near Bottom of New Sustainable Tourism Index

What are you doing to be a sustainable tourist?

in Sports

Vietnam National University to Add Golf to PE Curriculum in Pilot Program

Fore!

in Health

Dầu Gió, a Poignant Link Between My Family Legacy and Traditional Medicine

This is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of the book Pills, Teas, and Songs: Stories of Medicine Around the World by Debby Nguyen, republished with permission. Debby's family of pharmacists and doc...

in Society

Three Nha Trang Residents on How Covid-19 Affected Their Livelihood

Normally, Nha Trang is one of Vietnam’s most famous tourism destinations.

in Architecture

[Photos] Colorful New Coffee Shop Brings Cargotecture to Can Tho

Do you sometimes find vintage coffee shops too cluttered and just want to experience something different?