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.

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...

Back Society

in Health

As Mice Stay Healthy After Injections, Vietnam Cautiously Hopeful About Vaccine Prospect

Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine project is going smoothly, though it will take a number of months before a useable product is actualized.

in Health

[Photos] From Boston to Saigon: A Coronavirus Quarantine Diary

On March 20, I arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport from the United States.

in Development

Dong Nai Wants to Add More Lanes to HCMC-Long Thanh Expressway

Congestion between Saigon and neighboring provinces has become as clogged as the arteries of the most ardent bột chiên enthusiast.

in Tech

Gym-Booking Startup WeFit Declares Bankruptcy After 4 Years in Operation

The COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam has claimed another victim: fitness and beauty startup WeWow.

in Architecture

[Photos] Blending in With Nature at Son La's New School for H'Mong Children

Designed by a group of Saigon-based architects, the Bo Mon District public school project unveiled a new structure for children in one of Son La’s most remote areas.

in Tech

New Job Postings Reignite Rumors of Apple's Vietnam Expansion

Over the past few days, Apple fans in Vietnam have been abuzz with speculation after the tech giant posted numerous new job postings based in the country.

in Environment

Central Highlands Coffee Farmers on Tenterhooks as Lack of Rainfall Dries Region

While the Mekong Delta struggles through a historic drought, the Central Highlands is dealing with its own lack of rainfall.

in Tech

Vsmart Climbs to 3rd Spot Among Vietnam's Most Popular Phone Brands

Vsmart, the smartphone company owned by Vingroup, is behind only Samsung and Oppo in terms of market share, according to new data.

in Development

Vung Tau Plans New Airport on Go Gang Island to Replace Existing One

Authorities of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province have decided to move forward with a plan to construct a new airport.

in Environment

Tracing the Reincarnation of Plastic Waste in Saigon's Informal Recycling Workshops

The text message said to be ready at 4:30am at my street corner, where I would be picked up for the drive to the plastics recycling center. I had been wanting to visit the site for this article and th...

in Health

66% of Covid-19 Cases in Hanoi Are Asymptomatic, Health Officials Say

Hanoi officials have warned of increased risk of Covid-19 outbreaks, as it was reported that 66.6% of confirmed cases in the capital were found to be asymptomatic.

Michael Tatarski

in Environment

New Report Shows How Much Water China's Mekong Dams Are Holding Back

Contrary to its public statements, recent data shows that China has held back water on the upper Mekong River while its downstream neighbors faced critically low water levels.

in Architecture

[Photos] Inside a New School for Lao Cai Children, Built by Hanoi Architects

While some students in Saigon bemoan slow internet that hampers their distance education at home, there are communities in Vietnam’s remote areas whose only school can barely withstand the elements.

in Health

After Lockdown, Bach Mai Criticized Over Clip Showing Doctors Gathering Without Masks

Hanoi’s lockdown order on Bach Mai Hospital was lifted over the weekend, but the hospital is now facing censure over a video that surfaced online.

in Health

Vingroup, Bkav Pivot to Producing Ventilators to Help Curb Coronavirus

Amid the ongoing coronavrius pandemic, several Vietnamese manufacturing companies have shifted to producing medical equipment.

Khoi Pham

in Tech

How 2 Vietnamese Software Engineers Created a Site to Track the Covid-19 Outbreak

What have you accomplished today while practicing social distancing at home? Did you work on the family’s trellises of gourds, attempt to whisk up a frothy glass of dalgona coffee, or learn a new lang...

in Development

Trains for Saigon’s First Metro Line Undergo Final Testing in Japan

On April 11, Saigon’s Urban Railway Management Board announced that the trains ordered to serve the city’s first metro line had begun their final technical inspections in Japan.

in Environment

90% of Vietnamese Surveyed in WWF Covid-19 Study Support Closing Wildlife Markets

The first survey analyzing public opinion about the connection between COVID-19 and the wildlife trade in Asia shows widespread support for the elimination of wildlife markets. 

in Health

Saigon's Blood Reserve Faces Critical Shortage as Pandemic Cancels Donation Drives

Saigon’s public hospitals will face an acute blood shortage in the next few days if the lack of donors continues.

in Health

Vietnam Only Records 4 New Covid-19 Cases Over the Weekend

The nation's tally for Covid-19 cases hit 241 on Sunday night, but Monday arrived without any new patients testing positive since the previous evening.