As Infrastructure Lags Behind, Saigon's Poorest Hardest Hit by Worsening Flooding
In April 2023, in the first downpour of southern Vietnam’s rainy season, the narrow rented room where Mã Thị Diệp and her children were staying in Hồ Chí Minh City was inundated by knee-high water.
Khôi Phạm in Environment
What I Talk About When I Talk About Vietnam's Penguin Trashcans
Compared to the average Vietnamese, I might be thinking about trashcans a smidgen too much — not just any trashcan, but the infamous penguin-shaped trashcans that are ubiquitous at every corner of our public spaces.
Linh Phạm in Parks & Rec
House Dance Hanoi Teaches You How to Free the Body
I stood on the top floor of a building on Khâm Thiên Street, feeling grateful for the cold air. I came out here to take a break from the other side of the floor, which was divided into three rooms — three dance studios.
Inside Saigon's Grassroots Carton and Aluminum Recycling Plants
With plastics claiming many of the headlines worldwide and constituting a major issue in Vietnam, scant attention is being paid to other recyclable materials, namely cardboard and aluminum.
How Táo Xanh Forum Created a Safe Space for Gay Vietnamese Before Social Media
Before Vietnamese could hop on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share our hot takes of the week, there was an era of past cybersphere when online forums were the crucial online space to connect local netizens.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
As Climate Change Threatens, Flood Waters Usher In Sustainable Opportunities for Communities in the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is developing faster than Google Maps can keep up with. A stretch of road that was too narrow to accommodate cars and required a transition to motorbikes just six months ago was under construction during our August visit. Gargantuan machines for laying pulverized gravel inched aside to let our 7-seater pass so we could reach the home of Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy to check in on her small fish drying home business.
Khôi Phạm in Natural Selection
10 Species of Lesser-Known Fruits to Get to Know Vietnam's Biodiversity
In the Vietnamese language, the word “cỏ” — meaning “grass” in the literal sense — is often used to signify that something is locally grown, no frills, and charmingly rustic; grassroots, if you will. Chó cỏ is the general term for the adorable mutts, usually mixes between Vietnam’s native dog species, born without the prestige of named breeds, while gym cỏ and net cỏ denote the casual gyms and internet cafes in one’s neighborhood. In the same vein of logic, may I put forth a new name for a special genre of Vietnamese fruits: trái cỏ?
How Vietnamese Architecture Adopted Modernism and Made It Our Own
Ask a person on the street what Vietnam’s distinctive style of architecture is, and the answer you get might be traditional architecture, like the historic curves of northern Vietnam’s village temples or the ornate regality of Nguyễn-Dynasty palaces. This time-honored style is widely accepted as the hallmark of Vietnam’s cultural wealth. What’s more fascinating but lesser-known is how this cultural vestige — which distinguished our architecture from that of China and Japan — has also managed to evolve in the new age, finding ways to exist right in the middle of our modern lifetime.
After Long Thanh, 5 Provincial Cities Also Request International Airports
In the light of the Long Thanh Airport project, smaller provinces have proposed upgrades to and construction of more international airports in their areas as well.
Hanoian Engineer Convinces Google to Add Vietnamese to Gboard
When the Google app Gboard launched internationally last year, it initially offered Android users Google keyboards in 15 different languages. Of these options, Vietnamese was not included.
A Saigon Hospital Just Added Scooter Ambulances for Hẻm Emergencies
Will the new initiative help improve the survival rate of patients in Saigon?
[Photos] A Visit to Da Nang's New Cutting-Edge Coffee Roaster
The Da Nang coffee roaster and shop epitomizes Vietnam’s craft coffee culture.
5.4m Mobile World Customers Could Be Affected by Alleged Data Hack
A data leak involving electronic retail chain The Gioi Di Dong (Mobile World) has cast doubt over the way the local company handles customer info.
Activist Diep Vuong Named Global Citizen of the Year for Work to Fight Human Trafficking
Vietnamese-American activist Diep Vuong, who used to be a refugee in the US, recently won the prestigious award for her work to stop human trafficking.
VinFast to Launch New Electronic Scooter Called 'Klara' This Month
VinFast will start selling its new motorcycle model from November 20.
42m Vietnamese Use Facebook Daily, Among Highest Rates in Southeast Asia
Amongst its many existing users, companies and government entities are increasingly turning to the platform.
Meet The Eye Health Team Behind Some of the Best Technology and Techniques in Saigon
Vietnamese residents have enjoyed greater access to health care in recent years, but eye health and preventable blindness is still an issue.
More Than Just an Identity, Saigon's Modernist Architecture Reflects Past Optimism for a New Era
The last 30 years have seen unprecedented economic development in Ho Chi Minh City. Since Doi Moi relaxed foreign investment laws back in 1986, the city has welcomed change with open arms and increasi...
[Photos] Inside Hue's Award-Winning Dormitory for Students in Need
A quiet courtyard, accentuated by a lone plumeria tree; rows of rooms in wood texture; walls of lattice that dot the interior with mesmerizing patterns every time the sun comes up: welcome to Betania....
Dark Time Looms Over Wildlife as China Reverses 25-Year Ban on Rhino Horn, Tiger Bone
The government's reversal on a 25-year ban may prove to be ruinous for the preservation of the endangered species.
[Photos] D7 Is Getting a Luxury Apartment Complex and Gigantic Egg-Shaped Restaurant
Marina Club House Restaurant is a part of the Evergreen Residential Complex project in District 7.
Due to Climate Change, 17% of Saigon Will Be Completely Submerged by 2100
The effects of climate change mean that in less than 80 years, 86.7% of Binh Thanh District will be underwater, while 26.6% of District 2 and 34.5% of Hoc Mon will be permanently flooded.
How the Popularity of 'Durian Tours' Is Threatening the Survival of Malaysia's Tigers
In order to meet rising demand for durian, Malaysia plans to convert a large area of the Malayan tiger’s natural habitat into durian plantations.
[Photos] An Oddly Shaped Lot Presents a Creative Challenge for Local Architects
The house, named Hoa House, rests on an irregular parcel of land formed by two square lots unevenly placed next to each other.
Vietnamese Ride-Hailing Service Aber Launches in Hanoi
The latest fully Vietnamese ride-hailing service, Aber, launched in Hanoi last Friday, four months after its first appearance in Saigon.
Vietnam to Launch Another Homemade Satellite This December
The satellites will help monitor environmental conditions related to climate change and allow for emergency disaster warnings.
Vietnam Launches Mobile Bus With Free Breast Cancer Screening for 8,000 Women Nationwide
A positive note to kickstart the Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the anniversary of the Vietnam's Women Union.
Apple Suppliers Consider Moving Operation to Vietnam to Escape US-China Trade War
Several major Apple equipment suppliers are considering moving production outside of China amidst the US-China trade war.
