The Childhood of Côn Đảo's Baby Turtles Caught on Film
In July, I visited Côn Đảo National Park as part of a group of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) sea turtle volunteers to see first-hand conservation efforts aimed at the local sea turtle population.
Ward off Your Monday Blues by Joining Me on Beginners' Skateboard Night
Usually in life, niche topics are commonly associated with unpleasant stigmas and misunderstandings — skateboarding in Vietnam is no exception. Once, I admittedly was influenced by such one-sided assumptions.
Pure Passion Turns Dark: The Unexpected Dangers of the Wild Turtle Trade
Seeking a companion during quarantine, Khánh*, a 25-year-old Hanoian, bought a baby turtle through a Facebook group.
Khôi Phạm in Natural Selection
A Case for the Sweet-and-Sour Tamarind as Saigon's Official Municipal Tree
What is the municipal tree of Saigon? In popular culture, Hanoi is perhaps intricately linked with the paralyzing but often romanticized aroma of hoa sữa, while just over a hundred kilometers to the east, Hải Phòng proudly brandishes the name “the city of red phượng flowers.” Đà Lạt has too many flower varieties to choose just one, and settles for “the city of a thousand flowers.” Down south, Bến Tre’s abundance of coconut trees is famous nationwide. Ask any Saigoneer this question, and you’re likely to get one of two answers: chò nâu (dipterocarp) or me (tamarind).
Requiem for a Bàng Tree That Was Cut Down in Front of My Home
Curiosity drove me downstairs into the downpour. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the municipal workers — clad in orange-and-green uniforms, their clothes soaked — gathering around a crane. Their attention was focused upward. Following their gaze, I looked up, and froze.
How the Ghosts of iPhones Past Haunt Vietnam's Low-Income Communities
The current e-waste crisis in Vietnam is one example of global environmental apartheid.
Keeping Cool in Thủ Đức With This Humble Abode’s Well-Ventilated Design
Thick multi-layer brick walls, shaded areas, water features, and natural ventilation allow this private home to stay cool amidst the city's stifling heat.
Saigon's VOH Radio Building, a Marvel of Architect Lê Văn Lắm's Modernist Intuition
In the middle of the 20th century, Vietnam grew to become one of the world’s prominent centers of modernist architecture. Saigon at the time was an economic and cultural heart of the region, with many official government structures constructed and designed in the style of modernist architecture. They were created with aesthetics and form in mind, laying the groundwork to usher in a new period of growth for Vietnamese creative independence.
Chinese-Backed Projects in Vietnam Get Bad Rap for Poor Quality, Rampant Delays
The trial run for Hanoi’s inaugural railway has been cancelled by the Chinese building team, which further perpetuates the stereotype of troublesome Chinese construction projects in the country.
100-Kilometer Mountain Marathon in Sapa Crowns First Vietnamese Winner
A Vietnamese runner won the 100 kilometer category of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Sapa for the first time last weekend.
Urban Rewilding: The Ins and Outs of Organic Food in Vietnam
Navigating the intricacies of a healthy, organic lifestyle can be complicated, ever under the best of circumstances. Today, as awareness surrounding organic produce grows both here and abroad, the cou...
Amid Dengue Fever Outbreak, Vietnam Confirms Cases of 'Super Malaria'
While localities in northern Vietnam are struggling to contain this year’s serious Dengue fever outbreak, epidemiologists just revealed that people living in the southern provinces are facing a strain...
Vietnam to Allow Switching Mobile Carrier While Retaining Phone Number This December
If you’ve been thinking about switching to another service provider but are reluctant to change your phone number, there’s some good news.
Typhoon Doksuri's Aftermath Underscores the Vulnerability of Central Vietnam
Typhoon Doksuri, the most powerful storm to hit Vietnam in a decade, ravaged the central of Vietnam on September 16 and took the lives of six people, drawing greater attention to the layers of harm ca...
[Photos] Saigon Architects Brighten up Contemporary Office With Bamboo Accents
Inspired by materials common found in rural Vietnam, the creative minds behind KIENTRUC O blended a contemporary office with traditional elements.
[Photos] The Last Remaining Blacksmiths of Bien Hoa
Smithy 12 is a traditional, family blacksmith brand near Bien Hoa’s Don Market, which has been active for almost 100 years. The business is not only one workshop but rather a collection of smithies he...
Saigon Puts an End to Projects to Build Apartments Under 25 Square Meters
Ho Chi Minh City officials have closed the door on a government plan to build small apartments in order to prevent overcrowding and the creation of “elevated slums.”
Vietnam Has the Most PhDs, Fewest Research Works in Southeast Asia: Report
Vietnam’s academia is filled to the brim with PhDs, but the country’s scientific journals and inventions are not catching up with the rising population of PhD holders.
Saigon Bans Western Names, Audio-Visual Tools in Primary School English Classes
Ho Chi Minh City's education department has released a new set of teaching guidelines for English-language classes at primary schools banning the use of audio-visual tools, among other rules.
Saigon Delays Construction of 2nd Metro Line to 2020
While the construction of Saigon’s first metro line has been riddled by delays, things are looking even gloomier for the next line which may take another decade to become a reality.
[Photos] Unique Thai Nguyen Primary School Criticized for Alleged High Cost, Low Attendance
A toxic rumor has cast doubt on a primary school project in one of Thai Nguyen province’s most secluded communes.
Maneuver Vietnam's Hectic Traffic in This Quirky, Locally Made Minigame
Haven’t gotten enough of Vietnam’s traffic pandemonium in real life? Now you can also experience it virtually through this quirky brand-new mobile game.
Vietnam's 2019 Education Reform Will Take Inspiration From Nordic Countries
Vietnam’s education authorities have started looking northward for ways to improve local schools and curricula.
Scientists Reveal Ambitious Plans to Build Made-in-Vietnam Satellites
Vietnamese scientists hope to build and launch domestically produced satellites within the next two years.
Vingroup Begins Construction of $3.5bn Car Factory in Hai Phong
Vingroup, Vietnam's largest real estate developer, has begun construction of an automobile production plant in an effort to expand the country's auto industry.
Vietnamese Firm Suggests Chinese Power Plant Contractor to Take on Construction of Long Thanh Airport
Although it still only exists on paper, Long Thanh International Airport is already embroiled in its first controversy regarding prospective contractors.
Poorly Planned Development Projects Leave Vietnam's Poorest Minorities Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
Since the beginning of August, flooding and landslides have devastated northwest Vietnam, leaving ethnic minorities living in extreme poverty at the highest risk of property damage and loss of life.
Female Athletes Won Two-Thirds of Vietnam's SEA Games Gold Medals: Sport Official
Vietnam performed well during this year’s SEA Games in Malaysia, finishing third, and just two gold medals shy of exceeding its pre-tournament goal.
