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.
One of Hanoi’s Last Remaining Wet Markets, Chau Long, Is Still Standing Strong, But for How Long?
Located in the center of Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District, Chau Long Market stands in stark contrast to the surrounding urban residences and bustling streets. It is one of the last remaining traditional marke...
'Cable Car' Tourism Developer FLC Group Wants to Build a Mega-Resort in Quang Ngai
Experts and locals have voiced concerns over the impact a proposed mega-resort on the coast in Quang Ngai Province may have on the environment and the local community.
After Phu Quoc, Hoi An Is Getting a $4bn Casino Complex
The biggest casino in Vietnam will open next year.
Opinion: In Response to the Surreal Rise of Vietnam's Gated Communities
Our recent article on gated communities generated a lot of conversation, and we’ve decided to publish this letter from a Hanoi-based expat in response. The views and opinions expressed ...
Thi Nguyen in Society
Vietnam's #MeToo Movement Begins With Sexual Assault Allegation at Tuoi Tre
Misogyny is alive and well and will continue to be so if no action is taken to eradicate it.
Vietnam Hospitals Seek Police Help, Open Martial Arts Class to Combat Violence Against Staff
A slew of violent attacks against medical staff in public hospitals all over Vietnam recently have prompted hospital administrations to take action.
[Video] The Story of Tungage, Vietnam's Star Freestyle Footballer
You might have come across Doan Thanh Tung if you’ve ever taken a stroll on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street at night. Just look for a lithe guy in his late 20s doing amazing tricks with a football using ...
Opinion: The Surreal Rise of Vietnam's Gated Communities
Vietnam is shifting from the old world to the new. As socialism yields to capitalism, waves of foreign investment are reshaping both the nation’s values and its landscapes. In rural areas, these winds...
[Photos] This Brick 'Cave House' in Hanoi Is a Blast From the Past
The breathable home uses a double layer of recycled bricks to protect against the wind and sun while incorporating green elements and natural light.
Vietnam to Launch Investigation Into Destructive 'Land Fever' on Phu Quoc Island
Squatters, deforestation and illegal land brokers threaten the island’s master plan.
The Unseen Layers of Donkey Bakery
I almost missed the entrance to the bakery as its sign was partly obscured by a leafy tree. I skidded to a stop and hurried in to my appointment. Behind the counter, a manager was speaking in hushed, ...
Around 16% of Saigoneers Suffer From Mental Health Issues: Health Expert
Around 16% of Saigon citizens reported having some mental health issues, but the city lacks the physical facilities or health professionals to adequately treat them.
From South Korea to Vietnam and Hong Kong: A Student’s Inspiring Educational Journey
Han Bin Kim has taken an unusual path to university.
Homegrown Coworking Chain Toong Expands to Cambodia and Laos
Toong currently owns seven coworking operations in Vietnam and is set to branch out within the region.
[Photos] This Cafe in Ha Dong District Is an Ode to Industrial Chic
Fans of industrial style might find this coffee shop in Hanoi a perfect location to enjoy a cup of joe or two during the weekend.
Binh Thuan to Start Building $38m Solar Power Plant This June
Binh Thuan Province will soon be home to a US$38 million solar power plant following ambitious investments in renewables.
How the Creator of Zalo, Vietnam's Home-Grown Chat App, Went From Hacker to Manager
Vietnam's popular chat app and social media platform, Zalo, was born from its creator's curiosity about hacking.
In Rural Tay Ninh, Teach For Vietnam Brings a Jolt of Change to English Teaching
Vu Thi Hang’s (not pictured above) teaching style is far from traditional.
Meet the First Vietnamese Woman to Compete in the North Pole Marathon
Saigon native Tang Nguyet Minh will be running 41.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) in temperatures of -30ºC (-22ºF) as part of the FWD North Pole Marathon.
[Photos] This Cafe in Hanoi's Ha Dong District Is an Ode to Industrial Chic
Fans of industrial style might find this coffee shop in Hanoi a perfect location to enjoy a cup of joe or two during the weekend.
