in Society

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.

in Sports

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.

in Environment

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).

in Environment

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.

in Environment

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.

in Architecture

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.

in Architecture

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.

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in Society

Vietnam's Textbooks Lack Gender Diversity, Reinforce Stereotypes: Report

A new study has shown that male-centric content dominates school textbooks in Vietnam, hindering gender equality.

in Tech

Vietnamese Entrepreneur Makes Silicon Valley Top 40 Under 40 List

A Vietnamese entrepreneur recently made the list of Silicon Valley’s 40 under 40 this year.

in Architecture

[Photos] Vo Trong Nghia Graces Binh Thanh With 'Glass Box' Office Tower

Saigon’s Binh Thanh District is about to get a flashy new Vo Trong Nghia-designed “glass box” office building.

in Sports

Swimmer Anh Vien Clinches 2 Gold Medals, Breaks Own SEA Games Records

Vietnam's athletes have won an impressive haul of medals over the last two days at the 2017 SEA Games, currently underway in Kuala Lumpur.

in Society

Vietnam's University Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs That Match Their Skills

University graduates in Vietnam have the highest rate of unemployment among young people, a fact that could seriously jeopardize the country’s growth.

in Development

Saigon's 'Ghost Tower' Seized as Collateral After Owners Fail to Repay Debt

The future of Saigon’s most prominent skeleton tower has become even murkier.

in Tech

82-Year-Old Japanese Coder Creates Apps for the Elderly

Masako Wakamiya, an 82-year-old Japanese woman, has shown that mobile phone app developers don't always fit the mold of Silicon Valley stereotypes.

in Sports

Wushu Martial Artists Earn Vietnam's First Gold Medals at SEA Games 2017

Vietnam’s delegation at this year’s SEA Games competition is off to a good start after wushu martial artists clinched the country’s first two gold medals late last week.

in Society

Vietnam's Female Business Owners Upend Gender Stereotypes

Although there are still issues surrounding gender roles and perceptions of women in Vietnam, the country is in some ways more progressive than its regional neighbors when it comes to gender diversity...

in Development

Korean Giant CJ Group Invests $63m to Build Frozen Food Factory in Saigon

CJ Group, a Korean conglomerate, has announced plans to expand its presence in Vietnam's food market.

in Development

Massive Long An Theme Park Project Abandoned Due to Debt

Once set to become the largest theme park in all of Southeast Asia, Long An province's Happyland entertainment complex may never open to the public due to debt.

in Health

Cash-Strapped University Students in Vietnam Resort to Platelet Donations Despite Health Risks

A wave of Vietnamese students who experience economic hardships have resorted to selling their platelets regularly in order to make ends meet.

in Sports

A Brief Primer on Vietnam’s Football History

How Vietnamese teams made the jump from small-time local leagues to national franchise football.

in Society

The Trials and Tribulations of Life in Saigon's Hẻms With Multiple Slashes

For some, Saigon's hẻms are a treasure trove of hidden urban gems. But for those living in these alleyways, they can also be a relentless source of inconvenience and frustration.

in Society

Meet the Man Who Owns Vietnam's Largest Collection of Seashells

While traditional hobbyists often pursue items such as stamps, coins or old records, a Da Nang native has a passion for an item which some may brush aside as a children’s toy: seashells.

in Architecture

[Photos] Bamboo Bridges the Gap Between Indoor and Outdoor Space in Hanoi Home

In the midst of the chaos and pollution of Hanoi, A House in Trees offers a sanctuary to its residents.

in Health

Vietnam Has Both the Highest and Fastest-Growing Rate of Diabetes in Southeast Asia: Expert

Professor Thai Hong Quang, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology (VADE), recently reported that diabetes is affecting roughly 5 million Vietnamese people.

in Society

[Photos] Photographer Showcases Hong Kong's Hidden Corners From Above

Tugo Cheng, a Hong Kong-based architect and photographer, uses drone photography to give viewers a completely different perspective on the famously dense, high-rise packed city.

in Tech

Are Electric Cars Coming to Vietnam?

As urban Vietnam makes a push toward cars and away from motorbikes, could electric vehicles be on the horizon?

in Society

Between 2 Worlds: The Dilemma of Vietnam's Foreign-Educated Grads

Every six months, Thuy* leaves Vietnam for Sydney to spend time with her two children, Ha* and Quang*. Far from the bustle of Saigon, Thuy enjoys Australia’s pristine environment and the time spent wi...