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.

Back Society

in Architecture

[Photos] A Green Oasis in the Heart of Hanoi

With Hanoi’s environment getting worse by the minute, a group of architects has attempted to create a dash of green scenery to brighten up this Dong Da abode.

in Environment

Officials Present Dire Environmental Indicators at Hanoi Summit on Air Pollution

Shocking information on the state of Vietnam's environment was presented at a seminar in Hanoi earlier this week.

in Tech

Facebook Policy Head, Vietnamese Minister of Information Discuss Curbing ‘Toxic Content’

Representatives of Facebook met with Vietnamese authorities this week to explore preventive measures regarding alleged false information on the social networking site.

in Society

[Video] Forest in South-Central Vietnam Cleared for Golf Course Without Approval

A forest in Phu Yen province has been cleared to make way for a golf course and resort, despite the fact the project hasn't been approved.

in Tech

Viettel to Launch New Luxury Smartphone Later This Year

Time to save up, Saigoneers: rumor has it that Viettel will launch a new luxury smartphone by the end of the year.

in Architecture

[Photos] Hanoi's 'Party Apartment' Is Perfect for the Fun-Loving Crowd

Hanoi’s spacious “Party Apartment” is the perfect home for local social butterflies out there.

Brian Letwin

in Development

Capital City Series Returns With Edition on Phnom Penh’s Rapid Development

Michael Waibel, the German human geographer, is back with another book in his series that takes a close look at the development of Southeast Asian cities from the perspective of both built environment...

in Society

Bear Rescue Center in Northern Vietnam Expands in Effort to End Bile Farming

Vietnam's most well-known bear sanctuary recently expanded, creating more space for animals rescued from bile farming.

in Society

Uber and Grab Are Making Hanoi and Saigon's Congestion Worse: Officials

Authorities in Vietnam’s most populous metropolises are now considering limiting operations of ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Grab, accusing them of worsening traffic. 

in Environment

Vietnamese Beekeepers Fight Climate Change With New Initiatives

Beekeepers and researchers in northern Vietnam are looking for ways to combat declines in vital bee populations.

in Architecture

[Photos] A Glimpse Into Binh Thanh's Terracotta Abode

In Saigon, nothing is impossible when it comes to building a home, even when the lot is 40 meters long and wedged in the middle of a tight space.

in Tech

Apple Warns Unauthorized Local Shops to Stop Using Trademark

In the future, Saigon’s neighborhood phone stores might have to think twice before putting the Apple logo on their front sign.

in Development

[Images] Updated Google Earth Timelapse Shows Three Decades of Development in Vietnam

How has Vietnam changed in the span of three decades, as seen through Google Earth?

in Health

Social Stigmas in Vietnam Deter Gay Men From HIV Testing and Treatment

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam still face social and bureaucratic barriers when accessing HIV testing and treatment, a survey has found.

in Architecture

Singaporean Architects Design Hotel Featuring Own Ecosystem

A hotel in downtown Singapore features its own ecosystem and an array of innovative environmental features.

in Tech

Vietnam to Get Nationwide 4G Coverage by End of April

Under the central government’s ambitious plan to bring Vietnam up to speed with the region's internet standards, local mobile carriers are extending their fourth-generation (4G) high-speed network.

Michael Tatarski

in Society

Chasing Pavements: In Defense of Saigon's Sidewalk Economy

As Doan Ngoc Hai, the leader of Saigon’s most aggressive sidewalk-clearing campaign in recent memory, takes a brief hiatus, headlines about towed cars and demolished buildings often obscure the r...

in Environment

Cambodia to Relocate 5 Floating Villages Along Tonle Sap River to Curb Pollution

Cambodian officials are preparing to relocate five floating villages in Kampong Chhnang province to help reduce water pollution.

in Architecture

[Photos] Torn Paper House Brings Bright, Minimalist Living to Go Vap

A Saigon-based architecture firm has transformed a small plot in Go Vap District into an enviable townhouse.

in Tech

Vietnam's Pension System to Go Digital by 2018

Vietnam’s pension distribution system is seeking to catch up with the digital age.