Paul Christiansen in Natural Selection
Kiến Ba Khoang: Not an Ant, but a Harbinger of Dread and Divine Punishment
People’s skin erupted with horrific boils that burst open, spilling stinging pus across vicious rashes. According to the Christian Bible, along with water turning to blood, frogs, lice, gnats, diseased livestock, hail, locusts, darkness for three days and the killing of firstborn sons, the boils were one of the plagues God sent down to ancient Egyptians to compel them to free the Israelites.
Khôi Phạm in Tech
Review: Horror Game 'Tai Ương' Exposes the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Our Culture
Natural disasters, illnesses, accidents, breakages, or even deaths: when a series of consecutive tragedies engulf a family, it’s often said that tai ương has befallen the unfornate victims. The term is also the name of a recently published Vietnamese horror game that has been making waves amongst gaming communities both nationwide and internationally, thanks to its layered narrative, chilling atmosphere, and meticulously crafted game environment.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
WildAct's Trang Nguyễn Turns to Social Media to Inspire a New Generation to Love Nature
Dr. Trang Nguyễn — a wildlife conservation scientist with a PhD from Cambridge and the founder of WildAct — needs little introduction. She has been recognized as one of Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30, called a conservation “hero” by Sir David Attenborough on BBC’s Planet Earth III, and had her inspiring story, which includes going undercover to bring down illegal ivory poaching rings in Africa after surviving cancer, covered widely. But much of her work has been behind the scenes or at least in corners devoted to conservations. Her recent arrival on the social media scene, amongst memes, music videos, and TikTok challenges, represents a shift in approach.
Phạm Phú Vinh in Architecture
Vietnamese Vernacular Modernism Is a Local Language Created by the Ordinary People
In the history of architecture, rarely have we seen such a challenging movement as Vietnamese modernism. Not only does it show how a culture evolves and expresses itself across historical epochs through its building practice, from the traditional to colonial and eventually modern period, but the language of Vietnamese vernacular modernism also reveals deeper understandings of human creative potential.
How Saigon's V.A.R Building Epitomizes Vietnam's Architectural Autonomy
Completed in 1973, the V.A.R building at 9 Nguyễn Công Trứ Street in Nguyễn Thái Binh Ward, District 1, is a prominent example of Vietnamese mid-20th-century modernist architecture designed by architect Lê Văn Lắm. It not only represents the Vietnamese architectural identity in post-colonial eras, but also exemplifies its cultural autonomy.
Quy Nhơn’s Quy Hoà Leprosy Village to Be Relocated for Mega Resort Project
Authorities in Gia Lai Province have approved plans to relocate the Quy Hoà leprosy village from its current ocean-side setting in Quy Nhơn to make room for an ambitious real estate and tourism project.
Opinion: Electric Vehicles Are Southeast Asia's Way out Amid the Global Fossil Fuel Crisis
As the Iran war crunches global energy supplies and disrupts prices, Southeast Asian leaders may need to diversify oil and gas supplies in order to protect ordinary people.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
An Ancient Turtle Named After Bánh Xèo Can Teach Us a Lot About Whimsy in Science
Nước mắm — that ruby-hued elixir; that salty, fish-flesh-sweet open secret in your favorite recipe; that indispensable icon of Vietnamese culture and, by extension, identity — owes itself to Commerson’s anchovies. That’s right, if your fish sauce comes from the central region, where it was first developed, the fish pressed with salt to produce it are Stolephorus commersonnii, a species named in 1801 after Philibert Commerson, a white Frenchman. Picture all the hardscrabble village homes suffering under the yoke of colonialism, where one of the day’s few pleasures was a humble meal made delicious by a carefully rationed dash of fish sauce and an ingredient whose name pays homage to their colonizers.
Saigon's Air Pollution Is 4 Times Deadlier Than Traffic Accidents: Expert
The smog currently engulfing Saigon reflects increasingly dangerous air pollution levels.
Vietnam Establishes State-Run Cyber Security Command Center
In Hanoi on Monday, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc announced the establishment of the Cyberspace Operations Command which is tasked with protecting Vietnam’s control of the Internet and overseeing IC...
[Photos] A Look Into the Ultramodern Side of Saigon With the 'Concerto House'
Just a short drive away from downtown Saigon, the Concerto House epitomizes the city’s contemporary school of thought when it comes to architecture.
Michael Tatarski in Development
This New Map of Every Planned Saigon Metro Line Will Leave You Drooling
A Saigon-based blogger and rail enthusiast has released an updated map of the city's long-dreamed of metro system.
Saigon, Dawn of the City of the Digital Nomads
Every profession has its own grind. For those of us who sit behind a desk, the day-to-day routine can quickly turn monotonous: you drive to work, sit at your desk, scroll through emails, make phone ca...
[Video] Into Saigon's Urban Landscapes With Humans of Sài Gòn
Have you ever wondered about the humans behind Humans of Sài Gòn?
VTN Architects Bring Vietnam's Bamboo Design to China in Massive Restaurant Project
Vietnam's architect extraordinaire is adding his signature design style to various international destinations.
Vietnam Is Southeast Asia's Top Football Team in 2017: FIFA Ranking
Vietnam is officially Southeast Asia’s top football team as of 2017.
Brandon Coleman in Society
[Photos] Catholic Neighborhoods in Saigon Celebrate Christmas With Elaborate Nativity Scenes
Unlike most of the western world, Saigoneers see Christmas as less of a time for cozy gatherings at home with family and friends but more as an oppotunity to take to the street to bask in the festive ...
Vietnam PM Directs Education Ministry to Ban Sales, Advertising of Soft Drinks in Schools
Are soft drinks to blame for Vietnam’s impending child obesity epidemic?
[Video] In Saigon, the Christmas Spirit Lives in Tuan's Garbage Cart
Is this Saigon’s most festive garbage cart?
How the Creater 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.
Scientists Discovered 65 New Species of Plants and Animals in Vietnam in 2016: WWF Report
The Greater Mekong region continues to prove its important role as one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems.
[Photos] Inside Binh Thanh's Xóm Nước Đen by the Cau Bong Canal
In recent years, development in Saigon has exploded, giving rise to towering skyscrapers, office towers and residential complexes throughout the southern hub. But even as the city’s modernization hits...
[Photos] Chau Doc's 'Corrugated Metal' Home by the River
After a makeover, a once-precarious home in Chau Doc has been transformed into a contemporary home without looking out of place in a traditional riverside neighborhood.
A Cafe in Hanoi Is Replacing Its Waitstaff With a Robot
Are you sick of human interaction? This café in Hanoi might have just the solution to your blight.
[Video] Take a Ride on the Saigon Waterbus
Now that the Saigon Waterbus has been open for a few weeks, the service is starting to settle into a rhythm, with six daily trips from each terminus.
Vietnam's Generation Z Earns Little, but Loves Eating Out: Report
Despite having little money, many members of Vietnam’s Generation Z spend a large percentage of their budget on eating out.
Michael Tatarski in Development
On Preserving Laos' Botanical Diversity in the Garden of Luang Prabang
In a region where rapid urbanization, hydropower development and resource demand is devastating natural ecosystems, a dedicated team is working hard to preserve Laos’ unique plant species.
Almost 2m Vietnamese Children Under 5 Suffer From Malnutrition: Nutrition Institute
Despite considerable national health progress in the recent decade, nearly a quarter of Vietnamese children under the age of five currently still suffer from malnutrition.
