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.
Saigon Winter Park Now Offers Skiing, Sledding, Snowman-Building
As of this month, tropical Saigon is now home to its own winter wonderland.
[Photos] Educational Campaign Paints Saigon Walls With Rhino Graffiti
Over the last month, walls along a number of District 1 streets have been covered in graffiti as part of an awareness-raising campaign.
Vietnamese Game 'Sky Garden' Wins People's Choice Award at Gaming Event
A Vietnamese game recently surpassed Pokemon GO, Super Mario Run and other famous world titles to earn the prize for most popular at this year's IMGA Global event.
Hanoi Pilots Program to Collect Parking Fees via Mobile App
This May, Hanoi will test out a digital parking system on select streets in Hoan Kiem District.
[Photos] Lensational: Using Photography to Empower Women With Disabilities
Last year, social enterprise Lensational joined forces with Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) in Binh Phuoc province’s Dong Xoai town to empower women with disabilities through photography...
New Frog Species Confirmed in Northern Vietnam
Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a new species of frog in the mountains of northern Vietnam.
[Photos] The Shield: Hanoi's 'Machine' House
A group of Hanoian architects rose to the challenge of striking a balance between commercial and residential space in a local tube house.
Grab to Open R&D Center in Saigon
In order to ramp up its competitiveness in the region, Southeast Asian ride-hailing app Grab is establishing new research and development centers in Vietnam and India.
Chinese Tech Giant Xiaomi to Arrive in Vietnam This Month
The market for smart devices in Vietnam has recently become much more competitive, as Chinese tech giant Xiaomi launched an official distribution channel in the country.
Vietnam Launches Campaign to Get Citizens to Read 4 Books a Year
In an effort to improve Vietnam’s reading culture, the national government recently greenlit a countrywide project to get citizens to read more books.
Officials Investigate ‘Shaking’ Phenomenon in Downtown Saigon
Saigon officials are investigating the cause of a shaking phenomenon which occurred last month in the downtown area.
Hanoi, Saigon to Ramp Up Environmental Quality Monitoring
In an effort to tackle the country’s severe air pollution, municipal authorities in Hanoi and Saigon are upgrading their monitoring game.
Vietnam Is Aging Faster Than Its Welfare System Can Handle
Ever since the country opened its doors to foreign investments and free market policies a couple of decades ago, Vietnam has enjoyed an enviable rate of economic growth. However, one of the biggest dr...
Michael Tatarski in Society
The Rise of Saigon’s Stand-Up Scene
Ahead of Saigon’s first major international comedy festival later this month, Saigoneer talks to members of the local stand-up community, from veterans to relative newcomers, to find out where the jok...
Hanoi Starts High-Tech Program to Manage Parking Lots
Hanoi’s public parking areas are going digital.
Vietnam's Internet Environment Ranks 32nd of 75: Report
According to a recent report, Vietnam's internet environment ranks 32nd out of 75 countries.
70-Year-Old Vietnamese-American Runner Completes 7 Marathons in 7 Days
Next time you’re in need of a little exercise motivation, think of Chau Smith.
Saigon Could Host the 2021 SEA Games
If a new government proposal is approved, Saigon could be the official host for the 31st SEA Games in 2021.
[Renderings] This Is What Will Replace 3A Station
A week after the news that Saigon’s 3A Station art space is closing, talk has turned to what will replace the shopping and entertainment complex.
Da Nang Students Build Braille Printer
Two young inventors from Da Nang are showing off their prize-winning Braille printer at an exhibition in Japan this May.
