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.
In Vietnam Farms, Crocodiles Are Skinned Alive After Lifetime in Cramped Conditions: PETA
In an effort to promote awareness about Vietnam’s involvement in animal cruelty, not long ago PETA unveiled a visual investigative report detailing local crocodile farms’ inhumane treatment.
Phan Dinh Phung Stadium to Undergo Massive Renovation for 3 Years
Since the end of January, you may have noticed that Saigon’s Phan Dinh Phung Stadium in District 3 has undergone some serious changes.
After Alleged Hacking, Hanoi Online Poll on Wartime Loudspeaker Reopens
The saga surrounding Hanoi’s wartime loudspeakers is more complicated than meets the eye.
Vietnamese Scientist Discovers New Shiitake Species in Central Highlands
A group of Vietnamese scientists have discovered a new species of shiitake mushroom in the forests of the Central Highlands.
Nha Trang to Release 1m Dengue-Fighting Mosquitoes
Nha Trang may soon be on its way to becoming dengue-free.
Increasing Plastic Bag Taxes by Weight Could Backfire: VCCI
A recent draft of changes to Vietnam’s Environmental Protection Law has become the subject of debate as many experts believe that proposed policies could be ineffective in the long run.
Construction Begins on Overpasses to Ease Congestion Around Tan Son Nhat
In hopes of alleviating congestion in the area surrounding Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Saigon recently broke ground on two overpass projects in Go Vap District.
Flappy Bird Creator Teams up With Japanese Firm to Release Ninja-Themed Mobile Game
Last week, Flappy Bird creator Nguyen Ha Dong and Japanese firm OBOKAIDEM Games introduced a new, yet familiar, eight-bit game, Ninja Spinki Challenges, to mobile users around the globe.
[Photos] Local Architects Weave Functional Design Element Through Saigon Tube House
Sometimes all it takes to spruce up a home is just one design element.
Facebook Is Vietnam's Favorite Way to Shop: Surveys
While Vietnam’s goal of becoming a cashless society by 2020 seems like a lofty one to say the least, some Vietnamese are well on their way toward embracing technology for shopping, according to three ...
[Photos] Verdant Waterfalls Grace Facade of Vo Trong Nghia Hoi An Hotel
Located in Hoi An’s Old Town, the Atlas Hotel Hoian is the latest hospitality project from Vietnam’s notable firm Vo Trong Nghia Architects.
Taiwan Ranks 1st, Vietnam Moves Up 4 Spots in Expat Quality of Life Survey
It’s no secret that Saigoneer has been crushing on Taiwan for quite a while, from its futuristic tech parks to sprawling fish markets. Our love for the island nation was affirmed by a recent survey th...
[Photos] A Rare Sight of Saigon's Serene Side
Loving Saigon is not difficult: the city is home to some of the country’s most amazing people, culinary creations and rich history. However, because the southern metropolis is such a welcoming place, ...
Hanoi Breaks Ground on New 6-Star Four Seasons Hotel
On January 7, Intimex Vietnam commenced the construction of the Four Seasons Hotel, a six-star accommodation overlooking Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Environment
Southeast Asia's Air Pollution Deaths Could Triple by 2030
A new Harvard-backed report is predicting the future of Southeast Asia’s air quality, and it does not look good.
[Photos] Hanoi Salon’s Architecture Appeals to All the Senses
Though residential dwellings seem to be the most common subject of Vietnam’s modern architecture efforts, H&P Architects was recently tasked with renovating a run-down hairdressing salon in Hanoi’s Va...
[Video] Vietnamese Workers Take Center Stage in Japan Government Video
The lives and work of Vietnamese health professionals in Japan were recently highlighted in a video feature from the Japanese government.
Saigon-Phnom Penh Expressway Project Moves Forward
Plans to build a Phnom Penh-Saigon expressway are moving forward.
[Photos] Check Out Saigon's Snazzy New Children's Hospital
A brand-new children's hospital in Saigon’s Binh Chanh District opened its doors on January 16.
Vietnamese Students Face Exploitation When Working Abroad
In recent years, study abroad has become a popular option among young Vietnamese, however life in foreign countries isn’t necessarily all it's cracked up to be.
