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 Will Have Better Medical Facilities Than Singapore by 2020: Health Official
Last week, an official from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health claimed the southern hub could have better medical facilities than Singapore by 2020.
Vietnam Aims to Bring Internet Access to 80-90% of Population
Vietnamese IT officials are hoping to bring internet access to as much as 90% of the local population.
Vietnam's Wind Energy Development Hampered by Low Profits
Though Vietnam’s renewable energy production shows great potential, high overhead costs and low energy prices are deterring investors from cashing in on wind power.
Vietnam to Punish 11 Environmental Officials Over Formosa Scandal
On Wednesday, the Vietnamese government released a list of 11 state and industry officials responsible for the Formosa environmental scandal which occurred in central Vietnam last year....
Women Face Gender Bias in Vietnamese Media: Report
A new report by non-profit organization Oxfam has drawn attention to gender bias in the Vietnamese media.
Proposed Hoi An Resort Sparks Environmental Concerns
A decision by Hoi An authorities to once again greenlight a tabled multi-million dollar resort project has sparked concern among local residents.
Dana Filek-Gibson in Sports
Vietnamese Athletes Head to the Start Line in First-Ever Asian Winter Games
This week, even during Saigon’s cool, dry season mornings, people across the city will face 34-degree heat on their morning commute, many of them heading toward air-conditioned offices and shaded pati...
Vietnamese Couples Are the Most Fulfilled in Asia: Report
Hong Kong-based financial security provider Prudential recently released a report on the best places in Asia to develop healthy personal relationships, and Vietnam is at the top.
PlayStation Debuts First-Ever Vietnamese-Developed Video Game
Video game fans can now try out the first-ever PlayStation game ever developed by a Vietnamese company.
[Video] Long An Football Team Throws Tantrum
Last week, the Long An football team pitched a pretty entertaining temper tantrum after disagreeing with a referee's controversial decision.
Check out the Green 'Forest City' China Is Planning
As China attempts to bring environmental sustainability in line with its economic goals, one architect is hoping to reduce air pollution by implementing a radical urban planning strategy.
The Invincible Nokia 3310 Is Making a Comeback Later This Month
One of Nokia’s most iconic products – the 3310 cell phone – is set to make a comeback later this month.
Saigon’s Riverfront Park to Receive Upgrade, Host Weekend Market
City officials are planning to revamp the long, narrow park bordering the Saigon River in District 1 and host a weekend market at the site.
Vietnam Ministry Rejects Uber's Transportation Pilot Scheme for 2nd Time
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has once again turned down Uber Vietnam’s official proposal to carry out a ride-hailing pilot scheme with local drivers.
[Photos] This Quang Ninh Community Center Is Made From Bamboo and Earth
An architecture firm in Vietnam has proven once again that you can create something aesthetically pleasing and highly useful from the most humble and commonplace materials.
Startup-Rating Firm OddUp Arrives in Saigon, ASEAN’s Future Silicon Valley
As the buzz over Saigon’s tech scene continues to grow, startup-rating website OddUp has arrived in the southern hub.
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.
