Listen to the Unique 'Dialects' Found in Regional Vietnamese Modernist Architecture
“It was my uncle who came up with the design. There are no drawings left; everything was improvised back then,” the owner of a modernist homestay in Ninh Thuận told me. No architect, just an idea and a craftsman to pour it into concrete.
How Overreliance on Pesticides Traps Thai Farmers in a Vicious Circle of Debt
As the sun rises over the village of Ban Wichit Pattana in north-east Thailand, 62-year-old Chuchart Srithachum does his morning exercise, walking as best he can on his prosthetic leg along the street outside his home.
Khôi Phạm in Architecture
Illustration Project 'Con Ốc Nhỏ' Archives Southern Vietnam's Diverse Architectural Facades
Riding a motorbike is the most popular mode of transport in Vietnam. Albeit convenient and fast, being on a bike, merging in and out of the ever-flowing, hurried traffic, might not afford you the slow pace needed to fully appreciate the urban landscapes and their hidden gems. Vietnamese artist Bờm Sketcher, on the other hand, is fully in support of walking as the best way to document the most fascinating corners of local streets onto his pages.
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.
Saigon's Old Villas Fall to Demolition Epidemic
Due to the delay in creating a classification system for old mansions in Saigon, the city’s many old buildings are being knocked down at an alarming rate.
Vietnamese Men Among World’s Top Alcohol Consumers: WHO Survey
According to a recent survey, Vietnamese men are among the world’s top alcohol consumers.
[Photos] Let There Be Light: Architects Create Bright, Airy Hem House
Once again, a group of Saigon-based architects has risen above their peers and transformed a seemingly disadvantaged plot of land into a sight to behold: the Hem House.
Saigon Unveils Plan for New Bridge Connecting D2, D4
In the future, commuting between District 4 and District 2 will be much easier for local residents as Ho Chi Minh City authorities recently unveiled a plan to construct a bridge connecting the two dis...
Japanese Robots to Aid English Classes in Vietnam
These are exciting times for English-language learners in Vietnam, as a Japanese robotics company just signed a deal to provide the country with English-teaching robots.
In Vietnam, Human Migration Intensifies Effects of Climate Change
As Vietnam continues to grow, human migration patterns are exacerbating the effects of climate change in the country.
[Video] Local Architecture Students Use Traditional Papier-Mache to Create Cocoon Pavilion
Over the summer, architect Nguyen Hoa Hiep of a21 Studio – the firm behind Thu Duc’s M11 house and The Tent in Nha Trang – teamed up with local architecture students to create a cocoon-like pavilion i...
Hanoi to Get More Metro Funding, Hoan Kiem Station
Vietnam has secured additional funding for Hanoi’s first metro line as the government pushes to complete the project.
Guess Which Country Just Made the List of Top 10 Global Alcohol Consumers?
For young adults entering the Vietnamese workplace, drinking is sometimes an indispensable part of their career: if you can’t drink much, then drink a little. It’s common knowledge that drinking is ne...
Saigon Mulls Elevated Highway to Ease Congestion Around Tan Son Nhat
In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion around Tan Son Nhat International Airport, local authorities are considering a five-kilometer, six-ramp elevated highway system.
Yet Another Period of Sluggish Internet in Vietnam As AAG Cable Undergoes Maintenance
It looks like internet users in Vietnam will have to endure yet another bout of sluggish international connections as local telecom companies just announced that the country’s submarine cable is under...
Hanoian Lovebirds Hospitalized After Sex Using Plastic Bag Instead of Condom
A young couple in Hanoi put the “tough” in “tough love” recently when they were hospitalized after using a plastic bag instead of a condom during their passionate first love-making session.
Ho Tram Strip to Get Exclusive Airport for Resort and Casino
VIP guests will soon be able to travel to The Grand Ho Tram Strip faster than ever, as plans are in the works for the construction of a small airport to serve the five-star hotel and casino complex.
Facebook’s Removal of Iconic War Photograph Sparks Censorship Debate
Controversy over censorship by Facebook erupted last week after the social media giant removed a post featuring a famous picture from the American War.
[Photos] MIA Design Studio's Dream Office Erases Boundary Between Interior and Exterior
Located next to the Saigon River in Binh Thanh District, MIA Design Studio's office is simple, open and efficient.
Vietnamese Smoke $1.4b Worth of Cigarettes Yearly: Survey
A recent survey on global smoking habits revealed that Vietnam is home to approximately 15.6 million adult smokers, who consumed some US$1.39 billion worth of cigarettes last year alone.
Weightlifter Clinches Vietnam's First-Ever Paralympics Gold Medal, Breaks Own World Record
Exactly one month after military officer Hoang Xuan Vinh made history with Vietnam’s first and only Olympic gold medal currently, weightlifter Le Van Cong just snapped up the country’s first-ever gold...
Uber Dodging Taxes on VND1bn in Daily Profits: Official
Vietnam’s battle of the taxi apps has taken another interesting turn: one of the country’s biggest players, Uber, is being called out again for allegedly evading tax payments.
Saigon's Parking Woes: What to Do When a Parking Lot Loses Your Bike
Saigon’s traffic issues are an extremely tough nut to crack for local authorities. In recent years, the government has come up with a slew of solutions in an attempt to ease traffic woes, with va...
Samsung Halts Sales of Galaxy Note 7, Recalls Phones in Vietnam Over Explosion Scare
Samsung Vietnam has announced that it will halt all sales of the new Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, while purchased devices will be recalled.
