in Architecture

In Đồng Nai, a Rustic Abode Emerges Under the Canopies of Cashew Trees

A clear directive was issued before construction of the home: all 26 cashew trees occupying the 100-square-meter plot must be preserved.

in Society

Meet Tâm, a Crossing ‘Guardian’ Protecting Saigon Traffic and Trains From Each Other

In a small kiosk overlooking the crowded Nguyễn Trọng Tuyển Street in Phú Nhuận, Nguyễn Thị Tâm routinely checks the clock and reviews the day’s train schedule meticulously. She’s repeated these tasks countless times, a crucial component of a job that she’s done for two decades as a train crossing attendant.

in Environment

Learning to Coexist in Peace Is the First Step to Protect Vietnam's Last Remaining Elephants

A trail of enormous footprints, criss-crossing slabs of cracked concrete, lead to a battered ranger station in Vietnam’s Pù Mát National Park. Park staff say the wild Asian elephant that left the tracks is as friendly as it is lonely.

in Sports

A Glimpse Into the Epic Underground Shows of Vietnam Pro Wrestling

Back in 2018, Saigon witnessed the birth of Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW), the first and only Pro Wrestlers in the whole of ...

in Development

HCMC Approves VinSpeed, VinGroup's Railway Arm, to Build Metro Line to Cần Giờ

A roughly 50-kilometer-long urban railway route will run from September 23 Park in downtown Saigon to VinGroup's Green Paradise project in Cần Giờ, beginning in 2028 at an estimated cost of VND102.43 trillion (nearly US$3.9 billion).

in Society

Diving (Literally) Into Hoàng Hoa Thám's Mountains of Secondhand Clothes

In a hẻm, clothing sprawled out on platforms lined with the plastic sacks the clothing came in, overspilling onto the ta...

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Đà Lạt’s Indigenous Pine Trees, Tropical Miracles Threatened by Urbanization

“The shimmering pine trees stand in silence / Branches and leaves seem to have sunk silently. / How can one distinguish between reality and fantasy!”

in Development

Saigon Unveils Plan to Build 2 Pedestrian Bridges Over Tôn Đức Thắng Street

Tourists will soon lose one of their favorite “crossing Saigon streets is so crazy!” filming locations when two new pedestrian bridges connecting to Bạch Đằng Wharf are completed. 

Back Society

in Sports

Swimmer Joseph Schooling Beats Michael Phelps to Win Singapore’s First-Ever Olympic Gold

We’re barely halfway through the 2016 Summer Olympics, and already athletes in Rio have left a considerable mark on the history books. In addition to Vietnamese shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, who won the co...

in Architecture

[Photos] Step Inside Da Lat's Hobbit-Like 'Uncle's House'

This Da Lat abode perfectly blends modern and traditional elements to bring its owners closer to nature.

in Tech

[UPDATED] Apple Finalizing Plans to Open $1bn Data Center in Da Nang

[UPDATE] On August 11, Chairman Huynh Duc Tho of the Da Nang People's Committee informed reporters that Apple, Inc. has not confirmed plans to construct a US$1 billion data center in the central city,...

in Tech

2 More Weeks for AAG Repairs, Hanoi to Get Free WiFi Network

In the ongoing saga of Vietnam’s temperamental WiFi connection, we’ve got good news and bad news.

in Architecture

[Photos] Past and Present Mingle in Hanoi’s ‘Attic Apartment’

When it comes to the scores of cramped and aging homes in urban Vietnam, local architects have a knack for transforming these unusual spaces into not only liveable but trendy and functional housing.

in Society

[Video] The Story of San Francisco’s Suu the Street Sweeper

When she first arrived in the United States, single mother Suu Ngo spoke no English.

in Society

[Infographic] Here's How to Get Fined While Driving a Motorbike

With an ever-changing set of traffic laws and penalties, it can be hard to keep up with Saigon's rules of the road.

Dana Filek-Gibson

in Development

For Japanese Retailers, Saigon Center Opening a Sign of Good Things to Come

Across the street from a colorful, decades-old Hindu temple, motorbikes pour into the parking garage of the newly opened Saigon Center. Spiraling five floors below ground, the downtown shopping m...

in Society

Saigon’s Book Street Is Popular, Even With Declining Sales

Since its opening in January, Saigon’s downtown book street has seen plenty of visitors but fewer sales than expected.

in Architecture

[Illustrations] Japanese Architect Sketches Tokyo Metro Stations and the Chaos Above Them

In the dozens of digital renderings which envision a city’s future, you’ll find soaring skylines and innovative architecture but very little personality.

in Development

Laos’ Third Mekong River Dam Spells Danger for the Delta

Laos is preparing to begin construction on its third hydropower dam along the Mekong River.

in Architecture

[Photos/Video] Hanoi Architects Breathe New Life Into a Standard Tube House

By now, everyone in Vietnam is familiar with the standard tube house layout: a staircase in the middle, bedrooms on the sides and a ground floor that usually substitutes as a parking garage.

in Tech

MobiFone's 4G Users Unimpressed by New Service

The recent rollout of MobiFone’s 4G trial service left much to be desired as early subscribers reported choppy reception and a hefty price tag.

in Health

Heart Disease on the Rise Among Young Urban Vietnamese: Experts

Young Vietnamese city dwellers are increasingly at risk of heart disease, according to local health officials.

in Development

Hanoi Approves Controversial Hoan Kiem Hotel Project

Hanoians will soon see a new hotel overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, and not everyone is happy about it.

in Tech

Vietnamese Spend 3 Working Days a Week Online: Report

On average, Vietnamese internet users spend over 24 hours a week online.

in Development

Quang Tri Considers Another Solar Power Plant

Not long after breaking ground on its first solar power facility, Quang Tri province is considering another sun-powered clean energy plant.

in Tech

[Video] Nghe An Man Builds Helicopter From Car Parts

Some people enjoy reading in their spare time; others enjoy a good game of cards, a walk in the park or an evening nhậu. Fifty-year-old Le Van Thoa is none of those people.

in Development

UNDP Urges Greener Aviation Industry in Vietnam

At a consultation workshop held last May, the UN Development Program (UNDP) urged Vietnam’s civil aviation sector to step up green measures in order to achieve global goals in reducing the aviation in...

in Society

The Mystery Behind Vietnam’s Top-Notch Test Takers

A recent paper by the World Bank has managed to provide at least some insight into Vietnamese students’ notably high academic performance.