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.
Vietnam Sports Officials Accused of Attending Olympics in Place of Doctors, Coaches
While Vietnam is still basking in the glory of its first-ever gold medal – not to mention the other hardware picked up by shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh – some aren't happy with the count...
After 2 Years, Da Nang May Abandon US$104m Government Building
It seems Vietnam’s sweltering weather has claimed yet another casualty: Da Nang's US$104 million administrative building.
The Strict Stipulations Behind Takashimaya's Top-Notch Service
Along with a slew of foreign brands and mouthwatering Japanese pastries, Saigon’s new Takashimaya department store has also brought its unique brand of hospitality to the southern hub in hopes of wowi...
Vietnam: The Other, Other Asian Tiger
As we enter the final quarter of the year, it’s safe to say 2016 hasn’t exactly been the economic success Vietnam had hoped.
A Brief History of Vietnam's Pokemon GO Adventures
Exactly one week after Niantic unleashed Pokemon GO on Vietnam, the country’s love for the colorful pocket monsters has shown no sign of waning. If anything, the Pokemon craze has only grown stronger ...
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...
[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.
[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,...
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.
[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.
[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.
[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...
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.
[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.
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.
[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.
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.
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.
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.
