Paul Christiansen

in Environment

Saigon's Weather Dude Is Dedicated to Keeping Saigoneers Dry This Rainy Season

Why is it raining in Saigon? Because it’s the rainy season. Sure, but if you want to be more specific, you can cite conditions in the Bay of Bengal, more than 2,500 kilometers away. It’s there that the wind conditions form that flow across the Gulf of Thailand, sucking up the moisture that drenches Vietnam’s southern metropolis. 

in Architecture

In the Era of Constant Rebuilding, We Turn to Vietnamese Modernism for Nostalgic Comfort

For two years now, I've checked the Vietnamese Modernist Architecture Facebook group almost every day. Here, members post ...

in Environment

How Laos's Dams Are Powering Vietnam, Other ASEAN Nations Despite Mekong Concerns

Following a spate of foreign investment in the 1990s, Laos began producing surplus electricity and looked to export it. Today, around 80% of its energy, largely from hydropower, is sold to neighbors. Electricity exports from Laos generate around US$2.6 billion for what is one of the poorest nations in mainland Southeast Asia. Across the region, neighbors including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia have become reliant on hydropower from Laos. Slowly but surely, however, this is changing.

in Architecture

A Pop-up Night Park Brings the Joy of Playing in the Rain to Phú Mỹ Hưng

A lack of public spaces and activities has been a chronic problem plaguing Saigon’s urban planning since the city experienced its first population boom a few decades ago. If you happen to be near District 7 in the next two months, a pop-up park could be a new option for children, and perhaps some particularly exuberant adults, to frolic in the rain and the evening.

Elise Luong

in Environment

Living, Learning, Loving From the Earth at Ninh Bình's Lá Library

A stone's throw away from Cúc Phương National Park in Ninh Bình Province sits Lá Library, an education center promoting sustainable living through sustainable agriculture farming, earthen building techniques and the art of chilling out.

in Architecture

The Saigon House That Swapped Its Front Door for a Moat

Does a house need walls?

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Is the Yeti Vietnamese? This Ancient Ape Might Hold the Answer.

Can you name a Vietnamese animal that hasn’t been hunted to the precipice of extinction or become a commodified item whose flesh, fur, or feathers are only deemed significant in relation to their practical use by humans?

in Architecture

This Suburban Hanoi House Answers 'Yes' to 'How Many Windows Do You Want?'

Do you love the tropical summer? Does bathing in the warmth of the sun spark joy in you? How many windows are enough to solar-power your everyday life? If you, too, are toiling with these existential concerns on a daily basis, perhaps this recent residential project might provide some inspiration.

Back Society

in Development

Saigon Housing Is About to Get the Japanese Treatment

As early as next year, middle-class residents in the southern hub will be getting “Japan quality” housing.

in Development

Saigon to Demolish Old Apartment Buildings, Construct New Low-Income Housing

With a new set of politicians in office, Saigon's urban housing will see some changes in the coming year.

in Development

Hanoi to Get 1m New Trees, 5 World-Class Public Parks

If all goes to plan, Hanoi will be getting considerably greener in the next five years.

in Development

Vietnam Could Get a North-South High-Speed Railway

Though it won't be happening any time soon, Vietnam may one day have a high-speed railway line that runs the length of the country.

in Architecture

[Photos] Hanoi Home Seeks to Be One With Nature

It seems like most of the modern residential architecture in Vietnamese cities is focused on reconnecting with nature. A’s House Project in Hanoi is no exception.

in Development

Saigon to Launch $441m Anti-Flooding Project This Month

In response to Saigon's rainy season floods, municipal authorities are launching a US$441 million anti-flooding project at the end of this month.

in Tech

Local Coconut Startup Receives 6-Figure Funding

A local startup has received six-figure funding for its coconut business.

in Architecture

[Photos] This Hidden Nghe An House Packs a Green Punch

Located in central Vietnam's Nghe An province, the Cul-de-Sac House catches the attention of passersby thanks to its unusual structure.

in Development

Hanoi Seeks $115.5bn to Become 'Second Singapore'

In Saigon, the unspoken goal of urban development seems to be transforming the southern hub into another version of Singapore. For Hanoi, however, this is no longer an unspoken ambition, as offic...

in Development

Developer Proposes Saigon River Park and Underground Mall

Local developer Van Thinh Phat Group has submitted to city officials a proposal to build a new public park and underground trade center along the western bank of the Saigon River.

in Environment

Da Nang Locals Call for Inspection of Industrial Park Accused of Pollution

Locals in Da Nang's Lien Chieu District are calling upon authorities to investigate a nearby industrial park whom they have accused of polluting local rivers and damaging public health.

in Environment

40 Dead Tiger Cubs Discovered in Tiger Temple Freezer

Last Wednesday, authorities made a grisly discovery while shutting down Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, recovering 40 dead tiger cubs from an on-site freezer.

in Environment

Phnom Penh's Canals Disappear Beneath a Sea of Pollution

While Saigon has its own polluted canals to contend with and Hanoi works to clean up its act, our neighbors to the west are also struggling to bring their rubbish woes under control.

in Architecture

The D2 House of Your Dreams, Where Traditional Architecture Meets Contemporary Style

Inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture, the Saigon-born architects of VACO Design have outfitted this chic District 2 home with intelligent design, both inside and out.

in Development

Hanoi to Invest $5.5bn in New Airport Facility

Hanoi officials announced on Monday their plan to expand the capital's airport facilities at a cost of US$5.5 billion.

in Health

Vietnam Remains Among Countries With Most Smokers in the World

Though Vietnam has made a dent in its tobacco fixation, the country still has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world.

in Development

Saigon Officially Approves Thu Thiem's Eco Smart City

After years of small steps forward, the US$2.2 billion Eco Smart City project planned for Thu Thiem has finally received the official stamp of approval.

in Architecture

[Photos] Hanoi's CN House Proves Good Things Come in Small Packages

Hanoi-based architects MON Atelier recently transformed a tiny house tucked away in one of the capital's alleys from an aging, 45.6-square-meter structure to a charming, cozy residence known as the CN...

in Development

Vietnam, General Electric Enter 1,000MW Wind Power Pact

American-based General Electric (GE) and Vietnam’s trade ministry have agreed on a massive wind power deal that will supply the country with 1,000 megawatts of power by 2025.

in Development

[Video] This D7 High-Rise Is Getting Its Own Artificial Island

Last month, local firms An Gia Investment and Phat Dat Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company joined forces with Japan's Creed Group to introduce one of the city's most ambitious luxury residence...