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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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...
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.
[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...
Vietnamese Telecoms Aim for Global Domination
While much of the conversation surrounding Vietnam’s largest state-owned companies relates to privatization and removing foreign ownership limits, two of Vietnam's telecommunications giants, FPT and V...
[Photos] Proposed Design for Bac Ninh’s City Hall is a Stunner
Vietnam’s Modern architecture scene continues to mature as local outfits - like 23o5studio, Nishizawa Architects and Nha Dan Architecture, to name a few – show a consistent pattern of innovation in th...
Vietnamese Students Take Home Prize at Intel ISEF 2016
Two Saigon high school students made a big impression at an international science-engineering fair in the US for their all-terrain wheelchair design.
Saigon to Roll out Smart Parking Lots
Saigon is poised to deploy smart parking lots in downtown areas to meet the growing demand for space.
Google Translate Adds Offline Mode, Instant Chinese Translation
Google just made some major improvements on its translation tools.
[Photos] 22.House: An Homage to Vietnamese Modernist Architecture
Situated near Nha Trang's central market, this creation from architecture firm Chon.a serves as a homage to the aesthetics of Vietnamese modernist architecture.
The State of the Metro: An Update on Saigon's Subway Construction
Now entering its fourth year, construction of the Saigon Metro system is chugging along. With several lines in development and plenty of work still to go, Saigoneer takes a closer look at the pro...
Sapa May Be Getting an Airport
The province of Lao Cai is close to having its own airport, as several ministries have backed a plan whose construction could begin as soon as next quarter.
[Photos] Architect Pairs Minimalist Design With Green Surroundings
Located in a greenery-free neighborhood of Binh Duong province, the beauty of Up2Green house lies not only in the urban zen of its architectural elements but also in the homeowners' motivations ...
Vietnam Drank 1bn Liters of Beer in First 4 Months of 2016
Vietnam, one of the world's thirstiest countries, drank over 1 billion liters of beer in the first four months of 2016.
Hanoi's Fancy, New, Boring Street
Last weekend, Hanoi unveiled its first “model street”, on which all storefronts must follow strict aesthetic requirements.
[Video] The People of Hanoi's Forgotten River Island
As more and more economic opportunities come to Vietnam's cities so, too, do more and more people.
