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.
Quy Nhơn’s Quy Hoà Leprosy Village to Be Relocated for Mega Resort Project
Authorities in Gia Lai Province have approved plans to relocate the Quy Hoà leprosy village from its current ocean-side setting in Quy Nhơn to make room for an ambitious real estate and tourism project.
Opinion: Electric Vehicles Are Southeast Asia's Way out Amid the Global Fossil Fuel Crisis
As the Iran war crunches global energy supplies and disrupts prices, Southeast Asian leaders may need to diversify oil and gas supplies in order to protect ordinary people.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
An Ancient Turtle Named After Bánh Xèo Can Teach Us a Lot About Whimsy in Science
Nước mắm — that ruby-hued elixir; that salty, fish-flesh-sweet open secret in your favorite recipe; that indispensable icon of Vietnamese culture and, by extension, identity — owes itself to Commerson’s anchovies. That’s right, if your fish sauce comes from the central region, where it was first developed, the fish pressed with salt to produce it are Stolephorus commersonnii, a species named in 1801 after Philibert Commerson, a white Frenchman. Picture all the hardscrabble village homes suffering under the yoke of colonialism, where one of the day’s few pleasures was a humble meal made delicious by a carefully rationed dash of fish sauce and an ingredient whose name pays homage to their colonizers.
Michael Tatarski in Environment
Huế's Fantastic Herbs and Where to Find Them, Now in Book Form
Have you ever walked past a plant and wondered "Hey, I wonder what that could do?"
Dong Nai Proposes Extension of Metro Line 1
As downtown progress on the Saigon Metro inches along, Dong Nai officials are hoping to extend Line 1 beyond the city limits.
[Photos] Check out Vo Trong Nghia's Spectacular D2 Bamboo Pavilions
Vietnam's internationally renowned, bamboo-loving architectural mastermind Vo Trong Nghia has done it again.
[Photos] Future Hanoi: Vietinbank Tower
Though its construction has slowed recently, Hanoi is expecting a pair of fancy new V-shaped skyscrapers in future.
Saigon Begins Testing 4G Service
On the heels of rival company Viettel's trial run in Vung Tau, Vinaphone has begun testing its 4G service in Saigon and Phu Quoc.
Mekong Delta Farmers Are Using Cement to Fertilize Their Fields
Much to the alarm of local scientists and officials, rice farmers in the Mekong Delta have discovered a nifty new fertilizer: cement.
Nha Trang Is Selling Its Old Downtown Airport for $540m
The massive former US airbase located in downtown Nha Trang is set to become a mixed-used shopping development, Khanh Hoa authorities announced on Monday.
Flappy Bird Earns Guinness World Record
Flappy Bird's Nguyen Ha Dong, the guy who created a viral mobile game, earned US$50,000 a day in advertising and later received death threats for removing his highly addictive game from Appl...
Tan Son Nhat Gets Updated Int'l Terminal, Long Thanh Gets Delayed
In an effort to catch up with other major national airports, Tan Son Nhat's international terminal is getting a new addition.
[Photos] Inside District 1's Coolest Kindergarten
Hidden down a quiet street in District 1's Tan Dinh Ward, Chuon Chuon Kim is one cool kindergarten.
Unchecked Pollution is Threatening Southeast Asia's Environment, Economies
Like much of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a very different place today than it was in 1990. New economic policies, increased development and modernization have transformed the country in many ways, but&...
Vietnam's Abortion Dilemma
While a new draft population law could update Vietnam's regulations on family planning and population control, the country's true challenge lies in addressing the root causes of its sky-high abortion ...
The Lowdown on Vietnam's Uber-Confusing Car Taxes
To put it mildly, Saigon has a complicated relationship with cars. For two-wheeled drivers, the gas-guzzling road beasts are at best an inconvenience, while their fellow four-wheeled friends are more ...
Vietnam, Asian Nations to Launch Satellite Network to Track Natural Disasters
Over the last year, Southeast Asia's weather patterns have been fickle to say the least. One minute, the streets of Saigon are disappearing under water, the next we're facing a months-long drought. In...
Nha Trang Is Getting an Oddly Shaped New High-Rise
Next time you're in Nha Trang, keep your eyes peeled for a new addition to the city skyline.
40 Years Later, Vietnam Begins Identifying Its War Dead
Martyr cemeteries are a common occurrence across Vietnam. In countless communes in every province, modest gravestones mark the resting places of Vietnam's fallen soldiers in neat, orderly rows. T...
Dengue Vaccine Gets Green Light As Cases Soar in Central Vietnam
In the midst of a dangerous dengue epidemic in south-central Vietnam, medical professionals are giving the go-ahead to a preventive vaccine for the deadly virus.
New 30km Overpass to Link Saigon With Mekong Delta
In the midst of its usual traffic woes, Saigon may be getting glimmer of hope in a 30-kilometer flyover project, which will help to alleviate traffic on the notoriously busy Highway 1A.
Vietnam Hopes to Send 15 Athletes to Rio Olympics in 2016
As the 2016 Summer Olympics approach, Vietnam has high hopes for its athletes.
[Photos] Vo Trong Nghia Adds Bamboo Buildings to Five-Star Da Nang Resort
As if its stunning day spa – modeled after the hanging gardens of Babylon – wasn't enough, Da Nang's five-star Naman Retreat just got an impressive upgrade.
The Demise of the Mekong Delta
When it comes to climate change, there's no shortage of bad news these days. On the one hand, Saigon is facing its longest drought in 60 years; on the other, several Vietnamese cities may be unde...
