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.
[Photos] Central Atrium Transforms Saigon Tube House
In a city like Saigon, space comes at a premium. It's no wonder, then, that Vietnam – and many other Asian countries – have taken to building tube houses, the ultra-skinny residential buildings you of...
Welcome To Vietnam: Southeast Asia's Silicon Valley
In little more than a decade, Vietnam's tech industry has exploded, attracting international attention and showcasing the country's potential, not just as an outsourcing hub but a key player in Southe...
Nha Trang Officials Seeking Permission to Build 60-Story Skyscrapers Along the Coast
Officials in Nha Trang are proposing an increase the height limit on its coastal buildings, pushing the cap from its current 40 stories to 60.
Vinaphone Tops Viettel's 4G Announcement
At long last, 4G is coming to Vietnam, and the battle for customers is heating up among the country's major telecommunications players.
[Photos] Farm Animals Roam Hanoi’s Disappearing Green Space
Hanoi, much like the rest of Vietnam, has come a long way in the last few decades. Today, the capital is filled with skyscrapers, expensive infrastructure projects and an endless stream of honking veh...
[Photos] Inside District 1's Minimalist Hidden Oasis
Downtown Saigon is no place for peace and quiet. However, local architecture firm Kien Truc O has transformed a small, narrow house in District 1 into a miniature oasis.
[Photos] Vo Trong Nghia Unveils Plans to Cover Saigon University in Trees
Saigon will be getting a little bit greener, thanks to the folks at Vo Trong Nghia. The award-winning architecture firm recently revealed its plans for a new FPT University campus in the southern city...
Street Food Vendors May Be Required to Comply With New Food Safety Regulation
Street food could soon get a thorough cleaning, as new regulations proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade seek to bring food safety standards to Saigon's roadside dining.
Viettel to Require New SIMs for 4G Service
Starting in October of this year, Viettel will offer its users the option of 4G coverage, reports Zing.
Vietnam Breaks Ground on First Solar Power Plant
Quang Ngai officials broke ground on the construction of Vietnam's first solar power plant this Saturday. The facility, which is expected to be operational by mid-2016, will cover 24 hectares and come...
[Photos] New Bridge Cutting Distance From HCMC To Mekong Delta Opens Tomorrow
Starting tomorrow, city travelers will be able to cut their trip to My Tho from 100 kilometres to 25 kilometres, reports Tuoi Tre.
[Photos] Open-Air Cafe Stands Out On Kontum Waterfront
Kontum is not, perhaps, the first place you'd expect to find a piece of modern architecture, but perched on the Dakbla River is the imposing Kontum Indochine Cafe. Designed by award-winning architectu...
[Video] 3-D Animation Spotlights Thu Thiem 2 Bridge
A new video by Sub Zero Animation posted on REIC brings to life the proposed Thu Thiem 2 Bridge, which is set to reach completion in 2018. The bridge will serve as a direct route between District 1's ...
Old Thao Dien Villa Gets A Modern Makeover
Rather than tear down this District 2 villa altogether, MM++ Architects decided to give its concrete frame a makeover using recycled red bricks and steel frame glass windows.
Female Viagra May Be Coming To A Pharmacy Near You
Last week, the Vietnamese Department of Health announced that it would consider circulating a newly-approved drug call Addyi, which treats low sexual desire in women.
Future Saigon: The Sabeco Tower
Sabeco, the Vietnamese beverage company that has a commanding 40% market share of the domestic market, is in the process of trading in its massive warehouse at Me Linh Square for a shiny new skyscrape...
[Photos] Award-Winning Design Links Nha Trang Restaurant And Sea
When D3 Architects came up with this design for a beachside Nha Trang restaurant, they sought to create a structure with a strong connection to its surrounding environment, in this case, the beach. Gi...
Apple, Inc. Plans to Open Subsidiary in Vietnam
Apple seems to have set its sights on the Vietnamese market with reports that the company is gearing up to open a subsidiary in Vietnam.
What Does The Future Hold For Saigon’s Skeleton Tower?
The monolithic Saigon One Tower is the most obvious victim of the city's burst real estate bubble (which looks to be finally recovering). Even though the skeleton of the unfinished US$238 million ...
Construction of Saigon Metro Flyover Above the Hanoi Highway Begins
Work on the above ground section of Saigon's first metro line is in full swing. Along with the construction of a rail bridge across the Saigon River and the installation of concrete girders, ...
