Thi Nguyễn in Tech
Typing Vietnamese, Part 2: The Vietnamese Diaspora, Unicode and the Ubiquity of Unikey
This is part 2 of our two-part series on the history of Vietnamese-centric typing technologies. Part 1 can be acces...
Thi Nguyễn in Tech
Typing Vietnamese, Part 1: Language, Identity and Technology at a Crossroad
My first exposure to the computer traces back to my primary school years when computer classes were conducted once a week. In order to study computers, students had to migrate from their usual classrooms to a multimedia lab — an air-conditioned room filled with computers. Computer classes were generally more popular among us than most subjects thanks to that satisfying cool breeze and the delight of operating something one wasn't privileged with at home.
Hoa Sữa, Poetic Icon of Autumn in Hanoi or Nasal Health Enemy No. 1?
It was early in the day. I opened my window to let in the very first rays of the morning sun, just to catch a waft of that distinctive floral aroma lingering in the cold air. This year, autumn came early, and hoa sữa has started blooming where I live.
Plastic Waste Is Choking the Mekong River and Every Nation on Its Path
On Son Island in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Le Trung Tin scatters fish feed into his ponds, where dozens of snakehead fish leap through the surface in synchronised bursts. “I taught them how to do that,” he says proudly, tossing another handful of feed at his fish.
The Childhood of Côn Đảo's Baby Turtles Caught on Film
In July, I visited Côn Đảo National Park as part of a group of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) sea turtle volunteers to see first-hand conservation efforts aimed at the local sea turtle population.
Ward off Your Monday Blues by Joining Me on Beginners' Skateboard Night
Usually in life, niche topics are commonly associated with unpleasant stigmas and misunderstandings — skateboarding in Vietnam is no exception. Once, I admittedly was influenced by such one-sided assumptions.
Pure Passion Turns Dark: The Unexpected Dangers of the Wild Turtle Trade
Seeking a companion during quarantine, Khánh*, a 25-year-old Hanoian, bought a baby turtle through a Facebook group.
Khôi Phạm in Natural Selection
A Case for the Sweet-and-Sour Tamarind as Saigon's Official Municipal Tree
What is the municipal tree of Saigon? In popular culture, Hanoi is perhaps intricately linked with the paralyzing but often romanticized aroma of hoa sữa, while just over a hundred kilometers to the east, Hải Phòng proudly brandishes the name “the city of red phượng flowers.” Đà Lạt has too many flower varieties to choose just one, and settles for “the city of a thousand flowers.” Down south, Bến Tre’s abundance of coconut trees is famous nationwide. Ask any Saigoneer this question, and you’re likely to get one of two answers: chò nâu (dipterocarp) or me (tamarind).
CNN: Vo Trong Nghia Is Next Big Name In Architecture
Vietnamese starchitect, Vo Trong Nghia, had quite a 2014 with a number of his firm’s designs receiving international commendation. It looks like he’s off to a great start in 2015 as American news netw...
[Photos] World Bank Program Transforms Blighted Canals and Alleys
With urbanization rapidly taking hold in Vietnam, its cities have had a difficult time providing the necessary infrastructure to accommodate it. Flooded alleys, dirt roads and polluted creeks all have...
Vietnamese Patients “Wait To Die” After Slashes To Pharma Subsidies
New Vietnamese health insurance regulations which went into effect yesterday will make potentially life-saving medicine out of reach for many low-income patients. And things are only going to get wors...
Future Saigon: Saigon Centre Phase 2
After years of inactivity, construction on the massive plot next to Saigon Center at the corner of Lê Lợi and Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Streets is finally underway.
[Photos] The Striking Differences Between Chinese And Đà Lạt Produce
Fears over the safety of Chinese produce have been increasing over the past few years with stories like the “immortal apple” becoming common in the Vietnamese press.
Hanoi To Move 26,200 Residents Out Of The Old Quarter
Hanoi’s 82-hectre Old Quarter, described by some as “among Asia's best-preserved urban hubs of traditional commerce,” is about to lose nearly 40% of its residents, as city authorities seek to reduce t...
Vo Trong Nghia Unveils Modular, Low-Cost Housing Concept For Vietnam
If you caught the article we featured on Vo Trong Nghia’s “Rebel Architecture” last week, you may remember the architecture firm’s low-cost housing project in development that would cost around $3000 ...
Only 16% Of Wastewater Released Into Dong Nai River Is Treated
In what is yet another environmental challenge to the health of Vietnam’s river ways and its people is the discharging of untreated wastewater from factories and homes.
City Authorities Agree to Save Elements of Saigon’s Tax Center
While there’s no saving the Tax Center which will soon be demolished to make way for a new 40-story tower, elements of the 90-year-old building will be preserved, according to city officials...
Microsoft To Launch Vietnamese Version Of MSN Portal
The Vietnamese version of Microsoft’s MSN portal officially went online Wednesday as the company hopes to capitalize on the country’s growing online market.
New Noi Bai Terminal, Vietnam’s Largest, to Open Next Week
Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport is set to open its shiny new $645.3 million, 4-story terminal next week after three years of construction.
Inside Nha Dan Architect’s HCMC NQ House
Nha Dan Architects, a firm specializing in commercial and residential projects, recently completed their sleek and artistic NQ House in Ho Chi Minh City which overcame some serious design challenges.&...
How Climate Change and a Drive for Profits Are Threatening the Mekong Delta
Upstream dams aren’t the only threat to the Mekong Delta.
HCMC Planning 8-Story Trade Center In Front Of Opera House
Downtown Saigon’s modern makeover continues to take shape with the city government announcing plans for a new, 8-story trade center just across from the Saigon Opera House.
[Video] Vo Trong Nghia’s 'Rebel Architecture'
In a city where building codes are either nonexistent or very lax, modern green architecture is often a hard sell. Sustainability and the long-term advantages of building for the environment and to im...
Work Begins On HCMC's $1.41B Central Park Project, Future Home Of Vietnam’s Tallest Building
Work on Vinhome’s VND30 trillion ($1.41 billion) Central Park project officially kicked off on December 13.
Half Of HCMC’s State Agency Officials Don’t Know How To Use Email
In a recent article by Dantri International, a survey conducted by the Department of Information and Communications revealed that as much as 50 percent of the higher officials in the city’s state depa...
Vietnamese Football Officials Call For Investigation Into “Incomprehensible” Loss
After last night’s sloppy 4-2 loss to Malaysia in the semi-final round of the 2014 Suzuki Cup, Vietnamese football officials plan to ask "concerned agencies" to investigate the match, the result of wh...
[Photos] 13 Old Saigon Villas to Be Demolished
According to Tuoi Tre, 13 villas in Districts 1 and 3 are scheduled to meet their demise in the near future. Though the city's Villa Classification Council is attempting to preserve many of these buil...
Thao Dien House Blends Natural and Minimalist Elements
This beautiful house in Thao Dien built by MM++ Architects is a rennovation of an existing structure that has been transformed into a natural wonderland. The design focuses on connecting the home’s li...
