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).
Could 3D-Printed Plastic Replace Metal Roofs in Vietnam?
A new project out of a Harvard spin-off, Resilient Modular Systems, has developed a system of modular roofing 3D printed from waste plastic.
[Video] Biker Drives Down Highway Using Only Feet, Takes Selfies Along The Way
This young motorist shows particular disregard for safety and common sense, driving down the highway at 60km/hour using only his feet, allowing him to use his free hands to take selfies with his passe...
New Laos Dam Could 'Kill' the Mekong Delta: Experts
“We can survive without electricity, but without water, we will die.”
Spain Pledges 3.4 Million Euros For HCMC Metro Line 5
It looks like plans for HCMC’s fifth metro line are getting a boost with the Spanish government pledging 3.4 Million Euros for the upcoming project.
Future Saigon Update: The German House
More details are emerging on the German House, the 25-story tower going up across from Kumho Plaza at the corner of Le Duan and Le Van Huu Steets.
HCMC Seeks To Lure Scientists With $7,015 Monthly Salaries
As HCMC seeks to position itself as the country’s science and technology hub, it is offering massive incentives to lure scientists.
[Photos] Vietnamese Artist Imagines A More Beautiful Hanoi
There’s plenty to love about Hanoi, but sometimes the electricity wires, dirty canals and abandoned construction sites leave a lot to be desired.
40% Of Pregnancies In Vietnam End In Abortion: Report
Vietnam’s defunct but lingering family planning policies, poor sex education programs and easy access to clinics has resulted in one of the highest abortion rates in the world, according to a recent r...
Say Goodbye to the Iconic Statue in Front of Ben Thanh Market
The statue of General Trần Nguyên Hãn that has stood in front of Bến Thành Market for decades is in the process of being permanently removed from the location to accommodate a new metro station.
Vietnamese Jeweler Begins To Ship 24k Gold Plated iPads
Some Vietnamese spend months of their salary on iPhones and iPads for a lift in status. But some go a step further, paying more than the value of the actual product to have it dipped in gold.
Vietnam Ranks First in Southeast Asia for Diabetes
Add diabetes to smoking and drinking on the list of major threats to Vietnam’s public health.
Made In Vietnam: La Dalat
Known once as “the pearl of the orient,” Saigon was Indochina’s hub of modern industry and entertainment. This environment spawned the “La Dalat,” one of the first cars to be produced in Vietnam.
[Photos] HCMC Begins To Chop Down Old Trees On Tôn Đức Thắng
The chopping down of the beautiful old trees on Tôn Đức Thắng Street has begun.
Hanoi “Running Short” Of Clean Water
According to two water companies that serve the city, Hanoi is facing some serious water shortages.
Hackers Tap Into Private Vietnamese CCTV Cameras, Put Feeds Online
In a reminder to avoid passwords like “admin” and “12345,” a group of hackers tapped into almost 1,000 Vietnamese private CCTV cameras and put them on the web for all to see.
Future Saigon: Vietcombank Tower
The next big addition to Saigon’s skyline, the Vietcombank Tower, is nearly complete after years of construction.
VNCam App Taps Into Street Cams So You Can Beat The Traffic
If you’re planning to hit the streets of Saigon or Hanoi during rush hour, VNCam, a new traffic tracking app, should be of great assistance.
[Video] New Film Highlights The Father Of Modern Cambodian Architecture
Vietnam and Cambodia have a shared colonial past and have both endured the peaks and valleys of development and war. For both, the 1960s and 70s were periods of modernist architectural innovation, esp...
Petition Against Son Doong Cable Car Has Over 10,000 Signatures
After news broke that a $220 million cable car would be built through portions of Son Doong Cave, the response was overwhelming negative. Many were stunned that a plan, meant to lure troves of tourist...
Uber Launches In Hanoi
The battle of the taxi apps is set to grow fierce in Hanoi with the arrival of Uber.
