Paul Christiansen

in Sports

Thống Nhất Stadium Offers Unexpected Opportunities to Reflect Upon the Soul

Where do you find revelation?

in Parks & Rec

Forum Theater Brings Real-Life Situations to the Stage, and You Are the Actors

In Vietnam, a novel form of theater is quietly making an impact, not just on stage, but in classrooms, communities, and people's lives. Known as Forum Theater, this interactive art form transforms audience members from passive viewers into active participants. Developed by Brazilian threater practitioner Augusto Boal, Forum Theater was created as a space to “rehearse for real life,” allowing theatergoers to step into the shoes of others, explore difficult situations, and test out new possibilities. 

Paul Christiansen

in Environment

The Overwhelming Presence of Nature's Most Inspiring Sound: Cát Tiên's Gibbon Call

What is your favorite sound?

Văn Tân

in Natural Selection

Hoa Bưởi's Fleeting but Fragrant Season Teaches Us to Find Beauty in Impermanence

Every year during this time, I can’t help but hanker for a taste of sugarcane infused with hoa bưởi, or pomelo blossom. Only hoa bưởi’s tender aroma can accentuate the flavor of this humble snack several folds.

in Environment

A Botanical Illustrator Captures Vietnam's Flora on Paper, One Species at a Time

When science and art commingle in a botanical illustration, it’s as if a magical world appears, where colors, brushstrokes, and lighting work together to not only replicate but also breathe life into nature’s best creations.

in Environment

Lúa Ma, the Mekong's Ancient Wild Rice Varieties Holding Secrets to Climate Resilience

“It’s been so long I can barely remember. It’s delicious, fragrant, soft but not sticky,” says Trần Văn Lựa, 53, a farmer from Đồng Tháp Province, south-west Vietnam, recalling the taste of wild rice. As a child, he would harvest the grain during flood season, when wild rice flowers. Today, however, it is a rare sight.

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Cầy Mực, the Fluffy Bearcat Whose Pee Really Smells Like Popcorn

Vietnam is home to a diverse range of species, from the elusive sao la to Hanoi's pungently fragrant hoa sữa. As an ode to the wondrous nature of the country, we're introducing a new article series, Natural Selection. Each article will feature a species of plant or animal native to Vietnam — starting with the laidback cầy mực (binturong).

in Environment

As Saltwater Intrudes More of Mekong Delta, Durian Farmers Struggle to Stay Afloat

Nguyễn Văn Quại, 63, walked slowly on the muddy dirt path in his yard, his hands clasped behind his back. He stopped beside a tree split in half, its branches dipping into the stagnant water of a narrow moat, and gestured towards the rest of his leafless crop — their trunks yellow, their bark cracked and brittle.

Back Society

in Architecture

2 Slim Vietnamese Homes Featured In British Architecture Magazine

2 Vietnamese homes designed by Vietnamese architects have made Deezen Magazine’s list of “10 Super Skinny Houses.”

in Development

Saigon’s Bus Rapid Transit System Set To Launch In 2018

Along with a new metro, Saigon has launched a project to build a $155 million, 6-line bus rapid transit (BRT) system, with the first to be completed by 2018.

in Health

Final Trials Find Dengue Vaccine to Be Highly Effective

Death from dengue fever, which plagues Vietnam and other tropical regions across the globe, may soon be a thing of the past after French drug maker, Sanofi, announced that it had achieved high su...

in Development

[Photos] Inside Thu Thiem’s $87 Million Park

Perhaps Ho Chi Minh City has figured out a way to spark part of its long-stalled Thu Thiem Urban Area project – trade land in exchange for development and infrastructure.

in Health

BBGV 14th Annual Fun Run For Charity

BBGV Annual Fun Run for Charity is an event which allows you to have fun with your fellow co-workers, friends and family but also participate in something which raises money for disadvantaged people t...

in Health

Vietnam Proposes Ban On Sidewalk Alcohol Sales

A new draft decree from the Ministry of Industry and Trade that proposes a ban on sidewalk alcohol sales has come under scrutiny for being “ill-conceived and unfeasible,” according to Thanh Nien.

in Development

HCMC Authorities Push To Fast Track New Airport

With increased air traffic and pressure to accommodate more flights, HCMC authorities are pushing hard to fast track approval for the $10 billion Long Thanh Airport project, reports TTR Weekly.

in Development

Go Vap House Blends Traditional Construction With Contemporary Design

This Go Vap house built by MM++ Architects utilizes low cost materials and combines traditional construction principles with contemporary design for some beautiful results.

in Tech

$189m Plan to Give 300,000 HCMC Students Tablets Draws Criticism

Last week the HCMC Department of Education proposed a plan to equip 300,000 primary students with tablets for the coming school year, reports Thanh Nien. With a pricetag of VND3 million – VND 5 m...

Brian Letwin

in Development

A Look At The Progress Of HCMC's First Metro Line

Now that ground has been broken on the underground stations in District 1, construction of HCMC’s first metro system is in full swing. But with a number of major construction sites across nearly 20km ...

Brian Letwin

in Development

Future Saigon: VINATEX Tower (Võ Văn Kiệt Street)

Vietnam Textile and Garment Group recently announced plans for this mixed residential/commercial tower, which will go up at the corner of Võ Văn Kiệt and Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Streets.

in Tech

Google Street View Arrives In Saigon (Sort Of)

This pseudo Google Street view map of Saigon is the brainchild of photography studio, QuangCao360.

in Health

Dengue Fever On The Rise In HCMC

According to Thanh Nien, doctors in HCMC have noticed an alarming rise in the number of dengue fever cases in recent weeks, especially among adults. To complicate matters, the virus is often misdiagno...

in Tech

‘Watch Your Video’ Virus Hits Vietnamese Facebook Users

Last week, Facebook locked thousands of users accounts following what’s been labeled as the biggest information hack in the history of the internet.

in Tech

'Flappy Bird' Creator To Release New Game Tomorrow

Well, Nguyen Ha Dong, the Vietnamese app developer who at one point was pulling in $55,000 per day, is officially back in the spotlight. After releasing a new version of ‘Flappy Bird’ earlier this mon...

in Development

Design Competition Seeking Your Ideas On How To Make Saigon More Beautiful

Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor for Saigon Makeover, a new design competition for graphic designers, artists and young people at large to share their creative vision of how different parts ...

in Tech

Zero Gravity Flights Coming To Asia

Ever wish you could float like an astronaut in space? Soon you may be able to do so without having to leave Asia.

in Development

Hanoi’s Beautiful 'Greenfall Renovation'

Yeah, we know. Vo Trong Nghia Architects seems to get all the press when it comes to unique housing design in Vietnam, but for good reason. They’re constantly pushing the envelope and seem unafraid of...

in Tech

Vietnamese Telecos: Don’t Expect 4G Anytime Soon

Hoping to see the text “4G” atop your mobile phone screen? You’ll have to wait a bit longer. Instead of upgrading their mobile data networks to 4G, Vietnamese telecommunication companies are focusing ...

in Development

Experts Say Saigon Needs A Plan To Preserve Ancient Trees

Saigon residents voiced their displeasure after 51 trees, some 150 years old, were uprooted and axed to make room for the new Saigon Opera House metro station. This sentiment was echoed by urban tree ...