Paul Christiansen

in Environment

Saigon's Weather Dude Is Dedicated to Keeping Saigoneers Dry This Rainy Season

Why is it raining in Saigon? Because it’s the rainy season. Sure, but if you want to be more specific, you can cite conditions in the Bay of Bengal, more than 2,500 kilometers away. It’s there that the wind conditions form that flow across the Gulf of Thailand, sucking up the moisture that drenches Vietnam’s southern metropolis. 

in Architecture

In the Era of Constant Rebuilding, We Turn to Vietnamese Modernism for Nostalgic Comfort

For two years now, I've checked the Vietnamese Modernist Architecture Facebook group almost every day. Here, members post ...

in Environment

How Laos's Dams Are Powering Vietnam, Other ASEAN Nations Despite Mekong Concerns

Following a spate of foreign investment in the 1990s, Laos began producing surplus electricity and looked to export it. Today, around 80% of its energy, largely from hydropower, is sold to neighbors. Electricity exports from Laos generate around US$2.6 billion for what is one of the poorest nations in mainland Southeast Asia. Across the region, neighbors including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia have become reliant on hydropower from Laos. Slowly but surely, however, this is changing.

in Architecture

A Pop-up Night Park Brings the Joy of Playing in the Rain to Phú Mỹ Hưng

A lack of public spaces and activities has been a chronic problem plaguing Saigon’s urban planning since the city experienced its first population boom a few decades ago. If you happen to be near District 7 in the next two months, a pop-up park could be a new option for children, and perhaps some particularly exuberant adults, to frolic in the rain and the evening.

Elise Luong

in Environment

Living, Learning, Loving From the Earth at Ninh Bình's Lá Library

A stone's throw away from Cúc Phương National Park in Ninh Bình Province sits Lá Library, an education center promoting sustainable living through sustainable agriculture farming, earthen building techniques and the art of chilling out.

in Architecture

The Saigon House That Swapped Its Front Door for a Moat

Does a house need walls?

Paul Christiansen

in Natural Selection

Is the Yeti Vietnamese? This Ancient Ape Might Hold the Answer.

Can you name a Vietnamese animal that hasn’t been hunted to the precipice of extinction or become a commodified item whose flesh, fur, or feathers are only deemed significant in relation to their practical use by humans?

in Architecture

This Suburban Hanoi House Answers 'Yes' to 'How Many Windows Do You Want?'

Do you love the tropical summer? Does bathing in the warmth of the sun spark joy in you? How many windows are enough to solar-power your everyday life? If you, too, are toiling with these existential concerns on a daily basis, perhaps this recent residential project might provide some inspiration.

Back Society

in Tech

Vietnam’s Mobile Internet Speeds 2nd Slowest in the World

According to a recent survey by global bandwidth testing company Ookla, Vietnam's 3G speeds are some of the worst on Earth.

in Development

Hà Nội: CAPITAL City - Change Over Time - Part 2

Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor of the Hà Nội: CAPITAL City photo book. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be giving you an overview of the book's fantastic photos and s...

in Development

Metro Line May Cause Saigon Property Values To Skyrocket: CBRE

According to a report, Metro Line: Changing the Face of the Property Market, released by CBRE last Wednesday, Saigon’s first metro line may cause a significant uptick in for the city’s property values...

Brian Letwin

in Development

[Photos] Saigon’s New Pedestrian Promenade Is Open For Business

Work has been completed on schedule for Saigon's new US$20 million pedestrian promenade on Nguyen Hue Street.

in Architecture

National Assembly HQ Wins Grand Prize At VN Architecture Awards

While architecture in Vietnam has taken some major strides over the past decade, it’s rare to see a government building receive high praise for its design. It looks like Hanoi's recently complete...

in Tech

Vietnam’s Undersea Internet Cable Cut Yet Again

Vietnam’s notoriously fragile section of the Asia-America Gateway (AAG) cable has snapped once again in what is becoming a regular event.

in Development

[Video] A Sneak Peek Of Nguyen Hue Street’s Fancy New Water Fountain

The finishing touches are being put on Nguyen Hue Street’s pedestrian promenade that is set to open this month to coincide with the city’s Reunification Day celebrations. While not officially open for...

in Development

Hà Nội: CAPITAL City - Change Over Time - Part 1

Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor of the Hà Nội: CAPITAL City photo book. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be giving you an overview of the book's fantastic photos and s...

in Development

Work on Saigon’s $326m Underground Trade Center to Begin This Year

While Nguyen Hue Street’s pedestrian promenade is set to open this week, a much larger walking street is in the works for downtown Saigon.

in Architecture

Incredible House In Nha Be District Blends Local Architectural Styles And Modern Design

This brick-based, open-air living space from Vietnamese MM++ Architects taps traditional construction methods to bring this home into harmony with its surrounding environment. 

in Environment

Vietnamese-American Actress Stars In Graphic Video, Visits Vietnam To Save Endangered Species (NSFW)

For many mammals, the world is becoming a harsher place as human’s encroach on the land and hunt them for skins, horns and meat (see this utterly depressing map).

in Environment

Climate Change Will Put 'Many' Vietnamese Cities Underwater: Official

While residents in the Vietnam's central highlands face the worst drought in years, 400km to the north, three people died last month as a result of “unusual” floods, the likes of which have not been s...

in Development

For The First Time, Vietnam Is Recruiting Foreign Scientists To Teach At Public Universities

As Vietnam struggles with a scarcity of qualified local professors, the country is looking outside its borders to reach international university standards.

in Development

Hà Nội: CAPITAL City - The Capital City From Above

Saigoneer is proud to be the media sponsor of the Hà Nội: CAPITAL City photo book. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be giving you an overview of the book's fantastic photos and s...

in Tech

AT&T Looks To Expand Into Vietnamese Market

American telecommunications giant AT&T is looking to expand its services into Vietnam, but not in the way that you might expect.

in Health

Saigon’s Golf Course Is Poisoning Local Residents: Experts

Unlike most golf courses, Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Golf Course is located in the heart of a densely populated urban area where it poses a serious environmental threat to those living nearby. Local reside...

in Tech

Uber’s New Service Promises Cheapest Taxis In Saigon, Hanoi

On April 7, Uber launched uberX, a new service that will be at least 25% cheaper than traditional taxi services in Saigon and Hanoi.

in Development

Interview With the Author of the 'Ha Noi: CAPITAL City' Photo Book - Part 2

Following the successful release of their photo book which chronicled urban development in Ho Chi Minh City last year, Michael Waibel and Henning Hilbert are back with a similar en...

in Architecture

[Photos] New Tube House in Binh Duong Offers A Twist On Traditional Vietnamese Architecture

Tube houses have been popular in Vietnamese cities for centuries due to their ability to build airy abodes on small plots of land. Though architectural style has been steadily falling out of favor, ar...

in Health

Vietnam Begins to Issue Fines for Helmetless Children on Motorbikes

Starting this week, Vietnamese traffic police officers will issue fines to motorbike drivers with helmetless children over six-years-old in tow.