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.
Da Nang Launches Free, City-Wide WiFi Network
In the works since 2003, Da Nang’s free WIFI network has been officially launched after a successful year-long trial, reports DTI News.
[Photos] Vietnam’s Second Tallest Building Set To Open
The second tallest building in Vietnam, the Hà Nội Lotte Center, is in its final stages of construction and is set to open for public use on September 2 after 5 years of construction, according to Zin...
Brian Letwin in Tech
Dong Nguyen Brings 'Flappy Bird' Back To Life
Get ready for an uptick in your blood pressure. Flappy Bird is back.
M2 Marketing & Media Networking @ Cargo
From the organizer: Join us for August's “M2 – Marketing & Media Network” event for people interested in advertising, digital, marketing, media and technology.
PM Approves High-Speed Rail and Airport Upgrades in Massive Transportation Overhaul
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has issued a sweeping plan to overhaul Vietnam’s transportation infrastructure through 2020, covering everything from high-speed rail to airport upgrades reports Vietnam...
7 Vietnamese Tech Products That Have Become International Hits
TechinAsia recently posted a list of 7 remarkable Vietnamese technologies that have become international standouts. From robots to iOS apps, Vietnam is slowly but surely reaching impressive technologi...
Brian Letwin in Development
House 81: An Urban Oasis In District 2
This beautiful District 2 home, built by architecture firm, REALarchitecture, has some pretty impressive design elements that erase the distinction between indoor/outdoor spac...
Intel Plans To Produce 80% Of Its Processors In Vietnam By Next Year
Yesterday, Intel announced that by this time next year, it hopes to be producing 80% of its semiconductor chips in Vietnam, reports Tuoi Tre.
A Look At Hanoi’s Stalled $1 Billion Metro Line
Hanoi’s first metro line, approved 6 years ago, is planned to be completed in 2017. However, unlike its Saigon counterpart, very little progress has been on the 12.5km line, reports VN Express.
Expo Milano 2015 To Feature Võ Trọng Nghĩa’s Lotus-Inspired Pavilion
World Expo 2015, an international event that embraces technology, innovation, culture, traditions and creativity will be held in Milan, Italy next year and renowned Võ Trọng Nghĩa Architects will...
Microsoft Is Shifting Its Phone Production From China To Vietnam
As part of Microsoft’s restructuring plans for its Nokia operations, the company is planning to move the bulk of phone production from China to Vietnam, according to ZDNet.
Construction Of Saigon’s First Metro Terminal In D1 Starts Today
It’s actually happening. After subtle hints over the past few weeks, authorities have announced that construction on the underground section of Saigon’s first metro line will begin today, reports Tuoi...
Canadian Artist Reimagines Saigon's Architecture
Stories have recently surfaced about historical buildings in Saigon that have been or are on their way to being destroyed to make room for new, modern offices and luxury apartments.
Infiniti Makes Vietnam Debut
Yet another luxury brand has set up shop in Vietnam to take advantage if the population’s growing wealth, this time Japanese carmaker Infiniti.
[Photos] 2030 Phu Quoc Master Plan Approved
Saigon isn’t the only place eying a 2030 makeover. The Phu Quoc People’s Committee has approved a master plan that hopes to make the island a center for tourism and commerce.
Apple Sets Its Sights On Vietnam
After basically ignoring the Vietnamese market for years, Apple is stepping up its game in the brand-obsessed country, partnering with FPT to distribute its products, reports Bloomberg.
Mekong River Region: Global Diversity Hotspot
With 367 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong Region over the past 2 years, the World Wildlife Foundation has proclaimed it to be a Global Diversity Hotspot.
International Marathon To Take Place In Sa Pa
A marathon through the hills of Sa Pa is set to take place on September 20 and 21 with more than 450 athletes from 43 countries having already registered.
[Video] How Poverty Is Stopping Vietnamese Girls From Obtaining An Education
From doing chores around the house, running a ferry service to harvesting crops, for many young girls in Vietnam, bringing in income for the family trumps education. This video captures the reality of...
Number of Vietnamese Super-Rich Has Increased by 400% Over the Past Decade
A World Bank report released earlier this week found that the number of super-rich, has rapidly increased over the last 10 years. I guess this explains the fugly castle phenomenon.
