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 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 ...
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Brian Letwin in Development
Singapore Apartment Building Sets Record For World’s Largest Vertical Gargen
The new Eximbank Tower may be bringing some much needed greenery to Saigon’s skyline but Singapore’s new Tree House condominium building, which has set a Guinness World Record for largest vertical gar...
Future Saigon: Ton Duc Thang Street
Over the past 20 years, Ton Duc Thang has transformed from a tree-lined street of colonial buildings to a strip of high rise offices and hotels. The stretch along the water is of particular value to d...
Vo Trong Nghia Architects’ Amazing Brick And Bamboo Factory Renovation
Houses and schools aren’t the only tricks Award-winning Vo Trong Nghia Architects have in their bag. Completed late last year, their renovation of Viet Vuong Co. Ltd.’s HCMC garment factory is their s...
Report: Vietnam’s Internet Second Slowest In Asia
Even though internet access is everywhere, from coffee shops to public busses, Vietnam ranks near the very bottom in Asia when it comes to speed.
New $1 Billion Plant Will Allow Samsung To Make Nearly All Its Products In Vietnam
Electronics giant Samsung was recently granted an investment certificate for its new $1 billion screen plant in Bac Ninh. While it brings Samsung’s investment in the country to a whopping $6.85 billio...
PM Orders Removal Of Settlements Along Vietnam’s Train Tracks
The famous scenes of life taking place on Vietnam’s train tracks may soon be a thing of the past now that a plan to remove illegal shops and homes has been approved by the Prime Minister.
[Photos] Who Said Pollution Masks Can’t Be Fashionable?
For the throngs of women across Vietnam who sacrifice fashion for health, there may be a solution.
New Design Competition Seeks To Beautify HCMC
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 ...
