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.
3 Vietnamese Make “World's Most Influential Scientific Minds” List
3 Vietnamese scientists: Dam Thanh Son, Nguyen Son Binh and Nguyen Xuan Hung, have made Thomson Reuters’ list of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.
Brian Letwin in Development
[Photos] Future Saigon: The Thu Thiem Financial Center
British design firm, Foster and Partners recently released renderings for Thu Thiem’s financial center and they’re well, dreamy?
DX Mornings 2: Why Your Products Suck @ The Cube
From the organizer: Tony Ho will show us why our products suck and how we can use design to improve user experience.
Vietnamese Bamboo House Design Highlighted At International Architecture Awards
As one of the top 3 countries most vulnerable to natural disasters, living with floods is a difficult reality for many in Vietnam.
Vietnam Climbs English Rankings In Recent Survey
Vietnam is climbing up the ranks of English proficiency based on a recent survey by Education First.
Saigon Mechanics Make Their Own Vespa 946
A group of enterprising welding technicians in District 11 are trying their hand at making their own Vespa 946. This limited edition bike from Piaggio costs about VND349 million in Vietnam and is the ...
Mastercard Brings Card Payment To Ben Thanh Market
Now you can use your credit card to buy fake DVD sets and crappy t-shirts at Ben Thanh Market.
Vietnam’s Coral Reefs On The Brink Of Extinction
Coral reefs around the world have been seriously degraded over the past 20 years and Vietnam’s are no exception. These ecosystems, which are vital to sustaining oceanic biodiversity, are very sensitiv...
[Photos] Thu Duc’s Beautiful M11 House
In a reminder that Vo Trong Nghia Architects isn't the only high-end design game in town, a21studio’s M11 house in Thu Duc District could convince us to move 30 minutes into HCMC’s suburbs.
Brian Letwin in Tech
Battle Of The Taxi Apps: Uber Arrives In Vietnam
As GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi make inroads in brining Vietnam’s personal transportation services into the digital age, one of the sexiest names in the space is getting ready to rev its engine in Saigon.
HCMC House Wins 1st Prize At International Design Competition
After winning Archdaily’s House of the Year Award back in April, Vo Trong Nghia Architects have just added more hardware to their collection for their House for Trees in Binh Thanh District.
Endangered Tigers Thrown From Truck Recovering
The two tigers thrown at police during their pursuit of wildlife smugglers last week are recovering from injuries, reports VNExpress.
This Asian Diamond Mine Is Both Impressive and Frightening
The city of Mirny is just like any other in the Republic of Yakutia. Except that it boasts a 525 meter deep, 1.2 kilometer wide hole.
Marketing & Media Network @ Cargo
From the organizer: Join us for July's “M2 – Marketing & Media Network” event for people interested in advertising, digital, marketing, media and technology.
Brian Letwin in Tech
Dreaming Of The Stars, Vietnam Pushes Ahead With Aerospace Center
Associate Professor Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam National Satellite Center (VNSC), has confirmed that the country is building its first aerospace center in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.
Future Saigon: The SSG Tower
You may have noticed the massive building going up in Binh Thanh District on Dien Bien Phu Street, just before the Saigon Bridge. The SSG tower, slated for completion by late 2015, will house offices,...
EuroCham: Vietnam’s GDP Could Reach 21% With EU Trade Deal
Speaking at the Vietnam Business Forum last week, a senior EU official said that Vietnam’s annual GDP could see an additional 15% boost if it reached a free trade agreement with the EU by the end of t...
Brian Letwin in Development
5 Amazingly Designed Homes in Saigon
While Saigon is known for its ubiquitous rectangular houses, the city boasts some fine examples of unique and beautifully designed homes. Some are topped with trees, others allow for the maximum flow ...
[Photos] Changes to Saigon’s Skyline (2003-2014): Part 2
Due to the popularity of previous articles capturing the physical changes of Saigon’s skyline over the past decade, we’ve managed to cobble together a new set of photos.
Brian Letwin in Development
Future Saigon: The Thu Thiem Marina
While there’s still a long ways to go before the Thu Thiem is completed (or started, for that matter), there are plans to build Saigon’s first marina on the southeast side of the new urban area.
