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.
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).
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.
Khôi Phạm in Tech
On Vietnam's Internet, You're a Mom, I'm a Mom, Everyone Is a Mom
I am a mom. Well, not in the most conventional meaning of the word — I am childless, and it’s still biologically impossible for men to give birth the last time I checked, but for most of my existence on the Vietnamese cybersphere, I have been using the designation “mẹ” amongst my closest friends.
Khôi Phạm in Architecture
On Phú Quý Island, a Curious Collection of Modernist Houses From Central Vietnam
From the 1960s towards the end of the 1970s, urban centers in southern Vietnam saw robust and widespread growth of modernist influences in architecture. Still, outside the usual foci of the movement like Saigon, Cần Thơ or Mỹ Tho, how has this unique form of vernacular architectural expression been transformed?
Văn Tân in Architecture
An Homage to Courtyards, the Heart of Traditional Vietnamese Homes
This time of the year, the giáng hương tree in my grandma’s courtyard is probably blooming with clusters of golden blossoms, enticing the kids in the neighborhood to gather around it and carefully pick off the prettiest petals to create makeshift jewelry.
Mầm in Parks & Rec
The Young Vietnamese Artisans Breathing New Life Into Animals Carcasses
Skeletons and carcasses are often reminiscent of eerie, spine-chilling scenes in horror movies. But in the taxidermy community, animal corpses are of great value for artisans to create unique works that blur the line between life and death.
Dams, Sand, Rice: The Life and Possible Death of the Mekong Delta
What would Vietnam be without the Mekong Delta?
Michael Tatarski in Environment
Vietnam's New Nature Reserve, Khe Nuoc Trong, Is a Sign of Hope for Biodiversity
In a move wildlife conservationists are hailing as a victory, Vietnam has established a new nature reserve encompassing critical habitat for numerous species, several of them threatened globally with ...
[Photos] On Phu Quoc Island, Jungle-Tucked Bungalows Bring People Closer to Nature
Concrete jungle < actual jungle.
Vietnam Ranked 2nd in ASEAN in Efforts to Reduce Inequality: Report
Only Thailand rated higher than Vietnam in the region.
Hanoi Is Considering Building a Second Airport to the South
To accommodate the capital’s rising demand for air travel, Hanoi officials are considering building a second airport.
Saigon to Open New 1,000-Bed Oncology Hospital With Helipad Next Month
After years of delay, the second campus of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital will finally open its doors to patients next month.
[Photos] A Glow-up Turns an Antique Shophouse Into a Hip Creative Space
Who says you can't combine work and play?
Hanoi Gears up to Start Building Metro Line 5 in 2022
The proposed route would cover 39 kilometers.
Vietnam Will Allow Phone Use in Class for Educational Purposes
This doesn't mean students will be able to use Facebook and TikTok during class though.
US to Open Southeast Asia CDC Office in Hanoi
The office will allow the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to have an increased presence in monitoring, aiding responses to, and learning from health issues, including COVID-19...
[Photos] The Saigon Factory Whose Walls Are Made of Plants
Sign us up for a job here.
Hanoi, Saigon Report Cases of Rare Poisoning Linked to Vegan Pâté
In recent weeks, Vietnam has recorded more than a dozen cases of botulism, a rare and dangerous disease that disables its victims’ nerves, causing paralysis.
3 Endangered Langurs Were Released Back Into the Wild in Ninh Binh
The trio of critically endangered Delacour's langurs (voọc mông trắng) had been at a conservation center in Cuc Phuong National Park.
Vietnamese Tech Company VNG Sues TikTok for Using Zing Music Illegally
The lawsuit is related to alleged copyright infringement.
New Decree Imposes up to VND100m Penalty on Spam Texts, Calls
Will this stop the barrage of real estate and online game solicitations attacking our inboxes?
Vietnam Plans Can Tho-Ca Mau Expressway to Improve Mekong Delta Traffic
The 130-kilometer-long highway would connect the two Mekong Delta cities by 2025.
Plans to Build Hotel Complex on Da Lat's Đồi Dinh Opposed by Experts
Da Lat authorities are moving forward with a master plan to redesign the city’s central area, but the project has been controversial from the start.
Eco-Kindergarten in Vinh Recognized by Australian Architecture Awards
Designing a highly stylized and functional school not only provides kids with a conducive learning environment, it also wins international attention.
Vietnam's Healthcare Workers Infected With Covid-19 to Receive VND10m
The funds will go toward healthcare workers who get infected with the novel coronavirus.
Hanoi Proposes More Runways, Terminals in Future Noi Bai Expansions
If the plan comes to fruition, Noi Bai would get two new runways and multiple new terminals in the future.
