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.
Quy Nhơn’s Quy Hoà Leprosy Village to Be Relocated for Mega Resort Project
Authorities in Gia Lai Province have approved plans to relocate the Quy Hoà leprosy village from its current ocean-side setting in Quy Nhơn to make room for an ambitious real estate and tourism project.
Opinion: Electric Vehicles Are Southeast Asia's Way out Amid the Global Fossil Fuel Crisis
As the Iran war crunches global energy supplies and disrupts prices, Southeast Asian leaders may need to diversify oil and gas supplies in order to protect ordinary people.
Paul Christiansen in Environment
An Ancient Turtle Named After Bánh Xèo Can Teach Us a Lot About Whimsy in Science
Nước mắm — that ruby-hued elixir; that salty, fish-flesh-sweet open secret in your favorite recipe; that indispensable icon of Vietnamese culture and, by extension, identity — owes itself to Commerson’s anchovies. That’s right, if your fish sauce comes from the central region, where it was first developed, the fish pressed with salt to produce it are Stolephorus commersonnii, a species named in 1801 after Philibert Commerson, a white Frenchman. Picture all the hardscrabble village homes suffering under the yoke of colonialism, where one of the day’s few pleasures was a humble meal made delicious by a carefully rationed dash of fish sauce and an ingredient whose name pays homage to their colonizers.
New Job Postings Reignite Rumors of Apple's Vietnam Expansion
Over the past few days, Apple fans in Vietnam have been abuzz with speculation after the tech giant posted numerous new job postings based in the country.
Central Highlands Coffee Farmers on Tenterhooks as Lack of Rainfall Dries Region
While the Mekong Delta struggles through a historic drought, the Central Highlands is dealing with its own lack of rainfall.
Vsmart Climbs to 3rd Spot Among Vietnam's Most Popular Phone Brands
Vsmart, the smartphone company owned by Vingroup, is behind only Samsung and Oppo in terms of market share, according to new data.
Vung Tau Plans New Airport on Go Gang Island to Replace Existing One
Authorities of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province have decided to move forward with a plan to construct a new airport.
Tracing the Reincarnation of Plastic Waste in Saigon's Informal Recycling Workshops
The text message said to be ready at 4:30am at my street corner, where I would be picked up for the drive to the plastics recycling center. I had been wanting to visit the site for this article and th...
66% of Covid-19 Cases in Hanoi Are Asymptomatic, Health Officials Say
Hanoi officials have warned of increased risk of Covid-19 outbreaks, as it was reported that 66.6% of confirmed cases in the capital were found to be asymptomatic.
[Photos] Inside a New School for Lao Cai Children, Built by Hanoi Architects
While some students in Saigon bemoan slow internet that hampers their distance education at home, there are communities in Vietnam’s remote areas whose only school can barely withstand the elements.
After Lockdown, Bach Mai Criticized Over Clip Showing Doctors Gathering Without Masks
Hanoi’s lockdown order on Bach Mai Hospital was lifted over the weekend, but the hospital is now facing censure over a video that surfaced online.
Vingroup, Bkav Pivot to Producing Ventilators to Help Curb Coronavirus
Amid the ongoing coronavrius pandemic, several Vietnamese manufacturing companies have shifted to producing medical equipment.
Khoi Pham in Tech
How 2 Vietnamese Software Engineers Created a Site to Track the Covid-19 Outbreak
What have you accomplished today while practicing social distancing at home? Did you work on the family’s trellises of gourds, attempt to whisk up a frothy glass of dalgona coffee, or learn a new lang...
Trains for Saigon’s First Metro Line Undergo Final Testing in Japan
On April 11, Saigon’s Urban Railway Management Board announced that the trains ordered to serve the city’s first metro line had begun their final technical inspections in Japan.
90% of Vietnamese Surveyed in WWF Covid-19 Study Support Closing Wildlife Markets
The first survey analyzing public opinion about the connection between COVID-19 and the wildlife trade in Asia shows widespread support for the elimination of wildlife markets.
Saigon's Blood Reserve Faces Critical Shortage as Pandemic Cancels Donation Drives
Saigon’s public hospitals will face an acute blood shortage in the next few days if the lack of donors continues.
Vietnam Only Records 4 New Covid-19 Cases Over the Weekend
The nation's tally for Covid-19 cases hit 241 on Sunday night, but Monday arrived without any new patients testing positive since the previous evening.
[Photos] A Da Nang House Reimagined as a 'Red Brick' Hostel
Turns out one can break down an old house into a hostel the same way one breaks down a brick of cheese into enticing nibbles.
Saigon, Hanoi to Discharge 30 Covid-19 Patients Today, Including Case 17
As the number of Covid-19 cases in Vietnam continues to rise, many patients across the country have also recovered.
3 Covid-19 Patients in Da Nang Discharged; Dozens More Test Negative
There are 136 Covid-19 patients currently being treated in medical facilities in Vietnam.
Citizens, Especially Those Over 60, Should Stay Home, Health Ministry Warns
As Covid-19 cases in Vietnam continue to climb over 100, the health ministry has warned people from going out.
Michael Tatarski in Architecture
From Nature, Vietnam Slowly Forges Its Own Brand of Contemporary Architecture
When it comes to architecture in Saigon, a tiny fraction of buildings receive the vast majority of attention.
Mekong Delta Slammed by Worst Drought, Saltwater Intrusion in Decades
While the Covid-19 pandemic has understandably dominated the news recently, a disaster is unfolding in the Mekong Delta.
