in Environment

As Infrastructure Lags Behind, Saigon's Poorest Hardest Hit by Worsening Flooding

In April 2023, in the first downpour of southern Vietnam’s rainy season, the narrow rented room where Mã Thị Diệp and her children were staying in Hồ Chí Minh City was inundated by knee-high water.

Khôi Phạm

in Environment

What I Talk About When I Talk About Vietnam's Penguin Trashcans

Compared to the average Vietnamese, I might be thinking about trashcans a smidgen too much — not just any trashcan, but the infamous penguin-shaped trashcans that are ubiquitous at every corner of our public spaces.

Linh Phạm

in Parks & Rec

House Dance Hanoi Teaches You How to Free the Body

I stood on the top floor of a building on Khâm Thiên Street, feeling grateful for the cold air. I came out here to take a break from the other side of the floor, which was divided into three rooms — three dance studios.

in Environment

Inside Saigon's Grassroots Carton and Aluminum Recycling Plants

With plastics claiming many of the headlines worldwide and constituting a major issue in Vietnam, scant attention is being paid to other recyclable materials, namely cardboard and aluminum.

in Ẽplain

How Táo Xanh Forum Created a Safe Space for Gay Vietnamese Before Social Media

Before Vietnamese could hop on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share our hot takes of the week, there was an era of past cybersphere when online forums were the crucial online space to connect local netizens.

Paul Christiansen

in Environment

As Climate Change Threatens, Flood Waters Usher In Sustainable Opportunities for Communities in the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is developing faster than Google Maps can keep up with. A stretch of road that was too narrow to accommodate cars and required a transition to motorbikes just six months ago was under construction during our August visit. Gargantuan machines for laying pulverized gravel inched aside to let our 7-seater pass so we could reach the home of Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy to check in on her small fish drying home business.

Khôi Phạm

in Natural Selection

10 Species of Lesser-Known Fruits to Get to Know Vietnam's Biodiversity

In the Vietnamese language, the word “cỏ” — meaning “grass” in the literal sense — is often used to signify that something is locally grown, no frills, and charmingly rustic; grassroots, if you will. Chó cỏ is the general term for the adorable mutts, usually mixes between Vietnam’s native dog species, born without the prestige of named breeds, while gym cỏ and net cỏ denote the casual gyms and internet cafes in one’s neighborhood. In the same vein of logic, may I put forth a new name for a special genre of Vietnamese fruits: trái cỏ?

in Architecture

How Vietnamese Architecture Adopted Modernism and Made It Our Own

Ask a person on the street what Vietnam’s distinctive style of architecture is, and the answer you get might be traditional architecture, like the historic curves of northern Vietnam’s village temples or the ornate regality of Nguyễn-Dynasty palaces. This time-honored style is widely accepted as the hallmark of Vietnam’s cultural wealth. What’s more fascinating but lesser-known is how this cultural vestige — which distinguished our architecture from that of China and Japan — has also managed to evolve in the new age, finding ways to exist right in the middle of our modern lifetime.

Back Society

in Environment

Malaysia's Last Remaining Sumatran Rhino Dies

Roughly 80 members of the species remain in the wild, all in Indonesia.

in Tech

New Saigon Trial Uses AI-Powered CCTV Cameras to Catch Traffic Offenders

The artificial intelligence (AI) technology was developed by TSMG, a tech company based in Hanoi that specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) systems and big data.

in Architecture

[Photos] Above Quang Ngai’s Red Roof House, a Vegetable Garden Thrives

The house was built for a middle-aged couple in their 50s who have been living in the area for most of their lives.

in Architecture

[Photos] In Quang Ngai’s Red Roof House, a Vegetable Garden Grows Right Above

The house was built for a middle-aged couple in their 50s who have been living in the area for most of their lives.

in Environment

Environment Ministry Officials Propose Plastic Bag Tax

Would it help break Vietnam's plastic addiction?

in Tech

Vietnam Bans Drones Near Airports After 2 Airplanes Mysteriously Dented

After two commercial flights were seemingly struck by drones, authorities have banned the remote-controlled zip-dive-hover-spinny-boxes in areas surrounding airports across the country.

in Environment

Huge Flock of Endangered Bird Species Appears in Dong Nai

To quote Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park, "Life, uh, finds a way."

in Sports

Vietnam Defeats UAE to Claim Group G’s Top Spot in World Cup Qualifier

The national team hasn’t lost a game since the World Cup 2022 qualification round started.

in Development

Saigon Authorities Cut $147m From Metro Line 1’s Cost

Work on the first metro line is 75% complete.

in Health

Fourth Person Dies of Swine Flu This Year, Dozens Quarantined

A Buddhist nun in the Central Highlands died of swine flu on Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths caused by the disease this year to four.

in Development

JICA Suggests Urban Railways Could Help Reduce Air Pollution in Hanoi, Saigon

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is helping authorities to develop a measuring, reporting and verification system for Vietnam’s urban railway systems.

in Development

JICA Suggests Urban Railway Could Help Reduce Air Pollution in Saigon, Hanoi

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is helping authorities to develop a measuring, reporting and verification system for Vietnam’s urban railway systems.

in Environment

Hanoi Should Clamp Down on Single-Use Plastic, Experts Say

In a meeting last Friday, experts warned Hanoi authorities about the city’s growing plastic waste problem.

in Sports

Coach Park Hang-Seo Extends Contract With Vietnam Football Federation

Good news for Vietnamese football fans!

Kit Humphrey

in Environment

The Campaign Aiming to End Vietnam's Gruesome Buffalo Fights

Sharpened horns, gashed eyes and slashed skin are hallmarks of buffalo fighting festivals that animal rights organizations are trying to close down.

in Environment

Being Human: How Can We Cope With Climate Change Grief?

Saigoneer is proud to announce ‘Being Human,’ our new series dedicated to mental health.

in Architecture

Vo Trong Nghia Studio Wins Dezeen’s 'Architect of the Year' Award

Vo Trong Nghia and his studio have established a reputation both in Vietnam and elsewhere for incorporating local and inexpensive materials in their designs.

in Architecture

[Photos] Spicing up the Typical Saigon Tube House With Geometry and Unusual Colors

The tube house is Saigon’s idiosyncratic architectural feature, but at times, their design can be woefully repetitive and uninspiring. Which makes them the perfect canvas for architects to exercise th...

in Environment

Ocean Cleanup to Pilot Trash-Collecting Boat in Can Tho

Ocean Cleanup is a non-governmental organization found by Dutch engineer Boyan Slat, who aims to remove plastic from the ocean using technology.

in Development

Binh Duong to Build 'World Trade Center' With Link to Saigon Metro

Binh Duong has unveiled plans to construct a massive commercial complex in hopes of boosting the local economy and investment opportunities.