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.
Integrating Creativity and Discovery into Saigon Classrooms through Round Square
After seeing whales wash ashore with rubbish-ruined stomachs and reading the startling statistics related to waste, Saigon residents have woken up to the destructive truth of plastic use and started t...
Coca-Cola Removes Slogan Deemed 'Vulgar' by Culture Department
Coca-Cola’s latest promotional campaign has been embroiled in online controversy after it was deemed “vulgar” by a government agency.
What is ‘STEAM’ and Why Are Schools Implementing it?
If you’re familiar with modern education methods you’ve likely encountered the term ‘STEAM,’ an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, art and maths. But what is it, exactly? Some p...
Cases of Dengue in Hanoi Increase Threefold From 2018
At least 548 dengue fever patients have been admitted to hospitals in Hanoi this year, marking a threefold increase from the same period last year.
First-Ever Permanent Blood Donation Center Opens in Hanoi
Last Saturday, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) opened a blood donation center in Hanoi, which marks a first for the capital.
7-Eleven Japan to Replace Plastic Onigiri Wrapping With Bioplastic Version
Bioplastics, which are derived from plant- and animal-based materials, are believed to be less harmful to the environment than petroleum-based plastics because they produce less greenhouse gas.
[Video] In Remembrance of a Green Ton Duc Thang Past
October 2017 spelled the death of Ton Duc Thang Street in spirit after Saigon maintenance workers started slaying its trees to make way for bridge construction.
Soft Skills and Real World Experiences Lure Vietnamese Students Abroad
Because of the potential for a better education and future, many Vietnamese families have little difficulty deciding to send a child abroad for university.
[Photos] This Delta Brick House Eases Modernity into Tradition
The high nail gets the hammer, so this new home in Tra Vinh aims to blend in with the traditional homes surrounding it.
Michael Tatarski in Environment
How Vietnam's Robusta Farms Could Transform Into Vital Carbon Sinks
Coffee is one of Vietnam’s most important agricultural products, a crop that grows so well in the country’s Central Highlands that it has become the world’s second-largest coffee producer.
Vietnam Officials Find No Competition Violations in Grab-Uber Deal
Vietnam's Competition Council (VCC) has ruled that Grab broke no competition laws when it acquired Uber.
Meet the Nguyen Hue Security Guard Who Fixes Bikes for Free
A wholesome story about a cool security guard might be the best way to perk up your day.
Da Nang to Get 2 New Centers for Transplant, Stem Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery
The two centers are going to be located inside the Da Nang Hospital compound.
Water Pollution's Effects on Human Health Can Reduce 3.5% of Vietnam's GDP
If not addressed, pollution alone could cost Vietnam US$12.4–18.6 million a day by 2030, the World Bank warns.
Khoi Pham in Society
Many Homes in Vietnam Lack Toilets. But Thanks to Women, That's Changing.
At daybreak, when crickets croon and Tan Xuan Commune is still awash in darkness, Chung is already awake. “We will support you in getting access to funding,” she chants several times in front of a mir...
Saigon Becomes 55th Vietnam Locality Infected With African Swine Fever
On June 11, the disease, which is disastrous for pork production but poses no health risks to humans, was identified at a farm in District 9.
Vietnam Has a New Homegrown Social Media App. It's Called 'Hahalolo.'
The homegrown app promises to bring new experiences to the community of traveling enthusiasts.
Fulbright University Breaks Ground on New 15-Hectare Campus in D9
In three years, District 9 in Ho Chi Minh City will be home to Fulbright University Vietnam’s flagship campus and dormitories.
Dong Nai Removes Entire Commune to Make Room for Long Thanh Airport
From June 1, Suoi Trau Commune in Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province no longer exists on Vietnam's administrative map.
[Video] Wheels of Steel: Tearing Across Saigon on Japanese Fixies
Just 10 years ago, the fixed-gear bike was an unfamiliar concept in Vietnam; now, there’s a thriving community of riders here in Saigon with enthusiasts from all walks of life.
