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.
Tieu Chinh Nguyen, the 'Godfather' of Saigon Street Basketball, Passes Away at 74
Tieu Chinh Nguyen, 74, was a familiar face at Phu Tho stadium, a popular playground for Saigon's basketball enthusiasts.
[Photos] New Hanoi Library Allows Kids to Read, Climb and Learn about Aquaponics
Many libraries around the world are becoming dusty, outdated institutions, with some struggling to retain members. Others are considering digitization to attract new members. This new, open-air librar...
FLC Proposes 100,000-Seat Stadium, F1 Track, Zoo, Theme Park, Golf Course in Hanoi Complex
Last November it was officially confirmed that Hanoi will host Vietnam’s first-ever Formula One race. With their latest proposal, FLC Group is taking development plans in the capital to a whole new le...
Climate Change Is Forcing People Out of the Mekong Delta
The Vietnamese Mekong Delta is one of Earth’s most agriculturally productive regions and is of global importance for its exports of rice, shrimp, and fruit. The 18m inhabitants of this low-lying river...
One-Third of Students in Saigon Face Stress, Cyberbullying: Survey
A new survey conducted by Saigon's Department of Education and Training reveals unsettling realities regarding student well-being.
[Photos] This House in Ninh Binh Is the Antithesis of Gaudy Mansions
Completed in 2018, this dour, utilitarian house in Ninh Binh is a direct rebellion against the province’s growing population of gaudy mansions.
[Photos] This Spacious Garden Home is an Antidote to Hanoi's Cluttered Suburbs
ODDO architects have combined red bricks and rooftop garden spaces to create a spacious family home in an otherwise claustrophobic suburb.
[Video] The Remarkable Rise of Landmark 81 in a 30-Second Timelapse
There's nothing bold in saying that Saigon is changing right before our eyes, but it's rare that you get to see every step of a building going up.
People With Disabilities Make up Over 7% of Vietnam's Population: UNICEF
According to a recent UNICEF study, there are 6.2 million people with disabilities in Vietnam, accounting for 7% of the country’s population.
Vietnamese Bile Farms Are Collapsing, Yet Bears Continue to Face Neglect
Consumer interest in farmed bear bile seems to be declining in Vietnam, according to a new study. But this isn’t necessarily good news, researchers say, because it raises concerns for both captive and...
Quang Tri Hospital Saves Man From Methanol Poisoning by Feeding Him 15 Cans of Beer
Alcohol poisoning is a common problem in Vietnam, but this is among the handful of times when beer acted as an antidote, instead of the poison.
Vietnamese Lifestyle Startup WeFit Secures $1m in Funding
The startup was launched in late 2016.
To Improve Its Reading Culture, Vietnam Needs to Teach Children to Love Books: Expert
During a meeting reflecting on Vietnam's Book Day which was founded five years ago, Vice Director of Vietnam Publishing Group Le Hoang laid out four proposals for cultivating a stronger reading c...
Vietnam Approves Additional Funding for Saigon's Metro Line 1, 2
Hopefully, the increased funding can help alleviate the crises surrounding the construction of the first metro line and kick start the second line's construction.
[Photos] Local Architects Create Modular Rest Stop Amid Nghe An's Tea Oasis
Instead of making over an old apartment or creating towering domes out of bamboo to exercise their creative muscles, a local architecture firm decided to create an abstract “gazebo” out of modula...
Across All Vietnam, Hanoians Expected to Live the Longest
According to the latest official statistics, Hanoi currently boasts the nation's longest life expectancy.
[Video] Saigon Jewelry Brand Wins Hearts With Inclusive TVC Featuring Gay Couple
Is this one of the most inclusive advertising campaigns in recent history?
Robot Combat Show Brings Metallic Carnage to Primetime in Vietnam
While many enjoy watching robots like Transformers do battle on the big screen, some Vietnamese audiences have developed an appetite for real steel.
Hanoi to Construct Waste-to-Electricity Processing Plants in Response to Growing Trash Issues
In an effort to solve Hanoi’s growing trash problem, the city plants to build multiple waste-processing plants that will convert trash into electricity.
After a Year Without Salary, Saigon Veterinary Department Sees Mass Exodus of Employees
The entire veterinarian staff at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary has not been paid since the beginning of 2018.
