Century-Old Historic Villa in Đồng Nai Faces Demolition Due to Road Project
It’s yet another case of new infrastructure versus old heritage building — one of Vietnam’s most common urban planning clashes in recent years.
Elise Luong in Architecture
'Slow/ed/ing Architecture': When Architects Ruminate on Architecture Together
The super cute duo that make up the design studio “Exutoire” are Bùi Quý Sơn and Paul-Antoine Lucas. Life and work partners, they moved back(ish) to Vietnam from Oslo last year, and are currently prep...
New Renderings Show Saigon's Plans to Revamp Quách Thị Trang Square
At an estimated cost of VND157 billion (US$6.17 million), the controversial renovation work on the square in front of Bến Thành Market is set to begin this fall and be completed by April 2025.
Paul Christiansen in Travel
How a Film Turned a Historic H'Mông Homestead in Hà Giang Into a Tourist Attraction
The photos don’t do it justice. That’s what you’ll often hear from people who visit Hà Giang to cruise its famed highway loop.
Michael Tatarski in Tech
How Going Digital Could Help Vietnam's Farmers Take Their Produce to the Next Level
In this digital age, farming, especially in developing countries like Vietnam, has maintained a general perception of being an analog, hands-on practice.
Officials Announce (Yet Another) Plan to Restore Historic Đà Lạt-Tháp Chàm Railway
The 84-km railway line connecting Đà Lạt and Tháp Chàm (Phan Rang) was built between 1908 and 1932 and abandoned in 1976.
Tân Sơn Nhất Airport's New Terminal Will Have Áo Dài-Inspired Design
After years of existing on paper, Tân Sơn Nhất’s third terminal (T3) has slowly materialized in the form of visual renderings.
Hanoi Unveils Design for New Floating Opera House Near West Lake
Hanoi is planning to build a 13,000 square-meter floating theater near West Lake with a capacity of around 3,500 seats.
Hanoi Envisions 6 More Metro Lines for City Center by 2050
Earlier this week, Hanoi unveiled a general plan for the underground development of the city center which includes adding six metro lines and 81 underground stations.
Hanoi Demolishes Colonial-Era Factory to Make Room for Office Complex
A French-built factory at 61 Trần Phú, Hanoi is being destroyed to make way for a multi-purpose building.
New Proposal to Move Tôn Đức Thắng Underground to Make Room for Walking Plaza
It's ambitious, to say the least.
FLC Group to Help Build $5bn Railway From Vientiane to Hà Tĩnh
All aboard!
After Years of Delay, Operating Company of Saigon's 1st Metro Line Is Broke
Years of delay, which has been further compounded by the extended pandemic, have depleted the funding for Saigon Metro's operator.
Sun Group Launches Premium Airline With Private Jets for Rich People
Let's hope they still have some money to spend on future cable cars.
After Thủ Đức, Củ Chi Might Become Saigon's Next 'City Within a City'
Two years ago, three districts in Saigon were merged to become Thủ Đức City, Saigon’s first municipal city. Experts and city officials are deliberating a decision to give Củ Chi District a similar upg...
US Investors Reportedly Eye Disneyland, Universal Studios in Vietnam
A group of American investors expressed interests in to building a Disneyland in Saigon, a Universal Studios in Hanoi and a SeaWorld in Khánh Hòa Province.
PM Calls for Faster Progress on Long Thành International Airport
During a visit to the site of the planned Long Thành International Airport in Dong Nai Province last week, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính expressed frustration with the slow progress of the proje...
Huge Tourism Complex Featuring Lotus-Shaped Island Proposed for Phú Quốc
The most notable feature of Selavia, an "all-in-one" tourist destination, is a 180-hectare artificial island shaped like a lotus that will stretch into Phú Quốc's Đầm Bay and contain villas, boat...
Saigon's Infamous 'Ghost Tower' Has a New Developer
Saigon's most notorious ghost tower appears to have a new lease on life.
Hanoi's First Metro Line Will Officially Open Tomorrow
Hanoi's Cat Linh-Ha Dong Line will be the first metro system in Vietnam to commence operation.
Da Lat Forges Ahead on 10-Story Hotel Atop Governor's Palace Hill
The ten-story luxury complex proposed to replace the historic Dinh Tỉnh Trưởng (Provincial Governor's Palace) will include hotels, conference halls, commercial areas, restaurants and botanical gardens...
Da Lat Installs First-Ever Traffic Lights to Stem Road Congestion
A new era has begun for the increasingly busy mountain city.
Pandemic Pushes 80m People in Asia Into Extreme Poverty, ADB Data Shows
The global pandemic has undone decades of economic improvement in some nations.
Da Lat Is Getting First-Ever Traffic Lights to Help With Congestion
Wild times in Da Lat.
Construction of Long Thanh Airport Commences This Week
The massive project in Dong Nai Province will relieve pressure on Tan Son Nhat once completed.
Elise Luong in Architecture
To Teach Children the Importance of Play, First Bring Playgrounds Back to Hanoi
In rapidly developing urban Hanoi, finding engaging outdoor play areas for young children is near impossible. But since 2014, the social enterprise Think Playgrounds has colored public spaces across V...
Vietnam Slightly Advances on UN Human Development Index to No. 117 of 189
Over the last 30 years, Vietnam's HDI (Human Development Index) has grown by 46%, amongst the biggest jump in the world.
Plan for 5 New Rail Lines Linking Saigon to Southern Provinces Approved
Go big or go home.
First Saigon Metro Train Arrives From Japan for Test Runs
Much excite!
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.
HCMC Fine Arts Museum Is Sinking Due to Nearby Skyscraper Construction
Saigon’s Fine Arts Museum is facing some serious structural problems that could pose a threat to passersby and visitors.
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.
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.
[Photos] Feel the Pulse of a Fast-Changing Vietnam in the 1990s
By the mid-1990's, Vietnam's astounding economic transformation was well underway.
Con Dao to Reclaim Sea for $99m Proposed Extension of Airport Runway
Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial authorities have identified a runway extension of Con Dao's airport as a key development project for the region's development.
Saigon Reveals Plans to Spend $17bn on Public Transit Over 10 Years
This is part of an effort to increase public transport usage and reduce private vehicle numbers as traffic and air quality continues to worsen.
Da Nang to Develop $2bn Condo, Casino Complex
The planned complex will be located directly across from My Khe Beach.
Hai Phong to Open New Cable Car Route Connecting Cat Ba, Cat Hai Islands
On June 6, the northern city of Hai Phong will welcome a cable car line connecting Dong Bai Commune on Cat Hai island and Phu Long Commune on Cat Ba island.
PM Endorses Plan to Merge 3 Saigon Districts Into New 'Silicon Valley' Town
The ambitious initiative is part of the city's desire to create the so-called "Vietnam's Silicon Valley."
As Metro Line 1 Nears Completion, Saigon Moves Forward With Plans for Line 3A
The 20-kilometer-long Metro Line 3A would run from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Tan Kien Ward in Binh Chanh District.
Work Begins on Nguyen Van Linh-Nguyen Huu Tho Intersection Upgrade
A major project is underway to relieve congestion at a notorious traffic hotspot in Saigon.
Saigon Announces Design Contest for D2's $64m Opera House Project
The massive 1,700-seat theater is estimated to cost VND1.5 trillion (US$64 million).
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.
[Photos] Tracing Hanoi's Contrast Between Neon and Shadow, Old and New
What is beneath the capital's skin?
Samsung Is Building Its Largest Southeast Asia R&D Center in Hanoi
The electronics giant said that the building will be the biggest such facility in Southeast Asia.
Da Nang's Ultra-Reflective Buildings Draw Ire of Local Residents
Over the past several months, residents of Nguyen Van Linh Street in Da Nang have been taking their morning cà phê sữa đá with a side of blinding glare.
Grab, German Aircraft Maker to Test Air Taxi Feasibility in Southeast Asia
Air taxis are here to help you fly directly into air pollution.
HCMC to Launch Open-Top Sightseeing Bus Service for Tourists
From January 15, these buses will start operating in Districts 1 and 3.
Saigon to Restore Square in Front of Opera House After Years Under Construction
The area has been fenced off for six years to make way for the construction of the metro.
Adrien Jean in Culture
[Photos] The Evolution of Saigon Residents in an Ad, Ad, Ad World
Exploring Saigon’s streets through my lens has helped me to understand the city in a deeper way and to be a witness of its development.
Hyatt Announces 69-Story Skyscraper in D7 Housing 2 Hotels
At 69 floors, the proposed Park Hyatt hotel tower will be one floor higher than Bitexco; but will it look like a shampoo bottle too?
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.
Flights From Southern Vietnam, China Expected at Officially Approved Sapa Airport
It will be Vietnam's 23rd airport and based in a region already struggling with overtourism.
Saigon Metro Construction Avoids Halt as Cost Revisions Approved by Ministries
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has been trying to increase the cost for both of the city's first two metro lines for a while.
Major Extensions Considered for Several Metro Lines
While no sections of Hanoi's metro system are operational yet, city officials are already planning massive extensions for future lines.
Vietnam to Launch New Earth Observation Satellite Into Space in 2023
The observation satellite is designed to aid with disaster and climate change counter-measurement.
Vietnam Jumps 10 Places in WEF's Global Competitiveness Report
This year, the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Competitiveness Report ranks countries on the new Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 introduced last year.
Central Hanoi Streets Blocked Off for Construction of Metro Line
Expect traffic woes for the foreseeable future due to metro construction.
Vietnam Ranks 2nd Among Southeast Asia’s Fastest-Growing Internet Economies
A new report co-written by Google, Singapore government-backed Temasek Holdings, and US-based management consultancy Bain & Company looks at Southeast Asia’s six biggest markets, including Indonesia, ...
New Proposal Seeks to Pedestrianize More Old Quarter Streets
Perhaps Hanoi's Old Quarter streets won't be such a nightmare for pedestrians in the future.
Vietnam Receives Funding From ADB to Build Major Floating Solar Power Plant
If all goes to plan, the region's largest floating solar power plant is coming to Binh Thuan Province.
Hanoi Pondering Plan to Ban Vehicles Around Hoan Kiem Lake
Officials in Hanoi are considering a radical move to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.
Thai Prime Minister Suggests Moving Capital to Help Overcrowded Bangkok
In what seems to be a growing trend among overcrowded Southeast Asian capitals, Thailand's Prime Minister has floated the idea of relocating its capital from Bangkok.
Saigon's First Two Metro Lines Delayed Again
Exactly zero people will be shocked by the news.
How Will Saigon Metro Line 1 Connect With Existing Bus, Water Transport Networks?
While Saigon’s first-ever metro project is inching slowly towards the finish line, city transportation officials are devising plans to integrate the upcoming urban railway into existing public transpo...
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.
Saigon Metro Project Will Halt If Unpaid Bills Are Not Settled, Japanese Ambassador Warns
Even the Japanese contractor has had enough of late payments and delays when it comes to Saigon’s Metro Line 1.
Vietnam to Launch Another Homemade Satellite This December
The satellites will help monitor environmental conditions related to climate change and allow for emergency disaster warnings.
Saigon Needs Smart Cards for Public Transport Instead of Single-Use Tickets: Experts
Could a single contactless card allow riders access to bus, water taxi, tram, monorail and metro routes?
Vietnam Launches First Public Satellite Image Database, 'Data Cube'
The system, a result of a joint effort of the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), has been in development since 2017.
Scientists Reveal Ambitious Plans to Build Made-in-Vietnam Satellites
Vietnamese scientists hope to build and launch domestically produced satellites within the next two years.
Vietnam, Asian Nations to Launch Satellite Network to Track Natural Disasters
Over the last year, Southeast Asia's weather patterns have been fickle to say the least. One minute, the streets of Saigon are disappearing under water, the next we're facing a months-long drought. In...
The Saigon Tax Trade Center Mosaic Staircase: A Forgotten Moroccan Masterpiece
When the Hồ Chí Minh City authorities announced in 2014 that the Saigon Tax Trade Centre was to be demolished and replaced with a 43-storey tower block, many voices were raised in opposition to the de...
City Authorities Agree to Save Elements of Saigon’s Tax Center
While there’s no saving the Tax Center which will soon be demolished to make way for a new 40-story tower, elements of the 90-year-old building will be preserved, according to city officials...
3 Reasons Why Wind Power Has A Strong Future In Vietnam
Not long ago, I traveled to Vietnam’s countryside, mainly in the Mekong Delta provinces. Along the way, I stumbled upon a number of churning wind turbines, showing that the Vietnamese people are becom...
Brian Letwin in Development
As Thu Thiem Stalls, City Rushes to Lure Investors
Development of Thu Thiem was supposed to be the crown jewel of Saigon’s urban expansion. Since 1996, plans have been in place to turn this green swath of land, directly across from District 1, into th...
Brian Letwin in Development
The Ghost Town of Thu Thiem
As we’ve written about before, there are big plans to re-develop Thu Thiem into Saigon’s new business and finance center. For the last few years, the city has demolished entire neighborhoods to clear ...
Brian Letwin in Saigon
Abandoned Temple in District 2
Abandoned Temple. Parts of central District 2 are currently a mish-mash of leveled neighborhoods where all that remain are the skeletons of old buildings.
