Khôi Phạm in Natural Selection
A Case for the Sweet-and-Sour Tamarind as Saigon's Official Municipal Tree
What is the municipal tree of Saigon? In popular culture, Hanoi is perhaps intricately linked with the paralyzing but often romanticized aroma of hoa sữa, while just over a hundred kilometers to the e...
Paul Christiansen in Travel
Ruminate on Our Natural Legacies While Surrounded by Cây Sao at Ao Bà Om
I never pass up an opportunity to reflect on chò nâu and its dipterocarp relative, cây sao. The massive trees that gracefully drag bare limbs upwards to unfurl canopies far above our heads were brough...
Requiem for a Bàng Tree That Was Cut Down in Front of My Home
Curiosity drove me downstairs into the downpour. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the municipal workers — clad in orange-and-green uniforms, their clothes soaked — gathering around a crane. Thei...
Paul Christiansen in In Plain Sight
To Appreciate Tao Đàn More, Study the Park's Past, Present, and Future
Shallow shrub and fern roots tussle to send shoots, tendrils and stalks up and outwards, sprawling across uneven ground and grasping at patches of light. A musky, funky, fetid soil stink emanates from...
Keeping Cool in Thủ Đức With This Humble Abode’s Well-Ventilated Design
Thick multi-layer brick walls, shaded areas, water features, and natural ventilation allow this private home to stay cool amidst the city's stifling heat.
A New Reading Space in Trà Vinh Creates Comfort From Recycled Materials
“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us,” according to famed Czech writer Franz Kafka.
Vietnam, Southeast Asian Nations Burst Into the Solar Energy Landscape
Sunny Southeast Asia has made significant strides in solar energy, with solar farm capacity exceeding 20GW across ASEAN countries. Despite this rapid growth and ambitious renewable goals, nations in t...
'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...
Huế Becomes 1st City With Dedicated Lanes on Pavements for Bicycles
The growing popularity of biking as a recreational activity in Vietnam has been acknowledged officially by urban planners in Huế.
A New Company Headquarters Brings a Green Respite to Industrial Đồng Nai
Hammocks, koi ponds and mature trees are not typically associated with industrial parks.
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.
Hidden in the Heart of D5, an Architectural Vestige of 1970s Vietnam-Korea History
For years now, the verdant pine green pavilion in the heart of Hòa Bình Park in District 5 has been a familiar landmark for denizens of Chợ Lớn.
From Trash to Treasure: How Sở Thú Studio Crafts Animated Stories From Scraps
From old newspapers, coffee grounds, used styrofoam boxes, sticks, and more, Sở thú Studio, a collective of young creatives, has created many fascinating animation projects.
Khôi Phạm in Natural Selection
The Rise and Fall of Phượng Vĩ, the Summer Icon of Our Teenage Dreams
I was a teenage cliché. No matter how much I try to rack my brain to find any other personal connection to the incandescently red tree that is phượng vĩ, I keep going back to my middle school crush an...
Khôi Phạm in Culture
What to See, Taste, and Do If You Have a Free Morning in Tân Định
There’s not much you’ll need to do to persuade me to drive, walk, crawl, scuttle or skate along the Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal — I adore its shaded, tree-lined pavements that much.
Amid a Resort, This Thatched Hut Houses a Zero-Waste Water-Bottling Plant
A humble production hut built with recycled bottles, local timber, thatched roof and simple granito concrete floors is used as a bottling facility for drinking water.
On a Hill in Huế, a Glass-Filled Home Welcomes Natural Light With Open Arms
Are hills simply mountains that lack ambition?
Xanh Hà Nội Aims to Plant 1m Trees to Improve Hanoi's Living Environment
Amidst glooming effects of global warming, Xanh Hà Nội’s efforts since 2017 have played a crucial role in trailblazing a community-reliant framework for keeping Vietnamese cities green.
Saigon Students Win Science Contest Silver Medals for Bodhi Tree Leaf Teabags
Sustainable teabags made from bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) leaves earned Ngô Trần Thảo My and Nguyễn Thiên Ngân silver medals at an international event that fosters global awareness of environmental i...
In Huế, a Glass Cottage to Spend the Rest of Your Life With Your Beloved
If somehow your relationship manages to survive illnesses, conflicts, and external temptations to endure until both of you are in your sunset years, how would you spend the rest of your life?
Hanoi Students Create Green Material From Durian Rind to Aid Oil Spill Cleanup
A group of university students has created an aerogel material from durian rind which can help clean up oil spills.
In Đà Lạt, Greenhouses Revolutionize Farming, but at What Environmental Cost?
Plastic greenhouses in the city of Đà Lạt may protect farmers from the impacts of erratic weather, but the environmental toll of agri-plastics is building in the agriculture-dependent region.
[Photos] This Buôn Ma Thuột House Is a Cottagecore Dreamland
In recent years, the Central Highlands has slowly become one of the most sought-after regions in Vietnam for young people to travel and live in.
Vietnamese Students Win Earth Prize for Dragon Fruit Peel Biodegradable Sanitary Pads
A trio of Vietnamese high schoolers claimed the top prize in the environmental awareness competition The Earth Prize 2022 thanks to their project which turned dragon fruit peels into biodegradabl...
Saigon Plans to Add 10ha of Public Parks by End of 2022
The additional parks are part of a goal to have 3–4 square meters of green space per Saigon resident by 2030.
Ride-Hailing Changed How We Commute. Can Ve Chai-Hailing Change How We Recycle?
Mentions of ve chai might evoke images of uncles and aunties pushing around their cart or perched on bicycles, ferrying a host of plastic bags and scrap metal, and occasionally calling out: “Đồng nát ...
[Photos] At Hanoi's Astronomy Park, an Earth-Bound Journey to the Stars
Vietnam's major cities are infamously short on green space, so any new park is noteworthy — particularly when they are as uniquely designed as the Astronomy Park in Hanoi's western suburbs.
Vietnam to Build Nuclear Research Reactor With Help From Russia
With assistance from Russia, Vietnam will build a 10-megawatt nuclear reactor for researching medical treatments that could be the first step in eventually reviving moribund plans to build nuclear pow...
Felled Heritage Trees on Nguyen Binh Khiem Cause Outrage Among Saigoneers
Over the weekend, some Saigoneers were shocked to see images surfacing online showing city maintenance workers chopping down heritage trees along Nguyen Binh Khiem Street.
A Factory Where 'Dead Plastics' Are Reborn as Contemporary Furniture
Saigoneer arrived at PLASTICPeople’s factory on a Friday afternoon after a long-winded ride on National Highway 1A. The sides of the road we took there were casually strewn with unpruned bushes, depos...
[Photo] An Open-Air Cafe in Hoi An to Catch the Morning Sunlight
"I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?” said renowned artist Vincent Willem van Gogh. Perhaps coffee should have been added to the list.
Vietnam Announces New App to Unify All Previous Covid-19 Apps
One app to rule them all.
5ha of Coastal Protection Forest Destroyed by Solar Power Project: 'It Was an Accident'
While carrying out site clearance for a solar power project in Binh Dinh Province, workers unlawfully destroyed a large swath of local coastal protection forest.
Who's Eligible for 'Vaccine Green Pass' and What Activities Are Passholders Allowed?
Fully vaccinated Saigoneers might be able to enjoy more freedom of movement in the future.
Dr. Plastic, the Hanoi Duo Who Give New Life to Single-Use Plastic
Plastic pollution is considered one of the main environmental threats to our planet’s health.
[Photos] In Quang Ninh, a Dilapidated Park Receives New Lease on Life
The 1990s Quang Ninh Park was nearly abandoned in need of a revamp to attract local exercisers and loafers alike.
Enjoy the Simple Things: The Essence of Hanoi's Gian Don Clothing Store
Gian Don is not much of a commercial fashion brand but a "family shop," where Diệu spends her days delivering stories on "friendly" fashion, and puppies are “employed” as sales associates. I visi...
D1 Proposes VND32.5bn Revamp Project of Me Linh Square Park
The VND32.5 billion (US$1.4 million) effort will focus on repairing the Trần Hưng Đạo Statue, planting ornamental trees and performing road repairs.
Linh Pham in Tech
Wonder How Much Air-Con Costs You This Summer? A Homegrown App Can Help.
Vietnam is facing a serious electricity shortage, yet we have no idea how much energy we use everyday.
Vietnamese Architects Are Leaders in the Architecture of the Information Age
Over the past few years, Vietnamese architects have been developing a new architecture beyond modernism for small projects such as houses and schools. Architects around the world are taking notice and...
Living From the Earth at Ninh Binh's Lá Library
A stone's throw away from Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh Province sits La Library, an education center promoting sustainable living through sustainable agriculture farming, earthen building tec...
Saigon Approves Removal of 178 Trees for Bach Dang Wharf Renovation Project
They were nice while they lasted.
Saigoneer Podcast: Recreation; Sustainable Trends in Hanoi and Saigon
A new Saigoneer Podcast is available now!
This Earth Day, Try Insect Snacks, Electric Bikes at D2's 'Sustainability Matters' Event
What better way to celebrate Earth Day?
[Photos] New House in Bat Trang Village Pays Homage to Its Pottery Traditions
The unique house in suburban Hanoi showcases a new way that buildings could lionize the raw beauty of bricks.
After Decades Under the Bed, a 1974 Vietnamese Film Finds an Audience Online
It's 2009 and I'm running a workshop for a large group of unemployed jobseekers in Sydney, Australia.
[Photos] New House in Bat Trang Village Pays Homage to Its Pottery Traditions (2)
The unique house in suburban Hanoi showcases a new way that buildings could lionize the raw beauty of bricks.
Hanoi Greenlights Pilot Project to Install Solar Panels Atop Dong Xuan Market
Some new additions to the roof of Dong Xuan Market will pave the way for more green developments in the city to come.
Vietnam Traffic Police Introduce Bamboo Nozzles for Breathalyzers
Vietnam’s nascent green movement is hitting the streets in a unique way.
Tarp, but Make It Fashion: A Saigon Trio Upcycles Canopies Into Backpacks
With a love for the environment and ample creativity, Kiều Anh, Trang, and Tú Quân have built a unique fashion brand named Dòng Dòng Sài Gòn. The line of bags and other items created from recycled tar...
Ngõ Nooks: Hidden Gem, the Cafe that Recycled Knick-Knacks Built
It is difficult to describe Hidden Gem Café without paraphrasing its name, but I have not found a better way to characterize this wonderful establishment.
2 Buildings in Vietnam Win Dezeen's Urban, Rural House of the Year
A Quang Ngai home with a garden-rich roof and an eco-conscious Da Nang dwelling both snagged 2020 Deezen Awards.
[Photos] An Aerial View of Viettel's Futuristic New Headquarters in Cau Giay
The telecommunication giant's new offices place sustainability at the forefront of its design.
Over 5,000 Solar Systems Were Installed in Saigon This Year
Let there be sun!
[Photos] Vinh House Brings a Slice of the Countryside to Its Urban Neighborhood
Instead of a typical tube house, architects turned this lot in urban Vinh into a rustic home reminiscent of the countryside.
[Photos] On Phu Quoc Island, Jungle-Tucked Bungalows Bring People Closer to Nature
Concrete jungle < actual jungle.
After Storm Noul, Hue Mourns Its Unnamed Victims: 10,000 Trees
Last weekend saw the arrival of Storm Noul, which wreaked havoc on the central coast of Vietnam, causing massive destruction and displacing many families.
[Photos] The Saigon Factory Whose Walls Are Made of Plants
Sign us up for a job here.
Vietnam Increases Carbon Emissions Reduction Target in Next Decade
The country is now aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9% by 2030.
Bring Your Own Containers, We're Going Grocery Shopping
Above a peaceful coffee shop on the quiet road of Nguyễn Khắc Nhu lies a small zero-waste refill shop trying to advocate change.
The Delay Continues for Saigon's Parking Lot Project Under Tao Đàn Park
Ten years after it was first approved, construction of the parking lot below District 1's Tao Đàn Park has again been delayed.
Vietnam Reconsiders Nuclear Power Options in Decade Energy Master Plan
Previous plans to build nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan Province were scrapped in 2016, but the projects might be coming back in the near future.
Hanoi Public School Becomes First in City With Solar Power System
It is part of a program to install solar panels at local schools.
Hanoi to Deploy Water Trucks to Keep Dust, Summer Heat at Bay
Hanoi authorities are planning to re-deploy water trucks to city streets to keep dust and heat at bay in the sweltering summer months.
Saigon Begins Redesigning Park Project in Front of Opera House
When complete, the 1,300-square-meter area will feature trees, vegetation, grass and pathways for communal use.
Saigon Launches Citywide Tree Inspection After Falling Phượng Kills Student
In the near future, some students from Saigon’s public schools might witness the removal of their favorite canopy trees.
[Video] Hanoi Studio Turns Local Student's Drawings Into Kickass Earth Day Animation
Don’t you wish that every time 10-year-old you came up with a kickass comic, a team of veteran artists would step in to turn it into a professional animated short?
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.
Khôi Phạm in Saigon Hẻm Gems
Hẻm Gems: In Saigon's Greenest Cafe, a Rabbit, Cotton and Succulents Galore
On a windy autumn day of 2019, I did what any existentially precarious millennial would eventually do some time in their 20s: I bought a houseplant.
Vietnam, Other Mekong Nations Launch Joint Program to Tackle River Plastic Waste
A regional workshop was recently held to discuss plastic pollution in the Mekong River.
After Thailand Bans Plastic Bags, Shoppers Turn to Buckets, Pots and Pans
On New Year's Day, tens of thousands of stores throughout Thailand stopped giving out plastic bags free of charge.
Saigon Announces Plan for 150-Hectare Multi-Purpose Park in D12
The park will be located in Thanh Xuan and Thoi An wards.
Saigon to Remove Single-Use Plastic Items in Government Agencies
Saigon authorities are moving forward with measures to minimize plastic usage in government functions.
Saigoneer Podcast: Nhậu Roundtable Special & Laiday Refill Station Co-Founder Quyen Nguyen
The new Saigoneer Podcast episode is available now!
[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.
[Photos] Tractors and Cabbages: A Different Da Lat Away From Urban Chaos
Not looking for a fancy destination, I sought out Da Lat for a different perspective that’s comfier, simpler and quieter.
