Hoi An ancient houses risk collapse over degradation
Many ancient houses in the central ancient city of Hoi An have deteriorated, but restoration is not feasible due to their designation as protected heritage sites.
Banning motorcycles in Hanoi is not so straightforward
Hanoi stands at a critical crossroads. The city’s air quality and traffic congestion have long been in a state of crisis, and bold action is needed to reverse the damage.
HCMC approves $9B Can Gio coastal urban development project
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved the planning for the Can Gio coastal urban area, which covers an area of 2,870 hectares and is projected to attract nearly US$9 billion in private investment.
100-year-old villa faces demolition for road project in southern Vietnam
A 100-year-old French-style villa in southern Dong Nai Province may be demolished to make way for a riverine road project in Bien Hoa City.
HCMC sidewalks are for everyone except pedestrians
A recent survey put Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi among Asia’s best cities for tourists to explore on foot, but readers strongly disagreed.
Hoi An’s Pagoda Bridge reopened after 19 months of renovation
Chua Cau (Japanese Pagoda Bridge), a historic landmark in the ancient city of Hoi An, has reopened to visitors following a 19-month closure for restoration work.
In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the lure of moving to the city grows even stronger amid climate shocks
The lure of the city has always been strong for the poor in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
Crossing Vietnamese streets, pedestrians are at mercy of drivers
The unwritten Vietnamese rule has become that pedestrians need to raise their hand to seek permission to cross the crowded streets, and then motorists can decide if they’ll allow it.
Putting a stop to the noise epidemic
Everyone complains about the karaoke noise epidemic, but I have never seen a regulatory body bring a noise measuring device to check the levels in my neighborhood.
‘Vietnam has an amazing system that allows you to catch local buses between regional centers’
I went on a bus! Not a big thing for most people, but I went on a bus for the first time, alone, and in Ho Chi Minh City. The bus network has always been a bastion of fear for…
Chinese firm joins bridge, metro line projects in Hanoi
The Hanoi Department of Transport, China Pacific Construction Group, and Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint stock Corporation (Vinaconex) on Thursday morning inked a memorandum of understanding to study and build Tu Lien Bridge and metro link No. 5 in the…
Nha Trang reclaims resort beach for public use
A private luxury resort along the coastal road in Nha Trang has been dismantled to create open space for the public to enjoy the city’s famed natural beach.
Vung Tau wants pedestrian tunnels for its beach
Vung Tau authorities want to build eight tunnels leading straight to its most popular beach, Bai Sau (Back Beach).
HCMC prepares sidewalks for fee collection in 2024
Several HCMC districts have listed roads with wide sidewalks and drawn lines on them to prepare for fee collection in 2024.
Ho Chi Minh City urban street fest offers vibrant fusion of culture, art delights
The Saigon Urban Street Fest has unfolded with a captivating array of contemporary circus, comedy, and free street dancing in front of the Saigon Central Post Office in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam wants garbage classified next year at latest
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered localities to start enforcing a new three-category trash sorting policy no later than Dec. 31, 2024.
Lack of water a devastating problem for Hanoians
Nguyen Thi Phuong drives 70 km daily, from Hanoi’s Nam Tu Liem District to her hometown in Phuc Tho District and back, to bring 100 liters of water to her family.
HCMC’s ‘sleep boxes’ are uncharted territory for Vietnam
« Sleep boxes » measuring two square meters are a trending housing option in HCMC for people with low incomes, but they lack safety from fire and other hazards.
Saigon residents lose homes after buying cheap land via hand-written papers
Many families in HCMC’s Binh Tan District had to hand over their homes after authorities followed up on warnings made years ago that the land they bought was encroaching public land.
NA committee questions sluggish progress on metro projects
The National Assembly’s Economic Committee said the deployment and investment for metro lines in Hanoi and HCMC have been very slow, and requested parties to clarify the projects’ progress and expected completion.
Iconic Ben Thanh Market dilapidated after 100 years
The historic Ben Thanh Market, traditionally considered the heart and soul of Ho Chi Minh City, is looking increasingly dank and unappealing with a leaky roof and discolored walls.
Public square set for HCMC’s Ben Thanh Market
A plan has been approved to spend VND157 billion (US$6.42 million) on building a public square in front of Ben Thanh Market in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
Saigon Opera House to get $13.8M facelift
The 123-year-old Saigon Opera House in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City will be restored for VND337 billion (US$13.86 million).
Villa owners sue Phu Quoc chairman for forced demolitions
The chairman of Phu Quoc Island City has appealed against a court’s decision which ruled that the city authorities violated regulations when dismantling two illegal villas on the island.
Hanoi and its urban planning problems
A few days ago, I went to the market looking for flowers to put on my family’s altar, but there was nothing left as people had bought them to pay tribute to victims of an apartment fire.
HCMC wants 27 million m3 of sand mined for reclamation project
HCMC wants to extract 10 sand mines at the Can Gio sea region, totaling 27 million m3 of sand, for a reclamation urban tourism area project.