The Secrets Of Silver

Create your own, one-of-a-kind silver ring, whether as a gift for somebody or just a way to treat yourself There’s always been an aura of mystery surrounding silver, purported to do everything from improving circulation and promoting healing to staving off infections and warning to the presence of toxins. Even the art of silversmithing has … Read more

Deep Rooted Solutions

How Mangrove forests can protect the coastal areas and rice fields of the Mekong Delta from storms and flooding It seems like the time of dramatic pronouncements of climate forecasts: a United Nations report released in October said humans have just over a decade left to reverse the course on climate change, and this should … Read more

River Life

Sam Beumkes captures everyday life along the Saigon River, from exercising and fishing to trading and walking man’s best friend, there’s something about the stillness of the water that makes life a little bit calmer in this bustling city. Vinhomes in District 1 6 in the morning The river homes in District 2 Proof people … Read more

Floating Downstream

With Tet slowly peering around the corner, Vietnam’s waterways will soon be busier than ever The gentle ‘put-put’ of a single-cylinder Chinese diesel engine is the soundtrack to the waterways of Vietnam. While large, modern, metal-hulled freighters and sand barges have taken over much of the heavy lifting required for Vietnam’s rapid modernization and industrial … Read more

From Land To Water

How Saigon is rediscovering its aquatic spirit The Saigon Waterbus (saigonwaterbus.vn) is only about a year old, but the project’s creators see it as a spiritual successor to Vietnam’s lasting historical partnership with the nation’s water resources. The first boat left Bach Dang Station in November 2017, but the idea visited the project’s creators in … Read more

Some R&R

Relax and re-use by the river Schiller River Club (www.facebook.com/schillersaigon) is not just another expat bar, well—at least that’s what German owner and founder Ben Schiller is aiming for. Located way out of town in Thu Duc, this riverside venue is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, a key factor behind its … Read more

Catch A Ride

Bamboo bikes that put social change in the frame While known mostly for their premium handcrafted quilts, Saigon-based social enterprise Mekong Plus ventured into unchartered territory in 2010 with a radical new concept: bamboo bikes. Combining local craftsmanship with a Vietnamese commodity, the bamboo bikes are taking hold globally. A seasoned humanitarian worker with experience … Read more