Vung Tau: The future beach district of Ho Chi Minh City

Vung Tau construction report, featuring the proposed merger of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province into Ho Chi Minh City, Front Beach projects, Back Beach redevelopment, and updates on proposed urban and inter-provincial railways.

James Clark

ThailandThailand

+2+2

Apr 02, 2025

Merging provinces in Southeast Asia

Vietnam is planning to merge 63 provinces and municipalities down to a total of 34. Should other countries in Southeast Asia consider provincial mergers?

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+2+2

Mar 23, 2025

Hanoi's plan for public space around Hoan Kiem Lake

An ode to the Shark Jaw building in Hanoi, turning tram depots into opera houses, more lakeside demolition for metro construction, and thoughts on if Hanoi should go full Haussmann.

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+1+1

Feb 16, 2025

What Vietnam can learn from other high-speed rail projects

Vietnam has an ambitious plan to build a high-speed railway. Here is what Vietnam can learn from the Laos-China Railway, the Bangkok-Nong Khai High-Speed Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad HSR.

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+1+1

Feb 02, 2025

Technology contenders for the Vietnam high-speed railway

A list of countries that have offered to share high-speed railway technology with Vietnam.

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+2+2

Jan 19, 2025

Ho Chi Minh City construction report

The HCMC Metro and Transport Oriented Development, the many boxy blue towers, Saigon is getting a Nobu, the Thu Thiem New Urban Area is showing signs of life, and bridges update

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+2+2

Dec 18, 2024

Hue construction and transport report

Wandering with cows in abandoned new urban areas, a new megamall, how the high-speed rail will make Hue and Danang commuter cities, and the case of the proposed tramway

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+3+3

Nov 21, 2024

Hoi An/Quang Nam province construction report (2024)

Visiting the new urban areas, abandoned resorts, ghost towns, and haunted castles of the Hoi An-Danang resort coast.

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+2+2

Oct 30, 2024

Hanoi Metro Report (2024): Review of Line 3 and Line 2A

A review of the two metro lines of Hanoi, including the separate ticketing systems, lack of planning for future interchanges, and an overview of what lines are planned next for construction.

James Clark

Dong HoiDong Hoi

+2+2

Aug 05, 2024

Dong Hoi construction update – 2024 edition

Dong Hoi is the capital of Quang Binh Province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam. The city aspires to be a major tourism destination, but many high-profile construction projects remain unfinished. This construction report is from my visit in August 2024.

James Clark

VietnamVietnam

+1+1

Apr 07, 2024

Nha Trang construction update – 2024 edition

Updates on construction in Nha Trang, including current and stalled projects, and the Vega City development.

James Clark

Vung TauVung Tau

+2+2

Feb 18, 2024

Vung Tau construction update: 2024 edition

A report on Vung Tau construction projects, and following the path of a proposed urban railway.

James Clark