This week, we begin (1:00) with a discussion about wildlife consumption in Vietnam. A recently-published study found cornavirus strains in a majority of field rat and bat guano samples taken in Vietnam from 2013 to 2014. What could these findings - and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic - mean for the eating of bushmeat here? Then (20:13), on a lighter note, we share some of our favorite recent street food, cafe and restaurant finds in Saigon. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (30:53).
Jul 05, 2020•42 min
On this week's show, our Urbanist Hanoi colleague shares what life in the capital was like during the peak of Vietnam's coronavirus outbreak in February and March (1:22), and how daily life has recovered over the last several weeks. Then (16:51), architect Mel Schenck becomes our first repeat guest after his appearance on our third episode ages ago. We discuss his new book, 'Southern Vietnam Modernist Architecture,' and how appreciation of this style has changed over the last few years. The book...
Jun 28, 2020•49 min
On this week's single-topic show, we look (1:11) at how people of different genders and generations utilize different businesses and spaces in Saigon for civic life - or to just hang out with friends. From open-front cafes dominated by middle-aged men to convenience stores and roadside tea vendors popular with groups of gender-diverse youths, what do the city's spaces say about who visits them? And would floating cafes make any sense? As always, we end with Bánh Mỉ Banter (23:38).
Jun 14, 2020•35 min
A few weeks ago, we discussed depictions of Vietnam from foreign filmmakers and studios. Today (0:55), we dig into the themes and improving quality of domestically-produced movies like Song Lang, Goodbye Mother, Furie, and Good Morning and Good Night. What do these movies reflect about Vietnamese society, and what do we hope to see from local movies in the future? As always, we end with Bánh Mỉ Banter (34:54).
Jun 01, 2020•48 min
This week, we share our love of all things snackable (1:27), whether American classics like Cheez-Its and Fig Newtons or Vietnamese staples like chuối nếp nướng and the astonishing variety of fruit-based snacks available here. Conversely, what are some of the worst snacks? Our interview guest (20:01) is Damien Roberts, executive director of Saigon Children, the Saigon-based charity organization which provides education and vocational training to disadvantaged children throughout Vietnam, with a ...
May 17, 2020•52 min
On this week's single-topic show, we discuss movies about Vietnam created by foreign production companies and directors (1:28). The country's home-grown movie industry has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years (something we'll address in a future episode), but how has Vietnam been depicted from abroad? Of course, Hollywood has its classic war movies, most of which make for difficult watching from a Vietnamese perspective, but we dig into a few films (mostly) unrelated to conflict. As alwa...
May 10, 2020•48 min
We're back with a new episode recorded, believe it or not, in our office. This may sound shocking to many around the world, but Vietnam's coronavirus outbreak has been so well-contained that a sense of normalcy has returned, and that's our topic for today. We discussed (1:57) reactions to Vietnam's success, possible ways forward, and whether it's too soon for the country to fully celebrate. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (24:50).
Apr 26, 2020•33 min
With no end in sight to working from home - and the coronavirus dominating daily life - we've had to think outside the box for this episode. We played a game of 'review roulette,' in which we each submitted a movie, album, TV show and book/article to a random generator, and then reviewed what we received. Most of the submissions were trashy or things we knew other co-hosts wouldn't like very much. Mike got 'High School Musical' (2:47), Thi dissected 'Thor: Ragnarok' (10:54), Khoi watched the old...
Apr 05, 2020•48 min
On this working-from-home episode, we each share a dispatch from our respective neighborhood of Saigon in the time of COVID-19 (1:16). What is daily life like? How are we spending our time? What happens to the fish at those weird foot massage places when there are no tourists? PSA: Since this episode was reported remotely it doesn't have our usual high-level audio quality. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (31:26). This episode is brought to you by Waves. Find out more at https://waves8.co...
Mar 29, 2020•42 min
On this week's episode, our 80th (!), we begin (1:29) with the latest, as of March 12, on Vietnam's Covid-19 outbreak, which has entered a worrying stage with a string of new cases in different regions after over three weeks without any new infections. Then (19:41), we take a slightly whimsical detour to share how we'd spend a hypothetical 14-day home quarantine period. Reading? Baking? Composting? Our interview guest (30:07) is Trang Nguyen, founder of the wildlife conservation organization Wil...
Mar 15, 2020•59 min
In honor of International Women's Day, we begin this week (1:19) by sharing stories of Vietnamese women from throughout history who haven't received the recognition we think they deserve. From a 15th century Confucian scholar to a contemporary poet, Vietnamese women have a fascinating, often overlooked history. Then (21:24), we sit down with Hong Anh Nguyen, Truong Que Phuong and Doan Kim Thu, the creators of the YouTube series Melon Bê Đê, for an extended conversation about their personal exper...
Mar 08, 2020•1 hr 19 min
This week, we begin (1:04) by discussing nhậu and some of the problems it presents for women or people who don't want to drink, as well as the opportunities for bonding that it can spur in certain groups. This conversation was inspired by an essay titled 'In Food and Community: How Vietnamese Drinking Culture Taught Me to Love My Queerness' by Alex Nguyen. (https://www.colorbloq.org/in-food-and-community-how-vietnamese-drinking-culture-taught-me-to-love-my-queerness) Then (16:36), we look at the...
Feb 23, 2020•36 min
Whatever you think of the Oscars, there is no denying that 'Parasite' winning Best Picture was a big deal. We begin this week (1:10) by breaking down Bong Joon-ho's masterful triumph (and new role as a living meme generator); the reaction in South Korea; other movies and directors from Asia worth your time; and the ignorance of western moviegoers who avoid films in a foreign language. Then, we dive into the current state of Vietnamese cinema (19:03), which has seen a few notable recent successes...
Feb 16, 2020•42 min
We're back from the Tet holiday! This week, we begin (1:25) with the novel coronavirus outbreak: how has it impacted our daily lives, and what changes have we seen in Saigon since the virus' spread began? Then (14:00), we look at the zero-tolerance drunk driving laws that went into effect on January 1. What sort of behavioral changes have these regulations created? Are they too strict? As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (21:10).
Feb 09, 2020•29 min
On this week's show, our last before the Lunar New Year break, we discuss (1:26) potential ways to improve traditional Tet dishes. Specialties like bánh tét, for example, are very heavy - could they be made healthier? And would it be possible to run a year-round Tet food restaurant? Then (22:00), we have an extended chat with Vietnamese writer Nguyen Phan Que Mai, author of the upcoming novel 'The Mountains Sing.' Que Mai is the first Vietnamese national to write a novel in English published b...
Jan 19, 2020•1 hr 24 min
On this special single-segment episode, we look back at the last decade in Vietnam through the lens of four societal trends: digital convenience, cyberculture, labor issues, and overtourism (1:32). The period from 2010 to 2019 brought incredible transformations to the country, and while these four subjects are by no means comprehensive, we believe they illuminate the profound ways in which daily life has changed for tens of millions of people in Vietnam. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter...
Jan 12, 2020•56 min
We're closing out the year with a special mega-episode, in which we chose a few of our favorite segments from the past 12 months. We begin (:50) by sharing our nominations for Vietnam's 'national senses,' if such a thing existed. What smells, sounds, sights, tastes and textures do we think best exemplify the country? The smell of pork chops grilling on a sidewalk? The Bitexco Financial Tower? Those fragrant wet wipes given out at bia hơi joints? Then (17:03), our extended conversation about supe...
Dec 29, 2019•1 hr 54 min
On this week's show, Saigoneer Korean's editor stops by to chat about the presence of South Korean culture in Saigon (1:32). What draws so many Korean expats to the city, and what's up with the popularity of Cộng Cà Phê among this group? Then (24:08), we dig in to K-pop. What do Koreans make of its massive popularity overseas, particularly in countries like Vietnam? And what sort of impact have recent tragedies involving K-pop stars had on fans? (If you don't know that Saigoneer Korean exists, c...
Dec 22, 2019•54 min
On this week's show, we dig deep (1:24) into the recently-concluded Southeast Asia Games. Vietnam's athletes had a stellar showing, winning the second-most medals among the competing countries, but why does football - and particularly men's football - get the vast majority of coverage and public attention? Also, what are the competition's most whimsical sports? Then, we sit down (24:05) with Phuong Nho and Jerome Buzenet, who are involved in a number of popular restaurants in Saigon - and are al...
Dec 15, 2019•49 min
On this week's show (1:05), we begin by discussing Saigon's rapidly worsening air quality. What can individual Saigoneers do about this seemingly intractable problem, and how does it impact our daily lives? Then (18:48), we ponder whether Saigon's bubble tea 'bubble' has burst, and what the next youth-centric F&B trend might be. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (29:44). This episode of the Saigoneer Podcast is brought to you by Epizode.
Dec 01, 2019•39 min
This week, we begin (1:00) by discussing the dangers, and potential benefits, of alternative medicine. While sham treatments spread via social media can be dangerous, are we too quick to dismiss methods not used at hospitals or clinics? Then (18:33), we look at video streaming platforms in light of Netflix's recent addition of a Vietnamese-language interface. Will the streaming giant's local productions improve? Can it compete against YouTube and digital piracy? As always, we end with Bánh Mì ...
Nov 24, 2019•44 min
This week be begin ̣(1:04) by sharing our dream upgrades to the Nguyen Hue walking street in light of the recent completion of a lotus fountain on the thoroughfare. What else could be added? A communal kitchen? Ostrich races? An outdoor cinema? Then (16:23), we sit down with Peter Menchetti, organizer of this weekend's We're Loud Fest, which is bringing four days of international punk, hardcore, garage and rock bands to Saigon. (https://slovenly.eventsmart.com/) As always, we end with Bánh Mì ...
Nov 17, 2019•40 min
This week, we begin (1:12) by looking at how some contemporary Vietnamese musicians, artists and architects are taking inspiration from traditional Vietnamese culture and materials for their projects, rather than from foreign countries such as Taiwan or South Korea. Then (15:36), we have our first food fight in quite some time, as we debate the merits of various Vietnamese desserts and ponder whether one is worthy of the title of 'national dessert.' As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (30:01...
Nov 10, 2019•38 min
This week, we begin (1:16) by discussing the lure of 'promised land' countries like the United Kingdom and Japan to potential Vietnamese migrants in the wake of the Essex truck tragedy. How did this image get built, and how is it perpetuated? Then (16:40), we dig into the sudden collapse of Mon Hue, the national restaurant chain, and its sister restaurants. Can chains serving Vietnamese food be sustainable in a country with such a strong food culture? As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (28:...
Nov 03, 2019•37 min
This week, we begin (1:32) by discussing the impact social media, and especially Instagram, can have on tourism in light of two headline-grabbing recent events: the abrupt closure of Hanoi's 'train street,' and the social media furor that erupted after pictures of an illegally-built hotel on the Ma Pi Leng Pass in Ha Giang Province appeared on Facebook. Then (19:28), we break down the perception of the 'Made in Vietnam' label both at home and abroad. We recently learned that Vietnamese products ...
Oct 13, 2019•43 min
On this week's episode, we begin (1:04) by discussing victim-blaming in the wake of a controversial message sent out by a local ride-hailing company. What does the reaction to this ad, and its very existence, say about current attitudes toward sexual harassment? Then (18:25), we discuss a few of our favorite up-and-coming local indie bands and the improving standards of music videos and live shows. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (30:54).
Oct 06, 2019•40 min
On this week's episode, we take a look ̣(1:09) at the explosive growth of convenience stores throughout Saigon in recent years. It's hard to walk 10 feet these days without tripping over a Family Mart, VinMart or similar competitor. What does this mean for traditional corner shops? (Also why is Hanoi's convenience store game so bad?) Then (15:48), we discuss social media literacy, especially among older people, many of whom went from not having the internet straight to having Facebook. What shou...
Sep 22, 2019•36 min
On this week's episode, we begin ̣(1:22) with a chat about mooncakes, the traditional treats of the just-passed Mid-Autumn Festival. What do we make of new novelty varieties (Oreo mooncakes, anyone?), and where do these pastries stand in Vietnamese society in 2019? Then (21:33), we speak to Michitake Aso, associate professor at the University of Albany-SUNY and author of the 2018 book 'Rubber and the Making of Vietnam.' In this extended interview, Aso discusses the brutality of colonial-era rubb...
Sep 15, 2019•1 hr 19 min
This episode contains explicit language. On this week's show, we begin (1:22) ̣by discussing the new translation of 'The Tale of Kieu' recently released by Penguin Classics under the name 'The Song of Kieu.' Nguyen Du's original version, written in the early 19th century, is considered Vietnam's most important work of classic literature. Why did Penguin release a translation without the involvement of any Vietnamese scholars? Then (17:41), we look at the recent launches of several Vietnamese soc...
Aug 25, 2019•1 hr 1 min
On this week's episode (our 60th!) we discuss (1:00) a few Vietnam-focused 'what ifs?' - for example, what if the country had never decided to use chopsticks as a dining utensil? Or what if the French had never colonized Vietnam? Then (18:21), we do our first street food update in a while, which includes bamboo rice (171 Phan Dang Luu, Phu Nhuan District in the morning), a glorious vegetarian buffet (73 Huynh Man Dat, Binh Thanh District) and a couple of top-notch bún riêu spots (outside 95 Past...
Aug 18, 2019•37 min
