Saigoneer Podcast

After a few months away, we take a look back at the podcast since it started; reminiscing on previous recording locations, co-hosts, and memorable moments. Editor-in-Chief (and co-host) Mike Tatarski has moved on from Saigoneer, so we took this chance to revisit the past - while still opening with Bánh Mì Banter. We're not quite sure when the podcast will return at this stage, but we hope to bring it back to your feed in the future!

In our first episode of the new year, we begin with Bánh Mì Banter, before rating 2021 on the usual criteria of deliciousness, billability and would you miss it? Then, in 'This or That,' we debate the pros and cons of the Lunar New Year and the Gregorian New Year - January 1 - to determine which we'd rather celebrate.

This special episode builds on our recent article about the creation of 'Magical Nights - Saigon Surf Twist & Soul,' the recently released album of Phương Tâm's songs from the early 1960s. Hannah Hà, Mark Gergis and Jan Hagenkoetter were the driving force behind the album - Hannah, Tâm's daughter, shares how she learned about her mother's past as a rockstar singer in 1960s Saigon - a previous life that no one in her family knew about. The trio also discuss how they connected, the arduous process of tracking down physical copies of Tâm's music during the first year of the pandemic, the delicate work of bringing her songs to life on 'Magical Nights,' and the importance of bringing Vietnamese voices to music from the 1960s. The audio quality on this episode isn't up to our usual standards, as this is a phone recording of a Zoom call that wasn't planned for the podcast, but we think this is worth sharing as a companion to the website feature, which can be found here: https://saigoneer.com/saigon-music-art/20780-what-to-do-when-you-discover-that-your-mom-was-a-superstar-singer-in-1960s-saigon Happy holidays from the Saigoneer Podcast team!

We begin this week with Bánh Mì Banter, before exploring the Day of Phở in our latest 'That Time We...' segment. Created in 2018, this day celebrates arguably Vietnam's most famous dish - but what other delicacies are worthy of their own day? Then, in 'This or That,' we debate whether we'd prefer to attend a standard Vietnamese wedding, or a party at a glitzy Saigon rooftop bar.

After a brief Covid-related break, we're back with a new episode beginning, as always with Bánh Mì Banter (0:59). Then (9:21), in 'We Rate Stuff,' we analyze the song 'Hello Vietnam,' which was originally composed in French by Marc Lavoine and called 'Bonjour Vietnam.' The English version performed by Quỳnh Anh is now best-known as the song played on VietJet flights, but the lyrics contain some rather outdated language that may come as a surprise. Finally (31:30), in 'This or That,' we debate whether we'd prefer (in a true dream world) a Waterbus system that takes full advantage of Saigon's sprawling network of waterways, or a complete Saigon Metro system with all planned lines completed.

We begin this week with Bánh Mì Banter (1:04), including some banter about an actual bánh mì and the hilarious incompetence of the Saigon Waterbus. Then (10:52), we rate the wonders (and possible pitfalls) of riding around with someone on a motorbike - either as the driver or the passenger. Finally, in This or That (32:46), we debate whether we'd prefer to spend a night out in a Saigon karaoke parlor, or a Saigon fruit-plates-on-the-table, Vinahouse-blasting nightclub.

This week, we begin our first episode recorded in person in well over six months with Bánh Mì Banter (0:56). Then, we move into our latest 'That Time We...' segment (8:17) by discussing the opening of the Bitexco Financial Tower in downtown Saigon on October 31, 2010. Finally (20:20), we debate whether we'd prefer to have a street named after us, or a type of food or drink.

Today, we begin with Bánh Mì Banter (1:17), which includes a mea culpa from Paul regarding a particularly egregious food take he shared in a recent Saigoneer article. Then (10:07), we launch into our first 'We Rate Stuff' segment. How do we rate bicycle baskets under our rather arbitrary system? Finally (27:14), it's time for another round of 'This or That,' with an environmental theme: to protect itself from the inevitability of future sea level rise, should Saigon build underground, or up into the air?

After a two-month break, we're back with a reformatted version of the podcast, meaning new segments and a revised structure. This episode begins, as all future episodes will, with Bánh Mì Banter (2:21). We then move into our first 'That Time We...' segment (15:05), which covers a Vietnamese historical event or figure related to the week an episode is released. Today we cover the history and ultimate demise of a Nguyen Hue Street landmark, the Saigon Tax Center, which was torn down five years ago. Finally, we play a game of 'This or That' (40:03) by debating whether we prefer old film photos of Vietnam, or new digital pictures of the country, as well as what these images say about the people who made them.

We begin this week (1:59) by looking at tourist attractions which have made headlines in recent years, such as the Zodiac animal statues with human genitalia in Hai Phong and the deformed Statue of Liberty in Sa Pa. These can be easy to mock, but they do also have fans, and highlight some of the aspirations of people who might be traveling for the very first time. Then (16:48), we discuss the debate over what constitutes an 'essential' good. Amid widespread lockdowns and transport restrictions, items such as a fridge and sanitary pads have been deemed "not essential" by police officers, meaning they can't be shipped. Why have these policies created so much inconsistency? As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (34:03).

After a much longer break than we expected, we are back with a new, remotely recorded episode discussing a topic that is impossible to escape: Vietnam's severe COVID-19 outbreak, which has the country in by far its worst position of the entire pandemic. How did we get here, and what impact are lockdowns having on daily life? (1:20) Then, amid the doom and gloom, many people are coming together to help those in need - we each share some uplifting stories that have given us a break from the terrible headlines (23:49). As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (41:16).

We begin this week (1:12) by sharing our thoughts on the types of products Vietnamese companies should take to foreign markets. Domestic brands have struggled to make an impact overseas, with VinSmart being the latest casualty, but what uniquely Vietnamese goods could have an impact abroad? Then (17:04), we pitch ideas for new Vietnamese TV shows, from an adaptation of 'Kitchen Nightmares' and 'Wet Market Sweep' to our very own 'Real Housewives of the Hẻm.' As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (29:30).

This week, we are joined by the new editor of Urbanist Hanoi (1:23) to chat about sports and outdoor activities available in the capital, as well as down here in Saigon. From rock climbing and roller derby to stand-up paddle boarding, there's a lot to do if you know where to look. Then (15:50), we look at the latest trends in sustainability in both cities, from the spread of non-plastic straws to an app that allows you to see where informal recycling workers are. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (30:20).

Eric Nguyen, editor-in-chief of DiaCritics and author of the new novel 'Things We Lost to the Water,' joins us today. 'Things We Lost to the Water' tells the story of a family who escapes Vietnam after the war and ends up settling in New Orleans, spanning a time period from the late 1970s to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. We discussed why he set the story in New Orleans, why the theme of water is so important to the book, what he wants readers to take away from it, his work at DiaCritics, and much more. Learn more about Eric's debut novel: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652032/things-we-lost-to-the-water-by-eric-nguyen/ And check out DiaCritics: https://dvan.org/diacritics/

In recent years, coffee producers in Vietnam have switched from focusing almost entirely on mass-market, low-quality products to more specialized beans aimed at discerning consumers. What does this mean for both coffee producers and coffee drinkers? (1:04) Then (20:36), we share some of our favorite recent street food finds, including pork belly in District 11 and affordable, authentic Thai near the canal. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (31:25).

This week we're joined by Chau Nguyen (0:54), the founder of Urbanist Travel, to discuss how she shifted from a focus on international tourists to the domestic market amid pandemic flight restrictions, what the tourism industry should do to prepare for the eventual return of foreign visitors, and more. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (27:08).

This week, we return to one of our favorite topics: Vietnamese modernist architecture. Phạm Phú Vinh, an architecture student and expert on this style, joined us (1:16) to talk about the prevalence of mid-century modernist buildings in southern Vietnam, why this home-grown style is so overlooked by the public, what he thinks about Saigon's current architectural trends, and more. We also chatted about Vinh's new book, 'Poetic Significance, Sài Gòn Mid-Century Modernist Architecture,' which is available on Amazon, Book Depository, and other e-commerce sites. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (41:00). Link to Vinh's book: https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Significance-Mid-Century-Modernist-Architecture/dp/108794337X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Poetic+Significance%2C+S%C3%A0i+G%C3%B2n+Mid-Century+Modernist+Architecture&qid=1617540326&sr=8-1

On this week's show, Levi Doan, known as Levi Oi, joins us (1:00) to talk about her move from Berlin to Saigon, how she became a sought-after DJ in Vietnam, and the opportunities present in the country's creative community. Check out her SoundCloud page here: https://soundcloud.com/levioi We also talked with Levi about the new campaign by Saigon officials to crack down on noise pollution (22:44), especially outdoor karaoke and bars that blast music onto the sidewalk. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (35:49).

On this week's show, we begin (1:12) by discussing Vietnam's COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which began last week with an initial focus on medical workers. What do we think of the vaccine priority list, which places solders above the elderly, and how might vaccinations impact the country this year? Then (16:10), we debate some of Vietnam's most controversial dishes, from hột vịt lộn and field rats to dog meat. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (28:48).

We're back from a longer-than-anticipated break with our 100th episode! To celebrate, we did a roundtable chat (1:49) on questions such as: "If you could add one tradition to Tet, what would it be?" "Which is better, Hanoi phở or Saigon phở?" "What is the best convenience store chain?" And much more. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (30:15).

It's our last episode of the year, and we're taking the chance to share some stories that may have gotten overlooked during the last 12 months ̣(1:03), from Facebook groups dedicated to acts of kindness and a stowaway raccoon, there was much more to 2020 than just the (admittedly very important) pandemic. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (35:22). Happy holidays, and see you in 2021!

With Christmas approaching, we had some fun this week and shared our ideas for festive movies that could take place in Vietnam (1:52). 'Home Alone' set in an old Saigon villa? A female-led 'Die Hard' sequel that takes over the Bitexco Financial Tower? Our interview guest (24:38) is Debby Nguyen, a student at Northeastern University and author of the new book 'Pills, Teas, and Songs: Stories of Medicine Around the World.' We talked about her family's background in traditional Vietnamese medicine and the practice's role in the modern world. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (48:21).

This week, we begin (1:14) by discussing Vietnam's first known community transmission of the novel coronavirus in 88 days. How has this small outbreak in Saigon been handled, and what has the public reaction been? Then (17:55), we look at the popularity of video games in Vietnam, domestic development and production of games, and how smartphones have helped local companies get games out into the world. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (31:41).

On this week's show, we welcome our colleague Elise down from Hanoi for a wide-ranging discussion (1:10) about street/public art in Vietnam. What's out there that we like, what don't we like, and what could be done to foster a community of talent street artists? Our interview guest (24:34) is Linh Valerie Pham, a theater and puppetry artist based in Hanoi. We had a discussion about experimental theater in Vietnam, the art of storytelling, and the different alleys one artist can take. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (1:05:29).

On this week's show, we look (1:11) at the ongoing historic flooding in central Vietnam, where five provinces have been hit by multiple tropical storms in recent weeks and have sustained massive damage and tragic loss of life. What could be done to prevent such calamity in the future, and what sort of charity and relief efforts are currently underway? Our interview guest (23:10) is Le Ngoc Ha Thu, a Hanoi-based fashion designer who won the menswear category at the Redress Design Award 2020, a competition aimed at promoting sustainable clothing production and design. Thu talked about her background in design, how to be an environmentally conscious clothing consumer, and what she hopes to achieve in the future. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (47:20).

We're back! We begin this week (1:08) by chatting about plans to expand pedestrian areas in Saigon and Hanoi. What do we like about existing spaces like Nguyen Hue, and what would we like to see in future vehicle-free zones? Then (17:18), in preparation for Halloween, we share a few scary stories and tales from Vietnam, including the legend of 'rock apes;' ông Ba Bịa, a thin man who haunts kids with three bags; and a demonic grandma. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (41:02).

On this week's show, we begin (0:53) by looking at the uproar over a New Yorker article titled 'The Public-Shaming Pandemic' that was published last week. The feature covered, among other things, the social media abuse aimed at two wealthy Vietnamese sisters who caught the coronavirus back in March, but painted Vietnam poorly and contained several errors regarding the country's response to the pandemic. What does this episode say about foreign coverage of Vietnam, and of the way some Vietnamese perceive journalists and media outlets? A link to the article: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/09/28/the-public-shaming-pandemic Then (18:48), we discuss a new proposal from the Ministry of Education that would allow students at public middle and high schools to use their phones during class for 'educational purposes.' Is this realistic? What are the pros and cons? There is no Bánh Mỉ Banter this week.

We begin (1:13) this week by talking about the recent launch of Urbanist Vietnam, our Vietnamese-language sister site. How do we decide which Saigoneer stories to translate into Vietnamese, and what can readers expect in terms of original features in the future? Then (16:23), we discuss the áo dài in contemporary Vietnam. Cultural officials in Thua Thien-Hue Province have started wearing the outfit on the first Monday of every month. What is the iconic garment's place in contemporary Vietnam? As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (34:24).

On this week's show, we begin (1:08) with a conversation about our recent decision to use diacritics in Vietnamese names on the Saigoneer website. What are the benefits of using the language to its full extent, and what does the fact that most websites publishing in English don't use diacritics say about our relationship to Vietnamese? Then (21:16), we look at the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak centered on Da Nang - how has this development impacted daily life in Saigon, and what do we think of the protective measures being taken here? As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (31:38).

On this week's show, we begin (1:09) by discussing the Vietnamese government's effort to get women to marry by age 30 and have two children by age 35, which is aimed at tackling Vietnam's rapidly aging population. What does this mean for young women, and what is missing from this official suggestion? Our interview guest (24:04) is Bill Nguyen, a visual arts curator and writer currently working at The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre in Saigon. We talked about his work, the status of art in modern Vietnam, and why, in his view, Hanoi is better than Saigon. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (56:27).

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).

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 is available at Fahasa and other major bookstores in Vietnam, or through Barnes & Noble overseas: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/southern-vietnamese-modernist-architecture-mel-schenck/1136864951?ean=9780578516585 For more on modernist architecture in Vietnam: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VietnameseModernistArchitecture/ As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (36:47).

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).

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).

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 focus on the southern region. We discussed the charity's work over the years, the challenges of fundraising during a global pandemic, and Roberts' goals for the future. Find out more about Saigon Children and how you can help here: https://www.saigonchildren.com/ As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (44:52).

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 always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (36:33).

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).

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 YouTube series 'lonelygirl15' (21:56), and Paul pondered the ESPN article 'The true story behind Michael Jordan's brief-but-promising baseball career' (30:02). As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (37:10). This episode is brought to you by Waves. Learn more about their audio platform at https://waves8.com/.

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.com/.

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 WildAct. She talked about her childhood interest in animal welfare, her efforts to change attitudes toward wildlife trafficking in Vietnam, and more. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (51:09). This episode is brought to you by Waves, Vietnam's biggest podcast app. Learn more at https://waves8.com/.

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 experiences as queer women in Vietnam. They discuss the importance of lesbians getting STD tests, the challenges of bringing the foreign and Vietnamese lesbian communities together, why they decided to begin their conversational series on queer life, and much more. Check out their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MelonB%C3%AA%C4%90%C3%AA?fbclid=IwAR36k57IbaLnySgQGSNLjlVsADL8HctS-wviqUmIsvrcHt81_FedjqR_1yE As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (1:08:57).

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 impacts of the ongoing closure of schools nationwide amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Many teachers are hurting financially, but could this usher in new forms of learning and methods of teaching? As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (31:01).

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, but lags far behind the likes of South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand in terms of overseas visibility - and overall creativity. As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (31:52).

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).

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 by a major American press. 'The Mountains Sing' is a stunning multi-generational story that explores the strength and heartbreak of Vietnamese women during the 20th century. We discuss the book, the craft of writing novels, the differences in publishing in Vietnam versus the west, and, of course, durian. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (1:13:22). Chúc mừng năm mới, and see you in the Year of the Rat! Find out more about Que Mai's new book here: https://saigoneer.com/vietnam-literature/18107-saigoneer-bookshelf-a-quintessential-vietnamese-novel,-written-in-memories

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 (44:00).

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 superstitions, both Vietnamese and western. We also play a game where we guess which ones are real, and which are not. 'The Third Wife,' (37:13) the critically acclaimed indie film festival darling directed by Ash Mayfair and filmed here, was released in Vietnam several months ago, but only lasted four days in cinemas before being pulled. We break down the controversy surrounding its use of a 13 year-old actress in erotic scenes, and what it says about Vietnam's movie-going public. What makes a certain dish or cuisine authentic? (51:31) Who determines which food and restaurants are authentic? Does authenticity even matter when it comes to food? Then (1:16:31), we discuss a few of the incredibly diverse, occasionally bizarre festivals that coincide with specific dates on the lunar calendar throughout Vietnam. Everyone knows about Tet and the Mid-Autumn Festival, but there are so many more beyond those two. Our interview guest is Thuc Dang (1:33:28), who writes the 'Vietnam's Next Top Bitches' music review Facebook page . We chatted about the evolution of Vietnamese music in recent years, and what he hopes to see in the future.

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, check it out: https://kr.saigoneer.com/) As always, we close with Bánh Mì Banter (45:93). Happy holidays! This episode of the Saigoneer Podcast is brought to you by The Deck.

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 also behind a new sourdough-focused cafe. We talked about the exciting F&B scene in the city, as well as what drives them to create new ideas. As always, we end with Bánh Mì Banter (40:39). This episode is brought to you by The Deck.

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.

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 Banter (33:39). This episode of the Saigoneer Podcast is brought to you by Epizode (https://epizode.com/).