The Bureau Podcast

Well, two out of three ain't bad...or is it?! Join me in this one as I chat about my health check in Ho Chi Minh City, whether or not Vietnam is liveable, and the Indian billionaires using Vietnam as their playground! For more info about the topics discussed in this episode, please pop over to https://thebureauasia.substack.com/p/listen-the-scoop-on-poop-checks-liveable & consider subscribing for my most up-to-date content about Vietnam! Also, check out my website for even more stuff! #thebureauasiapodcast

In this "Korea Special", Matt interviews two long-term resident South Koreans who have called Saigon home for more than 14 years and gets an insight into the topsy-turvy life of Koreans in Vietnam. To wrap up, he reveals the best Korean restaurants in Saigon as voted by Bureau Followers! The Best Korean Restaurants in “K-Town” as voted by Bureau Followers Meat & Meet 1 Đ Tôn Dật Tiên, Khu đô thị Phú Mỹ Hưng, Quận 7 Matchandeul 49 Cao Triều Phát, Tân Phong, Quận 7 Perilla 161 Đ Tôn Dật Tiên, Tân Phong, Quận 7 Plan K Chung Cư Mỹ Phúc, 66 Lý Long Tường, Tân Phong, Quận 7 Ilmirak 222-224 Khu Phố Mỹ Hoàng, Khu đô thị Phú Mỹ Hưng, Quận 7 SoFung Chung Cư SKY GARDEN 3, Phú Mỹ Hưng, Khu đô thị Phú Mỹ Hưng, Quận 7 Tram Nam-Korean Century 36 Đường số 6, Tân Phong, Quận 7 Myeong Dong Quan 5 Bùi Bằng Đoàn, Tân Phong, Quận 7 Subscribe to Substack and support my channel! https://substack.com/@thebureauasia Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

In this must-not-miss episode, Matt's good mate Nam joins him for a bitch session about life in Vietnam. Matt tells Nam – a Saigon native – what bugs him about Vietnamese culture, while Nam counters with things that bug him about foreigners in Vietnam! Then the episode wraps up with Matt introducing you to one of the best streets for food in Saigon! Nam's Website: https://www.thehighball.vn Nam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehighball.vn Nam's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehighball.vn Hanoi's Weather Dude: https://www.facebook.com/theweatherdudeinhanoi Vietnam Coracle: https://www.vietnamcoracle.com Where to eat in District 7: Quán Phở Linh Trang Anh (for phở gà) 185 Đường số 79, Tân Quy, Quận 7 Cơm Tấm 169 (for pork chops & rice) 169 Đường số 79, Tân Quy, Quận 7 Bún Chả Hà Nội Xưa (for bún chả) 144 Đường số 79, Tân Quy, Quận 7 The Bureau Asia Website https://thebureauasia.com The Bureau Asia Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia The Bureau Asia Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

First up Matt breaks down Ho Chi Minh City's 4th place ranking in Time Out Magazine's recently released list of The World's 20 Best Cities for Food Right Now! Did they get it right? After that, Matt interviews acclaimed Vietnamese director Lê Thanh Sơn on the eve of the premiere of his latest film Móng Vuốt (Claws), a horror set in the highlands of Vietnam. To wrap things up, Matt introduces foodies to 3 top notch places in HCMC to eat and drink coffee that mustn't be missed on any visit to Vietnam's best city! The World's 20 Best Cities for Food Right Now List: https://www.timeout.com/travel/worlds-best-cities-for-food Móng Vuốt Trailer: https://youtu.be/ce_ZquTeDaw?si=BP02p0cLz1j0MW2o Lê Thanh Sơn profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3734165/ Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng Cẩm Hường: 118b Nguyễn Thần Hiến, Phường 16, Quận 4 Epic Coffee Roaster: 49 Ngô Thời Nhiệm, Phường 6, Quận 3 The Elbow Room Bistro: 52 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1 Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Watch The Bureau Asia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Keep up-to-date on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

In this episode, Matt introduces you to a newly-published book documenting the research and observations of an expatriate who has just celebrated 20 years living in Vietnam. You'll find out the results of The Bureau Asia's poll on what causes food poisoning in Vietnam and then Matt rediscovers the city's first American-style BBQ joint more than a decade after it opened in what turns out to be quite a historical neighbourhood. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Website: https://thebureauasia.com Vietnam Uninterrupted: A 20 year journey: https://www.cimigo.com/en/research-reports/vietnam-uninterrupted-a-20-year-journey/

In this long-awaited return to the airwaves, Matt reveals he's been battling away trying to learn the language, he visits an "old friend" for lunch and stumbles upon what might just be Saigon's best goddamn pizza! That and more! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

We've heard it all before. Vietnam's cheap. The beer's cheap. The food's cheap. And the people are so nice! BUT is everything in Vietnam really as good as everyone says it is? In this episode I give you The Good, The Bad & The Phởgly provide an example of each so that you can plan better and hopefully your Vietnam trip WON'T. GET. RUINED! Big thanks to Ollie Woods for taking time out to chat to me! Check out all the craft beer stuff he's associated with: Brew Asia ⁠https://www.brew-asia.com⁠ Asia Brewers Network ⁠https://asiabrewersnetwork.com⁠ Beer Asia ⁠https://beerasia.net My favourite craft breweries & pubs you can't miss in Ho Chi Minh City: 1. Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery 31D Lý Tự Trọng St., District 1 2. East West Brewing Co. 181-185 Lý Tự Trọng St., District 1 3. Pasteur Street Brewing Co. Cnr. Lý Tự Trọng & Thủ Khoa Huân Sts., District 1 4. 7 Bridges Brewing Co. 15B/12 Lê Thánh Tôn St., District 1 5. Malt 46-48 Mạc Thị Bưởi St., District 1 6. Rehab Station 27/6 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm St., District 1 7. BiaCraft 1 Lê Ngô Cát St., District 3 8. Belgo 29 - 31 Tôn Thất Thiệp St., District 1 9. Saigon Craft 68 Lý Long Tường St., District 7 10. MixTape Drinks 40 Đặng Thị Nhu St., District 1 11. Rooster Beers 40 Bùi Viện St., Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 12. Mr Craft 24 Cao Triều Phát St., District 7 If you find yourself in District 7 some day around lunch time, be sure to give Cơm Tấm 169 a go at No.169 Street 79, Tân Quy, District 7 Wanna sleep in the capsule featured in this episode? Knock yourself out at The Arrivals Hotel 302 Võ Văn Kiệt Street, District 1 Got lucky and need a short-time hotel for a roll around? Try these two out (I've personally inspected them)! Cupid Hotel 2 Bis Nam Quốc Cang St., Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 Bonita Grand Hotel 118 Bùi Thị Xuân St., Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 Got ca$hola to splurge? Stay at The Reverie 22-36 Nguyễn Huệ St., District 1

We're back on the poddie train after a 2 month break that included a trip to Cambodia, a flu here and there, a trip home to the Philippines and some family visits here to Ho Chi Minh City. In this episode we catch up on travel news to Vietnam, including the new visa extensions, and we learn about the matchmaker in Singapore hooking up lonely Singaporean men looking for long-time love with Vietnamese ladies. Then our "cover story" reveals 5 dark locations in Saigon where some really bad sh*t has gone down throughout its history, including a couple well and truly off the tourist trail. Be sure to comment and get in touch if you need more details about the locations featured in this episode! Follow Matt on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website https://thebureauasia.com

In this sizzling hot episode coming from a sweltering Thành Phố HCM, we unpack 5 news items that riled us up and got us hot under the collar this week, including a polarising review of Saigon's nightlife, the revelation (or not) that sugar babies are artfully using social media to snare their sugar daddies, and the release of an English-language song by mega-Vietnamese pop star Song Tung M-TP that requires captions for us to understand. Wrapping the episode up, we get our red flags out and give our avid listeners a list of 5 things they should look out for when choosing street food vendors in Saigon. Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

In this Reunification Day long weekend episode in Vietnam, we share a carefully-curated a list of lists sourced from the past week's news and social media that our loyal listeners will either love or – quite possibly – hate! Everybody loves a good list, so we're pretty confident you'll like ours! Then we review this month's much-anticipated Netflix release A Tourist's Guide to Love that was filmed in Vietnam last year. Be sure to hang around to find out how many 'banh mis' out of 5 we give this sappy rom-com that was pretty much universally panned on social media in Vietnam upon its release. Whenever you visit Vung Tau for a short break, be sure to stay at Coco Homestay: https://www.facebook.com/homestayhotelcoco66halong Looking for a love hotel? Check these out. Just don't tell them Matt sent you! https://thebureauasia.com/2018/09/01/bonita-signature-hotel/ https://thebureauasia.com/2018/05/06/playing-cupid/ https://thebureauasia.com/2018/01/06/the-love-den/ Watch Matt's short video 'Vietnam's Bali?' https://www.facebook.com/reel/995225138520892 Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

We recap what we got up to this past week, then in response to a recent listicle in the Australian media, we create our own "6 Things Vietnam Does Better Than Australia" list followed by a handful of other news items that caught our attention this week. The highlight of the episode (39'00) however, is guest Michael Brosowski who's the founder of Hanoi-based Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, an NGO that's been fighting slavery and human trafficking for the past two decades. Follow Michael on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brosowski Learn more about Blue Dragon Children's Foundation www.linkedin.com/company/blue-dragon-children's-foundation Check out the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation website www.bluedragon.org Read Micheal's blog lifeisalongstory.com/about-me-about-this-blog Watch Matt's REEL from his visit to see the "Pope Mobile" in Las Pinas, Manila https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmds_O5jyaP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Watch Matt riding shotgun in a jeepney in Manila https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmbWIqtjSb-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Listen to Matt's "Vietnamese food" episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vietnamese-food-isnt-actually-healthy/id1669942888?i=1000598022808 Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

As usual, Mel joins me to discuss the news and happenings for the week in Vietnam and the region, and then we call in Saigon-based hospitality guru and communications consultant, Chris Thompson, who helps us get our head around why just one restaurant in Vietnam made it into this year's Asia's 50 Best Restaurant list. Connect with Chris on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/chris-thompson-079a88223/ Follow Chris on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ctsaigon06/ Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

In this episode, we review the week that was in Saigon, then we try to get to the bottom of why littering is rampant in Vietnam with the help of RMIT Vietnam lecturer and researcher, Dr Justin Pang. Connect with Dr Pang at www.linkedin.com/in/dr-justin-matthew-pang-jmpang/ Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

In this episode, we air our gripes about road users in Vietnam, chat about the "awards" season in Southeast Asia and beyond, and review a Japanese steakhouse that passed under our noses for years before we tried it. Then we wrap up the episode with a list of 10 things YOU SHOULDN'T DO when visiting Saigon! Try out Il Corda when in Saigon for a steak! (*We paid our own way) https://www.facebook.com/ilcorda Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

Matt and Mel popped over to Thailand recently for a short break and during their little sojourn to the Land of Smiles, they came to the realisation of just how freaking loud and grubby their hometown of Saigon is in comparison to Bangkok! Matt also surprises Mel with a gift in the form of a "radio commercial" to promote free tickets for this month's upcoming Coracle Music Festival on the beaches of Mui Ne in Vietnam! Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

In this teaser from The Love Episode (out on Valentine's Day), we find out one stereotype about Vietnamese women in the bedroom. Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NbyBSc76RD4ZnlZmNLsHx?si=KExzx6zRSL2p16k0Skq8aw Subscribe to The Bureau Asia on YouTube and help Matt reach 1,000 subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Join The Bureau Asia Group on Facebook to learn more about Vietnam and Southeast Asia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

On this Valentine's Day episode, we preview upcoming Netflix release A Tourist's Guide To Love which was filmed in Vietnam last year and is due to drop on April 27, then we call good friend Stella to ask her some of our burning questions about love and relationships in Vietnam – don't miss it! Subscribe to The Bureau Asia on YouTube and help Matt reach 1,000 subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Join The Bureau Asia Group on Facebook to learn more about Vietnam and Southeast Asia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Fakeness abounds in Southeast Asia which makes it rife in Vietnam, too! Sometimes, however, it can be life threatening. Taken from the Vietnam V The Philippines: Who's winning??? episode. Check it out here: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4M0h8ZWq6W6dKj8lGQRsFz?si=501791efb3ed45ee ANCHOR: https://anchor.fm/thebureaupodcast/episodes/Vietnam-V-The-Philippines-Whos-winning-e1ucui4 APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vietnam-v-the-philippines-whos-winning/id1478396971?i=1000597807814

Vietnam and the Philippines share a lot of common ground and are just a 2-hour flight from each other. The Philippines has long enjoyed a head start in its development, but in the last decade, Vietnam has made up a lot of ground to challenge its neighbour as more liveable. In this episode, we compare the two countries against indicators such as political stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education and infrastructure. So, who comes out on top?! Rock music history fans, check out Matt's recent episode on the history of rock music in Vietnam: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UfkoPVUbWEGVig6zC1V0Z?si=b2554f3c0dc24c78 Subscribe to The Bureau Asia on YouTube and help Matt reach 1,000 subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos Join The Bureau Asia Group on Facebook to learn more about Vietnam and Southeast Asia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Here's a short clip from the Manila episode called It's NOT always fun in the Philippines! Listen to the full podcast here on The Bureau Podcast and let me know what you think! Full episode link: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/YykCCA2aSwb Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia/ Watch The Bureau Asia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia

We're shown a lot of what's FUN about the Philippines by YouTubers "pinoybaiting" their adoring Filipino fans BUT to hell with that, we're giving you what's NOT always FUN about the land of adobo and lechon kawali and aim to bait you with the facts! Here are 5 things you need to consider before planning your trip to the Philippines! Watch my Philippines Adventures on The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia Follow Mel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

After the news, I interview the incomparable Bill Bensley who's brought to life more than 200 hotels and resorts in over 30 countries, including five amazing properties in Vietnam. Bill is widely regarded as one of the finest designers of our time and is responsible for designing Capella Ubud in Bali – a resort with ultra-luxurious tents that in 2020 was voted the best hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure Magazine. During the interview, we find out what he's cooking up in Africa and how he typically approaches his projects. After that, Mel drops by to chat about Detour – a new French-style cafe in Ho Chi Minh City inspired by the Mediterranean vibes of southern France, while I tell her about my boat trip up the Saigon River to the Lady Trieu gin distillery! Let's get into it! See more of Bill's work on his website: www.billbensley.com Follow Bill on Instagram: www.instagram.com/billbensley Connect with Bill on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bill-bensley-336984b3 Follow Mel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow Matt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Visit The Bureau Asia website: thebureauasia.com

After the news, I interview highly-respected Australian journalist, food writer and restaurant critic John Lethlean who's been motorbike riding up in the north of Vietnam for the past couple of weeks on holiday. John's been writing about hospitality and reviewing restaurants for more than 25 years for some of Australia's largest publications, including The Age and The Australian newspapers, and is about to embark on a new journey having written his last review for The Weekend Australian magazine last weekend. To wrap up the episode, Mel swings by to chat about some new restaurant openings and menus around town. Follow John on Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnlethlean Follow John on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057845537353 Follow Mel on Instagram: www.instagram.com/melaniecasul Follow Matt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Visit The Bureau Asia website: thebureauasia.com

After the news for the week, Matt interviews emerging Vietnamese poet Quynh Nguyen after the release of her first book of poetry called When Dead Birds See The Light a collection of 16 poems with love as the theme running throughout. She explains the process of publishing her debut book and opens up about love in her own life. After that, The Bureau Asia's Content Manager, Mel, pops by for a chat about her "royal watching" this week, road rage and her lack of driving skills! Meanwhile, Matt bemoans how the worsening traffic conditions in Ho Chi Minh City may eventually become a deal breaker. Get yourself a copy of Quynh's book here: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/When-Dead-Birds-See-Light/dp/B0B1FVB3JP Paperbacks https://paperbacks.vn/ Ohquao https://ohquao.com/ Follow Quynh on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quynhnguyen.author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthor_quynh/ Follow Mel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul/ Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon/Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Visit The Bureau Asia website: https://thebureauasia.com

As usual this season, Matt kicks off the episode with some of the latest news from Vietnam from the past week or so, followed by an interview with Wink Hotels brand director David Kaye, then to wrap it up, The Bureau Asia's content manager Melanie Casul pops by to make some cheeky cold calls to concierges at some of Ho Chi Minh City's finest hotels for dining and drinking recommendations. How do they fair? Follow David on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cavestagram Check out Wink Hotels: https://www.instagram.com/winkhotels Check out The Dot Magazine: https://thedotmagazine.com Check out Capella Hanoi: https://www.instagram.com/capellahanoi Check out JW Marriott Phu Quoc: https://www.instagram.com/jwmarriottphuquoc Follow Mel on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jwmarriottphuquoc Follow Matt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Visit The Bureau Asia website: https://thebureauasia.com

After five big news stories that hit the headlines in Vietnam this past week or so, I interview Joleena Seah who hasn't stopped travelling since travel restrictions were eased post-Covid. To wrap up the episode, I review three of the four stunning Bill Bensley-designed luxury resorts in Vietnam. Follow Joleena's travels on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joleenaseah Follow Joleena's PR work on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joleenaseah Follow Matt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/TheBureauAsia

I'm back this season all on my lonesome without Mel and Andy to hold my hand nor (more importantly) to stuff things up or get into arguments! First up in this episode, some Vietnam news, followed by an interview with a fellow who's been living out of a suitcase for the past 20 years as he follows his digital nomadic life across Asia and the rest of the world. To close out the episode, I review a new bar opening in the former gangster heartland of District 4 in Ho Chi Minh City. Follow Nomadic Notes: Website – www.nomadicnotes.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/nomadicnotes Instagram – instagram.com/nomadicnotes

Get a taste of what's in store during this Ho Chi Minh City Audio Trail Preview in which your guide, Matt, introduces some of the highlights of his audio walk through the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood of Ho Chi Minh City, which just so happens to be the city's first Chinatown!

Your guide, Matt, has been living in Ho Chi Minh City since 2010 and calls Vietnam home. He'll guide you through one of his favourite neighbourhoods – the tasty and very historic Nguyen Thai Binh in District 1 named after a South Vietnamese anti-war activist who was posthumously conferred national hero status after his premature death. The neighbourhood is also home to the city's oldest Cantonese community and was the first "Chinatown" so expect plenty of opportunities to eat and chat to locals during this highly-engaging walk that takes around 2-3 hours depending on your appetite and curiosity!

In this episode, our first for 2022, we unpack some Vietnam news stories that have caught our attention over the past week, we deep dive into the Vietnamese bride trade to South Korea, after which we take a look at what fascinates YouTubers about our city, Ho Chi Minh, and Vietnam, and how their videos sometimes annoy us. Then to wrap up what is a funny, irreverent, but at times, serious episode, Matt reviews French-inspired Cafe Marcel and its naughtily named newcomer to their menu, the Eggslut! All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com

I hope you enjoy the teaser for my first self-guided audio walking experience of Ho Chi Minh City. The full episode is still in production, but should be ready to go pretty soon! Please give it a listen and I invite you to comment, share, like and give feedback so that I can incorporate your ideas into the first episode before I publish it. Thanks in advance – and keep walking! Matt

This sporty episode is on-location at Baseball Cage in District 7, a bar with four batting cages, beers and fun vibes. We talk Vietnamese sports and our own tragic sporting careers, followed by an interesting interview with Australian pro-triathlete, Tim Van Berkel, who is one of the world's top athletes in the sport of triathlon. All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Vietnam's Civil Aviation Authority has submitted a 4-phase plan for the resumption of international flights to Vietnam, and in the meantime, recommends travellers from 15 countries be allowed to holiday here, including those from China, Russia, Cambodia and Thailand, among others. So our China expert, Andy, reveals what Chinese travellers will be looking for in their travel experience to Vietnam, while Mel, our...err..cough...cough...Russia "expert" tells us the hotspots our friends from Moscow will be zeroing in on. Matt also surprises when he reveals that it's common for Cambodians to visit Vietnam for medical and beauty reasons, including for nips and tucks and other "bolt on" accessories. In addition, The Bureau Crew leave time to give a big f**k you to critics who have nothing better to do but hate from way up on their high horses. All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Bars and restaurants are beginning to reopen in Ho Chi Minh City, so Matt, Mel & Andy discuss what it will take for establishments to entice them out of their homes. Also, Facebook and Instagram are tweaking vanity metrics, so what does this mean for influencers and content creators? Then, food trends in Ho Chi Minh City over the past couple of years – which ones are legit and which ones are simply taking the piss?! All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Now that Ho Chi Minh City has slowly begun to open up allowing double-vaxed citizens to leave their homes and travel across districts, we finally get to have co-host Andy Tran in the room for the first time ever! We talk about Ho Chi Minh City's remarkable Covid-19 turnaround that's seen it go from hard lockdown with a 24/7 curfew one week, to bars and restaurants being allowed to open in District 7 the next. In a slightly controversial segment, we call out some headlines and social media updates by influential people that we deem to be simply untrue, and then follow it up with a handful of stereotypes about Vietnamese people that will surely make the snowflakes among us melt. All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast! Website: www.thebureauasia.com Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

The hard social distancing measures that have kept Ho Chi Minh City residents confined to their homes for the past two months have finally been lifted. Matt, Mel and Andy talk about what they can and can't do until the next directive. Meanwhile, the private company that manages Saigon Zoo has asked both the public and the local government for funding to keep one of the world's oldest zoos open. Then they have a go at creating a short ad each in an attempt to entice foreigners to come to Vietnam to live. All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast! Website: www.thebureauasia.com Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

A recent online magazine ranking of the best cities in the world inspires Matt, Mel & Andy to come up with a list of 9 Best Streets in Ho Chi Minh City to visit, which is then followed by a wide-ranging discussion on the value of backpackers in Vietnam and whether they should be encouraged to return as soon as travel restrictions ease. A highlight is the expert comments and opinion by Dr Nuno Ribeiro, a senior lecturer and leading researcher in tourism and hospitality at RMIT Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, who sheds light on the narrative at all levels regarding the arguments for and against their return. All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast! Website: www.thebureauasia.com Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Our resident Milliennial Andy gives Gen-Xers Matt and Mel a quick lesson on language they're clearly too old for in a lighthearted segment that includes their suggestions for 2021's Word of the Year before they tone things down to remember the tragedy of 9/11 – 20 years on since the terrorist attacks in the US that shook the world. In this segment they recall what they were doing at the very moment the World Trade Centre twin towers collapsed, which is followed by a quiz featuring some of the world's most historical moments. As usual there's an update on Ho Chi Minh City news and its Covid-19 situation, including a discussion on the potential issues confronting venues and patrons once bars and restaurants reopen. Wrapping up the show is a segment for anyone who's missing travel in which some truly unique experiences in the Philippines are revealed, followed by Matt, Mel and Andy's dream trips in Vietnam they want to take once road trips are allowed again. All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Vietnam remains under 24/7 curfew, and with caseloads increasing, there appears to be no end in sight for the pandemic. Yet, amid this gloomy forecast, some hope for those of us confined to our homes has emerged as the Prime Minister implies via the media that lockdowns can't go on forever and that the country needs to move on. We also interview Dr Nuno Ribeiro, a senior lecturer and leading researcher in tourism and hospitality at RMIT Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, about the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on travel businesses in Vietnam, including what steps will be taken to open up a travel industry that reported approximately US$33 billion in tourism revenue in 2019 but is now in tatters. All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. For the full interview with Dr Nuno Ribeiro, visit our YouTube Channel: The Bureau Asia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmo8lbl_vZo Website: https://thebureauasia.com

While US Vice President Kamala Harris visited Hanoi this week with very little fanfare, the same can't be said of Vietnam's military who landed in Ho Chi Minh City to manage the city's Covid-19 crisis. In a true act of winning the hearts and minds of the citizens – especially the hearts – the boys in green lit up social media in Vietnam's biggest town with steaming images of them topless sorting out rations on the streets and in warehouses. Tiktokers, both straight and not, city-wide hoped that the eventual knock at their front door would be from the scantily-clad footslogger of their dreams delivering essential goodies and saving the day from evil. Meanwhile, this rollicking episode wraps up with a tasty chat about what unusual Vietnamese ingredient Matt, Mel and Andy would like to see in a burger. All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Matt, Mel & Andy provide fresh updates on Ho Chi Minh City's increasing Covid-19 caseload, how the current curfew from 6pm to 6am is affecting the city, and what can be expected with the latest announcement that from August 23, the city will be under curfew 24/7 indefinitely with the military in place to ensure everything goes to plan. Despite arguably the strictest lockdown on the planet, Vietnam is still playing with the idea of a travel bubble agreement with other countries and has earmarked Phu Quoc as a possible destination. Meanwhile, the old Saigon was in the news again this week with images of the US military's withdrawal from Kabul conjuring up reminders of its withdrawal from Saigon almost 50 years ago. Off the back of that, each of the crew recommend a historic place in Vietnam to visit once travel is open again. The episode concludes on a lighter note with a pirate story too crazy to be true! All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. LINK TO THE OLD CIA BUILDING: https://thebureauasia.com/2020/12/01/the-fall-of-saigon-1975-now-you-can-visit-the-rooftop-made-famous-by-hubert-van-es/ Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Join Matt, Mel & Andy talking superstitions, Pizza Hut and Vietnam's own Pizza 4Ps in Cambodia, the Nas Daily backlash in the Philippines, and what it's like trying to make a living in Vietnam as an influencer or content creator. All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Some restaurants and bars in Ho Chi Minh City are offering vouchers as an alternative form of cash flow during forced closures - good idea or not? Meanwhile, one of our favourite neighbourhoods in District 1 is but a shadow of its former self. Our new co-host AT has flip flops on the ground there and he provides a grim-looking snapshot of the alleyway in which he lives. As this is all going on, Aussies in Vietnam are divided over the Australian Embassy's stance on accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines, and both Mel and AT call out tone deafness on social media at a time when discretion is probably the best policy. All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia Website: https://thebureauasia.com Join our growing Discord Chat: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

The history of Vietnam's largest city has had as many twists and turns as a best-selling thriller. The truth it seems really is stranger than fiction. How did a small group of river pirates led by a man who would become a national hero, emerge from the swamps south of Saigon to become a fully-fledged army fighting for independence against the French? For more information and stories about Vietnam, visit thebureauasia.com

The history of Vietnam's largest city has had as many twists and turns as a best-selling thriller. The truth it seems really is stranger than fiction. How did a small group of river pirates led by a man who would become a national hero, emerge from the swamps south of Saigon to become a fully-fledged army fighting for independence against the French? For more information and stories about Vietnam, visit thebureauasia.com

This is my entry for the 2021 My RODE Cast competition! It's a 2-minute teaser for my Blood Debt episode about the legend of a small neighbourhood in central Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Give it a listen, and if you like it, support me by voting for it at myrodecast.com/listen The full episode can be found HERE Wish me luck!

1975 and Vietnam was finally at peace and reunified after centuries of fighting for its independence. The victors set about renaming every street and neighbourhood in the former South after national heroes and significant others who helped create and defend the nation. This is how Ho Chi Minh City got its name. Today, in the city centre, there's a small neighbourhood named after a young South Vietnamese university student from the Mekong Delta called Nguyen Thai Binh who at the height of ant-war demonstrations in the United States became a beacon for peace on its university campuses across the country. But he was stripped of his scholarship and sent home to South Vietnam to face the music as a result of what he stood for. This is one of the few known stories about a man who stood for peace at a time when it was deadly to do so. What happened to him? For more information and stories about Vietnam, visit thebureauasia.com

The charming seaside town of Vung Tau is just a 2-hour drive or ferry ride from Ho Chi Minh City and is typically regarded as a place just to get away from the city for the weekend to enjoy the fresh sea breeze and ocean views. But, in fact, it's little known that Vung Tau is actually one of the best destinations in Vietnam for foodies. In this episode, your host, Matt, introduces you to 5 of the best 'no name' joints to eat local Vietnamese food that you can only find if you're "in the know!" By the end of this podcast you'll be in the know, too! Find out where some of the best snails can be found under a tree on the corner of a T-intersection that many of the locals don't even know about, or the place where a banh xeo lady spins up to four woks at a time and looks like a DJ spinning tunes at their decks, and discover what the odd looking creature is in a piping hot bowl of bun be be. That and more in this tasty little episode that's educational, fun and downright mouth-watering. If you'd like more info on the places featured in this episode, visit thebureauasia.com for the complete article, including pictures and video for each dish!

Vũng Tàu, a beachside town approximately 100km southeast of Hồ Chí Minh City (Vietnam's biggest city), is often left off the itineraries of international travellers and dismissed by expats as a seedy getaway for men wanting to escape the city to get up to no good behind closed doors. But as Matt and Mel discuss, Vũng Tàu deserves more respect. It's long been loved by the Vietnamese for beach holidays and has arguably one of Vietnam's tastiest foodie scenes, after all, it's regarded as the home of bánh khọt, everybody's favourite little deep-fried snack. It also has a rich history. Vũng Tàu's name has changed multiple times, it once harboured Malay pirates tracking the busy trade routes that ran up and down Vietnam's east coast, the Portuguese popped by for a bit, along with the French, and there's been a sizeable Russian community living here for decades. And to top it off, the fisherfolk worship whales. Playlist 00:00 - 01: 55 Intro 01:55 - 08: 03 The basics about Vũng Tàu (getting there, weather, lifestyle & sights) 08:07 - 12:37 A brief history 12:41 - 22:36 Food 22:41 - 26: 58 Cool discoveries (an ocean view cafe, a pool by the beach & a mega Club Sandwich) 27: 02 - 38:48 Whale worshipping & the small fishing village of Phước Hải 38: 53 - End (41:31) For more about the places, addresses & locations Matt visited in this episode, be sure to check out: Website: https://thebureauasia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9Y7j-cBFe9rWNHtVCArEg Follow Matt: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.cowan.127/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2beIeu-y4Z33mnKqE5u6cg (coming soon!) Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul The Bureau Podcast theme & bumper by Lionel Valdellon at http://acid42.com

In this long-awaited return of The Bureau Podcast after a lengthy hiatus, The Chief (Matt Cowan) gets Harper's Bazaar Vietnam editor-at-large Chris Thompson on the blower who tells us whether or not his predictions came true for Vietnam hospitality trends during this weird and unpredictable era of COVID-19. Chris also reveals what F&B trends are emerging and are likely to become a “thing” moving into 2021, and he tells us about one place Saigoners really must visit, especially while international tourists for the moment are absent. After that, we deep-dive into the prickly and controversial world of influencer marketing, celebrities, content creators and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram with The Bureau's own content manager Melanie Casul who also happens to lecture on digital marketing at RMIT Vietnam in Saigon. She enlightens us on what digital marketing actually is, points out the amount of tiers (no, not tears) of influencers there are and what they constitute, including at the same time letting Matt down gently once he comes to the realisation that he's not a micro-influencer at all and perhaps just scrapes in as a nano-influencer - either way, he's at the bottom of the heap! Beers are never too far from the microphones during the recording of any Bureau Podcast and this time is no different. Matt and Mel blind taste a couple of locally-made craft frothies, Pasteur Street Brewing Co's Pomelo IPA and a newcomer to the scene, Mix Tape's Peaches & Cream IPA. Somehow after that, they manage to get through Get Excited where they tell each other which venue in Saigon has got them excited, before finishing off with the cheeky new fun segment Insta-worthless, where Matt calls out a couple of Instagram accounts for their whacked updates that you would never be able to come up with in a million years! Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, stop, pop the top off a cold one, sit down and enjoy the listen.

With the biggest public health crisis we've confronted this century playing out, it's forced us indoors for the foreseeable future. Governments are demanding that we stay home and leave only for essential purposes like grocery shopping or medical checkups. Schools have been closed for most of the year in Vietnam, students aren't likely to return until at least June and workers in non-essential industries have either been stood down or are required to work from home until further notice. As this existential threat to our health and livelihoods is mostly seen as coming from beyond the four walls of our homes, what about the impact it's having within them? To find out, I spoke to health and fitness professional Phil Kelly, the founder and master trainer of Body Expert Systems based in Ho Chi Minh City. We ask Phil the following questions: 1. What impact has COVID-19 had on the health and fitness industry in Vietnam? 2. How quickly do you believe the industry will bounce back and why? 3. How have you adapted your program/s to the restrictions that have been put in place? 4. What advice and activities do you have to keep us moving? 5. Are there any online challenges that we should just simply avoid?