PODCAST · society
Saigoneer Audio Archive
by Saigoneer
The Saigoneer Audio Archive allows listeners to take our reporting, insight and banter anywhere through in-depth discussions on Vietnamese society and culture, as well as interviews with special guests.
Episodes
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Street Art in Vietnam; Puppetry Artist Linh Valerie Pham
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…
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The Central Vietnam Floods; Award-Winning Sustainable Fashion Designer Le Ngoc Ha Thu
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…
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Our Dream Pedestrian Areas; Chilling Stories for Halloween
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...
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That New Yorker Article; Smartphones in Public Schools
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...
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Urbanist Vietnam's Launch; the Áo Dài's Place in Modern Society
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…
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Using Diacritics in English Writing; the Da Nang COVID-19 Outbreak
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…
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Vietnam's Effort to Increase Fertility Rates; Visual Arts Curator Bill Nguyen
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...
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Wildlife Consumption in the COVID-19 Era; a Street Food Update
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...
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Life in Hanoi During & After the Pandemic; Modernist Architecture with Mel Schenck Returns
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…
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The Gender & Generational Divides of Saigon's Civic Spaces
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…
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The Evolution of Contemporary Vietnamese Cinema
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...
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The Snack Chat & Saigon Children Executive Director Damien Roberts
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...
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A View of Vietnam from World Cinema
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...
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The End of the National Social Distancing Order
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…
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Review Roulette
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...
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COVID-19 Dispatches from Saigon
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...
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Covid-19 Update, Quarantine What If? & Wildlife Conservationist Trang Nguyen
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...
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Vietnam's Unheralded Women & the Creators of Melon Bê Đê
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...
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Nhậu's Social Norms & the Impact of Ongoing School Closures
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...
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After the Success of 'Parasite,' a Look at Asian & Vietnamese Cinema
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...
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The Coronavirus Outbreak and the New Drunk Driving Laws
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...
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Tet Food Improvements and Writer Nguyen Phan Que Mai
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…
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Vietnam's Decade in Review
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…
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Some of our Favorite 2019 Segments
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...
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Korea's Presence in Saigon; the Darker Side of K-Pop
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…
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A SEA Games Deep Dive; Restaurateurs Phuong Ngo & Jerome Buzenet
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...
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The Air Pollution Problem; the Bubble Tea Bubble Bursts
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...
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Alternative Medicine in the Modern World; Can Netflix Dethrone YouTube?
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…
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Our Nguyen Hue Upgrades, We're Loud Fest Organizer Peter Menchetti
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,...
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Traditional Vietnamese Culture's Role in Pop Culture; Dessert Fight
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…
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The Lure of the 'Promised Land' and the Collapse of Mon Hue
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...
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Instagram's Impact on Tourism; the Power of 'Made in Vietnam'
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…
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Victim-Blaming in 2019; the Rising Indie Music Scene
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...
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Convenience Stores Take Over Saigon; Social Media Literacy
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...
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Mid-Autumn Mooncakes & 'Rubber and the Making of Vietnam' Author Michitake Aso
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...
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'The Tale of Kieu', New Social Networks & Music Writer Thuc Dang
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...
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Historical 'What Ifs?' and a Street Food Update
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...
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The Evolution of Pets in Vietnam; the Significance of 'Ghost Month'
On this week's episode, we begin (1:07) by discussing how the concept and role of pets is evolving as Vietnam becomes increasingly wealthy. More people are buying expensive breeds of cats and dogs, but cities like Saigon have introduced stricter pet regulations, while many new apartment complexes...
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Deciding Where to Study Abroad; a Ride-Hailing App Update
On this week's episode, we begin (1:07) ̣by discussing the factors that Vietnamese students weigh when choosing a country for studying abroad. Then (14:44), we dig into recent developments in the local ride-hailing app market, from new competitors to driver strikes and more. As always, we end…
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The Food Authenticity Debate
What makes a certain dish or cuisine authentic? Who determines which food and restaurants are authentic? Does authenticity even matter when it comes to food? We debate these questions and more in this single-topic episode (1:04). As always, we end with Bánh Mỉ Banter (26:03).
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Nhậu Roundtable Special & Laiday Refill Station Co-Founder Quyen Nguyen
On this week's episode, we celebrate the end of an era with our second nhậu roundtable special (1:08). We answered questions such as "If you launched a Vietnamese airline, what would it be called, and what uniforms would the flight attendants wear?"; "If you could open a museum in Saigon, what...
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Domestic Tourism's Rise & the Son Tung-Snoop Dogg Music Video
On this week's show, we begin ̣(1:02) by discussing the explosive growth of domestic tourism in Vietnam, an industry aided by rapid economic growth and a blossoming middle class. Can tourism service providers cater to both the domestic market and the international tourism market, given the very...
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Preserving Architectural Heritage & the One Thing We Would Change About Saigon
On this week's show, we begin (1:10) by discussing Saigon's disappearing architectural heritage. Much has been written about the city's failure to preserve its historic buildings, particularly those from the colonial era, but at times local voices have been left out of that discourse. Who should...
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The War on Plastic & Our Vietnam Superpowers
On this week's show, we begin ̣(1:06) by discussing Vietnam's new national campaign against plastic waste. Such garbage is a massive problem here, so what do we hope to see from this effort, and what sort of impact have small-scale anti-plastic movements had? Then (20:07), on a lighter note, we...
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'The Third Wife' Controversy & Vietnam's Protein Consumption
On this week's episode we start (1:23) in the movie world. 'The Third Wife,' the critically acclaimed indie film festival darling directed by Ash Mayfair and filmed here, was released in Vietnam recently, but only lasted four days in cinemas before being pulled. We break down the controversy...
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The Laughing Gas Debate & Our Favorite Sauces
On this week's show, we begin ̣(1:14) by discussing news that officials are considering adding nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to the list of banned substances. Balloons filled with laughing gas have become hugely popular on the local club circuit in recent years. Then (12:47), we debate our...
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Vietnam's Reading Culture & Another Viewpoint on Folk Wisdom
It's our 50th episode! As unabashed bibliophiles, we care and think about book culture and trends a lot. In our first segment, we discuss what we’ve observed in light of a pretty terrifying survey of reading rates in Vietnam (2:18). Then (20:33), we talk about idioms. While these pithy phrases…
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Overseas Vietnamese Laborers & What if a Zombie Apocalypse Hit Saigon?
On this week's show, which comes a few days late due to two national holidays, we begin (1:14) by discussing challenges which Vietnamese laborers in countries like Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Japan face, as well as some of the problems researchers have found in factories in Vietnam. Then (16:35) we...
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A Reckoning on Child Harassment; That Burger King Ad; & 'Startup Vietnam' Author Andrew Rowan
We're back from a two-week break! On this episode, we begin (1:20) with a discussion about sexual harassment of children in Vietnam following a recent incident in which a middle-aged man molested a girl on an elevator in a Saigon apartment complex. Then (14:39), we discuss that Burger King New...
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Listener Mailbag
Happy April Fools' Day! On this week's episode, we sort through a pile of unsolicited listener questions ̣(0:55) and ponder answers to age-old conundrums such as "Which animal makes the best sound?"; "If you could send each of your colleagues on a trip to anywhere in the world, where would it…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Saigoneer Audio Archive have?
Saigoneer Audio Archive currently has 126 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Saigoneer Audio Archive about?
The Saigoneer Audio Archive allows listeners to take our reporting, insight and banter anywhere through in-depth discussions on Vietnamese society and culture, as well as interviews with special guests.
How often does Saigoneer Audio Archive release new episodes?
Saigoneer Audio Archive publishes regularly with 126 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Saigoneer Audio Archive?
You can listen to Saigoneer Audio Archive on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Saigoneer Audio Archive?
Saigoneer Audio Archive is created and hosted by Saigoneer.
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