“The air in Hanoi was so polluted that some days, we couldn’t even see the mountains. Then COVID hit, and suddenly we had blue skies.”

In this episode of The Saigon Sunday Sessions, Niall Mackay dives deep into the age-old debate between Vietnam’s two major cities: Saigon and Hanoi. Joined by guests Paul Villanova and Krista Bernard with Adrie Lopez Mackay, they explore their personal experiences living in both cities, sharing everything from lifestyle differences to humorous anecdotes about motorbike adventures and the impact of pollution on daily life.

Key Highlights:

1.Moving from Hanoi to Saigon: Krista reflects on the decision to move from Hanoi after five years, citing job opportunities and life circumstances that led the couple to embrace Saigon’s vibrancy.

2.Cultural Differences: The group discusses the contrasting personalities of the two cities, with Hanoi’s slower-paced, community-centered life versus the fast-paced, cosmopolitan vibe of Saigon.

3.Traffic Chaos: The panel shares their often-comical motorbike experiences, navigating the chaotic traffic of both cities, and Krista describes her journey of learning to ride in Vietnam’s unpredictable streets.

4.Pollution Concerns: Air quality is a significant topic, with the guests comparing the smog-filled skies of Hanoi to the relatively clearer air in Saigon, particularly after COVID lockdowns.

5.Bia Hoi Culture: A quintessential part of Hanoi life, the discussion highlights the local tradition of Bia Hoi, inexpensive fresh beer that fosters community gatherings in Hanoi, and the noticeable absence of this in Saigon’s upscale bar scene.

Episode Breakdown:

[00:01:00] Moving from Hanoi to Saigon: Paul and Krista’s story

[00:07:00] Motorbike Adventures: Learning to ride in Vietnam

[00:11:00] Cultural Differences between the North and South

[00:18:00] Air Pollution: Living with the haze in Hanoi and Saigon

[00:26:00] Bia Hoi vs. Saigon’s bar scene: Social life in both cities

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