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Nothing exciting, just a typical moped ride from District 1 (Saigon) to a neighbouring district during regular traffic. What you miss from just listening is the constant game of chicken everyone plays with each other with 99% success rate of living for both players. 

I have read and been told Saigon moped riders are insane.

Part of a series of what you can hear around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

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I thought the rainy season ended after August, but that might just be true for the part of Vietnam where my dad is from. Jen tells me big heavy thunderstorms are normal in October.

Part of a series of what you can hear around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

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From one of the hotels I stayed in, I heard a unique bird call. I have no idea what it is and I cannot find a non-Americas, non-European app for identification.

Part of a series of what you can hear around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

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No Julie Andrew here. Dennis lays out his thoughts on “Vietnam’s” epic, the Tale of Kieu, a story of Confucian morals.

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We talk about the struggles about becoming a war chief and if there is an exchange rate between elephants and horses. 

A follow up to this episode is included at the start of the avocado episode.

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Just a ramble about the various Vietnamese gang members I’ve met over the years.

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We, to Dennis' chagrin, talk about Vietnam's most famous cuisine, phở (if I hear an Oh sound, I will hunt you down). It's origins are murky, but whether it be French, Chinese or a hybridization with local recipes, there's no denying it's significance. Ramen (a completely different type of soup, listen and learn), takes a back seat to this savoury bowl of noodles. 

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We delve into the SCB saga, the greatest criminal trial in Vietnam's, in SE Asia's history and the lady at the center of it all, Capitalist Lang (Trương Mỹ Lan). 

Post script: On June 6, Al Jazeera reports more charges were filed against Capital Lang for transferring $4.5 billion USD in and out of Vietnam (https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/6/6/vietnam-tycoon-sentenced-to-death-could-face-new-charges-state-media-say).

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As part of our ongoing gratitude to our listeners in Frankfurt Am Main, we thought we'd have a look at how Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) stacks up to this powerhouse of a German city.

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My final short report while on my trip where I talk about my disappointment at the MLB store in Ho Chi Minh City and women working 9 to 5.