Saigoneer Audio Archive

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.

  1. A Look Back

    04/24/2022

    A Look Back

    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!

    41 min
  2. Rating 2021; Lunar New Year or Gregorian New Year?

    01/10/2022

    Rating 2021; Lunar New Year or Gregorian New Year?

    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.

    53 min
  3. Hannah Hà, Mark Gergis, Jan Hagenkoetter & the Making of 'Magical Nights'

    12/23/2021

    Hannah Hà, Mark Gergis, Jan Hagenkoetter & the Making of 'Magical Nights'

    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!

    56 min
  4. The (Brief) History of 'Day of Phở;' and Weddings or Rooftop Bars?

    12/20/2021

    The (Brief) History of 'Day of Phở;' and Weddings or Rooftop Bars?

    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.

    45 min
  5. Rating 'Hello Vietnam,' Plus Waterbus v. Metro

    12/06/2021

    Rating 'Hello Vietnam,' Plus Waterbus v. Metro

    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.

    49 min
  6. Riding on a Motorbike With Someone; Karaoke or Nightclub?

    11/15/2021

    Riding on a Motorbike With Someone; Karaoke or Nightclub?

    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.

    46 min
  7. The Bitexco Tower Opens; Street Names v. Food Names

    11/08/2021

    The Bitexco Tower Opens; Street Names v. Food Names

    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.

    34 min
  8. The Value of Bike Baskets; Should Saigon Go Under- or Above-Ground?

    11/01/2021

    The Value of Bike Baskets; Should Saigon Go Under- or Above-Ground?

    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?

    43 min
See All (128)

4.6
out of 5
23 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Saigoneer
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2022
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Saigoneer
  • Show Website
    Saigoneer Audio Archive