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Welcome to What About Vietnam - A Travel Podcast with Kerry Newsome. If you have ever thought about Vietnam as a holiday destination, but unsure, well, this may be just the eye-opener you need to help you decide you must go. A cross between "Trip advisor and a blog" minus the 300+ pages of reading, this podcast aims to give you insights into Vietnam from years of traveling to and from, and as a travel manager. My objective is to give you the information the guide books don't,.... in an easy ...
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Dish City explores the iconic foods of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to understand local history and how we live today. Join hosts Patrick Fort and Ruth Tam as they learn the origins of Old Bay in Maryland, explore the roots of Vietnamese cuisine in Virginia, and investigate whether D.C.'s bottomless brunch is actually a good deal. From WAMU.
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BiblioAsia+

National Library, Singapore

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BiblioAsia+ is a podcast series about Singapore stories: some unfamiliar, others forgotten, all fascinating. Does Singapore have a stone age? What’s happened to the murals at the old Paya Lebar airport? Who were some local tennis greats? Find out in this original podcast by the National Library of Singapore.
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Vietnamtrips.com is a proud child of LOCAL SUNSHINE CO., LTD, managed by a group of young people who love to travel and explore. This is an online travel guide to Vietnam, bringing a lot of useful information for the trip of people with similar interests in traveling. You can find here fascinating tourist attractions, tips or experiences, and other information about the place you want to visit. Everything you need for a trip is provided by us in the most complete and detailed way, satisfying ...
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Send us a Text Message. No one travels these days without their phone. So, it makes sense to invest in some extra smartphone skills that can significantly enhance your travel experience if Vietnam. In this show we arm you with some of the best Tech Tips and Apps to enhance your experience of Vietnam, including : staying in touch with family and fri…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of the What About Vietnam podcast, I had the pleasure of uncovering Yen Bai and Tu Le—a region and destination resort I’d describe as a true “diamond in the rough” in Vietnam. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty and minimal development, Yen Bai is perfect for those seeking tranquillity and a break from …
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MasterChef Singapore judge Damian D’Silva grew up by the sea and spent many happy hours foraging for horseshoe crabs, shellfish and sea snails that would end up in the cooking pot. In this episode, he talks about how his childhood and grandfather influenced his cooking philosophy, when he found his calling in the kitchen (later than you'd expect), …
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Growing up as a Chetti Melaka (Peranakan Indian), Tanya realised her family was different when she was seven or eight years old. Her family spoke Malay at home, ate sambal belacan, and had huge parties with a lot of unusual food. In this episode, Tanya talks with pride about the rituals of the ancestor worship known parachu and the cookbook contain…
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Set up by five Buddhist women in 1946, Loke Woh Yuen was the first Chinese vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. It employed an all-female staff, was known for its popular shark’s fin made from maize, and was sometimes so packed that it had to set up dining tents that stretched to the main road. Its efforts to spread vegetarianism were complemented b…
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Send us a Text Message. Hey there, fellow adventurers! Today's episode comes straight from my recent Out & About escapade in Phong Nha, and let me tell you, it's a tale worth sharing – but we'll save that for another day. For now, I'm dedicating this special episode exclusively to families, because trust me, you're in for a delightful surprise once…
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A tireless steward of Malay culture, Hajah Asfiah worked all her life to preserve and pass on Malay crafts. When she was just 10, she began teaching embroidery and flower arrangement in school. Later in life, she was a mak andam (wedding attendant) for more than 20 years and worked with more than 1,000 brides. At age 65, she got her cookbook Hidang…
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You hear Malay, Javanese, Tamil and Punjabi as you wander the streets with shops selling colourful textiles and carpets, spices and flowers. Here you find different curries and bread, nasi padang, sup tulang, mee siam, a Javanese kitchen, Hainanese coffeeshops. Bookstores sell literature and newspapers as far away as Cairo. In this episode, Khir te…
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Kueh pie tee is not a pie that goes with tea. So where did the name (and dish) come from? Award-winning cookbook author Christopher Tan combs through old newspapers and cookbooks, in search of the origins of the dish. PS: Dates back to 1570! Christopher Tan is an award-winning writer, cooking instructor and photographer. His articles, columns, reci…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome back to What About Vietnam! Get your ears ready for another insightful episode in our mini-series, Out & About in Vietnam where I check out what Nha Trang has to offer, in a 3 day stay. Nha Trang is not just another beautiful beach destination; it's a cultural melting pot. From the moment you step foot in Nha Trang, …
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Tan Teng Kee was the Mike Tyson of Singapore boxing in the 1920s. Known as Battling Key, the larger-than-life boxer attracted crowds wherever he went. Which makes his drastic downfall all the more tragic. Abhishek Mehrotra is a researcher and writer whose interests include media and society in colonial Singapore, urban toponymy and post-independenc…
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Send us a Text Message. Here I am, "Out & About in Mui Ne," determined to share with you my findings as experienced through my eyes. It's a down-to-earth exploration of Mui Ne's hidden treasures and unique vibe. This is as authentic as it gets! Drawing inspiration from a previous episode S3- E17 I did with Nikki Cornish, I set out to explore this f…
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Nicknamed “Twinkle Toes” for his agility, Chia Boon Leong (1925–2022) is widely regarded as one of Singapore‘s most talented football players. Academic and sports historian Nick Aplin talks about the footballer’s sporting achievements, his character and their friendship. Dr Nick Aplin is Deputy Director (Sport Heritage) at Sport Singapore. He is th…
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Send us a Text Message. The “Out & About in Vietnam” series continues with Kelley McCarthy and I deciding to go in search of a beach escape from Saigon. Not many people know about this place, and with a new highway making it so much easier to access, it may just be the ticket! Today we're exploring a different kind of vacation experience—one where …
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome to the premiere of "What About Vietnam" – the Uncut Edition! This marks the second instalment of our Out & About mini-series, where I, Kerry Newsome, along with the ever-adventurous Kelly McCarthy, take you on a journey through the vibrant streets of Saigon. Get ready for a deeply personal and unforgettable experienc…
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Send us a Text Message. Hello, I'm Kerry Newsome, and welcome to my podcast, "What About Vietnam." In this episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a mini-series "Out & About in Vietnam" that will take you along on my holiday adventures in Vietnam. Over the next 60 days, I'll be sharing my experiences, destinations, and the fascinating people I me…
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In the 1960s and ‘70s, lured by adventure and money, Singaporean musicians went to South Vietnam to perform for American troops during the war. They were met with cheers, bullets and assault. Boon Lai is an author, an illustrator and a filmmaker based in Singapore. Inspired by the true accounts of the rockers who toured the Vietnam War, he created …
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Send us a Text Message. Join us for an insightful journey into the pressing issue of human trafficking in Vietnam, and discover how, as a traveller, you have the ability to effect real change. In this episode, I'm joined by Kim Miller, who offers firsthand insights into the challenges and the remarkable efforts undertaken by Blue Dragon, an organiz…
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Thanks to restoration, classic films like The Teenage Textbook Movie (1998) can still be shown on a big screen 20 years after its cinema run. On a mission to preserve Singapore’s film heritage, film archivist Chew Tee Pao saves important movies and gives them a second life. Chew Tee Pao is an archivist with the Asian Film Archive. Since 2014, he ha…
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In the mid-19th century, two ancient gold coins were uncovered near present-day Keppel Harbour. Unfortunately, the Acehnese coins vanished before they could be studied carefully. The Jawi inscriptions on the coins were recorded, though they didn’t make sense. More than 180 years later, Foo Shu Tieng tries to solve the case. Foo Shu Tieng is Associa…
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A young German girl met an untimely end on Pulau Ubin in 1914. A shrine set up in her honour becomes Internet-famous. Following a deep search into the historical records, writer and researcher William Gibson discovers some inconvenient truths behind one of Singapore’s best-known shrines. Dr William L. Gibson is a former Lee Kong Chian research fell…
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Send us a Text Message. Today's episode is particularly special as we delve into the vibrant celebration of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year and what that means for Vietnamese and you as a traveller during this time period. Drawing from my personal experiences in Vietnam, I've compiled 8 essential tips for travelers to help you navigate and appreciate …
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Yip Yew Chong’s 60-metre-long work, “I Paint my Singapore”, drew huge crowds when it went on display at the Raffles City Convention Centre. Comprising 27 scenes of 1970s–1980s Singapore, the painting merges history, memory and nostalgia. In this episode of BiblioAsia+, Yew Chong explains how he created this work and reveals what he would love to pa…
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Send us a Text Message. In our show today we get to explore the evolving food culture in Vietnam, with a focus on the growth of new culinary experiences and the expansion of dining options beyond just street food. Don’t get me wrong, Street Food is still something you must try, but don’t stop there! Stick around to find some of the up and coming pl…
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Send us a Text Message. Bac Giang, is a picturesque place that often remains under the radar until the Lychee Festival, typically featured in social pages and news around June. This lively event commemorates Bac Giang's distinction as the "Land of Lychees." In today’s episode Bac Giang and the subject of lychees are front and centre, as I get to sh…
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Send us a Text Message. If you're planning a holiday in Vietnam and have a penchant for motorbike rides and scenic routes, your quest will inevitably lead you to the iconic Hải Vân Pass (Đèo Hải Vân). The Hải Vân Pass is more than just a road; it's a legendary motorbike route nestled in the heart of central Vietnam. In 2008, it garnered global reco…
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Send us a Text Message. Welcome to another exciting episode of The What About Vietnam Podcast. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of expat life in Vietnam, shedding light on the importance of doing your homework before taking the plunge into this vibrant Southeast Asian nation. Vietnam is a country that's been capturing the imagin…
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The Great Reclamation is a work of historical fiction set in Singapore that has received rave reviews from the New Yorker and the New York Times. A love story, it also took five years of serious research into a variety of topics, including land reclamation, the Japanese Occupation and postwar politics in Singapore. Listen to author Rachel Heng talk…
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Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode, I have the opportunity to introduce you to Vicki Thai, a Health Care Sales professional living in Utah, USA, with Vietnamese heritage. Vicki's family immigrated to the United States from Vietnam when she was four years old, and during her growing up, she had never given much thought to her Vietnamese…
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Writer and educator Ilya Katrinnada interviewed the Orang Seletar who resettled in Johor to learn about their lives, and their links to Singapore. Ilya Katrinnada is an educator and writer with a keen interest in the intersections of creativity, community and education. Having graduated with a major in anthropology, she currently works as a special…
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The Kranji War Cemetery and the Singapore Memorial commemorate those who died while fighting the Japanese during World War II. Librarian Janice Loo looks at the lives of the people who paid the ultimate price in the defence of Singapore. Janice Loo is a librarian with the National Library, Singapore. Her responsibilities include collection manageme…
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Singapore used to be a major recording centre in Southeast Asia, with over 10,000 local recordings made before 1960. Hear the story from sound archivist Ross Laird, author of From Keroncong to Xinyao. Ross was formerly a sound archivist with the National Film & Sound Archive of Australia. He was awarded NLB’s Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship in 2…
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Send us a Text Message. I’m thrilled to have such an engaging conversation with our guest today about the digital nomad lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned nomad or just curious about this exciting way of life, this episode is a must-listen! I am fortunate to be joined with Florian Rucker who inspires nomads by providing a unique, friendly, and we…
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Writer and researcher William L. Gibson undertakes a pilgrimage into the archives to uncover the history of the keramat on Kusu Island, south of the main island of Singapore. Dr William L. Gibson is an author and a researcher based in Southeast Asia since 2005. His research topic for the Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship, awarded by the National L…
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Librarian Lim Tin Seng rediscovers Singapore’s first island resort getaway and solves various mysteries surrounding it, including where Sarong Island is now. Lim Tin Seng is a senior librarian with the National Library, Singapore. He is the co-editor of Roots: Tracing Family Histories (2013), Harmony and Development: ASEAN-China Relations (2009) an…
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There's more to firewalking than the public display of religious devotion. Independent curator Nalina Gopal tells us the stories behind the three-month rituals that precede the firewalking at Singapore's Sri Mariamman Temple. Nalina Gopal is an independent curator and researcher focused on South Asia and its diaspora. She is the co-editor of Sojour…
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Stone tools have been found in and around Singapore since the late 19th century, but much about them remains a mystery, according to librarian and archaeologist Foo Shu Tieng. Foo Shu Tieng is an associate librarian with the National Library, Singapore, and works with the Singapore and Southeast Asia collections. Her responsibilities include collec…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of "What About Vietnam," Kerry Newsome shares some exciting news about the visa situation for entering Vietnam. As of August 15th, travelers will be able to extend their stays from 30 days to 90 days. Kerry recommends using the official immigration website here to apply for your visa and shares the details in…
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Writer Abhishek Mehrotra serves up a history of Malaya’s prewar tennis scene, focusing on two tennis greats: Khoo Hooi Hye and Lim Bong Soo, who won 9 Malaya Cups and 12 Singapore Championships between them. Abhishek is a researcher and writer whose interests include media and society in colonial Singapore, urban toponymy and post-independence Indi…
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A food that has been called rank and disgusting is a beloved condiment in Southeast Asia. Librarian Toffa Abdul Wahed talks about the long history of belacan (fermented shrimp) in Southeast Asia and Singapore. Toffa is an associate librarian with the National Library, Singapore, and works with the Singapore and Southeast Asia Collection. Read the t…
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Three large murals used to grace the walls of Paya Lebar Airport, depicting scenes from Singapore and Malaysia. Librarian Dahlia Shamsuddin, the daughter of one of the artists involved, recounts her efforts to uncover the fate of her father’s mural. Dahlia is a senior librarian at the Singapore's National Library Board, where she catalogues legal d…
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Maiden Lin, Maiden Lei and Maiden Huang are local goddesses whose legends begin in Singapore. Award-winning writer Ng Yi-Sheng dives into their origins and looks at their worship today. Yi-Sheng is a poet, fictionist, playwright and researcher. His books include the debut poetry collection last boy, A Book of Hims and Loud Poems for a Very Obliging…
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During World War II, forced civilian labourers known as rōmusha were used by the Imperial Japanese Army to build the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. Shirlene Noordin pieces together what happened to her grandfather in the three years he worked on the Death Railway. Shirlene is the founder of Phish Communications, a communications consultancy specialis…
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Send us a Text Message. Are you a drone enthusiast planning to visit Vietnam? Or do you have a general interest in drone photography. Either way you won't want to miss this episode where my guest Anton, a local drone enthusiast, shares his tips and experiences on drone use in the country. Along with some humorous tales of motor bike riding. Anton, …
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Send us a Text Message. One of my favourite things to do in Vietnam is taking photographs. You can’t help wanting to just click away!!! It’s hard not to want to capture Vietnam’s magnificent scenery and colour popping landscapes, rivers, mountains and cities a buzz with people and rich culture. However, how can we capture those photographs that, up…
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Send us a Text Message. In Part 2 we continue our journey in the pursuit of the best pics of Vietnam with Thomas Levine as my guest: - Are you taking notes? You don’t need to. Just go to the Transcript for the episode on the website on this page. Part 1 and Part 2. Meet once again our extraordinary photographer, and guest Thomas Levine whose talent…
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode of "What About Vietnam," I talk with adventurer and cinematographer Jack Taylor about the region of Sapa in north western Vietnam. Sapa is a scenic area known for its mountainous terrain and rice terraced fields. Jack shares his experience trekking and filming for his Youtube channel through the Hoang Lien So…
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District 2 is a rapidly developing area in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Located just across the Saigon River from the city center, it offers a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional Vietnamese culture. Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or nature lover, there's something for everyone in District 2. So what to do in District 2 Saigon? In…
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Send us a Text Message. If you thought Phong Nha, was just all about visiting the amazing caves you see and hear about, you would really be selling the area short. In this episode of "What about Vietnam?" we get to give you some background as to how the area managed to get through the Covid years. And we open up the agenda to talk about domestic to…
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Vietnamese cuisine is known for its rich and complex flavors, and one of the keys to achieving those flavors is through the use of a variety of condiments. From sweet to spicy to sour, these condiments can enhance the taste of any dish and take it to the next level. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most popular Vietnamese co…
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