Skip to main content
The Bureau Asia Podcast

The Bureau Asia Podcast

By The Bureau Asia

Think news, gossip, drive-time radio and mates bantering at the front bar of the pub but without the fights, and you'll have the essence of TBP. Each week or so join Matt and Mel who have a combined total of almost 30 years of lived experience in Ho Chi Minh City as they chat, debate and laugh about what's new in Vietnam's biggest city and beyond. If you’re a foodie, traveller, history buff or just want to be educated and entertained about Vietnam and Southeast Asia, then The Bureau Asia Podcast is for you!
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Bureau Bites Ep.9 – Singapore Social's Eco Warrior Paul Foster

The Bureau Asia PodcastMar 28, 2020

00:00
15:21
Vietnamese Craft Beer, Poisonous Banh Mi & Saigon's Fire Traps

Vietnamese Craft Beer, Poisonous Banh Mi & Saigon's Fire Traps

We've heard it all before. Vietnam's cheap. The beer's cheap. The food's cheap. And the people are so nice! BUT is everything in Vietnam really as good as everyone says it is? In this episode I give you The Good, The Bad & The Phởgly provide an example of each so that you can plan better and hopefully your Vietnam trip WON'T. GET. RUINED!

Big thanks to Ollie Woods for taking time out to chat to me! Check out all the craft beer stuff he's associated with:

Brew Asia ⁠https://www.brew-asia.com⁠ Asia Brewers Network ⁠https://asiabrewersnetwork.com⁠ Beer Asia ⁠https://beerasia.net

My favourite craft breweries & pubs you can't miss in Ho Chi Minh City: 1. Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery 31D Lý Tự Trọng St., District 1 2. East West Brewing Co. 181-185 Lý Tự Trọng St., District 1 3. Pasteur Street Brewing Co. Cnr. Lý Tự Trọng & Thủ Khoa Huân Sts., District 1 4. 7 Bridges Brewing Co. 15B/12 Lê Thánh Tôn St., District 1 5. Malt 46-48 Mạc Thị Bưởi St., District 1 6. Rehab Station 27/6 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm St., District 1 7. BiaCraft 1 Lê Ngô Cát St., District 3 8. Belgo 29 - 31 Tôn Thất Thiệp St., District 1 9. Saigon Craft 68 Lý Long Tường St., District 7 10. MixTape Drinks 40 Đặng Thị Nhu St., District 1 11. Rooster Beers 40 Bùi Viện St., Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 12. Mr Craft 24 Cao Triều Phát St., District 7
If you find yourself in District 7 some day around lunch time, be sure to give Cơm Tấm 169 a go at No.169 Street 79, Tân Quy, District 7 Wanna sleep in the capsule featured in this episode? Knock yourself out at The Arrivals Hotel 302 Võ Văn Kiệt Street, District 1 Got lucky and need a short-time hotel for a roll around? Try these two out (I've personally inspected them)! Cupid Hotel 2 Bis Nam Quốc Cang St., Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 Bonita Grand Hotel 118 Bùi Thị Xuân St., Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 Got ca$hola to splurge? Stay at The Reverie 22-36 Nguyễn Huệ St., District 1








Nov 09, 202343:12
Vietnam's new visas, unfriendly Vietnamese, the matchmaker of Singapore & dark Saigon

Vietnam's new visas, unfriendly Vietnamese, the matchmaker of Singapore & dark Saigon

We're back on the poddie train after a 2 month break that included a trip to Cambodia, a flu here and there, a trip home to the Philippines and some family visits here to Ho Chi Minh City.

In this episode we catch up on travel news to Vietnam, including the new visa extensions, and we learn about the matchmaker in Singapore hooking up lonely Singaporean men looking for long-time love with Vietnamese ladies.

Then our "cover story" reveals 5 dark locations in Saigon where some really bad sh*t has gone down throughout its history, including a couple well and truly off the tourist trail.

Be sure to comment and get in touch if you need more details about the locations featured in this episode!


Follow Matt on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website

https://thebureauasia.com

Aug 08, 202350:04
Sizzling Saigon, Sugar Babies & Dirty Street Food
May 15, 202353:33
The Bureau Asia's GUIDE to VIETNAM Listicles

The Bureau Asia's GUIDE to VIETNAM Listicles

In this Reunification Day long weekend episode in Vietnam, we share a carefully-curated a list of lists sourced from the past week's news and social media that our loyal listeners will either love or – quite possibly – hate! Everybody loves a good list, so we're pretty confident you'll like ours! Then we review this month's much-anticipated Netflix release A Tourist's Guide to Love that was filmed in Vietnam last year. Be sure to hang around to find out how many 'banh mis' out of 5 we give this sappy rom-com that was pretty much universally panned on social media in Vietnam upon its release.


Whenever you visit Vung Tau for a short break, be sure to stay at Coco Homestay:

https://www.facebook.com/homestayhotelcoco66halong


Looking for a love hotel? Check these out. Just don't tell them Matt sent you!

https://thebureauasia.com/2018/09/01/bonita-signature-hotel/

https://thebureauasia.com/2018/05/06/playing-cupid/

https://thebureauasia.com/2018/01/06/the-love-den/


Watch Matt's short video 'Vietnam's Bali?'

https://www.facebook.com/reel/995225138520892


Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com


May 01, 202356:45
Vietnam's BRAVE FIGHT against HUMAN TRAFFICKERS

Vietnam's BRAVE FIGHT against HUMAN TRAFFICKERS

We recap what we got up to this past week, then in response to a recent listicle in the Australian media, we create our own "6 Things Vietnam Does Better Than Australia" list followed by a handful of other news items that caught our attention this week. The highlight of the episode (39'00) however, is guest Michael Brosowski who's the founder of Hanoi-based Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, an NGO that's been fighting slavery and human trafficking for the past two decades.


Follow Michael on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brosowski

Learn more about Blue Dragon Children's Foundation www.linkedin.com/company/blue-dragon-children's-foundation

Check out the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation website www.bluedragon.org

Read Micheal's blog lifeisalongstory.com/about-me-about-this-blog

Watch Matt's REEL from his visit to see the "Pope Mobile" in Las Pinas, Manila https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmds_O5jyaP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Watch Matt riding shotgun in a jeepney in Manila https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmbWIqtjSb-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Listen to Matt's "Vietnamese food" episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vietnamese-food-isnt-actually-healthy/id1669942888?i=1000598022808

Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

Apr 19, 202301:06:17
Was VIETNAM SNUBBED in Asia's 50 Best Awards?

Was VIETNAM SNUBBED in Asia's 50 Best Awards?

As usual, Mel joins me to discuss the news and happenings for the week in Vietnam and the region, and then we call in Saigon-based hospitality guru and communications consultant, Chris Thompson, who helps us get our head around why just one restaurant in Vietnam made it into this year's Asia's 50 Best Restaurant list.


Connect with Chris on Linkedin at www.linkedin.com/in/chris-thompson-079a88223/

Follow Chris on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ctsaigon06/

Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

Apr 10, 202355:33
Why is Vietnam so TRASHED?!

Why is Vietnam so TRASHED?!

In this episode, we review the week that was in Saigon, then we try to get to the bottom of why littering is rampant in Vietnam with the help of RMIT Vietnam lecturer and researcher, Dr Justin Pang.


Connect with Dr Pang at www.linkedin.com/in/dr-justin-matthew-pang-jmpang/

Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

Apr 02, 202301:03:43
DON'T DO THIS in Saigon!

DON'T DO THIS in Saigon!

In this episode, we air our gripes about road users in Vietnam, chat about the "awards" season in Southeast Asia and beyond, and review a Japanese steakhouse that passed under our noses for years before we tried it. Then we wrap up the episode with a list of 10 things YOU SHOULDN'T DO when visiting Saigon!


Try out Il Corda when in Saigon for a steak! (*We paid our own way)

https://www.facebook.com/ilcorda

Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

Mar 19, 202356:46
The Thailand Episode

The Thailand Episode

Matt and Mel popped over to Thailand recently for a short break and during their little sojourn to the Land of Smiles, they came to the realisation of just how freaking loud and grubby their hometown of Saigon is in comparison to Bangkok! Matt also surprises Mel with a gift in the form of a "radio commercial" to promote free tickets for this month's upcoming Coracle Music Festival on the beaches of Mui Ne in Vietnam!

Follow Matt on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Follow Mel on Instagram at www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Like The Bureau Asia Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/groups/thebureauasiagroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Check out The Bureau Asia Website at www.thebureauasia.com

Mar 04, 202340:47
What are Vietnamese women like in bed? (Teaser for The Love Episode)

What are Vietnamese women like in bed? (Teaser for The Love Episode)

In this teaser from The Love Episode (out on Valentine's Day), we find out one stereotype about Vietnamese women in the bedroom. 

Listen to the full episode here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NbyBSc76RD4ZnlZmNLsHx?si=KExzx6zRSL2p16k0Skq8aw

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia on YouTube and help Matt reach 1,000 subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Join The Bureau Asia Group on Facebook to learn more about Vietnam and Southeast Asia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Feb 14, 202300:60
The Love Episode

The Love Episode

On this Valentine's Day episode, we preview upcoming Netflix release A Tourist's Guide To Love which was filmed in Vietnam last year and is due to drop on April 27, then we call good friend Stella to ask her some of our burning questions about love and relationships in Vietnam – don't miss it! 

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia on YouTube and help Matt reach 1,000 subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Join The Bureau Asia Group on Facebook to learn more about Vietnam and Southeast Asia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia


Feb 14, 202352:49
FAKE ALCOHOL SCAM in Vietnam

FAKE ALCOHOL SCAM in Vietnam

Fakeness abounds in Southeast Asia which makes it rife in Vietnam, too! Sometimes, however, it can be life threatening.

Taken from the Vietnam V The Philippines: Who's winning??? episode. Check it out here:

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4M0h8ZWq6W6dKj8lGQRsFz?si=501791efb3ed45ee

ANCHOR: https://anchor.fm/thebureaupodcast/episodes/Vietnam-V-The-Philippines-Whos-winning-e1ucui4

APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vietnam-v-the-philippines-whos-winning/id1478396971?i=1000597807814


Feb 04, 202300:60
Vietnam V The Philippines: Who's winning???

Vietnam V The Philippines: Who's winning???

Vietnam and the Philippines share a lot of common ground and are just a 2-hour flight from each other. The Philippines has long enjoyed a head start in its development, but in the last decade, Vietnam has made up a lot of ground to challenge its neighbour as more liveable. In this episode, we compare the two countries against indicators such as political stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education and infrastructure. So, who comes out on top?!

Rock music history fans, check out Matt's recent episode on the history of rock music in Vietnam:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UfkoPVUbWEGVig6zC1V0Z?si=b2554f3c0dc24c78

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia on YouTube and help Matt reach 1,000 subscribers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia/videos

Join The Bureau Asia Group on Facebook to learn more about Vietnam and Southeast Asia: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Follow Melanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia

Feb 03, 202349:07
Manila traffic is MENTAL!

Manila traffic is MENTAL!

Here's a short clip from the Manila episode called It's NOT always fun in the Philippines! Listen to the full podcast here on The Bureau Podcast and let me know what you think!

Full episode link: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/YykCCA2aSwb

Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Follow The Bureau Asia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia/

Watch The Bureau Asia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia


Jan 25, 202300:59
It's NOT always fun in the Philippines!

It's NOT always fun in the Philippines!

We're shown a lot of what's FUN about the Philippines by YouTubers "pinoybaiting" their adoring Filipino fans BUT to hell with that, we're giving you what's NOT always FUN about the land of adobo and lechon kawali and aim to bait you with the facts! Here are 5 things you need to consider before planning your trip to the Philippines!

Watch my Philippines Adventures on The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBureauAsia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowanasia 

Follow Mel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

Jan 23, 202342:35
American architect, interior designer and artist Bill Bensley
Oct 03, 202237:02
Australian journalist, foodie and restaurant critic John Lethlean
Sep 26, 202241:40
This young Saigoner's passion project has just been published internationally

This young Saigoner's passion project has just been published internationally

After the news for the week, Matt interviews emerging Vietnamese poet Quynh Nguyen after the release of her first book of poetry called When Dead Birds See The Light a collection of 16 poems with love as the theme running throughout. She explains the process of publishing her debut book and opens up about love in her own life. After that, The Bureau Asia's Content Manager, Mel, pops by for a chat about her "royal watching" this week, road rage and her lack of driving skills! Meanwhile, Matt bemoans how the worsening traffic conditions in Ho Chi Minh City may eventually become a deal breaker.

Get yourself a copy of Quynh's book here:

Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/When-Dead-Birds-See-Light/dp/B0B1FVB3JP

Paperbacks https://paperbacks.vn/

Ohquao https://ohquao.com/

Follow Quynh on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quynhnguyen.author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthor_quynh/

Follow Mel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul/

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon/Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Visit The Bureau Asia website: https://thebureauasia.com

Sep 19, 202254:38
This Yorkshireman's 10 years in Saigon have gone by in a Wink

This Yorkshireman's 10 years in Saigon have gone by in a Wink

As usual this season, Matt kicks off the episode with some of the latest news from Vietnam from the past week or so, followed by an interview with Wink Hotels brand director David Kaye, then to wrap it up, The Bureau Asia's content manager Melanie Casul pops by to make some cheeky cold calls to concierges at some of Ho Chi Minh City's finest hotels for dining and drinking recommendations. How do they fair?

Follow David on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cavestagram

Check out Wink Hotels: https://www.instagram.com/winkhotels

Check out The Dot Magazine: https://thedotmagazine.com

Check out Capella Hanoi: https://www.instagram.com/capellahanoi

Check out JW Marriott Phu Quoc:  https://www.instagram.com/jwmarriottphuquoc

Follow Mel on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jwmarriottphuquoc

Follow Matt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon

Follow The Bureau Asia on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Visit The Bureau Asia website: https://thebureauasia.com

Sep 11, 202201:19:03
The Singaporean who hasn't stopped travelling since the end of Covid

The Singaporean who hasn't stopped travelling since the end of Covid

After five big news stories that hit the headlines in Vietnam this past week or so, I interview Joleena Seah who hasn't stopped travelling since travel restrictions were eased post-Covid. To wrap up the episode, I review three of the four stunning Bill Bensley-designed luxury resorts in Vietnam.

Follow Joleena's travels on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joleenaseah

Follow Joleena's PR work on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joleenaseah

Follow Matt on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon

Join The Bureau Asia Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Subscribe to The Bureau Asia YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/TheBureauAsia

Aug 28, 202245:59
The man who's lived out of a suitcase for 20 years

The man who's lived out of a suitcase for 20 years

I'm back this season all on my lonesome without Mel and Andy to hold my hand nor (more importantly) to stuff things up or get into arguments! First up in this episode, some Vietnam news, followed by an interview with a fellow who's been living out of a suitcase for the past 20 years as he follows his digital nomadic life across Asia and the rest of the world. To close out the episode, I review a new bar opening in the former gangster heartland of District 4 in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Follow Nomadic Notes:

Website – www.nomadicnotes.com

Facebook –  www.facebook.com/nomadicnotes

Instagram – instagram.com/nomadicnotes

Aug 16, 202241:51
PREVIEW: Saigon's First Chinatown Audio Walk

PREVIEW: Saigon's First Chinatown Audio Walk

Get a taste of what's in store during this Ho Chi Minh City Audio Trail Preview in which your guide, Matt, introduces some of the highlights of his audio walk through the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood of Ho Chi Minh City, which just so happens to be the city's first Chinatown!

Jul 05, 202202:45
Saigon's First Chinatown

Saigon's First Chinatown

Your guide, Matt, has been living in Ho Chi Minh City since 2010 and calls Vietnam home. He'll guide you through one of his favourite neighbourhoods – the tasty and very historic Nguyen Thai Binh in District 1 named after a South Vietnamese anti-war activist who was posthumously conferred national hero status after his premature death. The neighbourhood is also home to the city's oldest Cantonese community and was the first "Chinatown" so expect plenty of opportunities to eat and chat to locals during this highly-engaging walk that takes around 2-3 hours depending on your appetite and curiosity!

Jul 05, 202201:46:13
The bride trade to Korea, annoying vloggers & an Eggslut

The bride trade to Korea, annoying vloggers & an Eggslut

In this episode, our first for 2022, we unpack some Vietnam news stories that have caught our attention over the past week, we deep dive into the Vietnamese bride trade to South Korea, after which we take a look at what fascinates YouTubers about our city, Ho Chi Minh, and Vietnam, and how their videos sometimes annoy us. Then to wrap up what is a funny, irreverent, but at times, serious episode, Matt reviews French-inspired Cafe Marcel and its naughtily named newcomer to their menu, the Eggslut!

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

Also on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

May 03, 202258:59
Bureau Pathfinder – A new audio walking experience of the streets of Ho Chi Minh City teaser!

Bureau Pathfinder – A new audio walking experience of the streets of Ho Chi Minh City teaser!

I hope you enjoy the teaser for my first self-guided audio walking experience of Ho Chi Minh City. The full episode is still in production, but should be ready to go pretty soon! Please give it a listen and I invite you to comment, share, like and give feedback so that I can incorporate your ideas into the first episode before I publish it. Thanks in advance – and keep walking! Matt

Apr 21, 202202:45
On location at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City featuring Australian Ironman triathlete Tim Van Berkel

On location at Baseball Cage in Ho Chi Minh City featuring Australian Ironman triathlete Tim Van Berkel

This sporty episode is on-location at Baseball Cage in District 7, a bar with four batting cages, beers and fun vibes. We talk Vietnamese sports and our own tragic sporting careers, followed by an interesting interview with Australian pro-triathlete, Tim Van Berkel, who is one of the world's top athletes in the sport of triathlon.

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

Also on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Join our growing Discord Chat:

https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu 

Nov 20, 202101:04:17
What will the Chinese & Russians do in Vietnam once travel resumes??? And, wait, there's medical tourism in Vietnam???

What will the Chinese & Russians do in Vietnam once travel resumes??? And, wait, there's medical tourism in Vietnam???

Vietnam's Civil Aviation Authority has submitted a 4-phase plan for the resumption of international flights to Vietnam, and in the meantime, recommends travellers from 15 countries be allowed to holiday here, including those from China, Russia, Cambodia and Thailand, among others.  So our China expert, Andy, reveals what Chinese travellers will be looking for in their travel experience to Vietnam, while Mel, our...err..cough...cough...Russia "expert" tells us the hotspots our friends from Moscow will be zeroing in on. Matt also surprises when he reveals that it's common for Cambodians to visit Vietnam for medical and beauty reasons, including for nips and tucks and other "bolt on" accessories. In addition, The Bureau Crew leave time to give a big f**k you to critics who have nothing better to do but hate from way up on their high horses.

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

Also on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Join our growing Discord Chat:

https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Nov 11, 202148:50
3 things to entice us back to HCMC bars, Fb & Insta updates & food trends in Vietnam

3 things to entice us back to HCMC bars, Fb & Insta updates & food trends in Vietnam

Bars and restaurants are beginning to reopen in Ho Chi Minh City, so Matt, Mel & Andy discuss what it will take for establishments to entice them out of their homes. Also, Facebook and Instagram are tweaking vanity metrics, so what does this mean for influencers and content creators? Then, food trends in Ho Chi Minh City over the past couple of years – which ones are legit and which ones are simply taking the piss?!

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

Also on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Join our growing Discord Chat:

https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Oct 24, 202101:07:52
Ho Chi Minh City opens up, social media mythbusting & Vietnamese stereotypes

Ho Chi Minh City opens up, social media mythbusting & Vietnamese stereotypes

Now that Ho Chi Minh City has slowly begun to open up allowing double-vaxed citizens to leave their homes and travel across districts, we finally get to have co-host Andy Tran in the room for the first time ever! We talk about Ho Chi Minh City's remarkable Covid-19 turnaround that's seen it go from hard lockdown with a 24/7 curfew one week, to bars and restaurants being allowed to open in District 7 the next. In a slightly controversial segment, we call out some headlines and social media updates by influential people that we deem to be simply untrue, and then follow it up with a handful of stereotypes about Vietnamese people that will surely make the snowflakes among us melt. 

All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast!

Website: www.thebureauasia.com

Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Oct 10, 202159:02
HCMC unlocked, Saigon Zoo & promoting Vietnam

HCMC unlocked, Saigon Zoo & promoting Vietnam

The hard social distancing measures that have kept Ho Chi Minh City residents confined to their homes for the past two months have finally been lifted. Matt, Mel and Andy talk about what they can and can't do until the next directive. Meanwhile, the private company that manages Saigon Zoo has asked both the public and the local government for funding to keep one of the world's oldest zoos open. Then they have a go at creating a short ad each in an attempt to entice foreigners to come to Vietnam to live.   

All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast!

Website: www.thebureauasia.com

Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Oct 02, 202147:15
Backpackers not welcome in Vietnam anymore?

Backpackers not welcome in Vietnam anymore?

A recent online magazine ranking of the best cities in the world inspires Matt, Mel & Andy to come up with a list of 9 Best Streets in Ho Chi Minh City to visit, which is then followed by a wide-ranging discussion on the value of backpackers in Vietnam and whether they should be encouraged to return as soon as travel restrictions ease. A highlight is the expert comments and opinion by Dr Nuno Ribeiro, a senior lecturer and leading researcher in tourism and hospitality at RMIT Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, who sheds light on the narrative at all levels regarding the arguments for and against their return. 

All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast!

Website: www.thebureauasia.com

Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Sep 20, 202101:06:49
Millennial slang, 9/11, HCMC news, dream trips in the Philippines & Vietnam

Millennial slang, 9/11, HCMC news, dream trips in the Philippines & Vietnam

Our resident Milliennial Andy gives Gen-Xers Matt and Mel a quick lesson on language they're clearly too old for in a lighthearted segment that includes their suggestions for 2021's Word of the Year before they tone things down to remember the tragedy of 9/11 – 20 years on since the terrorist attacks in the US that shook the world. In this segment they recall what they were doing at the very moment the World Trade Centre twin towers collapsed, which is followed by a quiz featuring some of the world's most historical moments. As usual there's an update on Ho Chi Minh City news and its Covid-19 situation, including a discussion on the potential issues confronting venues and patrons once bars and restaurants reopen. Wrapping up the show is a segment for anyone who's missing travel in which some truly unique experiences in the Philippines are revealed, followed by Matt, Mel and Andy's dream trips in Vietnam they want to take once road trips are allowed again.

All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast. 

Also on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia 

Website: https://thebureauasia.com 

Join our growing Discord Community: https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Sep 12, 202159:15
The Future of Travel in Vietnam

The Future of Travel in Vietnam

Vietnam remains under 24/7 curfew, and with caseloads increasing, there appears to be no end in sight for the pandemic. Yet, amid this gloomy forecast, some hope for those of us confined to our homes has emerged as the Prime Minister implies via the media that lockdowns can't go on forever and that the country needs to move on. We also interview Dr Nuno Ribeiro, a senior lecturer and leading researcher in tourism and hospitality at RMIT Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, about the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on travel businesses in Vietnam, including what steps will be taken to open up a travel industry that reported approximately US$33 billion in tourism revenue in 2019 but is now in tatters. 

All this and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

For the full interview with Dr Nuno Ribeiro, visit our YouTube Channel:

The Bureau Asia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmo8lbl_vZo

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Sep 05, 202153:13
Men in uniform, US Vice President hits Hanoi, expats divided over vaccine, unusual burgers
Aug 28, 202152:26
HCMC's migrant worker exodus & looming 24/7 curfew, Phu Quoc travel bubble, historic Saigon sights & a pirate story

HCMC's migrant worker exodus & looming 24/7 curfew, Phu Quoc travel bubble, historic Saigon sights & a pirate story

Matt, Mel & Andy provide fresh updates on Ho Chi Minh City's increasing Covid-19 caseload, how the current curfew from 6pm to 6am is affecting the city, and what can be expected with the latest announcement that from August 23, the city will be under curfew 24/7 indefinitely with the military in place to ensure everything goes to plan. Despite arguably the strictest lockdown on the planet, Vietnam is still playing with the idea of a travel bubble agreement with other countries and has earmarked Phu Quoc as a possible destination. Meanwhile, the old Saigon was in the news again this week with images of the US military's withdrawal from Kabul conjuring up reminders of its withdrawal from Saigon almost 50 years ago. Off the back of that, each of the crew recommend a historic place in Vietnam to visit once travel is open again. The episode concludes on a lighter note with a pirate story too crazy to be true!  

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

LINK TO THE OLD CIA BUILDING: https://thebureauasia.com/2020/12/01/the-fall-of-saigon-1975-now-you-can-visit-the-rooftop-made-famous-by-hubert-van-es/

Also on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Join our growing Discord Community:

https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Aug 21, 202154:16
Friday the 13th Special

Friday the 13th Special

Join Matt, Mel & Andy talking superstitions, Pizza Hut and Vietnam's own Pizza 4Ps in Cambodia, the Nas Daily backlash in the Philippines, and what it's like trying to make a living in Vietnam as an influencer or content creator.

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

Also on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Join our growing Discord Community:

https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Aug 14, 202157:21
Ho Chi Minh City news, silence in the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood, tone deafness on social media & a new co-host

Ho Chi Minh City news, silence in the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood, tone deafness on social media & a new co-host

Some restaurants and bars in Ho Chi Minh City are offering vouchers as an alternative form of cash flow during forced closures - good idea or not? Meanwhile, one of our favourite neighbourhoods in District 1 is but a shadow of its former self. Our new co-host AT has flip flops on the ground there and he provides a grim-looking snapshot of the alleyway in which he lives. As this is all going on, Aussies in Vietnam are divided over the Australian Embassy's stance on accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines, and both Mel and AT call out tone deafness on social media at a time when discretion is probably the best policy.

All that and more on Vietnam's award-winning podcast.

Also on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

Website: https://thebureauasia.com

Join our growing Discord Chat:

https://discord.gg/QFmUkUsWJu

Aug 07, 202149:40
The Rise of Saigon's Underworld - Part 1 Trailer
Jun 18, 202101:20
The Rise of Saigon's Underworld - Part 1
Jun 17, 202124:49
My RODE Cast Entry June 2021 - Teaser for Blood Debt - The legend of the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood in Ho Chi Minh City
Jun 05, 202101:54
Blood Debt - The legend behind the Nguyen Thai Binh neighbourhood of Ho Chi Minh City
Jun 03, 202129:07
From Banh Xeo to Be Be - 5 of the Best 'No Name' Places to Eat Local in Vung Tau, Vietnam!

From Banh Xeo to Be Be - 5 of the Best 'No Name' Places to Eat Local in Vung Tau, Vietnam!

The charming seaside town of Vung Tau is just a 2-hour drive or ferry ride from Ho Chi Minh City and is typically regarded as a place just to get away from the city for the weekend to enjoy the fresh sea breeze and ocean views. But, in fact, it's little known that Vung Tau is actually one of the best destinations in Vietnam for foodies. 

In this episode, your host, Matt, introduces you to 5 of the best 'no name' joints to eat local Vietnamese food that you can only find if you're "in the know!"

By the end of this podcast you'll be in the know, too!

Find out where some of the best snails can be found under a tree on the corner of a T-intersection that many of the locals don't even know about, or the place where a banh xeo lady spins up to four woks at a time and looks like a DJ spinning tunes at their decks, and discover what the odd looking creature is in a piping hot bowl of bun be be.

That and more in this tasty little episode that's educational, fun and downright mouth-watering.

If you'd like more info on the places featured in this episode, visit thebureauasia.com for the complete article, including pictures and video for each dish! 

May 30, 202113:18
Pirates, Tractor Pulls, Be Be & Whale Cemeteries – The Vũng Tàu Special

Pirates, Tractor Pulls, Be Be & Whale Cemeteries – The Vũng Tàu Special

Vũng Tàu, a beachside town approximately 100km southeast of Hồ Chí Minh City (Vietnam's biggest city), is often left off the itineraries of international travellers and dismissed by expats as a seedy getaway for men wanting to escape the city to get up to no good behind closed doors. 

But as Matt and Mel discuss, Vũng Tàu deserves more respect. It's long been loved by the Vietnamese for beach holidays and has arguably one of Vietnam's tastiest foodie scenes, after all, it's regarded as the home of bánh khọt, everybody's favourite little deep-fried snack.

It also has a rich history. Vũng Tàu's name has changed multiple times, it once harboured Malay pirates tracking the busy trade routes that ran up and down Vietnam's east coast, the Portuguese popped by for a bit, along with the French, and there's been a sizeable Russian community living here for decades. 

And to top it off, the fisherfolk worship whales. 


Playlist

00:00 - 01: 55 Intro

01:55 - 08: 03 The basics about Vũng Tàu (getting there, weather, lifestyle & sights)

08:07 - 12:37  A brief history

12:41 - 22:36  Food

22:41 - 26: 58 Cool discoveries (an ocean view cafe, a pool by the beach & a mega Club Sandwich)

27: 02 - 38:48 Whale worshipping & the small fishing village of Phước Hải

38: 53 - End (41:31)


For more about the places, addresses & locations Matt visited in this episode, be sure to check out:

Website:  https://thebureauasia.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebureauasia

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBureauGroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebureauasia

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9Y7j-cBFe9rWNHtVCArEg


Follow Matt:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.cowan.127/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattcowansaigon

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2beIeu-y4Z33mnKqE5u6cg (coming soon!)


Follow Mel: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniecasul

The Bureau Podcast theme & bumper by Lionel Valdellon at http://acid42.com

Feb 15, 202141:31
Episode 11 - Saigon's F&B situation, influencer marketing in COVID times, a craft beer blind tasting, Get Excited & Insta-worthless

Episode 11 - Saigon's F&B situation, influencer marketing in COVID times, a craft beer blind tasting, Get Excited & Insta-worthless

In this long-awaited return of The Bureau Podcast after a lengthy hiatus, The Chief (Matt Cowan) gets Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam editor-at-large Chris Thompson on the blower who tells us whether or not his predictions came true for Vietnam hospitality trends during this weird and unpredictable era of COVID-19. Chris also reveals what F&B trends are emerging and are likely to become a “thing” moving into 2021, and he tells us about one place Saigoners really must visit, especially while international tourists for the moment are absent. After that, we deep-dive into the prickly and controversial world of influencer marketing, celebrities, content creators and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram with The Bureau’s own content manager Melanie Casul who also happens to lecture on digital marketing at RMIT Vietnam in Saigon. She enlightens us on what digital marketing actually is, points out the amount of tiers (no, not tears) of influencers there are and what they constitute, including at the same time letting Matt down gently once he comes to the realisation that he’s not a micro-influencer at all and perhaps just scrapes in as a nano-influencer - either way, he's at the bottom of the heap! Beers are never too far from the microphones during the recording of any Bureau Podcast and this time is no different. Matt and Mel blind taste a couple of locally-made craft frothies, Pasteur Street Brewing Co's Pomelo IPA and a newcomer to the scene, Mix Tape’s Peaches & Cream IPA. Somehow after that, they manage to get through Get Excited where they tell each other which venue in Saigon has got them excited, before finishing off with the cheeky new fun segment Insta-worthless, where Matt calls out a couple of Instagram accounts for their whacked updates that you would never be able to come up with in a million years! Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, stop, pop the top off a cold one, sit down and enjoy the listen.

Sep 06, 202001:06:18
Bureau Bites Ep 12 – Staying fit & healthy in isolation
Apr 16, 202010:07
Bureau Bites Ep 11 – World Renowned Venetian Tattoo Artist Crez

Bureau Bites Ep 11 – World Renowned Venetian Tattoo Artist Crez

When you think of Italy, you think of great food and wine and great cities like Milan and Venice.

In 2018, over 60 million tourists visited Italy, making it the 5th most visited country in the world behind France, Spain, the US and China.

Meanwhile, Venice is Italy’s most popular city for tourists with close to 28 million foreign visitors checking out its romantic canals and architecture in 2017.

However, sadly, Italy has become the epicentre of the COVID-19 spread, with the highest number of recorded deaths from the virus (at the time of recording this episode).

To find out more about life on the ground in Venice, we speak to world-renowned Venetian tattoo artist, Crez, who operates from his Adrenalink studio in Marghera, not far from his city’s tourist mecca.

Crez is one of just 100 tattoo artists globally who earned the right to be included in Anna Felicity Friedman’s World Atlas of Tattoo published in 2015 – an honour that recognises inductees as the most significant practitioners in the history of tattooing.

He also has a strong connection to Vietnam.

We ask Crez the following questions:

1. Where in Venice are you in relation to the tourist areas that many people listening would know about?

2. How has your neighbourhood been affected?

3. How will this change Italy?

4. Usually you would be spending your days tattooing people, how are you spending your days at the moment?

5. You have a strong affinity with Asia, including with Vietnam, what message do you have for listeners in this part of the world?

Apr 13, 202007:01
Episode 10 – The Bureau Bites Top 10 Countdown Part 1

Episode 10 – The Bureau Bites Top 10 Countdown Part 1

In this episode of The Bureau Podcast, we're celebrating the first 10 Bureau Bites episodes, our new shortened "pod-bite" series in which we interview a whole bunch of interesting people with a connection to Vietnam. In this first part of two, we revisit the first five stories which delve into the impact COVID-19 is having on travel and hospitality in Vietnam. And for a little added extra fun, we mix it up with a playlist of songs befitting of the stories and the pandemic experience we're going through right now. So crack the top off your favourite beer or mix up your favourite tipple and kickback for 30 minutes as Matt and Mel recap with a mix of fact, fiction and fun. 

Apr 04, 202035:42
Bureau Bites Ep.10 – Surviving Vietnam

Bureau Bites Ep.10 – Surviving Vietnam

Vietnam can be quite a perilous place to live. Traffic accidents remain the biggest single cause of fatalities in the country. While the number of fatalities has been steadily falling each year from around 14,000 deaths in 2010 to around 7,600 in 2019, there were still 48 reported traffic accidents that claimed 21 lives per day last year on our roads. Meanwhile, drownings remain the leading cause of death for children in Vietnam. A conservative estimate suggests that on average, 16 people drown every day in Vietnam, a rate that is believed to be ten times that of developed countries. And then there are all the other dangers at workplaces and around the home that pose a risk to everyday life. Fortunately, however, there are a few organisations in Vietnam that are working with government departments to turn things around. One of those is Survival Skills Vietnam, a social enterprise that strives to raise awareness of hazards in our environment and who conducts first aid and evacuation training for businesses and the general public. To find out more about Survival Skills Vietnam, we spoke to co-founder Trang Nguyen, who’s based in Ho Chi Minh City.

We ask Trang the following questions:

1. Why is there a need for social enterprises like Survival Skills Vietnam?

2. What have been some of the challenges you and your co-founders have faced in setting up your organisation?

3. What are some of the myths associated with survival skills and first aid in Vietnam?

4. What are some everyday things that people typically overlook around home that can be dangerous?

5. What are the essentials for an at-home survival kit?

Mar 31, 202014:02
Bureau Bites Ep.9 – Singapore Social's Eco Warrior Paul Foster

Bureau Bites Ep.9 – Singapore Social's Eco Warrior Paul Foster

Singapore has been widely praised internationally for its efforts in containing COVID-19 and limiting fatalities to two people so far. But concern is afoot as the number of COVID-19 cases in the small island state has doubled over a 48-hour timespan, with an estimated 200,000 citizens yet to return home from overseas. Meanwhile, the livelihoods of just about everyone in every industry have been hard hit, no less so for people working in the entertainment and creative industries in Singapore. In order to find out more about how Singaporeans are coping with COVID-19 and more, we speak to Singaporean actor, host, environmental activist and Netflix' Singapore Social star, Paul Foster.

We ask Paul the following questions:

1. How are things in Singapore at the moment?

2. How have you been spending your time since the COVID-19 crisis started?

3. What is it about Singapore and Singaporeans' ability to simply get things done?

4. What environmental projects are you currently involved in?

5. Is there going to be a Season 2 of Singapore Social? 

Mar 28, 202015:21
Bureau Bites Ep.8 – Nightlife in Saigon, eco issues & an electric car

Bureau Bites Ep.8 – Nightlife in Saigon, eco issues & an electric car

As of March 25, the Vietnamese Government reported that there has been a total of 141 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak, with 17 of those having fully recovered already, which leaves 124 cases, with 93 of those being Vietnamese and the rest foreign. It's a very impressive result so far, indeed, although those numbers have risen since this recording. According to the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, “the virus is somewhere near everyone, thus anyone may contract it and transmit it to others if we do not seriously abide by official instructions.” One of the best-known directives the world over is for people to social distance and stay home, easier said than done if you don't have anything fulfilling to do. One person in Saigon who’s been keeping himself occupied with a side project for quite a while now, is Doru Tudose. By night he’s a DJ, but by day, he’s building his own electric car.

We ask Doru the following questions:

1. How’s the social distancing going?

2. Tell us more about your electric car.

3. What does the average Saigonese need to do to help the environment?

4. What impact has COVID-19 had on nightlife in Saigon and how will it affect it in the long term?

5. Who should we be listening to at the moment while we’re practising our social distancing?

6. Is there any chance you have a playlist for social distancing that we can share on thebureauasia.com?!

Mar 27, 202006:31