Got game? We're covering the basketball scene in Việt Nam, as well as the flirting and romance culture.
Hoop Dreams in Việt Nam: A Look Inside the Rise of Basketball
Vietnamism - Flirty Flirty Time with Loa
Episode 65 - Modern Kitchen Gods; January News Review
This Lunar New Year, we are hanging out with the Kitchen Gods to understand the comedic relationship to the Vietnamese hearth and home.
And… It is the end of the month! That means it's time for a review of the news and stories you may have missed.
Episode 64 - Vietnamese Zodiac
Reporter Jenny Lý takes a visit to a horoscope reader just in time for the Lunar New Year. Tune in for a deeper dive into the Vietnamese zodiac system, and decide for yourself whether you are a believer or nonbeliever. It's A Look Inside: What the Vietnamese Zodiac Can Tell You About Yourself.
Episode 63 - 2016 Year in Review
We take a look back on the stories that shaped 2016.
Episode 62 - Modern Refugee; Prison Dolls
Today on our episode: a tale of persecution, escape, and ultimately, refuge. And: dolls amidst the stark backdrop of a prison cell.
A Look Inside - Not Fleeing War, But Persecution: One Man’s Tale of Escape from Today’s Việt Nam
On the Record - Little Dolls From Prison Carry a Big Message
Episode 61 - November News Review
November was a month of many special events, from the election of the 45th President of the United States of America to the 2016 awards for the Việt Nam Human Rights Network. Loa's Quyên Ngô and Kalynh Ngô have the five headlines you need to know for the month of November.
Episode 60 - Marxist-Leninist Education; Chữ Nôm
In this episode, we learn about Marxism-Leninism in Vietnamese education, as well as the origins of the Vietnamese language.
Episode 59 - October News Review
October was a month of extreme events, from deadly flooding in the central region to the arrest of one of Việt Nam’s most prominent bloggers. Loa's Quyên Ngô has rounded up the news cycles to catch you up on the five things you need to know for this month of October.
Episode 58 - Spiritual Pilgrimage; A Ghost Story
An annual festival connects us with a world beyond the grave as spirits converge in central Việt Nam. And: a tale of escape, loss, and the afterlife.
Episode 57 - Third Wave Coffee
Việt Nam as a country is very well known for what is called commodity coffee: beans exported in large batches to other countries for use in instant coffee brands and lower quality brews. In the last two years or so, a very small group of people are trying to change that image and usher in the reign of higher quality beans in Việt Nam. Loa’s Chí-Linh Đinh and Brian Lâm got together over a cup of Joe and talk about the third wave coffee movement happening in Việt Nam today.
Episode 56 - August News Review
From a historic moment at the Rio Olympics, to Pokémania, to a rare shooting in the Việt Nam, we spent the month sifting through stories so you didn’t have to. Here are our top five Things to Know for this the month of August.
Episode 55 - Joshua Wong
On this week's "On the Record," we’re bringing you a special voice all the way from Hong Kong -- 19-year-old activist Joshua Wong, one of the leaders of the Umbrella Movement.
Episode 54 - Fortune Telling; Tale of Kiều
Superstition is a huge part of Vietnamese culture. But could it help you better live your life? And: love, prison, filial piety, and a suicide attempt. All the makings of a great story -- that is, Việt Nam’s epic Tale of Kiều.
MUSIC CREDITS
Opening Music: Jon Luc Hefferman - A Storm At Eilean Mor
A Look Inside Closing Music: Kai Angel - Summer Days
Closing Music: Jon Luc Hefferman - Epoch
Episode 53: Việt in Slovakia; South China Sea Verdict
Episode 52 - Fulbright Controversy; Nước Mắm Chấm
This week on Loa:
The first non-profit and independent university is opening this fall in Sài Gòn. We take a look inside the dark past of its newly appointed chairman.
And...the recipe and a story on the most important condiment of all Vietnamese cuisine: nước mắm chấm.
Episode 51 - Exam Season; Quan Họ Folk Songs
More Vietnamese want in on higher education. But fewer university spots equals students in distress. The stakes are high.
And: a singing style that’s equal parts folk music, poetry, and…. rap duel? That's Quan Họ.
All in episode 51 of Loa.
Episode 50 - May News Review
U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Việt Nam dominated headlines this month. But, it’s not the only thing that happened. Loa's Nguyễn Linh Chi rounded up some key things you need to know.
Episode 49 - Saigon Rock n’ Soul; V-Pop
In the 1970s, a new sound began to emerge: raw and rebellious rock – music that reflected the gritty, dissonant reality of the war in Việt Nam.
And… from classic rock to V-Pop. We’ve got the latest beats in Việt Nam!
MUSIC CREDITS:
Opening: The Agrarians - The Natural Scenes
Closing: Velella Velella - Hard Egg Timer
Episode 48 - Dead Fish, Love Markets
Mass fish deaths along Việt Nam’s central coast have caused an uproar both online and off. Not quite sure why people are crying foul? And what role does Taiwanese firm Formosa play in all of this? Loa’s Quyên Ngô catches you up with the Five Things You Need to Know about this ecological crisis.
Episode 47 - Love & War; King Hùng Vương
A musician and a singer met and fell in love after the war, knowing that it could never truly be. What sacrifices would you be willing to endure?
And... we’ve got the lowdown on the legend of King Hùng Vương, a mythical forefather of the Vietnamese people.