Vietnam has mostly been defined by its tumultuous history of border scuffles, invasions, and colonialism — which does this beautiful, graceful, colorful southeast Asian country a disservice. Respect for tradition jostles up against a forward-facing attitude in Vietnam, which makes for a jumble of fascinating contrasts: the hyper-energetic urban centers of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City versus the idyllic countryside (which two-thirds of the population call home); state-mandated atheism versus a long tradition of spiritual practices; Communist government versus capitalist economy. But spend any time getting curious about Vietnam, and one thing becomes abundantly clear: family and a reverence for tradition are nearly universal. As is a passion for flavorful food that woos all the senses and an appreciation for the country's stunning natural beauty. In this episode, we delve into Vietnam's dramatic history and discuss what makes it like no other place on the planet, then we recommend books that transported us there on the page, including moving family sagas, first-person memoirs, and an ode to a perfect bowl of pho. Books we talk about include: The Eaves of Heaven: A Life in Three Wars by Andrew X. Pham The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2021-01-11-vietnam As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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