Anthony Bourdain's Love Letter To Vietnam
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2020
- “I do not believe in love at first sight. I think you can make a case for love at first smell. And the smells of Vietnam are unlike anything I’ve ever smelled before.”
Anthony Bourdain was a world-famous traveler, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, travel was nothing more than a fantasy until his 40s. Then he went to Vietnam. In this episode from the EF archives, Anthony explains why his first trip to Vietnam gave him an insatiable curiosity about the world-and how it ultimately stole his heart.
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I lived and worked in VN for 10 yrs but had since moved back to the States for 8+ yrs now and I miss VN dearly. It's not just the food and scenery, it's a different set of values that Anthony Bourdain's commented about that prompted this comment. At the risk of sounding so superior and so holy, I experienced a sense of humanity in VN that is becoming more lacking here in the West. Here's an example, although I worked there as an expat with transportation privilege (ie a driver or taxi card), I chose to buy a scooter as it was more exciting. I got to like it so I used it as my daily commute. I got into a crash one time and as I lied there, confused for not only 3 seconds on what happened, when a flurry of 5-6 people from the small stores on the street ran out to help me up, stood my scooter up and pushed it to the sidewalk. One found my key chain and gave it to me. One of the women gave me "tiger balm" to put on my bruised head. One of them spoke halting English, asking if I wanted to go to a hospital and he'll give me a lift. As I write this comment now I feel so embarrassed, I replied no, I'm OK but in reality I was worried they would steal my scooter at the time. I've had many instances of exploring the countryside, stopping to ask for directions and I would get offer from them to lead me to my destination, or offer for a bottle of water as it was so hot and I was sweating. They genuinely cared about you, they are able to empathize. I've visited my VN co-worker very basic house in their home village and they would put on a feast, an absolute feast of 7-9 dishes, beer and all. It's not the monetary value of the food, it's the effort that they put into cooking all of that food (and I'm talking about slaughter a chicken, picking homegrown herbs, etc.) and how much they missed their children working in the city. I miss riding the scooter a lot, that feeling of freedom. Having my girlfriend sitting closely behind me, talking, joking and laughing in my ear. We'd share the road with thousands of other people also on scooters. Being so close to one another, we'd hear the young couple in the scooter next to us, with their young daughter sitting in the front glancing back up towards her mom & dad to verify something she just said. It's our suddenly smelling something delicious in the air, coming from a sidewalk eatery and we'd promptly ride our scooter up the sidewalk, park it and go in for a delicious grilled dish costing less than $4 for both of us. And 95% of the time, the owner of that small eatery or food cart would serve with a beautiful smile while having worked in that god awful heat and humidity for hours now. I was so sad when I heard the news Anthony Bourdain had passed away. It's not just because he cared about VN the way I loved VN, it's his ability to go to many countries that had been demonized by the US government and media and made us see how the people of those countries are genuinely nice people.
I whole heartedly agree. I had to stop halfway through your comment to cry some happy tears about how much I appreciate the generosity of friendship I've experienced here. Word. 100%
You make me cry😢!!!
Oh my god, as a Vietnamese person, I really cried when I read your comment. Look at those memories, it's so beautiful.
Everything he said is so true about Vietnam. I experienced it twice in 2019-2020. Each time and day my feelings evolved dramatically about it. By the time Covid swept across the world and not knowing what to do, I could only envision I would cry like a baby to have to leave it. When I did eventually go to the Da Nang Airport to board the plane in route to Japan, not a tear welled up in my eyes, I could only look at the skyline of Da Nang and smile. What generous and forgiving people the Vietnamese are. I will return.
I have been here since before covid. Everything is shut down cause of it. People are using all their savings to survive. Borders are shut, so I cant leave and come back. I miss all the backpackers and visitors. Cant wait untill they get vaccine and open again. Plus people need the money. With no tourism so many people have lost work. Hope everyone returns when it is safe.
@@neilfosteronly I will come when am allowed to return. Been in Thailand until yesterday when Visa expired. I left and am in the Republic of Georgia discovering it for my first time.
@Tim Coley - I lived and worked for 10 yrs in VN and left VN to go back to the West in 2012. I still miss VN a great deal after all these years. I had ex-pats transportation benefits but I chose to get a scooter instead, I live in the outer district instead of District 1, 3, 7 where many ex-pats lived. It's the close interaction with the locals, the local neighborhood market, the local price and food, I got to see how those people are "poor" but so generous with not only me but to any guest, that make me miss it still. I fully realize why I miss VN during the last 2 yrs with covid and I'd read about how people in VN made so much self sacrifice to maintain safety for their community and country. I really want to go back there this year.
@@20luzer52 AYYYYE as of Feb 15, '22, flights have started to return! We coming back baby!
@@ElCapitanJones :-) I'm going to talk to my work about vacation in July. I also track VN's vaccination rate and for double dosed vax, it's around 78.5% so I'm hoping VN authority feels comfortable with it enough to allow tourists such as my family to travel around the country freely. Best of luck to you.
As i listen to this podcast, I realized how happy and in love he was with Vietname but at the same time lonely, desperated and scared that the people he loves won’t love Vietnam the same way as he does. I’m almost in tears when he said he would rather coming back to Vietnam alone... if only we knew sooner. Thank you Mr. Anthony for the love that you give to Vietnam. You’re being missed
As a Vietnamese American chef, restaurateur, food writer and food presenter living in Vietnam for the past 22 years I could not agreed more. Everything chef Anthony Bourdain said is spot on and exactly how I have felt about Vietnam... Vietnam is a place you either love or hate. There is no in between about Vietnam, the country, the people, the food and culture. I've often try to tell friends back home in the US what it's like being here and most doesn't understand. Many think Vietnam is still a war, dangerous and living in poverty. To be honest the most dangerous thing you can do in Vietnam is crossing the road (due to the millions of motorbikes). Vietnam is no longer a poverty nation, it is one of the fastest growing economy in the world (fifth fastest according to the World Bank 2021). Chef Bourdain is right... There's nothing like sitting on a low plastic stool on a street corner drinking Vietnamese coffee (cafe sua da), eating a nice bowl of noodles and watching a mini movie in front of your eyes... literally. He wanted to move to Vietnam (Hoi An to be exact). I think we would still have him around if he actually did moved… I still get teary eyes listening to this every time.
What is your restaurant? I would like to visit and eat. I am in the South now...
I cried.
when he spoke about his love for Vietnam, I can hear the sincerity and his genuine love in his voice and the way he speaks
may you rest in peace, and find happiness in your next life
Visiting VN currently now in Da Nang and thinking about AB!!!!!
So much honest insight from a genuine soul. His assuring voice is dearly missed.
You should have bought that place in Vietnam. We would still be hearing your voice today.
reading all these comments about Vietnam makes my heart melt ☹️ never knew how much my home country impacted people
I have been all over the world, but I chose Vietnam as my 2nd home. I am from Canada, and now, after 5 years, I have a Vietnamese wife and daughter. I have never been happier 😊
Beautiful country, beautiful people, amazing food, amazing coffee, incredible history. What is not to love! I owe my love for traveling to Vietnam. It will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Wow. It all makes sense now. Rest easy Anthony Bourdain you were a beacon of light in a dark cruel world. ❤️🥃
Holy shit. I love Anthony and his love for Vietnam, I cry listening to this. Gotta give it for the sound guy who put that song at the end though, how the heck could you do that? I mean the tone of that genre is very sad and it’s from the Mekong Delta where I was born and raised.
i been there working for 3 years the love of cause for the great food everyday. That why #Anthonybourdain like about. The morning vietnam drip coffee. Ban mi. Pho. Banh Xeo, Banh khot, Bun Bo Hue, Ga nuang, Banh cuon, can chay and much more. miss the time there.
Lots of veterans have always described the smell of vietnam never leaves you
Every single observation and nuance of his description is exactly correct. Vietnam is exactly like this. Thank you Anthony for setting me on the path. I've lived here over a year now and I never want to go "home" again. Vietnam is my home.
Vietnam is truly something else. Makes me wish I came here before Thailand, what I was looking for was in Vietnam all along. Very happy to have found it young, my love affair with this country will last many years.
Thanks for fall in love my country vietnam repect and rest in peace bro
I have the same feelings as Anthony Bourdain had about Vietnam. Especially about eating spicy noodles and Vietnamese iced coffee ruining a typical eggs and bacon breakfast forever. I've been away from Vietnam for over 4 years now, and I really miss home. I miss waking up, spending an hour jogging, stopping by a Pho store and just enjoy the sounds of traffic and the cold morning air before going to work/school. To foreigners who are thinking about travelling to Vietnam: Once you taste our food and see our culture, your hearts will be stolen.
I've never been out of the states-like most U.S. citizens-but one of my goals is to travel to Viet Nam as my first overseas trip before I turn 40. Everything I've seen about your country has led me to believe your last statement is completely accurate!
I have lived in Vietnam for 3 years now. I am starting to miss home now. But love Vietnamese people. I cant get tones down so people dont understand me. Hanoi food is often too sweet for me. Like the spicer food. The heat kills me. I drink way over 4 litters a day of water. So much is so hard for me here. But I enjoy the freedom and people. Freedom here is you can do what you want as long as you dont bother others. People are so chill that almost nothing bothers them. Anothny got me to pack up and leave. Been seeing Asia for last 6 years now, only been home once for 3 months. Want to see Africa. Dont have the money to see Europe.
Don't take his opinions seriously he killed himself.
This is a gem of a conversation and kudos to the team, especially for the sound designer. Like many, I admired Anthony Bourdain and it give some insights into his being and how he saw and experienced Vietnam.
We miss you mate. thanks for touring Vietnam. a place like no other and a riders paradise. see the real Vietnam
I've recently been to Vietnam and thought it was the land of plenty. I hope it doesn't grow too fast but give everyone the opportunity to live a good life.
Having lived in Southeast Asia mostly Thailand over the last twenty years I can relate to his love of Vietnam. After nearly two years trapped in America hoping by morning, I will finally return home. Barely a moment I do not think of this place.
I have been in Vietnam for more than 4 years. This place is my paradise.
Bravo. Thank you for sharing.
I feel the same way about my experience in Vietnam. Life has yet to be the same. Will be back soon :)
Vietnam beat Mongolia 3 time at Mongolia strength
Is this podcast ripped from his Parts Unknown series?
Not a fan of the host but Anthony Boursin how I miss you.
I wonder what EF has to do with Anthony Bourdain... they only offer cheap boring food to their students while on tour !
If Mongolia beat Vietnam they would have surrounded China.....
Anthony lived and died with the racial focus like asian noodles
There just noodles....rip
Nah noodles pretty different here in the states. Half is how they're made n half is from the experience with it. You'll never get it til you spent time there n soaked it in. It's true what he said, not everyone can share the same view even if they're exposed to it
They're = they are. Not THERE. There is a place. Vietnamese noodles. He is talking about Vietnam and his favorite noodles. Racial Focus? Again, what are you talking about. SHEESH.
You never probably had bunch of authentic Vietnamese noodle dishes? The best....