Ep 84: 2021: The Year So Far in Vietnam, with Mike Tatarski

Listen to this episode

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google

Podbean

View All Episodes

About This Episode

21 Jul 2021 • 32m00s

Two-thirds through July, South East Asia’s travel recovery has yet to occur - and is receding into the distance. With the Delta variant spreading fast across ASEAN, nations that were COVID-safe earlier in the year are now under strict lockdown. So today’s show kicks off the “2021: The Year So Far” series, which will feature local experts and analysts in each market.

The journey begins in Vietnam, as Gary and Hannah welcome Ho Chi Minh City-based Mike Tatarski, who is Editor-in-Chief of Saigoneer and founder of the Vietnam Weekly newsletter.

We track back to the start of the year, when domestic travel was relatively free, and then a case surge began around the Tet Holiday.

The current outbreak began in late April, and new infections continue to soar daily. Mike discusses the up-to-date situation nationwide, and the why the vaccine rollout began so slowly.

We also debate the outlook for airlines, travel firms and domestic tourism.

Plus, what are the prospects for the proposed Phu Quoc Sandbox, which is slated to start in October?

Resources

Mike Tatarksi’s Twitter

The Saigoneer

Vietnam Weekly newsletter

Vietnam Weekly podcast on Spotify

« Next Episode Ep 85: 2021: The Year So Far in Singapore, with Karen Yue Previous Episode » Ep 83: When Will US & Canadian Tourists Return to Asia?, with Ernst Flach

View All Episodes

Latest Episodes Catch up with the pods you may have missed

Play

17 Jul 2026 • 24m40s

Ep 311: Speedboat Safety in Vietnam, Scam Centres in Cambodia & Timor Leste & Seaplanes in Thailand

Seaplane regulations, a fatal speedboat accident and new cyberscam centre revelations. This week’s show takes Gary and Hannah around ASEAN and beyond, with stopovers in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Timor Leste and the Middle East. We begin with the latest updates on flights connecting South East Asia and the Middle East as the military conflict between the US and Iran flares up once again. We look at the latest developments in IATA’s battle to promote sustainable aviation fuel while at the same time challenging government policies.

Play

3 Jul 2026 • 22m17s

Ep 310: Vietnam's Airlines Expand at Warp Speed, Bangkok Rides the Mega-Wellness Wave & Durian Tourism Ambassadors in Malaysia: June 2026 in Review

“They are not happy with just Vietnam, just Thailand - now they are going after Australia!” The scale of ambition and speed of commercial aggression shown by Vietnamese airlines is a stand-out feature of 2026, and there is no sign of a slowdown. On our monthly round-up of the top travel and tourism talking points in South East Asia and beyond in June, Gary and Hannah look at how airline strategies are shifting in ASEAN, Asia, Australia and the Middle East East - and the new threads tying them together.