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

4 Aug 2021 • 30m00s

Ep 87: 2021: The Year So Far in Laos, with Jason Rolan

The spectacular country of Laos has been overshadowed as prominent destinations in South East Asia attempt to reopen for travel and tourism. Laos, however, has tentatively set in motion its own reopening plan. So, this week, Gary and Hannah tackle developments in the year so far in Laos with Jason Rolan, who is Senior Partner of Vientiane-based RDK Group. Jason was last on the show in November 2020, when Laos was COVID-safe.

Play

30 Jul 2021 • 30m00s

Ep 86: July in Review: Delta Variant Spreads Across ASEAN & Asia Pacific

July 2021 saw the Delta variant spread at an accelerated speed through the region. It now dominates every aspect of economics, social and health policy and daily discourse. On the monthly review show, Gary and Hannah unravel this month’s worrying statistics from across South East Asia, plus China, Japan and South Korea. We also analyse what the worsening COVID-19 situation combined with variable speeds of vaccine rollout will mean for proposed tourism reopenings in Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.