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A unique art, a unifying cultural experience that both North and South Vietnam can agree to, water puppetry was born in the north in the flooded rice fields. Come with us as we delve into the chest deep waters these shows take place in and learn about what Dennis calls Vietnam's greatest cultural achievement.

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Why are Viets always late? Why are there so many red bean desserts? Why are western desserts better? Dennis and Jon explore what should be a culinary treasure trove and find mostly sadness in Eastern desserts.

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Big Head and Dennis carry on their journey to healthiness (kind of?) and down the coastline of Vietnam. I will also never run out of excuses - for being unhealthy and not telling Big Head and Dennis about Vietnamese stuff.

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Dennis definitely found a better way of saying Fire Horse. Welcome to Outside Viet and our annual tradition of breaking in the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. We check in folks in the past, we talk random Viet related things in the present and Jon fails to make any predictions about the future.

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This is not a paid promotion - Dennis discovered this challenge and signed himself and Big Head for it. Be aware, there is a cost to this challenge ($39 or $70 USD and you get merch with free shipping).

Dennis and Big Head have signed up for the Vietnam Coast Virtual Challenge (website: https://www.theconqueror.events/vietnamcoast/). Per the website, it is a an interesting fitness challenge, matching your workout (run/walk or cycle) and linking it to features along the Vietnamese coast. This includes discussions of Local Spots, National Sites, UNESCO sites, historical and cultural information.

This is the first of their updates on this journey across 2026. I am still looking to see if I am up for this.

PS: Jon is a sphere and this is the best episode yet. An episode on Hanoi is coming.

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This is a rough methodology Vietnamese use to figure which pronouns to use to speak with one another. This does not include work place, LGTBQ+, imperial era or any other scenarios beyond contemporary ones.

A summary of considerations are:

1. Which part of Vietnam everyone is from (North vs. South).

2. Are you speaking with family or with a stranger.

3. For families, are you talking about your mother or father's family.

4. When speaking about someone, they become a reference point to decide which set of pronouns to use.

5. Who you are addressing.

Realistically, the best solution for Vietnamese who are confused (especially overseas Viets who were not suffused in Viet culture), is to ask an older family member for clarity. Most people will politely correct you, only a few will get mad (they're big jerks). Or follow Dennis' recommendations.

PS: Nice little guide for immediate family - https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4TDkCie5p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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What makes bar food (foods to have while drinking) great? Which country has the best? Canada/US, the UK, Vietnam, China? Why do half of Vietnamese bar foods seem like they were made up by drunks?

Note: we didn't include the European ones like tapas or German varietals, because we never had them before. We try to stay factual.

Whatever your favourite foods that go with drinks are, we hope you enjoy them this holiday season. Stay safe, stay warm and stay inebriated. Merry Christmas and Happy (western) New Year!

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Vinfast is Vietnam's only current domestic car manufacturer and part of the larger Vingroup of companies. Dennis and I go for a spin and cruise through the available information about the company.