The King's Death Anniversary meant a cherished three-day weekend, an opportunity for families to unwind and enjoy some extra time off for the hard working Vietnamese people. Sabrina and I embraced the leisurely pace of a Sunday afternoon with a wander through the streets of the Old Quarter. Our post-paella-and-salad lunch quest was for small, flavorful street eats. We started with the visually striking red and green jellyfish, a summer dish Sabrina hadn't tasted in years and one we'd seen a YouTube pair approach with trepidation. Our next treat was a satisfying thick noodle dish, rich with crab, the aroma of fried green onions, the crunch of pork skin, and the slight tang of mustard greens.
The vibrant energy of Hoan Kiem Lake drew us in next, where throngs of people enjoyed the balmy air. The joyful sounds of children playing filled the space as parents sipped coffee and enjoyed ice cream. Live music spilled from Beer Street, where drinks were flowing. The unusually large crowd eventually led us on our twenty-five-minute walk back home to Truc Bach, the perfect end to another delightful weekend.
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 2025, which signified the end of the Vietnam War, Episode #10 will feature Tuy Buckner sharing his remarkable life story. Born during this pivotal time, Tuy was given to an orphanage and subsequently adopted by a family in Berkeley, California. His adoptive mother's activism against the oppression faced by the Vietnamese people ultimately led Tuy back to Vietnam, a homeland he hadn't yet known beyond his heritage. An excerpt from this episode is available for listening here.
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