Anthony Bourdain - Parts Unknown in VN
 

The season opener of Parts Unkown on CNN is in VN. Got press a bit back because he has a meal with Obama in Hanoi. Also visits Halong Bay. Nice to check it out for those wondering if its worth the trip.

I saw that. That series is about food but so much more. I think it's very well done.

Yes, i agree -- I generally enjoy his shows.

I enjoyed it very much and the program reminded me, if I needed reminding, of how much I'd like to go back to Hanoi.

What I thought most remarkable was the fact that in a roomful of other diners in the modest cafe, no one paid any attention at all to Tony & Barack as they taped the interview, even though the welcome of the President on the street was enthusiastic. I must assume that the "extras" were paid, but only if never looked in their direction.

There was another one right after that about the Phillipines and that too was excellent. I worked with Phillipinos for 35 yrs. as I am an RN and I saw on the show so much of what I had seen all those yrs. Many work like crazy to support family back home. It was moving to see those scenes at the airport when they had to go abroad to work.

I caught the episode last night as well, and remember coming away how much I enjoyed it compared to some of the other episodes. I am surprised at the Halong Bay scenery and how much more impressive it was than I had seen from other photographs or videos.

The Halong Bay we saw last night was definitely not the HB I saw on an overnight cruise. But then visiting with a fishing family would not be something a tourist might experience or, for that matter, would I be comfortable doing. I was surprised by the admission that the family would like to move to a land-based community for the sake of the education of their children, after many generations on the water.

Halong Bay gets such mixed reveiws on this board. I am on the liked it side. We were in Bái Tử Long Bay and there was just one other boat. We also went to a floating village.

I think Halong Bay is a one-time thing, everyone has to do it, it seems. But it is indeed a mixed bag. I think it's our duty to call it like it is while not telling people not to go, because they will anyway. And I'm not sorry I went, once.

I have PVRd it and so looking forward to watching it. Going in April, and he did one a while ago about Ethiopia too which I enjoyed.

Bourdain's show from Hue a couple of seasons ago was even less about food than the recent instalment. He uncovered some of the current society's deeply hidden scars and discord, the inevitable consequences of several centuries under various colonial regimes. He was helped along by an old friend who on his first visit was assigned to spy on him. The research behind this show is also well hidden but he must be backed up by a crack team of researchers who make him look like he has friends in every back street of the planet. He deserves his serious awards. If it seems like there is a restaurant on every block of Hanoi that boasts Bourdain has eaten there, well, better him than that other aggressive foodie visitor Gordon Ramsey.

As usual, a beautiful, visually rich production. Anyone know the title of the classical music piece that opens the Halong Bay segment? Thx!

Thank you, yestravel! looking forward to seeing this show. Anthony Bourdain LOVES Vietnam, gets quite teary-eyed in previous shows.
My overnight boat experience was identical to yestravel's --but the only other vessel we saw in Bai Tu Long Bay (once away from the port at Ha Long) was a colorful fishing boat. The scenery is beautiful; I saw no trash in the water.