43 years have passed since the end of the Vietnam War. The 30th of April holds multiple meanings for Vietnamese people -- and like many facets of Vietnamese identity, there are no hard truths. Referred to by many as Reunification Day, for others, April 30th is also known as Black April. In this episode’s Vietnamism, Loa’s newest reporter Thúy Vi Cao explores the meaning of “black” in Black April. Her segment examines all that colors our understanding of victory, tragedy, and trauma.

Music credits:
Intro: Sự Sống Thay Đổi guitar
Outro: Biển Nhớ guitar

Air date: April 30, 2018

Vietnamism - Understanding the Colors of April 30th

In our first episode of the 2018 season and coinciding with Loa’s third year anniversary, we feature our newest reporter Thúy Vi Cao. In this week's Vietnamism, she explores the meaning of “black” in Black April and examines all that colors our understanding of victory, tragedy, and trauma.

In Solitary Envoi, we re-visit a reading and interpretation of Tổ Quốc Gọi Tên, a poem about one’s love for the motherland. This segment is produced by Quyên Ngô and originally aired on our very first episode.

Air date: April 30, 2018

Opening music: Guitar version of Lới Lơ, played by Thu Lệ
Closing music: Gillicuddy - Adventure, Darling
Vietnamism intro: Sự Sống Thay Đổi on guitar
Vietnamism outro: Biển Nhớ on guitar

Web: https://soundcloud.com/loa_fm/ep-80

Episode 80 - Colors of April 30th; Re-air of Poetry Reading

As our team was busy with traveling in May, we unearth two segments from our archives for today’s episode. 

June 4th marks the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Nearly three decades later, in 2017, protest leaders of Tiananmen advised a young Joshua Wong in Hong Kong as he sat in jail. Loa’s reporter Kathy Triệu was fortunate to interview Wong, one of the leaders of the Umbrella Movement, before he was jailed. This On the Record aired in August 2016.

How can a handmade, children’s toy become both a form of solace and resistance in jail? We revisit a story about dolls made in prison in this Solitary Envoi. This segment was produced by Quyên Ngô in December 2016.

Air date: June 4, 2018

Sauce: https://www.loa.fm/episodes/ep-81

Episode 81 - Joshua Wong; Prison Dolls (re-run)

People asking you if you've been keeping up with the protests in Việt Nam...and you haven’t been? No worries, we’ve got you covered, and then some! Here's Quyên Ngô with the headlines for June 2018. 

Episode Opening & Closing Music: Blue Dot Sessions - Shift of Currents

June 30, 2018

Episode 82 - June News Review

In the early 2000’s, skateboards began to appear on the streets of Việt Nam. Today, it has grown in popularity, forming its own subculture. But youth are finding it difficult to skate due to a lack of space and public acceptance. Our reporter, Tứ Tiểu Tâm, a passionate skater of over 11 years, hit the streets of Việt Nam to learn more.

Read our story: https://www.loa.fm/our-stories/skateboarding-in-vietnam

Opening & Closing Music: Keegan DeWitt - Yik Yak no. 2
A Look Inside Music: Nkato - Chill Soul Rap Instrumental

Episode 83 - Skateboarding in Việt Nam

It’s been just a little over a year since Will Nguyễn was released from prison in Vietnam. Will was arrested for his participation in protests surrounding the 99 year land lease and Cybersecurity law. One year later, Loa’s Quyên Ngô sits down with Will to have a conversation about his arrest and time in prison, how he sees the democracy movement, and his overall hopes for Việt Nam.

Music used in the episode:
Blue Dot Sessions - Lina My Queen
Blue Dot Sessions - Stack Me Up

Episode 84 - Will Nguyễn's Side of the Story

Trong chương trình tuần này, Will Nguyễn trở lại với Loa để cùng Quyên Ngô phỏng vấn cựu tù nhân lương tâm Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn.

Trong cuộc trao đổi, cả hai người chia sẻ những trải nghiệm trong tù. Trong chương trình, chị Minh Mẫn kể những câu chuyện chưa từng chia sẻ. Mời các bạn lắng nghe!

On this week's episode (conducted in Vietnamese), Will Nguyễn joins Quyên Ngô with an interview with former prisoner of conscience Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn.

In an intimate conversation, both share their experiences in prison, with Minh Mẫn recounting stories that she has never shared before. We invite you to listen!

Episode 85 - Cuộc trao đổi với Will Nguyễn và Nguyễn Đặng Minh Mẫn

Today we’ll be bringing you a summary of the events that have been unfolding in Đồng Tâm, a commune of Hà Nội. Just short of the Lunar New Year, a deadly clash broke out. Reports of police and civilian deaths circulated among Vietnamese netizens, but without confirmation, the facts have been difficult to track down. Chris Lê has the five things you need to know about what happened in Đồng Tâm.

Loa Theme: Kontinuum - Aware
Closing music: Blue Dot Sessions - Dirty Wallpaper

Episode 86 - Five Things To Know about the Deadly Clash in Đồng Tâm

Loa /'lwä/ noun. Vietnamese for loudspeaker

Loa is a podcast that explores the ideas and stories that shape Việt Nam today. We amplify the voices you need to hear and broadcast the perspectives you haven’t heard.

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