Travel with Rick Steves 820 Vietnam; Touring the Mississippi River
Jan 31, 2026
Joshua Zukas, Hanoi-based travel writer and Bradt Guide author on Vietnam, discusses culture, markets, food, sustainability and surprising sides of the country. Dean Klinkenberg, author and Mississippi enthusiast, guides a scenic tour from Lake Itasca to Louisiana, highlighting headwaters, wetlands, historic towns, paddling and wildlife-rich swamps.
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Vietnam's Growing Economic And Tourist Appeal
- Vietnam's tourism and broader economy are booming, driven by both international visitors and local opportunities.
- Joshua Zukas emphasizes the country's appeal for job seekers and long-term immigrants, not just short-term expats.
Language Shapes How We See Migration
- Joshua rejects the loaded term "expat" and prefers "immigrant" to signal equal treatment across migrations.
- He highlights how language reflects bias toward Western movers versus non-Western immigrants.
Conservative Yet Tolerant Social Culture
- Vietnam's culture is "conservative but tolerant," allowing public celebrations for same-sex couples even before legal marriage.
- Social acceptance often comes from family and practical values like maintaining families.
