Today we’re posting a couple videos from Vietnam. I know, I know, you think you’re over the whole Vietnam thing. But guess what? Vietnam’s a big country, and as much as I would like to say, “We nailed it in seven episodes and the Laurene at the Delta short,” that’s just not accurate. The truth is that we need at least two more shorts to cover this complex society. And we got ‘em.
These were shot in February, when principal photography had wrapped and I was able to turn my attention to some of those details that make life in Vietnam so unique. I was always intrigued by the utilitarian aspect of Vietnamese society, by its people’s ability to make do with whatever works and not demand all the bells and whistles that mark any undertaking in the States. The train crossing is a great example. In America, where it’s often said that we value machines and automation at the expense of people, a human-operated train crossing would be unthinkable, or at the very least hopelessly outdated. In Vietnam, where the biggest technological concern is air pollution from motorbikes (and lately the censorship of Facebook), it’s common-place. So common, in fact, that there were stations just like this one only 25 yards in either direction. Cynics might say that this is the communist influence on the country, a simple way of creating soul-sucking jobs that keep everyone busy. Maybe there’s some truth to that, but the reason I found this station so interesting was because the workers’ spirits seemed to be as high as anyone’s. I was able to observe them a couple times before this shoot (this crossing was near my apartment), and every time I saw these young women emerge from their small guard house and lower these barriers, they did it with enthusiasm. Perhaps it’s that difference – that a Vietnamese person could do the same task every day and be happy – that explains why these train crossings exist. No economic system can explain that kind of inner peace (though they’ve all certainly tried). No, it seems to me that that the Vietnamese are able to be happy with their work thanks to the influence of Buddhism. There’s more to that than I can pretend to know, but the more I learned about Buddhism while in Vietnam, the more I saw it reflected in daily life. Maybe America doesn’t need hand-operated train crossings, but perhaps there’s something to be said for inner peace.
I don’t have as much to say about the coffee short. While it also exemplifies the utilitarianism of Vietnam (gloves? what for?), the truth is that I just love Vietnamese ice coffee, or cà phê sữa đá. I went to this coffee cart every single morning, mostly for the delicious, sweet elixir, but also to get made fun of in Vietnamese by the nice woman making the drinks. See that glass that of coffee she just made? I drank that. And it was damn good.
Last week we saw the end of the story in Saigon, but we’re not quite done with Vietnam yet. This week we are proud to release the trailer for Season 5: Saigon. If you’re new to the show, series or just a fan of the latest season I highly recommend checking it out. It’s also a great way to introduce friends to the show (pass it along to friends! it’s great karma).
NEW RELEASE HERE
If you’ve seen the whole season (or even if you haven’t) then give us some feedback. What did you like? What didn’t you like? Favorite character? Destination suggestion? We want to hear it all – web@jetsetzero.tv.
And remember, passing the trailer along to friends now will make you look way cooler than waiting until we’re all over prime time TV and they’ve already heard of us. So, hurry! Get on it!
And season 5 ends.
After months of work, travel, adventure and life in Saigon the girls have to say goodbye to the city that has become their home. Each cast member will move on to new journey and a new adventure all their own.
Watch the story and see just how the girls finish their time and where each of their lives go next.
NEW EPISODE HERE
As one season ends, another begins…
In this week’s episode the girls start to wrap up their time in Saigon and we see some of their most important journeys yet. Three leave the city and one leaves for home.
Episode 6
“Kris, fed up with her job, and Jen decide to embark on a tour of Vietnam outside Saigon but Serene is left behind — without finding employment she has run out of funds and must fly home to Missouri. Laurene, meanwhile, seems to have no trouble balancing work and adventure…”
We work hard to tell the greatest stories that we can so we always listen to feedback. If you’ve got something to tell us we are always available at – web@jetsetzero.tv.
Remember: FRIDAY = WATCH THE NEW JET SET ZERO.
NEW EPISODE HERE
This week brings us a step closer to the close of the girl’s time in Saigon as well on some of their biggest adventures yet. Check out their travels outside the city and a tropical Christmas that you have to see to believe.
Episode 5
"Helping the elderly. Making new friends. Going to the beach. Getting sand in your pants. What do these things have in common? You can do them all in Vietnam when you break out of your shell and begin to really explore your home-away-from-home. Join Laurene, Kris, Jen, and Serene as they crest the hill into the second half of their time as the cast of Jet Set Zero: Saigon."
Friday = Jet Set Zero. We should just make if official. Wednesday, Thursday, Jet Set Zero, Saturday.
Man I’m good. They should really pay me for coming up with this stuff.
NEW EPISODE HERE
Week four of release brings the next part of the saga of Laurene, Jen, Kris, and Serene’s journey in Saigon. This week sees the team face some hard questions about their future.
Episode 4
“With Ben gone and Jen with lingering questions about the future of their relationship, the team examines their first month in Saigon and whether they are really experiencing the "true" Vietnam.”
Don’t forget a new episode comes every Friday (rain, shine or otherwise). Mark your calendars, tell your friends.
NEW EPISODE HERE
It’s Friday. You know what that means – another new episode.
This week sees the girls exploring different paths – Kris shops for a motorbike, Serene reveals a recent relationship close to her heart and Jen says goodbye.
How do the girls deal with the realities of relationships on the road? What does this mean for the team as they move forward in Saigon?
As always great work by our Field Producer/Editor Evan, and stateside editor Jed.
Got a comment or suggestion? Let us know what you think. We read every email and appreciate each and every piece of feedback (web@jetsetzero.tv).
Enjoy.
NEW EPISODE HERE
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