Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain meet up in Hanoi for some beer and bun cha

Just two cool dads hanging out in Vietnam.
 By 
Cailey Rizzo
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Barack Obama is touring Asia this week in an effort to "increase U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security engagement with the countries and peoples of the region," according to the White House.

Since arriving in Vietnam on Sunday, the president's schedule has included making historic speeches and sitting down with fellow cool dad, Anthony Bourdain, to discuss the country.


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Obama and Bourdain met at Bun Cha Huong Lien in Hanoi for an interview over Vietnamese beer and bun cha, a traditional beef and noodle dish.


Their conversation will appear in an upcoming episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown on CNN.

"Bourdain will explore the purpose of the President's trip and his interest in the people, food and culture of Vietnam," a CNN spokesperson said.

On Monday, the president announced a lift of the arms embargo against Vietnam which has been in place for more than 50 years.

The administration hopes to bolster better ties with the one-party, communist country as China's influence in the area spreads. However, Obama is still pushing for better treatment of human rights in Vietnam.

On Tuesday, Obama will travel to Ho Chi Minh City where he will visit the historic Jade Emperor Pagoda and tour a new co-working space in the city's business district. Then on Wednesday, Obama will travel to Japan to participate in the G-7 summit and end the week by visiting the Hiroshima memorial site. Obama will be the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima since it was devastated in 1945. Both Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon visited outside of their terms.

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Topics Barack Obama

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Cailey Rizzo

Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne

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