From The Desk Of
Executive Editor
Linda O'Bryon
Traveling around the nation and around the globe to cover business and economic news is nothing new to Nightly Business Report. Over the years, we've sent our reporters or commissioned crews across five continents (North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa) for breaking news as well as world economic summits and meetings with global leaders.
So when the opportunity to cover Vietnam presented itself, our team of Senior Producer Wendie Feinberg, Washington Bureau Chief Darren Gersh, and Photographer/Editor Steve Washington was poised and ready to go. But this trip was by no means a typical news assignment.
First, there was the need to get clearances. Although tourist visas for Vietnam are generally easily obtained, for working journalists it takes more time and effort. All in all, it took six weeks of providing documentation and obtaining the proper permits to allow our crew and gear into the country.
Then, there was the question of setting up interviews and field coverage. Vietnam is halfway around the world from our base in Miami. For most of the year, the local time is exactly 12 hours opposite Eastern Standard Time (EST). That means a call during normal business hours in Vietnam takes place at 9 or 10 p.m. EST. Thankfully, the Internet and e-mail helped smooth the communication lines.
There was also the daunting task of loading up and transporting NBR gear. Television crews never travel light. But in this case, our group had to think of everything that might be needed, plus backups - since it's not likely that they'll find a Radio Shack around the corner to pick up a battery or fuse.
On Saturday, April 6th, the crew headed to LA, then Hong Kong and then on to Hanoi - in approximately 36 hours of traveling! Then on to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) before returning home with dozens of tapes that will turn into five stories that aired the week of May 13.
Is it worth all the effort?
"Absolutely," said Wendie Feinberg, "this is an incredible opportunity to bring NBR's viewers to a place many of them have only heard about. Vietnam has changed dramatically over the last three decades; and as one of the few communist nations on the globe today, it now discovers the business and economic challenges that will shape its future."