Among the interesting revelations: the rat problem was concentrated in the French Quarter of Hanoi, as that's where the sewerage system was developed. What drained away filth also provided an express subway for rats. Which had been brought to Vietnam by steamship-powered trade, for what it's worth.
(That's only a few minutes into the interview. The whole episode is great listening, and includes a few details on the Freakonomics experience.)
He was recently interviewed about that book on the New Books Network:
<https://newbooksnetwork.com/michael-g-vann-the-great-hanoi-r...>
Audio: <https://traffic.megaphone.fm/LIT1560680456.mp3> (mp3)
(Episode begins at 1:30.)
Among the interesting revelations: the rat problem was concentrated in the French Quarter of Hanoi, as that's where the sewerage system was developed. What drained away filth also provided an express subway for rats. Which had been brought to Vietnam by steamship-powered trade, for what it's worth.
(That's only a few minutes into the interview. The whole episode is great listening, and includes a few details on the Freakonomics experience.)