Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast
Host Niall Mackay shares personal stories and interviews with guests connected to Vietnam, including entrepreneurs, artists, locals, Viet Kieu, expats, and voices from the LGBTQ+ community. The podcast explores life in modern Vietnam through honest, unscripted conversations that are sometimes funny, sometimes challenging, but always real. It offers insights and perspectives beyond what you'll find in headlines and guidebooks.
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Rewind: If you have a week to explore Vietnam, where would you go?
In the break between season 2 and 3 here are the answers each guest gave to my questions at the end of each episode.Thanks for listening!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast!Support the show&q
SPECIAL EPISODE: Why Most People Never Become Who They Could Be
This is an extra special episode of Discover Vietnam!As you probably know, I run Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and we produce podcasts for clients around the world. We've done over a thousand episodes, helped with millions of downloads, and we've even won some awards. One of our clients is Laura Colon from Inspired Authority, and I was really, really lucky to be asked by her to be a guest
Rewind: What do you do with 24 hours off in Saigon?
In the break between season 2 and 3 here are the answers each guest gave to my questions at the end of each episode.Thanks for listening!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show🎙
Rewind: What bike do you drive and how do you deal with Saigon traffic? Season 2 Compilation
The first ever live show of Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast, recorded live at Soma Art Lounge in D2, HCMC.I am so sorry, the recording cut out with about 10-15 mins left of the show! I have no idea why. If you are in HCMC look out for the next live show to avoid disappointment.The panel discussed comedy in the current PC era and post #metoo era. Is comedy being stifled or do comedians need t
Rewind: The Live Show - What can you joke about in comedy today? With Uy Nguyen, Jesús López and Angee the Diva
The first ever live show of Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast, recorded live at Soma Art Lounge in D2, HCMC.I am so sorry, the recording cut out with about 10-15 mins left of the show! I have no idea why. If you are in HCMC look out for the next live show to avoid disappointment.The panel discussed comedy in the current PC era and post #metoo era. Is comedy being stifled or do comedians need t
Rewind: Esta Ricardo; Part 2 - The DragMother of GenderFunk, VietNams alternative Queer scene | S2 Ep 8
Esta Ricardo is a Drag Queen and GenderFunk performer and Founder/Mother of GenderFunk. He loves exploring Gender through workshops, performance and lots of talking!Born in Birmingham he then lived in Manchester and London before studying Journalism in London. He then worked for the British Red Cross for 2 years and started performing in the radical arts festival scene in Europe. He has now lived
Rewind: Esta Ricardo; Part 1 - The DragMother of GenderFunk, VietNams alternative Queer scene | S2 Ep 8
Esta Ricardo is a Drag Queen and GenderFunk performer and Founder/Mother of GenderFunk. He loves exploring Gender through workshops, performance and lots of talking!Born in Birmingham he then lived in Manchester and London before studying Journalism in London. He then worked for the British Red Cross for 2 years and started performing in the radical arts festival scene in Europe. He has now lived
Rewind: Discover Vietnam’s Street Food Secrets with Best Ever Food Review Show's Calvin Bui | S2 Ep 7
The most difficult man to nail down for an interview is finally on Seven Million Bikes! Chef and Restaurateur Calvin Bui of El Camino and Dos Amigos Taqueria.A California native born of parents who escaped the fall out of the Vietnam war, Calvin has lived in Saigon for 10 years now and gone from a Wall Street Banker to owning and running successful restaurants in Saigon. Most notable for his fusio
Rewind: Angee the Diva; Part 2 - Comedy, sex and sexuality | S2 Ep 6
Angee the Diva is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam.She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been a headlining gigs around Vietnam and South East Asia since 2017, as a solo comedian and as half of the comedy duo, “Stand Up for the Queens”. She has headlined solo in Canada and USA, as well. This mother of two, writer, event planner, and boss as bitch will leave
Rewind: Angee the Diva; Part 1 - Being a Comedian With Kids | S2 Ep 6
Angee the Diva is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam.She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been a headlining gigs around Vietnam and South East Asia since 2017, as a solo comedian and as half of the comedy duo, “Stand Up for the Queens”. She has headlined solo in Canada and USA, as well. This mother of two, writer, event planner, and boss as bitch will leave
Rewind: GiangSinh Pham - Vietnamese millennial raised and absorbed in Western & Vietnamese culture | S2 Ep 5
GiangSinh is named due to her birth date of December 24th, being Vietnamese for Christmas, which she still went by until recently.Her Vietnamese mother and father met in Indonesia where GiangSinh was born and lived there for the first 5 years of her life. After moving back to Saigon she has lived in Nha Trang, Singapore, LA and now back to Saigon again where she feels her heart belongs. She has wo
Rewind: Ella Beth - Jazz singer and finalist on The Voice Vietnam | S2 Ep 4
Ella Beth is a sassy jazz singer and more recently comedian hailing from Australia. Since leaving her hometown, singing has taken her all over Australia and Asia and in traveling she’s developed her own brand of on stage performance.This lead to being the first foreign competitor on The Voice Vietnam - making it all the way to the finals!We talk about her time in Vietnam which has been a rollercoa
Rewind: Damian Kilroy - Coracle Music Festival Organiser & Cargo Events Promoter | S2 Ep 3
Originally from Manchester, Damian Kilroy has lived in Vietnam for 10 years, 5 of those in Saigon, where most notably, he brought a raft of international artists to Saigon for the first time (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Mac DeMarco, The Cribs, The Vaccines).Now in Vung Tau, Damian is the owner of Cask Bar and is working on the 2nd year of Coracle Music Festival which takes place in Ho Tram at the
Rewind: TW// Intrepid Young Journalist Dives Deep into Sexual Abuse, Development, Culture & Human Rights In Vietnam | S2 E2
TRIGGER WARNING: The subject of this episode is the reporting of sexual abuse in Vietnam. While there is nothing graphic in this episode, if you feel that this would be a trigger or discomforting please feel free to skip this episode.Sen is a journalist based in Saigon, Vietnam where she covers development, culture, and human rights. She writes for the English publication VnExpress International.W
Rewind: Discover How Vũ Minh Tú Became Vietnam's Raunchiest Comedian | S2 Ep 1
The first episode of Season 2 is with Saigon Funny People co-founder and resident cat lady, Vu Minh Tu!Hanoi-born, Saigon-based Tu is a comedy force to be reckoned with. An established performer on the Vietnam circuit, her style can be described as like any stereotypical Asian female: passive aggressive. Tu's hilarious jokes at shows across the region have seen her collect numerous awards inc
Rewind: Podcast Crossover, Sexy Meat Talks
This is an extra-special Seven Million Bikes; our first ever crossover episode with fellow Saigon-based podcast, Sexy Meat Talks. A massive thank you to Sexy Meat Talk hosts, Joshua Durkin and Mark Gustafson, for being so open and enthusiastic to this collaboration.Mark, from the Chicago area in the U.S., is a Brew Master, Pit Master, and enthusiast of all things Meat! In addition, he is co-founde
Rewind: Việt Kiều Texan, Splicing Mexican and Vietnamese Foods, Lê Minh Tâm
Tâm is the first listener-suggested guest, thanks to regular listener, Brandon Coleman. Tâm is an entertaining and interesting guest that has an in-depth story and many insights to share about life in Saigon, which can be seen by the length of this episode. Born in Texas to Vietnamese refugees, Tâm moved to Saigon after a stint in Singapore. Here in Saigon she worked at an international branding a
Rewind: The Busiest Woman in Saigon, Susan Li
You may have seen Susan Li around town or posting on Fexpats. She is one of of Fexpats original founders and she's been really busy the last 6 years in Saigon!We cover a lot in this episode from the founding of Fexpats, RAD7 and Honey Badger Events to online trolls, dating in Saigon and opening a new bar, The Wreck, with Matt Ryan.Originally born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Susan decided
Rewind: Out & Proud Vietnamese Man, Daniel Doan
WARNING: If you are small minded and homophobic you can probably skip this episode.Daniel was born and raised in Saigon by conservative Northern parents, with his dad having fought for the North before moving South. Daniel faced the familiar familial pressures that many young people in Saigon face, to study hard and get good grades.Daniel's passions are and always have been music, food and fa
Rewind: Music Producer, Lewis Wright
Lewis Wright is a talented music producer from the UK who now lives in Saigon, working for InQ International producing kids songs for a Vietnamese audience and Vietnamese artists for an international audience. He even composed the popular theme music for Seven Million Bikes.Lewis is originally from the UK and has lived in Vietnam for just over a year, having visited and lived on and off in previou
Rewind: Digital Nomad & Football Journalist, Greg Lea
Greg has what would be for many a dream job - a freelance football journalist. After moving to Saigon in January Greg planned to stay for only three months, but now going to be staying for the foreseeable future. He was recently featured in The Guardian writing about digital nomads which Greg is currently debating whether that label applies to him.As both avid football fans Greg and I had so much
Raising a Three-Year-Old in a City That Never Stands Still, with Ebru Gelibolu
“Rome is always Rome. Saigon is never Saigon. It’s always changing.”That line from this conversation stopped me in my tracks. I’ve lived in Saigon for nearly 10 years, and sometimes I forget just how intense, exciting, and different this city feels when you first arrive. Talking with Ebru, who had only been in Vietnam for three months, gave me a fresh perspective on a place I call home.What I real
Rewind: Hidden Wildlife to Conservation Wins with James Hunt
"All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises—just like not all who wander are lost."Niall Mackay sits down with James Hunt, an American expat in Vietnam known for his restaurant ventures like Brick and Barrel and Big Boss Bistro. However, James's story extends far beyond the world of fried chicken and culinary pursuits. He delves into his passion for wildlife photog
Rewind: "Just Another Lesbian" In Saigon On LQBTQ+ Acceptance and Sex Education | Phuong Truong S8 E7
Join The CommunityPhuong Truong, "just another lesbian in town", is the owner of Twist coffee bar in Thao Dien, a fun place for everyone and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.We discuss the LQBTQ+ community in Vietnam in the context of religion, region and generational acceptance.We also talk about sex education in Vietnam in light of a recent story in VNExpress with the headline, It
Discover the secrets to thriving as an Expat mum in Vietnam with Claire Simpson
“I never thought I was going to have kids here… that wouldn’t have even crossed my mind.” — Claire SimpsonThis episode with Claire really opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I’ve never personally experienced but have always been curious about — what it’s actually like to be an expat parent here. I've interviewed entrepreneurs, creatives, teachers, founders… but motherhood is a whole different
Rewind: From the U.S. Airforce to Learning Vietnamese and Being On VTV with Markeiz Ryan
Slawpi Đô, his pseudonym, shares why he is dedicated to learning Vietnamese. why he wants to be on Vietnamese TV, and talks about his military background, trying to start a business in Vietnam and learning to enjoy being unproductive. In this episode Niall and Slawpi Đô talk about;what it is really like to be in the US AirforceWhy he is learning Vietnamesethe challenges of living in Vietnamthe dif
Why Female Founders Thrive in Vietnam with Amy Wenham
“The first thing I saw that I just loved so much is that the women here are so fearless.” — Amy WenhamThis conversation with Amy was one of those episodes where I found myself nodding almost the entire time. I’ve been talking about how badass Vietnamese women are for years, but Amy put language to things I’ve seen but could never fully articulate.What I loved most is that she didn’t just compare V
Rewind: Breaking Barriers Through Conversation To Open Up About A Painful Past with Tracey Nguyen Mang Part 2
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.This episode’s guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the award winning podcast: The Vietnamese Boat People. This podcast shares the stories of hope, survival and resilience from the Vietnamese diaspora during 1975-1992.Tracey was so interesting and engaging an interview it went for nearly two hours. It's been edited into two parts with
Discover American Expat Life in Vietnam, The Truth After 3 Years with Markeiz Ryan
“If I really spent $4,000 a month, I’d have a villa and a problem.”Having Markeiz back on Discover Vietnam felt like picking up a conversation we never really finished the first time. When he first joined me back in 2020, I was recording out of my bedroom, praying the iPhone wouldn’t ruin the audio. This time, we were sitting in a full podcast studio — lights, cameras, a technician, the whole lot.
Rewind: Families Traumatic Escape Inspired The Vietnamese Boat People Podcast with Tracey Nguyen Mang Part 1
This episode’s guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the Vietnamese Boat People podcast, an award winning podcast which shares the stories of the Vietnamese diaspora, and something that has often been discussed with previous guests on this show. Tracey was born the youngest of seven children, in Nha Trang Vietnam before her family risked their lives to flee Vietnam.Tracey was ju
Rewind: Ukrainian Returns Home Days Before War - Escapes Back To Vietnam with Anastasia Sokyrka
Donate to Ukraine!I met Anastasia Sokyrka in Government Quarantine in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. You can listen to my episode with her and my wife, Adrie, about our experiences while we were living them.Since then we have become close friends, a silver lining of a tough experience (17 days with no mattress, no air con and no booze!)Finally, after two years of the pandemic Anastasia was abl
Rewind: Living As A Trans Man In The USA & Vietnam with Zion Johnson
Join The Community with Zion!Zion Johnson is a former Transactivist, a writer and Seven Million Bikes superfan. He is the only person in the world to have a Seven Million Bikes tattoo!In this episode we talk about;- Zion's gender journey- his trans-activism in the US- transitioning from a black female to a black man- woke culture- why he decided to leave the U.S and settle in Vietnam- life as
Rewind: Surviving The 2008 Financial Crisis in NYC To Creating Saigoneer with Brian Letwin
The opening guest of Season 7 is Brian Letwin, a New Yorker in Saigon since 2010. Brian is the co-founder and CEO of the Urbanist Network which includes Saigoneer, Urbanist Vietnam and Urbanist Hanoi.Using his 15 years experience working in digital media both on the agency and publisher side Saigoneer has now been running since 2013.Recorded in late August when Saigon was still under strict lockdo
What's The SECRET to a Great Podcast? Real Listener Feedback | PodSwap - Smarter Podcasting
“The reason I’m putting on a podcast is because I want to listen. I don’t want to read about the hosts - I want you to tell me about you.” — Adrie Mackay Today I'm doing something a little bit different. You're about to hear an episode from my other show, Smarter Podcasting, where my wife Adrie joins me to talk about what she looks for in a podcast So if you ever thought. I could do tha
Rewind: Vietnamese Expat In Cyprus & Host of The Blue Expat Podcast with Phuong Nguyen S4 E4
Phuong Nguyen is a Vietnamese expat currently located in Paphos, Cyprus. She has hosted a Vietnamese podcast since 2016. Occasionally she interviewed Expats living in Vietnam and has some episodes covering expat lives such as being a vegan in Hanoi, Vietnam under the eyes of an artist and expat's life during Tet - Vietnam's traditional New year holiday. At the age of 30, she decided to s
Vote for us at the People's Picks Awards: Where In Vietnam
Vote here.I bring you a quick update as we take a short break. The podcast has evolved into a thriving business since its inception in 2019, leading to the establishment of the Saigon Podcast Studio. This year has been challenging due to my health issues, but the business is growing with new clients. We've rebranded to focus on relevant topics and I'm eager for your feedback. We've
Rewind: Discover Vietnam’s Street Food Secrets with Best Ever Food Review Show's Calvin Bui
The most difficult man to nail down for an interview is finally on Seven Million Bikes! Chef and Restaurateur Calvin Bui of El Camino and Dos Amigos Taqueria.A California native born of parents who escaped the fall out of the Vietnam war, Calvin has lived in Saigon for 10 years now and gone from a Wall Street Banker to owning and running successful restaurants in Saigon. Most notable for his fusio
Rewind: Young German Vietnamese DJ Shaping Saigon’s Creative Underground with Levi Oi S5 E10
Levi Oi moved from Berlin to Saigon at the end of 2018 - to discover her Vietnamese roots and to become a DJ.Her style is characterized by deep infectious melodic tunes, strong baselines paired with a cheeky sprinkle of techno.Within 5 months of her DJ career, she played her first Boiler Room set in Ho Chi Minh City.Next to organizing electronic music events, she was also the tour manager of Red
Rewind: Fluent Vietnamese Expat, Afro Viet TV Creator, Musician & Actor with Nam Đen S5 E6
Mr Nam Đen as he is affectionately known in Vietnam, or Nadis as he is known in his home country of Nigeria, is the creator of Afro Viet TV, a massively popular You Tube channel.Through comedy, food, music and travel his channel explores the beauty of African and Asian cultures.After first coming to Vietnam in 2008 he has now lived here for 10 years and is one of those rare things... an expat who
Discover How Vietnam Became a Lifestyle Destination with Dana Bradley, Where in HCMC
“Vietnam isn’t just somewhere people come for a cheap holiday anymore — it’s where creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers are choosing to build a life.”That line sums up what this episode is all about.For our first-ever live-streamed episode of Discover Vietnam, I sat down with Dana Bradley, co-founder of Where in HCMC, to talk about how Vietnam — especially Saigon — has evolved into one of the mos
Rewind: Drag King & Performer Contributing to the Creative Community with Ilse Zoerb; S6 E1
Niall talks to Ilse Zoerb. They instantly click and are both super goofy, joking about her name, accent and even Niall's dead grandmother. We even find a mutual appreciation for the TLC channel. Check out her favourite TLC show here. Ilse helped her parents move to Vietnam at the end of 2016 while Trump was taking office. She got caught in the Saigon vortex and is grateful for it.Ilse is a c
Discover The True Cost of Living in Vietnam, hosted by Adrie Lopez Mackay
“You can live in Vietnam for $1,000 a month… but will you be happy, healthy, and secure doing it?”Adrie and I are gonna be here again, but in different roles - she’s the host and interviews me. Adrie asks me about the real cost of living in Vietnam after nine years as expats in Ho Chi Minh City. When we first arrived, we thought everything would be dirt cheap — almost free. But as we settled into
Rewind: Touring Canadian Comedian love Vietnam with Lars Callieou
Lars Callieou is a touring comedian from Edmonton, Canada, who was recently on his 4th tour of Saigon and Vietnam.After watching his show and attending a workshop he put on for local comedians I caught up with Lars at his hotel shortly before he flew back to Canada. So apologies for the background noise, we were in the hotel restaurant that was thankfully mostly quiet. Lars has appeared at the Jus
Discover The Expat Money Mistakes That Cost Me $20,000, with Robin Copely
“Life is not about the money in your bank account. Life is for living, and your investments, your insurance, all those things should be about allowing you to live the life you want.” – Robin CopleyIt wasn’t easy to share, but I opened up about my own financial mistakes in Vietnam—losing tens of thousands of dollars because I trusted the wrong person. Robin Copley, my financial planner now, joined
Rewind: Pasteur Street Brewing Company with Mischa Smith
Mischa Smith, from Canada, is a regular sight around Saigon in the craft beer scene as the Sales Director for Pasteur Street Brewing Company. Mischa started in the craft beer industry in Toronto, Ontario before he packed up and moved to South Korea to teach English for a year that turned into four years and five months. After a visit to Saigon he fell in love with the city, left Korea and has now
Q&A: Discover The Setbacks I Overcame to Create Seven Million Bikes Podcasts
“Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.”That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey of turning a hobby podcast into a full-time business. Today, I opened up about the setbacks, surprises, and wins I’ve had along the way—from starting with one microphone in my
Discover How My MS Diagnosis Led To Opening Saigon Podcast Studio
“Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.”That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey of turning a hobby podcast into a full-time business. Today, I opened up about the setbacks, surprises, and wins I’ve had along the way—from starting with one microphone in my
Rewind: Saigon Native Kim Nguyen's Life Overseas & Vietnam
In this episode I speak with Saigon native, Kim Nguyen. Kim moved to the UK as a teenager to study and stayed for 6 years, meeting her boyfriend in the process who now lives with her in Saigon. Returning to Vietnam in 2018, Kim has a unique perspective on both living overseas and in Vietnam and has some helpful tips for young Vietnamese students thinking of studying overseas. She currently works
Discover How Devin Hong Found Identity, Acting, and Belonging in Vietnam
“It’s like you’re wearing our face, but you’re not really us.” – Devin HongThis episode with Devin was one of those conversations that reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. Devin’s journey—from leaving Vietnam as a child, growing up in California, then returning decades later—was powerful, funny, and deeply honest. I loved hearing his perspective on identity, belonging, and wh
Rewind: Discover Why JK Hobson Made A Life in Saigon
My first guest on Seven Million Bikes is JK Hobson. As a finalist in the 2018 Vietnam Comedy Competition JK is known by many in Saigon as a stand-up, but is a man of many talents. We had so much to talk about I’ve split this first episode into two parts.Growing up in New York, JK moved to LA with his “fairly well known” thrash-metal band, Crisis. After Crisis split and he returned to University, J
Discover Why The Nguyens Took Their Kids Out Of School To Travel The World
What an amazing story! I was so fascinated by Dennis and Emily's decision to leave their jobs as accountants and travel the world with their two kids, Hannah and Aiden. They turned a simple idea into an incredible journey across more than 30 countries. Listening to them talk about the challenges of homeschooling on the road, the cultural differences they've encountered, and the beautiful
Discover Vietnam's Changing Consumption Patterns and Health Trends with Jane Ha
“Everyday life in Saigon means navigating sugar in everything—from coffee to orange juice—and I can’t have any of it.” – Jane HaMy guest today is Jane Ha, a researcher in behavioral science who has lived in Hanoi, the U.S., the U.K., and now Saigon. Jane’s story is as much about resilience as it is about culture—living with diabetes in one of the sweetest food environments in the world, while also
Discover the Silent Struggles of Vietnam’s Returning Students
“I felt like my Vietnamese froze at the level of a 17-year-old.” – Mai DoanMy guest today is Mai Doan, who left Vietnam at just 17 to study in Oregon, later studied in France, built a career in the U.S., and then made the choice to return home. Her story was full of courage and honesty. She talked about cultural shocks, stereotypes, and the challenges of returning to Vietnam after so many years ab
New Name: Same Podcast!
If you’ve been following the show since the Seven Million Bikes: A Saigon Podcast days, you’ll know this has always been about sharing the stories of the incredible people who make up Vietnam — locals, expats, entrepreneurs, creatives, and everyone in between.A Vietnam Podcast is now... Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast marking the start of our brand-new chapter.I share why I decided to update
Discover Why People Stay in Saigon With Krista Bernard and Guest Host, Adrie Lopez Mackay!
“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista BernardIf you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again.Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dair
Discover How Premier Dental is Changing Vietnam's Dentistry with Annie Vo
“You can fly to Vietnam, stay a month, get your teeth done—and still spend less than you would back home.” – Niall MackayAnnie Vo finally made it on the podcast—and it was well worth the wait. This is Part 2 of our conversation, and in this episode, we dug into something I find really fascinating: what it takes to run a truly modern, ethical dental clinic in Vietnam.Annie and her husband have buil
Discover Vietnam’s Hidden Magic with Uncle George & Aunt Betty | An Extra Special Epsiode!! | S14 E11
“I can honestly say my expectations of Vietnam were completely blown away.”This episode is extra special. Not only is it the first recorded in the brand-new Saigon Podcast Studio, but my guest is my very own Uncle George. He and my Aunt Betty just spent two weeks traveling through Vietnam, and we squeezed this conversation in right before they flew home.George opens up about his first impressions
Discover How Culture and Sugar Shape Vietnam’s Dental Health with Dr Albert Le | S14 E10
I’ve met a lot of interesting people in Vietnam over the years, but this conversation with Dr. Albert Viet Le really stuck with me—pun intended (and yes, it involves floss). Albert is the Managing Director of Premier Dental and the only US and Australian board-certified periodontist practicing in Vietnam.We recorded this episode in our brand-new studio—Albert was our very first proper guest—and I
First EVER A Vietnam Podcast in Vietnamese! With Huynh Nhu (Bonus @ House of Merlin)
With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts!"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!👉 I use Descript to create my
Discover what Vietnamese Gen Z Really Thinks About His Generation with House of Merlin | S14 E9
"For me, the customer is like my girlfriend. If the customer is happy, I’m happy.” – Nguyen Van NamThis episode was such a blast to record. Not only was it filmed at the stunning House of Merlin, one of my favorite cocktail bars in Saigon, but I also got to sit down with Nguyen Van Nam, a talented young bartender who represents the next wave of Gen Z hospitality professionals in Vietnam.What
Discover What's Fuelling Vietnam's Growing Economy with Hugo Bosch | S14 E8
"There’s a youthful, hungry population here—and you can feel the energy in the streets every day." – Hugo BoschI absolutely loved this episode. Hugo was not only a fantastic guest, but also someone who opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I hadn’t properly explored before: the stock market and capital markets. I’ll admit it, even as a long-term expat here, I never really thought much abou
Discover How Hanh Overcame Child Labor and Poverty | S14 E7
“If I don’t speak, I cannot share what I’m thinking.” – Hanh, Haga SmartTechThis quote from Hanh really hit me. Her story isn’t just about fixing phones—it’s about finding your voice, building a life from scratch, and helping others do the same.I had the pleasure of speaking with Hanh, founder of Haga SmartTech in Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve been a customer for years, but this was the first time I got
Discover How Vietcetara's Hao Tran Went From $300 a Month to Vietnam’s Media Mogul | S14 E6
"I took my entire severance pay and blew it on a two-month trip to Asia — and that decision changed my life." - Hao TranIn this episode, I felt a strong sense of kindred spirit with Hao. We both came to Vietnam almost exactly nine years ago and ended up building something rooted in storytelling. I loved Hao's honesty about how Vietcetera started from nothing — no business plan, no r
From College Dismissal to Pro Basketball and Plant-Based Living in Vietnam | S14 E5
“I got kicked out of college. That was the moment I had to grow up—not just as a player, but as a man.” – Davon DillardWhen I first saw Davon Dillard playing for the Saigon Heat, I knew I had to talk to him. He stood out immediately—not just because of his athleticism on the court, but because there was something about his presence. He looked focused. Grounded. Professional.And as it turns out—his
A BIG Announcement for A Vietnam Podcast & Seven Million Bikes Podcasts
After starting this podcast in 2019 in my living room with one mic I can't believe this is happening..."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Vid
The Hidden Struggles of Navigating Multiple Cultures | Phuong Anh S14 E4
"I didn’t know I was Vietnamese or Asian until I looked in the mirror — because I only saw my friends, and I saw my reflection in them." — Phuong AnhI had a chance to talk to Phương Anh, someone I met at an Overseas Vietnamese networking event here in Saigon. What struck me about Anh right away was the richness of her perspective — having grown up in Berlin after moving there from Saigon
Michelin Guide 2025: Beyond The Tourist Traps | Saigon Sunday Sessions #17
"Beef stew for breakfast, in this heat? Only in Vietnam - and somehow, it works."I’ve lived in Saigon for nine years, and yet, this city’s food scene never stops surprising me. Let me bring you through Michelin Guide’s 2025 picks - but not the fancy, white-tablecloth stuff. We're talking about the real heroes: local eateries that made it to the Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected lis
Navigating Culture Shock and Love in a Vietnamese-American Story | S14 E3 Hoa Chanh
I absolutely loved recording this episode with Hoa. We first met through my Tuesday night quiz at Rabbit Hole, and her warmth, wit, and honesty always stood out. This chat went from laugh-out-loud moments to some truly eye-opening reflections about culture shock, navigating visa bureaucracy, and the sometimes ridiculous expectations placed on Vietnamese women, especially when they marry foreigners
Escaping Saigon: Our Glamping Adventure Just an Hour Away | On The Road with Niall and Adrie #15
"Everything we do in Saigon, we're like, 'We don't do this enough.'" - NiallThis episode perfectly captures why I love living in Vietnam — the spontaneity, the constant surprises, and how quickly you can go from urban chaos to countryside magic. What started as a simple glamping trip turned into one of our most memorable adventures yet.Driving on that unfinished highw
Bridging Worlds: Identity, Legacy, and Coming Home | S14 E2 Annie Vo
"I think I grew up more sheltered. I didn't have the typical New York upbringing." - Annie Vo This episode was special in so many ways — not just because it marked six years of A Vietnam Podcast, but because of Annie’s story. Her journey from Saigon to Yale, and then full circle back to Vietnam, embodies what this podcast is all about: identity, resilience, and connection.Hearing ho
Exploring Amazing Places in Thailand You Won't Believe! On The Road (In Thailand) with Niall and Adrie #14
"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!👉 I use Descript to create my con
Growth and Friendship in Vietnam | Sandler Ernst S14 E1
"I was born in a house without electricity, and now I help create families through adoption. It’s like winning the lottery." I catch up with one of the very first guests ever on A Vietnam Podcast — my friend Sandy. The last time we recorded together, it was 2019. We were sitting in my apartment with a tiny mic that picked up every sound in the room. Now, six years later, Sandy is back in
We Tried the Craziest Road in Thailand! On The Road (In Thailand) with Niall and Adrie #13
This trip was one of the most fun and immersive ones we’ve recorded so far. Pai has this laid-back charm and unexpected beauty that really took us by surprise.Adrie and I take you along as we explore some of Pai’s must-see spots — and wow, what a day. We started with the National Park Hot Springs, where the water gets hot enough to boil eggs (or a human, seriously). Then we checked out the WWII Me
Discover Why Life in North and South Vietnam are so different | S13 E06 Viet Anh
“In the south it's always more dynamic. Everyone is just moving around all the time. In the north, it's slower. People are a bit meaner.” - Viet AnhFor nearly ten years now, I've called Vietnam home, and while I've experienced the incredible energy and warmth of the south, Viet Anh's perspective on the north offered a viewpoint I hadn't fully considered. It's fas
Is Thailand REALLY Better than Vietnam for Tourists? | On The Road (In Thailand) with Niall and Adrie #12
"So those bastards bumped the bridge down so that nobody could use it, and the locals got pissed off at that 'cause they enjoyed having a bridge. So they rebuilt it."This trip was one of the most fun and immersive ones we’ve recorded so far. Pai has this laid-back charm and unexpected beauty that really took us by surprise.Adrie and I take you along as we explore some of Pai’s must-
When Scots Get Talking: Accent Stories | S13 E5 Craig Haggart
"I think the Scottish accent's been voted one of the sexiest, but it's also, some of them, one of the most disgusting" - CraigThis bonus episode was a hilarious trip down memory lane. Craig and I just let loose with our Scottish accents, sharing stories about growing up in Glasgow that we've never really talked about on the main show. The cultural differences, the misunder
EPIC Sunrise Adventures with Freezing Pools and Stunning Waterfall Hikes | On The Road (In Thailand) with Niall and Adrie #11
In this special extra episode of A Vietnam Podcast, I take you through a day filled with various adventures. Starting with a cold sunrise bike ride where the stunning beauty of the dawn was well worth the early wake-up. Then, I recount our challenging yet exhilarating hike to a waterfall, where we navigated through icy waters and tricky paths. Along the way, I share some interesting local quirks,
Finding Home, Identity, and Love in Vietnam | S13 E04 Craig Haggart
"I planned to do six months. I planned to do like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, that kind of bit of Southeast Asia and never left Vietnam.... It's so unlike any other place I've ever been." - Craig HaggartThis episode was a long time coming, and it was more than worth the wait. I've been trying to get Craig on the show for over six months, and sitting down with someone who not
762 Curve Road to Pai & Amazing Street Food | On The Road (In Thailand) with Niall and Adrie #10
"My mouth is on fire. My tongue is totally burned, but I want another one… ’cause it’s so good."This episode was such a wild mix of adventure, confusion, and food. It’s one of those travel days where you don’t really know what’s going to happen next, and I loved every second of it.From riding a half-broken bike through the hills of Northern Thailand to accidentally sitting in duck poo an
Thai vs Vietnamese Food - Which is BETTER? | On The Road (In Thailand) with Niall and Adrie #9
“I love Thai food… but Vietnamese food just hits different—it’s the balance, the freshness, the herbs. It’s something else.”This episode was a fun, spicy, and slightly controversial one: Thai food vs. Vietnamese food. As someone who’s lived in Vietnam for years and has also spent time traveling through Thailand, I get this question all the time—which cuisine is better?Thai food is bold, fiery, and
