Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast

“They’ve been doing it since 1938. It better be good.” This Lunch Walk starts as a food mission and ends up sending me even further down the rabbit hole of my own neighbourhood. I’m joined by my friend James Green, who lives nearby, as we walk through the streets around Saigon Podcast Studio in search of bánh mì vịt quay, or roast duck bánh mì. But before we even get to lunch, we uncover a few stories hiding in plain sight. We talk about how Pasteur Street was once a canal, discover that one ...

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“I love this country. I was about to head back to the mall. I’d given up hope, but I knew this country always pulls through at the very last second.” This Lunch Walk takes me out of Saigon and onto the streets of Da Nang, where I’m hunting down one of Central Vietnam’s most famous dishes: Mì Quảng. At least, that was the plan. I set off looking for a highly rated local spot, only for Google Maps to send me to what appears to be a car lot. Add in Da Nang heat that feels close to 40°C, a comple...

Recorded pre-quarantine, pre-lockdown this episode was intended to be the first of Season 3, recorded at Waves studio. As you may well know, season 3 became the Quarantine Season and I haven't been able to record any more episodes yet for season 4. So to celebrate one year of Seven Million Bikes I dusted down the file off the shelf and am releasing it for your listening pleasure as a bonus episode to start Season 4. Look out for new episodes as soon as I am able to! Frances is a travel bl...

Welcome back to Lunch Walk #5! Starting from Saigon Podcast Studio on Pasteur Street in the Nguyen Thai Binh neighborhood (District 1), we go down a history rabbit hole — a vanished canal, a 150-year-old bridge tied to Gustave Eiffel's company, and the wild engineering behind the Thủ Thiêm Tunnel — before finishing up with a bowl of bún bò at a historic building on Ton That Dam Street. Key Takeaways: The lost canal: Pasteur Street (formerly Pellerin) once ran along a canal through the heart o...

This was recorded via Skype from quarantine, you may have to turn the volume up. For no other real reason than I haven't spoken to Jay in nearly a month and is one of my favourite people to talk to, I call up JK Hobson to have a chat about the state of the world today, life on the outside and how he is coping with quarantine. "Send me a message!" Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show 🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio! 👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com 🎙️ S...

A sudden five-minute monsoon just poured down before I even got moving today, so this one starts in blue skies and puddles. I'm walking along Hồ Tùng Mậu — once an actual canal until it was filled in back in the 1920s — and finally sharing some proper research I did on this neighborhood I keep saying I love. Along the way I point out a cluster of hundred-year-old shophouses, a hidden alley bar, and buildings I really hope survive the next wave of glass-and-concrete development. I also grab a ...

A Saigon resident, Lawrence Young has worked in the finance industry worldwide for 30 years, currently with Holborn Assets and created the non-troll Facebook group Ho Chi Minh Expat Group Saigon. Now at nearly 10,500 members in just 14 months. He has seen the market go up and down over the years and is confident we will come out of the current crisis stronger but different. We talk about what life has been like in Saigon and what it's like today after the latest guidance, starting April 1st...

Lunch Walks continues, and this time I've got company — Te from Saigon Podcast Studio joins me, since Carrie had to duck out after we wrapped a Vietnam Content Marketing episode together. It's pouring rain in Nguyễn Thái Bình, but we push on anyway to a fried chicken and rice spot I only found a couple of weeks ago, tucked down a back alley I hadn't explored before. Along the way we talk about the neighborhood getting recognized by Time Out as one of the coolest in the world (or Vietnam — det...

Back for round two! I'm heading out from the Saigon Podcast Studio again, this time down Thôn Đất Đàm — the market street I'm honestly surprised is still standing given how much prime real estate around here has been redeveloped. Along the way I point out some old Chinese signage on the buildings, a newly renovated coffee spot that went from empty nightclub to permanently packed in a few months, and a 70-year-old coffee roaster where I stock up on my usual mix. Then it's on to “Bếp Võ” for my...

"This corner... I love seeing it every day. It kinda sums up Vietnam for me — an amazing juxtaposition of the old and the new." Welcome to the very first Vietnam Lunch Walks; a new series where I take you along on my actual lunch breaks around the neighborhood I love most in Saigon. This one's been a while coming: it's the first new Discover Vietnam episode in six months, after a stretch of low motivation and a busy year setting up Saigon Podcast Studio. In this episode, I walk you from the...

After realising we were in the same quarantine facility online Mizuka reached out and connected with our WhatsApp group and Adrie on Instagram where they were following each others Stories from opposite buildings. After chatting for several days online Niall and Adrie finally met Mizuka in person, at a distance, on one of our walks. Born and raised in Saigon, with her parents still living here, Mizuka made the difficult decision to return to Vietnam from her final year of studies in t...

Adrie, and roommate Anastasia, discuss what life in quarantine is like with host and fellow quarantee Niall. Anastasia, originally from the Ukraine, has lived in Saigon for 5 years working in sales for a major hotel chain. Her company sent her on an ill-fated dream trip to Australia for work on March 15th, 3 days after the pandemic was declared. As a result most of her business meetings went online and were then cancelled leaving her no reason to be in Australia and as borders closed every ...

This is a special episode, maybe mini-season, of Seven Million Bikes direct from quarantine in Saigon. This was recorded on a phone recorder and I don't have a laptop for edits so it's a live interview with my wife, Adrie Mackay. Adrie and I left Vietnam on March 9th for what was meant to be three weddings in three weeks on three continents; going to New Zealand, then the USA then back to Vietnam for the final wedding. Weighing up the risks of the coronavirus we decided to start out t...

"Be authentic. If it doesn't feel right inside, don't post it." – Amy Wenham In this episode, I sat down with Amy Wenham, founder of the Women's Business Network (WBN) in Ho Chi Minh City, to talk about one of my favourite topics—authentic content marketing. The conversation made me reflect on my own content. We talked about the podcast studio, the countless hours spent setting up lights and cables, and how I'd often forgotten to share the journey behind the finished product. It reminded me t...

Can authenticity still cut through in a world overflowing with AI-generated content? In this trailer for the first episode of Vietnam Content Marketing, I explore the growing gap between polished corporate marketing and the raw, human stories that audiences are actually engaging with. Featuring a preview of the conversation with Amy Wenham, founder of the Women's Business Network, this episode asks an important question for every marketer and business owner: As AI makes content easier to crea...

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!" 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 ...

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 "Send me a message!" Support the show 🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio! 👉 www.saigonpodca...

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 on her show. And so I wanna bring this episode to you with her permission. Please subscribe t...

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!" 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...

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 to adapt to stay funny without offending? Or are audiences too sensitive? The panel consisted...

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 to adapt to stay funny without offending? Or are audiences too sensitive? The panel consisted...

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 in Saigon for 3 years. In part 2 we talk about inclusiveness, not knowing if you're bei...

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 in Saigon for 3 years. We talk about the art of Drag, the Drag scenes in Saigon and Han...

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 fusion of Korean and Mexican food. Calvin and I talk about his love of feeding people, Trip Advisor ...

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 you in stitches with her raunchy yet relatable comedic stories! Videos https://www.youtube.com...

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 you in stitches with her raunchy yet relatable comedic stories! Videos https://www.youtube.com...

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 worked in Hospitality and FMCG most of her adult life, starting out at the prestigious Six...

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 rollercoaster, between different cities, festivals, teaching, dating and of course motorbikes. We cove...

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 end of November. The Lemonheads, Ca Hoi Hoang, Fleetmac Wood and The King Khan & BBQ Show ...

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. We talk about many of the articles that you can read below, and the reasons why sexual abuse o...

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 including first place in the Roosters Beer Comedy Competition in Saigon, as well as the usual free beers...

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-founder and co-owner of Quan Ut Ut American BBQ and BiaCraft - Artisan Ales. Josh, is a self-confess...

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 agency but soon started creating Vietnamese-Mexican dishes and hosting dinners out of ...

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 to move abroad to Saigon and has tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit. She also organises week...

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 fashion but under those family expectations went on to study Biochemistry in California. He spent si...

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 previous years. He started out as an English teacher but with a degree in Music from the University of...

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 to talk about I’ve split this episode into two; the main episode on his life as a digital nomad ...

“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 really loved about this episode was how honest it was. We didn’t sugarcoat things. We talked about ...

"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 photography, which initially drew him to Vietnam, and how it eventually led him to explore and document some of the c...

Join The Community Phuong 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's not working: sex education makes teachers and students squirm and another story about a parent fin...

“I never thought I was going to have kids here… that wouldn’t have even crossed my mind.” — Claire Simpson This 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 universe. There were parts of this episode that surprised me, like how many expats assume you can’t ...

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 difficulty of accepting being unproductiveFollow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagra...

“The first thing I saw that I just loved so much is that the women here are so fearless.” — Amy Wenham This 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 Vietnam to the UK — she compared it to Dubai, a place where she saw firsthand how a country can ...

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 bonus content available to the Seven Million Bikes Community. In Part 2 Tracey shares about the ...

“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. It made me think about how much this show has grown, and how much life in Vietnam has shaped bo...

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 just three when her family made it to the United States, where there were few Vietnamese people a...

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 able to return to her home of Ukraine and reunite with her family. Despite the fact that Russi...

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 a trans person in Vietnam On The Road To Zion Zion's Blog. As mentioned by Zion. Follow ...

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 lockdown we try to keep covid and lockdown chat to a minimum. Fortunately being a digital product S...

“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 that, but I don't know how, then this episode's for you. If you do wanna start your own pod...

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 shift her career into Fitness and now she is a Pilates instructor. You can find her int...

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 fusion of Korean and Mexican food. Calvin and I talk about his love of feeding people, Trip Advisor ...

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 been reliving our journey by airing older episodes and have been nominated for the Best Podca...

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 Axes and local guide for their EP “Trips in Vietnam”. Now she is living between Saigon...

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 can speak fluent Vietnamese. Sick of communicating through hand gestures and wanting to...

“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 most exciting lifestyle destinations in Asia. Dana first arrived in Vietnam by accident during the...

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 creator of things, having studied Movement in her native US. Since moving to Saigon she t...

“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 long-term life, we learned that costs depend entirely on the lifestyle you want to live. This co...

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 Just for Laughs Festival and has a 1-Hour Comedy Special currently airing on The Comedy Net...

“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 Copley It 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 me to unpack what went wrong, what red flags I should have seen, and what every expat needs to k...

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 been here for 6 years, seeing massive changes in Saigon in a relatively short...

“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 living room, to working with RMIT Vietnam on an international project, to facing a health scare...

“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 living room, to working with RMIT Vietnam on an international project, to facing a health scare...

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 in the music industry as a marketing executive, managing exciting and talented local talent....

“It’s like you’re wearing our face, but you’re not really us.” – Devin Hong This 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 what it really means to come “home.” I also found myself relating to so much of his story. The way...

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, JK initially came to Vietnam on a study abroad program in 2015, returning in 2016 on a Fulbright ...

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 moments they've shared as a family was truly inspiring. It was a lot to manage with four people on t...

“Everyday life in Saigon means navigating sugar in everything—from coffee to orange juice—and I can’t have any of it.” – Jane Ha My 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 studying the consumer habits that shape what we all eat and drink. What struck me most is how h...

“I felt like my Vietnamese froze at the level of a 17-year-old.” – Mai Doan My 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 abroad. What stood out to me most was how she found meaning in conservation work, even though her ...

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 the name, the thought process behind “Discover Vietnam,” and what you can expect from the ...

“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard If 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 dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon. It’s her birthday, she’s r...

“You can fly to Vietnam, stay a month, get your teeth done—and still spend less than you would back home.” – Niall Mackay Annie 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 built something rare. They’re not just doing dentistry—they’re creating a model for what healthcare...

“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 of Vietnam, how his perspective completely changed during the trip, and why he’s now seriously ...

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 couldn’t have asked for a better conversation to kick things off. I loved hearing his story, fro...

With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts! "Send me a message!" 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 content—try it for FREE here: 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet! These are...

"For me, the customer is like my girlfriend. If the customer is happy, I’m happy.” – Nguyen Van Nam This 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 struck me most about Nam is how honest and self-aware he is. He says he’s an introvert—and maybe he ...

"There’s a youthful, hungry population here—and you can feel the energy in the streets every day." – Hugo Bosch I 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 about investing in Vietnam. But after this conversation, I came away with a whole new perspective—not just abo...

“If I don’t speak, I cannot share what I’m thinking.” – Hanh, Haga SmartTech This 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 to really sit down with her and hear her full story—and wow, what a journey. From working in a ...

"I took my entire severance pay and blew it on a two-month trip to Asia — and that decision changed my life." - Hao Tran In 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 roadmap — just curiosity and persistence. What stuck with me most was his idea that podcasting and media aren't...

“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 Dillard When 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 story is even more powerful off the court than on it. Davon opens up about hitting rock bott...

After starting this podcast in 2019 in my living room with one mic I can't believe this is happening... "Send me a message!" 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 content—try it for FREE here: 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year pl...

"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 Anh I 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 at the age of 8, then spending time in the US, and now returning to Vietnam. This episode is all about id...

"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 lists for their exceptional quality and value. This episode was a blast to record. From simmering bò kho in a clay...

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. I had a lot to talk about, from Grab drivers not understanding northern accents to what it’s li...

"Everything we do in Saigon, we're like, 'We don't do this enough.'" - Niall This 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 highway felt like discovering a secret part of Vietnam that most people will never experience. The workers painting the lines ju...

"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 how Annie navigated culture shock, built a successful career, and now helps others feel seen and supporte...

"Send me a message!" 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 content—try it for FREE here: 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet! These are aff...

"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 Vietnam — this time not just as a tourist, but as an adoption lawyer who’s come full circle in the m...

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 Memorial Bridge (Nara Bridge), which has a surprisingly cool history behind it. After that, we ma...

“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 Anh For 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 fascinating how regional differences can shape the experience of living in the same country. We touched on the sometimes-surprising ...

"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-see spots — and wow, what a day. We started with the National Park Hot Springs, where the water gets hot enou...

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, such as the abundance of weed shops and Friday laundry closures. We opted...

"I think the Scottish accent's been voted one of the sexiest, but it's also, some of them, one of the most disgusting" - Craig This 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 misunderstandings with Americans, and the unique character of Glasgow compared to the rest of Scotland - it all came pouring out...

"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 Haggart This 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 only shares my hometown but also so many formative experiences was something truly special. As two Glaswegians in Saigo...

"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 and stumbling upon a garden full of phallic statues, this day had it all. Pai totally surprised me—it was w...

“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 unforgettable. Vietnamese food is fresh, light, and deeply balanced. Both have their own magic...

“I can always return and do the same thing here, but I need to go somewhere and experience a different culture.” This episode with Alenka Moze was a beautiful journey across cultures, creativity, and finding purpose. Alenka is a Slovenian actor, singer, writer, and teacher who has made Vietnam her home. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and following your artistic calling—even when it means starting over in a completely new country. We talked about everything from her first impression...

"Don't get too mad at strangers touching your small children. Wait, wait, wait. Are you gonna clarify touching before we go any further." Along with my guests Krista, James, and Paul, share a fun and insightful discussion on the dos and don'ts for tourists in Vietnam. We delve into local customs, highlight necessary behavioral adjustments for foreigners, and provide practical advice on navigating traffic and avoiding common scams. We also humorously discuss scenarios like crossing the r...