A Vietnam Podcast: Recent Episodes
Seven Million Bikes
Since its inception in May 2019, A Vietnam Podcast (originally A Saigon Podcast) has been one of the top English language speaking podcasts in Vietnam.
We all have a story. A Vietnam Podcast talks to people connected to Vietnam, who each share their individual story.We all have a story.
Now entering its 8th season, with over 25,000 downloads, please enjoy A Vietnam Podcast.Follow us on Facebook.
Host Niall Mackay, from Glasgow, has lived in Saigon since 2016 with his wife, Adrie, and 7MB Mascot, their dog Biscuit. Who you will often hear snoring in the background of early episodes! He likes to talk but likes to listen to people and their stories. As well as hosting A Vietnam Podcast he also hosts and performs at comedy shows in Saigon and across Vietnam.
Inspired by the people that live in Saigon and Vietnam from all walks of life and backgrounds, he wants to know about their stories and experiences.
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"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 studio on Pasteur Street to my favourite halal phở spot near Bến Thành Market, order my usual (phở gà with extra chicken), and then take you on a loop through the neighborhood — past the old bank building, the stock exchange, and my favourite bridge in the world, with a few old Saigon stories along the way.
Key Takeaways
Consistency is hard, even for the host: Six months between episodes isn't unusual for Discover Vietnam — motivation for content creation comes and goes, and this episode is a reminder to just start again.
Old vs. new is the whole vibe: The view of the old bank building against the Bitexco Tower is a favourite spot precisely because it captures Saigon's mix of old and new.
Great phở comes down to small details: Good white breast meat over tough "walking chicken," a light hand with chili, and sawtooth basil are what make this order worth repeating weekly.
Documenting a neighborhood before it disappears: Older buildings nearby are quietly being replaced with modern glass developments, which is part of the motivation for filming these walks now.
Chapters and Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to Lunch Walks: launching a new series after a 6-month break
02:00 – A favourite view: the old bank building against the Bitexco Tower
05:00 – Ordering phở gà at the halal spot near Bến Thành Market
13:00 – Walking tour: the canal, the favourite bridge, and a 2016 street story
17:00 – Watching old Saigon disappear, then back to the studio to wrap up
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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 the U.S. to be with her parents before she was locked out of Vietnam. Or her parents were locked out of the U.S.
Her story is one of many similar yet unique stories around the world about how the rapid escalation of Covid-19 affected people.
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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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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 reason to get back to Vietnam as soon as possible.
Flying on the same flight from Sydney as Niall and Adrie she found herself on the same problem at the Vietnamese border of being moment away from being sent back to Australia, a country she has no ties to. Before luckily being allowed in at midnight and sent to quarantine with a group of foreigners who'd never met before. There she paired up with Niall and Adrie, wanting to be with the only other female in the group.
Listen to more details about her story and what life has been like in quarantine for the three new friends.
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!
Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio!
Support the show
"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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
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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 trip, but almost immediately those plans changed as things developed rapidly in the world. And continued to change daily, then hourly, then almost by the minute as we tried to get back to Vietnam as soon as we could before the borders closed and we were stranded in New Zealand. In hindsight we should have listened to those red flags and stayed in Vietnam.
Adrie tells the story of how we got back into Vietnam, barely, and why we are in quarantine after the most anxiety inducing and stressful period of our lives together.
We feel ridiculously lucky that we made it into Vietnam at literally the 11th hour before the border effectively shut at midnight to foreigners.
Adrie and the presenter of Seven Million Bikes, Niall have been married for nearly 7 years, living in Vietnam for 4 of those, calling this country home. They have a beautiful French Bulldog called Biscuit who is waiting for them to get out of quarantine at her best friends house.
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!
Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio!
Support the show
"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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
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"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 that people don't just want to see the final result—they want to understand the work that got you there.
If you're a business owner, marketer, or content creator trying to build a genuine connection with your audience, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today.
Key Takeaways:
- How Amy grew the Women's Business Network from just 23 members to more than 900 without paying for advertising.
- Why authentic stories consistently outperform polished, "perfect" content.
- The biggest content marketing mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them.
- How to use AI without losing your own voice and personality.
- Why podcasting is one of the most powerful tools for creating authentic, long-form content.
Chapters and timestamps:
00:00 – Rapid-fire questions and why authenticity beats viral marketing
04:00 – Why sharing challenges creates stronger engagement than polished content
08:30 – Listening to your community and creating content your audience actually wants
14:00 – The biggest content marketing mistakes SMEs make
20:00 – AI, authenticity, and why your voice still matters
26:00 – Why podcasting is the perfect format for authentic content marketing
"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!
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These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
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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 create, what makes people actually care?
The full episode drops this Friday.
Vietnam Content Marketing is hosted by me, Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and Saigon Podcast Studio, exploring the people, ideas and trends shaping marketing in Vietnam.
"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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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
🎙️ 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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!"
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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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 to her channel, check them out.
"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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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
🎙️ 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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 of Angee the Diva, Uy Nguyễn and Jesús López II.
Panel Profile
Angee the Diva
Angee is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam. She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been 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. She is a mother of two, writer, event planner, and has a Degree in Education, previously teaching kids in her home of Hawaii.
Uy Nguyễn
A Vietnamese comedian who gives a fresh perspective on dating, dealing with tourists, and other thoughts that will have you splitting a side.
He has performed in Saigon for 3 years and opened for Gina Yashere, Grem Wooding and Ro Campbell since 2017.
Uy represents the new generation of young English-speaking Vietnamese comics coming into the scene with hilarious success.
Jesús López II
Jesús is a journalist regularly featured in Saigon’s Oi magazine and works a professional copywriter. As a general assignment reporter, Jesús has covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Ho Chi Minh City’s comedians and (just a bit of) political coverage.
Supporting Materials
10 famous comedians on how political correctness is killing comedy: "We are addicted to the rush of being offended"How Political Correctness is Killing ComedyIs the snowflake generation really about to kill off comedy?Is standup comedy doomed? The future of funny post-Kevin Hart, Louis CK and Nanette“Un-PC” Comedy Lovers: George Carlin And Eddie Murphy Aren’t On Your TeamThe New Culture of Censorship
Sarah Silverman - Rape Jokes
George Carlin About RapeLouis C.K. and Aziz
"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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
"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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
"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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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 of Angee the Diva, Uy Nguyễn and Jesús López II.
Panel Profile
Angee the Diva
Angee is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam. She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been 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. She is a mother of two, writer, event planner, and has a Degree in Education, previously teaching kids in her home of Hawaii.
Uy Nguyễn
A Vietnamese comedian who gives a fresh perspective on dating, dealing with tourists, and other thoughts that will have you splitting a side.
He has performed in Saigon for 3 years and opened for Gina Yashere, Grem Wooding and Ro Campbell since 2017.
Uy represents the new generation of young English-speaking Vietnamese comics coming into the scene with hilarious success.
Jesús López II
Jesús is a journalist regularly featured in Saigon’s Oi magazine and works a professional copywriter. As a general assignment reporter, Jesús has covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Ho Chi Minh City’s comedians and (just a bit of) political coverage.
Supporting Materials
10 famous comedians on how political correctness is killing comedy: "We are addicted to the rush of being offended"How Political Correctness is Killing ComedyIs the snowflake generation really about to kill off comedy?Is standup comedy doomed? The future of funny post-Kevin Hart, Louis CK and Nanette“Un-PC” Comedy Lovers: George Carlin And Eddie Murphy Aren’t On Your TeamThe New Culture of Censorship
Sarah Silverman - Rape Jokes
George Carlin About RapeLouis C.K. and Aziz
"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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
"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 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
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 being discriminated in Vietnamese, orgies and changing perceptions of what's right or wrong.
Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!
"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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
✅ Subscribe for More!
If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website🎉 Join Our Community!
"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 content—try it for FREE here:
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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 Hanoi, sexuality, gender, inclusiveness, white, male privilege and a whole lot more!
Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!
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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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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 Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.
- Owner and Founder at El Camino
- Owner and Founder at Easy Tiger
- Gin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer
- Owner and Founder at 20twenty Kick-Ass Bia Hoi
Instagram; fkndeliciousness
How not to treat your customers;
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/68165320/wellingtons-ekim-burger-fires-off-expletive-filled-facebook-rant-at-customers
Calvin's respo
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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/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0
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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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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/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0
"Send me a message!"
Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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"Send me a message!"
Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast!
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Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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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 Senses resort.
Currently, she is Head of Sales for Bira91; a beer imagined in India, brewed in Belgium, sold worldwide and currently making inroads into the crowded Vietnamese market.
We talk about her parents tumultuous relationship, owing to their different backgrounds and family pressures, and how that affected her growing up; living in different places around the world and the experiences gleaned from that and of course... alcohol. From the mass consumption of beer in Vietnam to the plethora of new cocktail bars opening in Saigon and our favourite types of whisky.
She also believes that dogs are better than humans! Biscuit agrees.
Bira 91
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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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"Send me a message!"
Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast!
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Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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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 cover it all and more in this episode with Ella Beth.
Check out Ella on YouTube.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
"Send me a message!"
Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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"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!
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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 are among the artists performing.
Listen to this episode to find out how to win one of three Coracle Music Festival tickets worth 1.5m vnd each!
Get your tickets for the Coracle Music Festival here.
APOLOGIES; I was having microphone issues on this recording, so the sound quality of this episode may be poorer than usual. I tried my best, with the help of Lewis Wright, to fix it but this was as good as it gets. I hope you enjoy the episode and massive apologies!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
"Send me a message!"
Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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"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!
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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 of children happens in Vietnam and how it is dealt with - especially in relation to the way that older people are automatically believed and respected. We also discuss what is changing to help protect children and prevent this happening.
Despite the heavy nature of the subject, we still find some light-hearted moments and it was great to see that Sen hasn't been worn down by the nature of her reporting and stays upbeat.
This is Sen's hidden gem she recommends;Cầu Thủ Thiêm, P. Bình An, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
Recommended restaurant;The Tib Restaurant
Vietnamese VN Express
English Vn Express
Below are some articles by Sen.
Tale of children who survived My Lai massacre falls on deaf earsDon’t you mess with us any more: women, children learn self-defense
Dim light at the end of sex education tunnel
South Korean brokers advertise Vietnamese women as commodities on YouTube
LGBT rights: Vietnam recognises transgender people, but there’s a flaw in its law
Sen is also a contributing writer for the Hong Kong newspaper South China Mor
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Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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"Send me a message!"
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Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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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 and rounds of applause. Her family doesn't think she is funny, which is why they are never invited to shows.
We talk about the differences between Hanoi and Saigon, what it's like to be a risqué, Vietnamese and female comedian, doing comedy in a second language, and Tu's ongoing journey with depression. Below are recommended links from Tu if you need support with your mental health.
Links
Saigon Support Group
The Beautiful Mind Group
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
"Send me a message!"
Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com
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"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!
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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-confessed damaged American perpetually creating a guide to living and teaching abroad in Vietnam. He also is an enthusiast of all things meat!
We talk about our shared love of beer and experiences of living in Saigon, how they met (and finish each others sentences) and came to create Sexy Meat Talks.
This is only Part 1 of this special crossover episode. To listen to Part 2 head over to Sexy Meat Talks to listen on their Website.
And don't forget to like their Facebook too.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
"Send me a message!"
Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!
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These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
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"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!
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👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!
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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
📸 Follow Me on
"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!
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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 her apartment, creating a closed-door restaurant named Saigonita.
Soon Saigonita appeared in Vice Munchies and was profiled in Saigoneer so she decided to quit her corporate career to pursue her passion in food. Since then, she's been interviewed by publications in Vietnam, Singapore, the US, Italy, France; and has given a TEDx Talk.
She is currently getting to more deeply know her roots and explore Vietnam's culinary scene through travels around the country.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
"Send me a message!"
Support the show
🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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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 weekly wine nights and monthly Network Girl events. When you see her feel free to say hi as she loves meeting new people.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
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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 six years studying in the US before being pressured to move back home to Saigon by his parents despite wanting to pursue his biggest passion, fashion.
We talk about what it was like to come out to his parents as a gay man, and how they have handled that since. And what it is like to be LGBTQ in Saigon compared to other parts of Vietnam. You'll be surprised to learn that he is now married and expecting a baby boy soon.
After moving back to Saigon Daniel was admittedly lost, qualifying to become an English Language teacher but never finding a job. He eventually made peace with his families demands on him as a gay man, and followed his other passions, American and food. He is now a restauranteur, owning American Bistro Hungry Bunny.
If you go to Hungry Bunny and tell Daniel you've heard this episode he'll give you 30% off your bill!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
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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 Huddersfield he quickly became involved in the local music scene. It wasn’t long before he began doing music production work and now works full time as a music producer.
This is one of the most entertaining interviews I've had, and when you hear about the rhubarb you'll know why!
He is now engaged to Kim Nguyen, our guest from Episode 2, and plans to make Saigon their home.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
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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 and a BONUS episode with us talking about football, the influence of Asia on the English Premier League and why I became disillusioned with football because of the bigotry and sectarianism in Scotland. There are some interesting stories but if you’re not into football this may not be of interest to you so I separated it from the main pod.
In the main episode Greg shares how he came to live in Saigon after he started in Italy as a football journalist, and important advice and tips for anyone thinking about being a digital nomad. He shares the realities of being a digital nomad, both the benefits and drawbacks. Greg also talks about life in Saigon and answers the usual questions I ask each guest.
In classic Saigon fashion, there is construction above us so at times you may hear some banging in this episode although Biscuit doesn’t make an appearance this time!
(And yes I called it Seven Million Podcasts near the end!)
Celtic v Dunfermline Scottish Cup Final I talked about. I got it wrong, Dunfermline scored after 40 minutes, not 26.
Check out the website Greg mentioned Nomad List
Here is Greg’s article from The Guardian; The world is my office: why I chose to become a digital nomad worker.
Follow Greg on Twitter @GregLeaFootball.
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“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 the energy, the excitement, but also the challenges of adjusting to life here, especially as a parent. It reminded me of my own early days in Vietnam, when everything felt overwhelming, confusing, and full of possibility all at the same time.
Ebru has lived in seven countries across four continents, and hearing her compare Saigon to places like Rome, the US, and Japan helped me better understand why Vietnam feels so unique. This episode was a good pause moment for me. A chance to reflect on why I still love living here and why so many people arrive planning to stay a short time and end up staying much longer.
Key Talking Points from This Episode
- Why Saigon’s energy feels different from older, more established cities
- The reality of adjusting everyday habits when you first move to Vietnam
- Banking, cash, and budgeting challenges for newcomers
- What it’s really like raising a young child in Saigon
- The balance between convenience, cost of living, and lifestyle in Vietnam
Chapters and Timestamps
04:00 – First impressions of Saigon
09:00 – Why Saigon feels alive and always changing
15:00 – Adjusting to daily life and practical challenges
22:00 – Money, banking, and budgeting in Vietnam
30:00 – Raising a child in Saigon
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"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 country’s rarest creatures, including King Cobras and critically endangered species like pangolins.
James also shares the challenges and joys of navigating Vietnam’s stunning landscapes, from the rich biodiversity of Cat Tien National Park to remote, unexplored regions along the Laos border. Together, Niall and James discuss the growing awareness of conservation in Vietnam, touching on how recent government policies and grassroots efforts are making a difference. It’s a conversation about adventure, discovery, and the importance of preserving Vietnam's natural beauty.
Takeaways:
- Unexpected Journey to Vietnam: James recounts how his initial visit to Vietnam as a photography enthusiast led to an unplanned, long-term stay in a country that captured his heart.
- Vietnam's Hidden Wildlife: Learn about Vietnam’s lesser-known wildlife, including the elusive parakeets and flying squirrels that inhabit even the urban areas of Saigon.
- Conservation Success Stories: James shares how Vietnam's government has made strides in conservation, cracking down on illegal wildlife trade and supporting educational initiatives.
- Exploring Cat Tien National Park: Insight into the changes and improvements at Cat Tien National Park, and why it’s a must-visit for nature lovers looking to experience Vietnam's biodiversity.
- The Fight Against Wildlife Poaching: Discusses the illegal trade of animal parts like bear bile and pangolin scales, and the role of organizations like ENV and Save Vietnam's Wildlife in combating these issues.
Chapters and Timestamps:
02:00 - Meeting James Hunt: From Fried Chicken to Photography
05:30 - How Vietnam Became Home for James
10:15 - Opening Restaurants During COVID: Big Boss Bistro and Brick and Barrel
14:20 - The Hidden Wildlife of Vietnam: Snakes, Birds, and More
18:15 - Conservation Efforts in Vietnam: A Changing Landscape
23:00 - Illegal Wildlife Trade: Challenges and Solutions
28:45 - Discovering Cat Tien National Park: Then and Now
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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 finding her 12 year old child had been watching pornography.
Phuong herself started watching pornography at only 8 years old.
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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
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“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 buy diapers or formula here, or the fact that kindergarten can start as early as 6–9 months. And then the nanny story… wow. It’s one of the wildest behind-the-scenes expat-life stories I’ve ever heard on the podcast.
But the biggest takeaway for me is this: Vietnam can absolutely be an amazing place to raise a child — as long as you’re prepared, informed, and connected.
Key Talking Points
- What maternity care in Vietnam is really like for expats — including costs, translation challenges, medical tests, and choosing the right hospital.
- How motherhood impacts identity abroad — from postpartum depression to losing parts of yourself to rebuilding routines and confidence.
- Practical realities of raising a kid in Vietnam — baby supplies, pollution, infrastructure, kindergartens, and accessing play areas.
- How Vietnamese culture treats children — the warmth, attention, and openness families receive everywhere they go.
- The truth about hiring a nanny in Vietnam — a raw story about contracts, misunderstandings, emotional conflict, and what expat parents need to know.
Episode Chapters & Timestamps
02:50 — Awards, Identity & Pregnancy
Claire talks about influencer awards, losing parts of her identity, and finding out she was pregnant.
06:30 — Navigating Healthcare & Maternity Packages
We dive into hospitals, costs, tests, translators, and what the maternity journey looks like in Vietnam.
12:50 — Motherhood Without Family Support
The emotional and practical challenges of being an expat mum, postpartum depression, and building a “tribe.”
17:45 — Raising Kids in Vietnam: Food, Formula, Kindergartens & Safety
Diapers, play areas, pollution, sidewalks, cultural attitudes toward children — the full picture.
28:30 — The Nanny Story: Contracts, Conflict & Lessons Learned
Claire shares the dramatic and eye-opening experience of hiring a nanny and the advice she wishes she had known.
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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 Airforce
- Why he is learning Vietnamese
- the challenges of living in Vietnam
- the difficulty of accepting being unproductive
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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
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“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 transform itself, empower women, and build an entirely new entrepreneurial ecosystem. And according to her, Vietnam is on that trajectory too — maybe even faster.
We also explored identity, expectations, family pressure, and the very real tension between being a modern entrepreneur and living within traditional structures. It’s something every foreigner eventually observes here, but Amy broke it down with empathy and clarity.
Key Talking Points
- Why Vietnamese women are some of the most fearless, entrepreneurial people Amy has ever met — anywhere in the world.
- The surprising similarities between Dubai and Vietnam when it comes to empowering female founders.
- How social media pressures — especially the obsession with going viral — impact women and businesses in Vietnam.
- The difference between small-town expectations and big-city ambition for Vietnamese women.
- Why Vietnam feels like a “mother country,” and what that means for its rapid growth and future.
Chapters & Timestamps
03:00 — Amy’s Journey From London to Dubai to Vietnam
Amy talks about arriving in Dubai, cultural shock, and eventually discovering the same energy in Vietnam.
10:00 — Feminine Power, Subservience & Small-Town vs City Life
We unpack the contrast between modern entrepreneurship and traditional expectations.
18:00 — The Pressures on Vietnamese Women: Family, Work, Marriage
Amy explains the invisible load women carry and how family structure supports — and pressures — them.
27:00 — Social Media Culture & The Myth of Virality
We talk about TikTok culture, “mukbang,” seeding, and why going viral is usually bad for business.
45:00 — Vietnam’s Future & Why It’s a ‘Mother’ Country
Why Vietnam’s growth will be heavily shaped by women — and why the country feels inherently feminine.
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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 Conversation Starter Kit they've developed to help children of Vietnamese Boat People break down barriers and get their family to comfortable open up about their painful past.
Read The Accompanying Blog Post.
Follow and Listen to the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast here.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!
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“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 both of us.
This episode wasn’t about headlines or clickbait. It was about getting past the noise — especially the noise created after his CNBC video “Living on $4,000 a Month in Vietnam” went viral. That title got people talking, but most of the reactions didn’t include the actual context. And nothing drives me madder than a story taken out of context.
I wanted to let him tell the full story himself — the chaos that brought him to Vietnam, the visa confusion everyone goes through, the reality behind that $4,000 figure, and why life here works for him. What I loved most is that the conversation wasn’t defensive. It was honest. It was grounded. It was two people who love living in Vietnam but also understand the complexities and privilege that come with that.
Key Talking Points
-
The Real Story Behind the “$4,000 in Vietnam” Headline
-
From Military Punishment to a Life Rebuilt Abroad
-
Visa Confusion, Missteps, and the Reality of Living Here
-
What Life in Vietnam Actually Costs — Not the Myths
-
Are Foreigners Really Driving Up Housing Prices?
Chapters & Timestamps
- 00:00 – Returning Guest, Studio Glow-Up & Podcast Confessions
- 05:00 – Military Punishment & the Spark That Led to Vietnam
- 12:00 – Visa Scams, Emergency Visa Fees & Life’s First Curveballs
- 18:00 – The $4,000 Headline: What CNBC Didn’t Show
- 26:00 – The Real Cost of Living Here (and Why “Cheap” Is Misleading)
- 36:00 – Are Foreigners Pushing Up Housing Prices? The Myths Unpacked
"Send me a message!"
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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 at the time. Growing up in New Orleans and North Virginia, speaking Vietnamese at home as her first language, she went to a public school where she was one of just a few minorities and in an effort to assimilate suppressing her “history and heritage to adapt and assimilate”. Partly due to the trauma of their journey and the will to fit into their new surroundings the family didn’t talk about their past.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/
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Buy us a coffee
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Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
"Send me a message!"
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The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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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 Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.
Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.
In this episode Anastasia shares in detail;
why she made the decision to return home
what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement
how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border
the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members
* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her mother
And how YOU can help support Ukraine.
Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.
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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support
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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 ZionZion's Blog.
As mentioned by Zion.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support the show
"Send me a message!"
Vote now for Discover Vietnam!
The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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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 Saigoneer and the Urbanist Network is still operating without any loss of staff and is still keeping Bryan busy. Like many people, he is enjoying spending time at home with his young daughter, and feels fortunate to have a full fridge.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation.
and Saigon Children's Foundation.
Please donate if you are in a position to.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with
permission.
Read the Blog Post
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Buy us a coffee or beer!
Support the show
"Send me a message!"
Vote now for Discover Vietnam!
The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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“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 podcast, then go and subscribe to Smarter Podcasting as well. In this show I share all my tips and tricks and failures along the way to help you make the best podcast possible.
This episode is easily one of my favorites - not because of the guest (though she is my wife), but because I finally got to hear the raw, honest perspective of a real podcast listener. Adrie isn’t in the industry; she doesn’t care about gear or metrics. She just loves great stories, good sound, and shows that respect her time.
Listening to her describe how she chooses podcasts, where she listens, and what makes her switch off reminded me that every podcaster needs to think more like a listener. This conversation changed the way I look at intros, ads, and even how people interact with Spotify. If you want to know how your audience really experiences your show — this is the episode to listen to.
5 Key Talking Points
- Listeners crave connection. They tune in to people, not just topics.
- Bad audio kills interest instantly — even more than weak content.
- The first two minutes decide everything. Get to the point fast.
- Titles and artwork matter more than show notes. Most people never read them.
- Podcast habits are personal. Where, when, and how people listen shapes what they love — and what they skip.
Chapters and Timestamps
- 00:00 — Why People Listen
- 03:00 — From Talk Radio to True Crime
- 09:00 — What Makes Listeners Switch Off
- 17:00 — Should You Repeat Your Intro Every Episode?
- 25:00 — How Listeners Discover New Podcasts
- 35:00 — Lessons for Podcasters
"Send me a message!"
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The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
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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 interview with Niall and more on her website:
https://theblueexpat.com/
or on wherever you listen to podcasts.
Connect with Phuong on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblueexpat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblueexpat/
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
"Send me a message!"
Vote now for Discover Vietnam!
The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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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 Podcast in Vietnam at the People's Picks Awards.
Your support and votes are greatly appreciated. New episodes and exciting guests are on the way!
00:00 Introduction and Apology for the Break
00:15 Building a Podcast Business
00:45 Health Challenges and Business Growth
01:15 Podcast Seasons and Rebranding
02:17 Listener Engagement and Feedback
02:52 Revisiting Old Episodes
04:10 Award Nominations and Voting
04:59 Gratitude and Reflection
05:56 Conclusion and Future Episodes
"Send me a message!"
Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!
The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!
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👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!
These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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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 Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.
- Owner and Founder at El Camino
- Owner and Founder at Easy Tiger
- Gin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer
- Owner and Founder at 20twenty Kick-Ass Bia Hoi
Instagram; fkndeliciousness
How not to treat your customers;
"Send me a message!"
Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!
Try Descript for free here!
The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!
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👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!
These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
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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 & Berlin.
"Send me a message!"
Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!
Try Descript for free here!
The full list of winners is here.
Support the show
🎙️ 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!
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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 understand the culture he was living in better Mr Nam Đen took Vietnamese lessons and without fear of making mistakes he threw himself into learning Vietnamese.
As a trained actor, with a strong comedic sense and master of the local language, what started as a hobby in 2018 has grown into a channel with over 66,000 Subscribers and a devoted fanbase.
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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“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 COVID lockdowns… and ended up staying five years (and counting). Her story mirrors so many of ours: we came for a short time, fell in love with the energy, and somehow built a life here.
What I loved most about this conversation is how naturally it flowed between personal stories, cultural observations, and genuine admiration for what makes Saigon Saigon. We dug into everything from why foreigners can’t seem to leave, to how Vietnamese creatives are shaping the city’s future.
Key Talking Points
- Vietnam’s evolution – from a backpacker stop to a global lifestyle and creative hub.
- Why people stay – Saigon’s spontaneity, community, and energy make it impossible to leave.
- Dana’s story – from being “stuck” during COVID to building Where in Vietnam, a platform connecting people and local businesses.
- Authenticity redefined – the real Vietnam isn’t just pho and war museums; it’s also cocktail bars, design studios, and Gen Z creatives.
- Empowering small businesses – how Where in Vietnam’s new website and People’s Picks Awards are spotlighting modern Vietnam.
Chapters & Timestamps
- 02:45 – Dana’s accidental arrival and decision to stay
- 06:30 – What makes Saigon special
- 13:40 – The birth of Where in HCMC
- 23:00 – Vietnam’s new generation and creative boom
- 31:00 – The future of lifestyle in Vietnam
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!
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These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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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 tried out stand up comedy before exploring Drag as the character Colonel Hai Minh, performing in several shows and also works with Dragonfly Theatre.
Instead of talking about the arts scene in Saigon that they are both a part of, for some unknown reason Niall and Ilse get very excited to talk about urban planning in Saigon and the improved road network! It's a way more interesting conversation than it sounds!
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.
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“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 conversation was a fun mix of stories from our early days, lessons we’ve learned the hard way, and advice I wish someone had told me when we first moved here. It’s not just about whether you can survive on a backpacker budget — it’s about whether you can thrive here long-term with savings, health insurance, and a lifestyle you actually enjoy.
Key Talking Points
- First impressions vs. reality – Vietnam feels cheap at first, but costs add up quickly.
- Wide price ranges – from 10k coffees to 110k Starbucks, lifestyle choices shape your budget.
- Can you live on $1,000/month?
- Long-term essentials – pensions, health insurance, transportation, and gym memberships are often overlooked.
- Simple but rich lifestyle – Vietnam makes it easier to spend less on consumer goods, but temptations (international food, travel, shopping) are always there.
Chapters
- [00:00] Arriving in Vietnam – first impressions and naïve expectations.
- [07:00] The shock of real rent prices in Ho Chi Minh City.
- [13:00] Street food vs. Western comforts: how your lifestyle changes your budget.
- [19:00] Hidden costs expats forget: pensions, insurance, gyms, and groceries.
- [29:00] Big question: Can you live on $1,000/month in Saigon?
[45:00] Why a simpler life in Vietnam can actually feel richer.
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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 Network. He was named ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2018 San Luis Obispo Comedy Festival for the second time in as many appearances. Lars has also been overseas to entertain the troops 3 times.
Lars has toured with the likes of Miss Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, Bob Saget and Martin Short. He will be making his fifth appearance this April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia
You can find Lars on Instagram, Twitter and his Website.
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“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 know about money here.
I walked away from this conversation feeling relieved, but also more aware. Relieved because I know I’m back on track with someone I can trust. Aware because Vietnam really is a financial superpower if you manage things properly—but also a financial nightmare if you don’t.
5 Key Talking Points
- Why living in Vietnam can be a “financial superpower” if you manage money wisely.
- The biggest financial mistakes expats make—and how to avoid them.
- Hidden commissions and fees in products sold to expats.
- The importance of fiduciary responsibility and transparency in financial advice.
- Why money is only a tool—the real goal is the life you want to live.
Chapters & Timestamps
- [00:00] Why Vietnam is a financial superpower – The balance between cost of living and income potential.
- [00:02] My financial horror story – Losing tens of thousands through bad advice.
- [00:09] Red flags and hidden commissions – Robin explains how expats are often misled.
- [00:23] Investments as tools, not goals – Shifting the focus from money to lifestyle.
- [00:27] Practical advice for expats – Motorbike licenses, medical insurance, and saving strategies.
[00:38] Life beyond money – Robin’s philosophy on living fully while planning responsibly.
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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 time.
Mischa shares how he went from drinking beers to pouring them for free to selling Pasteur Beer nationally and internationally and his tips for eating, drinking and living in Saigon.
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“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 that changed my perspective on life and business.
I loved recording this because it gave me a chance to reflect on just how far things have come, and to share openly the mistakes, detours, and lessons that shaped Seven Million Bikes Podcasts into what it is today.
Key Talking Points
- How I turned podcasting from a hobby into a business in Vietnam.
- The setbacks of COVID-19, losing my job, and becoming a “yes man.”
- The turning point when I chose to focus on podcast production only.
- Big wins in 2024, including international projects and awards.
- My MS diagnosis, how it affected me, and why it pushed me to finally open a studio.
Chapters and Timestamps
- [04:00] Moving to Vietnam & charity work – Building schools, raising funds, and life before podcasting.
- [08:00] Starting Seven Million Bikes – Why I launched the show, the name story, and early struggles.
- [13:00] Surviving COVID and saying yes to everything – Online shows, too many jobs, and burnout.
- [17:00] Refocusing on one thing – Choosing podcast production, rebranding, and winning awards.
- [23:00] Health scare & new beginnings – MS diagnosis, opening the podcast studio, and lessons learned.
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“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 that changed my perspective on life and business.
I loved recording this because it gave me a chance to reflect on just how far things have come, and to share openly the mistakes, detours, and lessons that shaped Seven Million Bikes Podcasts into what it is today.
Key Talking Points
- How I turned podcasting from a hobby into a business in Vietnam.
- The setbacks of COVID-19, losing my job, and becoming a “yes man.”
- The turning point when I chose to focus on podcast production only.
- Big wins in 2024, including international projects and awards.
- My MS diagnosis, how it affected me, and why it pushed me to finally open a studio.
Chapters and Timestamps
- [04:00] Moving to Vietnam & charity work – Building schools, raising funds, and life before podcasting.
- [08:00] Starting Seven Million Bikes – Why I launched the show, the name story, and early struggles.
- [13:00] Surviving COVID and saying yes to everything – Online shows, too many jobs, and burnout.
- [17:00] Refocusing on one thing – Choosing podcast production, rebranding, and winning awards.
- [23:00] Health scare & new beginnings – MS diagnosis, opening the podcast studio, and lessons learned.
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!
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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.
"Send me a message!"
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“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 he described friendships that come and go, or how the noise and chaos of Saigon can both overwhelm and energize you—these are things I’ve felt myself in the nine years I’ve been here. This was more than just an interview; it was a genuine exchange about life, culture, and what makes Vietnam such a unique place to live.
Key Talking Points
- Growing up between cultures: Vietnamese roots, American upbringing, and hip-hop identity.
- The unique struggles and joys of returning to Vietnam as a Viet Kieu (Overseas Vietnamese).
- Acting experiences in LA vs. Vietnam, from commercials to difficult industry moments.
- Cultural differences in communication, work, and relationships.
- Finding real connections in Saigon beyond the expat and Viet Kieu bubbles.
Chapters
- [00:00] Welcome & Introduction – Why Devin’s story matters.
- [06:00] Acting Experiences – Commercials, makeup, and cultural beauty standards.
- [13:00] Growing Up in the US – Identity struggles, stereotypes, and hip-hop culture.
- [24:00] Challenges in the Industry – Standing up for values in acting.
- [33:00] Returning to Vietnam – Family reactions, struggles, and healing
- [46:00] Community & Belonging – VQ groups, friendships, and finding real connections.
Follow Devin:
https://www.Instagram.com/dev1naire
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqTZqiGBQ/
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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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 Scholarship. He went on to co-found Saigon Funny People, regularly hosting open mic nights and performing stand-up comedy. JK now writes for City Pass Guide, Saigoneer and TaleCity, has appeared on Vietnamese TV AND teaches English. The main questions I’ll be asking JK is ‘What do you not do? And where do you find the time?’
Part 2
Moving forward to 2015 when JK first came to Vietnam we talk about his life here, speaking Vietnamese and why he loves it here.
Right mouse click the link to open in a new tab.
Where to get the Bò khoJK talked about.
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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 the podcast at once, but their story is so brilliant that I could have kept talking all day.
Key talking points:
- A Spontaneous Decision: The couple's journey began as a simple thought of a short trip, which quickly escalated into a year-long adventure across 30+ countries.
- The World is a Classroom: The family discusses the challenges and flexibility required for homeschooling their children while traveling, and the constant feeling that they need to be productive.
- Cultural Identity: Dennis, an American, and Emily, a Vietnamese, share how their backgrounds influenced their relationship and interactions while traveling.
- Embracing Stereotypes: The conversation touches on humorous cultural stereotypes, such as the belief that basketball makes you taller, and the common concerns about water and ice quality in Vietnam.
- Kids' Favorite Moments: The children, Hannah and Aiden, share their favorite parts of the trip, with Hannah loving the Maldives and Aiden enjoying Japan for snowboarding.
Chapters and Timestamps
- [00:00:00] Intro to Dennis and Emily: The couple shares how a simple idea of a trip turned into a year-long global adventure.
- [00:06:00] Leaving a Career for Travel: Dennis and Emily talk about their decision to step away from their accounting jobs in Texas to travel.
- [00:15:00] Homeschooling on the Road: Discussion about the challenges and strategies of educating their children while moving from country to country.
- [00:23:00] Cultural Connections and Stereotypes: The couple explores their shared Vietnamese heritage and discusses cultural differences and funny stereotypes.
- [00:30:00] The Kids' Perspective: Hannah and Aiden reveal their favorite countries and moments from their travels.
[00:38:00] Wrapping Up the Adventure: Final thoughts from th
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“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 her personal challenge with diabetes gave her a unique lens on Vietnam’s rapid changes. She sees both the risks of a sugar-heavy culture and the opportunities in the rise of healthier, sugar-free alternatives. And she links it all to bigger shifts: from Gen Z’s cocktail culture to the way Vietnamese consumers demand convenience, speed, and personalization.
Jane also opened up about the culture shocks of living in Oklahoma and Ohio, where she learned what it really meant to be “different.” Returning to Vietnam, she realized Saigon allowed her to merge all the versions of herself—the East and the West, tradition and modernity—without fear of judgment.
This conversation reminded me how food, identity, and culture are all connected. And how Vietnam, in all its complexity, forces us to constantly rethink how we live.
Main Talking Points
- Living with diabetes in Vietnam’s sugar-saturated food culture.
- How manufacturers and Gen Z are reshaping health trends.
- The psychology of Vietnamese shopping: from discounts to convenience.
- The cultural shift in drinking—from beer halls to cocktail bars.
- The boom-and-bust nature of Vietnamese trends: milk tea to Manuka honey.
- Culture shock in Oklahoma and Ohio, and lessons on race and identity.
- Finding freedom in Saigon as a bridge between East and West.
Chapters & Timestamps
02:05 | Life with diabetes in Vietnam: sugar everywhere.
10:40 | Health awareness, sugar taxes, and new consumer trends.
20:15 | Vietnamese shoppers: price-sensitive or value-driven?
29:30 | Gen Z’s changing drinking culture and the impact of zero-alcohol laws.
41:00 | Cocktail bars, milk tea, and why some trends boom then bust.
45:20 | From Hanoi to Oklahoma: culture shock and unexpected lessons.
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“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 background was in business and law. She reminded me that purpose often comes when we step outside the path we thought we should follow.
This episode made me reflect on how identity changes when we live abroad, and how coming home can sometimes feel even harder than leaving. Mai’s journey is a powerful reminder that development and tradition don’t have to be opposites, and that protecting nature is also protecting our culture.
Main Talking Points
- Leaving Vietnam at 17 and the cultural shocks of living in small-town America.
- Struggling with English and adapting through the support of international friendships.
- Becoming an “unofficial ambassador” to correct stereotypes about Vietnam.
- Returning home and facing reverse culture shock, especially around language and gender expectations.
- Finding purpose in conservation, discovering Vietnam’s biodiversity, and balancing development with preservation.
Chapters and Timestamps02:31 | Cultural shock in Oregon: language struggles, new friendships, and learning resilience.
10:46 | Confronting stereotypes about Vietnam and becoming an “unofficial ambassador.”
17:21 | Returning to Vietnam: reverse culture shock, family expectations, and studying law.
25:51 | From corporate career to conservation: discovering Vietnam’s hidden biodiversity.
35:10 | Vietnam at a crossroads: balancing rapid development with cultural and natural preservation.
44:01 | Reflections on being a bridge between cultures and looking ahead.
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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 podcast moving forward. It’s still the same mission: to showcase diverse voices and experiences from across Vietnam — but with a fresh, sharper identity.
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been listening for a while, thank you for sticking with me — your support has made this journey possible.
As always, thank you for listening. Don’t forget to follow the show on your favorite app, leave a review if you enjoy it, and share it with a friend who might love discovering Vietnam too.
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This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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“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 relaxed, and she’s open about it all—from living in Hanoi and blowing out her ACL shortly after moving to Saigon, to discovering the freedom, diversity, and weird quirks of life in Vietnam’s biggest city.
I loved this episode—not just because Adrie nailed her first time as guest host—but because Krista’s story is so familiar to many of us living here. She’s honest, reflective, and quietly hilarious.
Key Talking Points:
From rural Canada to Saigon – Krista’s background and what made her move abroad.
Cultural contrasts – How small-town life compares to the diversity and pace of a mega city.
Overcoming setbacks – Her ACL injury and how it shaped her first year in Saigon.
City life discoveries – Food, activities, and travel opportunities in Saigon.
Lessons from Taipei – Cleanliness, infrastructure, and what Saigon could learn.
Chapters & Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction & Host Debut – Adrie takes over hosting duties and introduces Krista Bernard.
[02:10] Growing Up in Rural Canada – Life in a 500-person village and dairy farming roots.
[05:15] Choosing Life Abroad – Why Krista left Canada and how friends and family reacted.
[07:40] The Move to Saigon & ACL Setback – Injury, recovery, and the struggle to settle in.
[12:05] Discovering Saigon – Food variety, activities, and becoming more mobile.
[15:20] Taipei vs. Saigon – First impressions of Taipei and what Saigon could learn.
[18:45] City Changes & Reflections – Saigon’s growth, Western comforts, and life lessons.
Whether you’ve lived abroad or just dreamed about it, this episode is a reminder of what you gain when you leave—and what you leave behind.
🎙️ Recorded at:
Saigon Podcast Studio – book a session now.
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This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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“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 in Vietnam can look like when done right. This episode gives an honest look into the challenges they’ve faced and what it means to grow a values-based business in a fast-changing environment.
The episode wasn’t just about teeth—it was about trust, business ethics, raising standards in Vietnam, and Annie’s bigger mission to change the perception of dental care here.
Main Talking Points
- Why they rebranded the family business from Nha Khoa Việt to Premier Dental
- Common concerns about dental care in Vietnam—and how Premier Dental addresses them
- The importance of hygiene, transparency, and staff training
- How Premier Dental avoids over-prescribing and puts patient well-being first
- Vietnam’s untapped potential in dental tourism—and how it’s slowly changing
- The role of communication and ethics in building trust with patients
Chapters & Timestamps
- 03:00 – Rebranding for Impact
- 07:00 – Changing Perceptions of Dentistry in Vietnam
- 10:30 – Hygiene and Ethics Over Profits
- 18:30 – Dental Tourism & Affordability
- 26:00 – Communication is Everything
"Send me a message!"
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“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 considering retiring here. We talk about everything from navigating Saigon’s “organized chaos” traffic to unforgettable meals, moments on Ha Long Bay, and a surprising bond he formed with a Vietnamese soldier over beers in Hanoi.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- George’s first impressions of Vietnam and his initial safety concerns
- What it’s like to navigate Saigon’s traffic as a first-timer
- How locals welcomed him and Betty in unexpected ways
- The highlights from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, and Hoi An
- Why this trip changed his perspective on travel and retirement
Timestamps:
- 00:03 – Recording our very first episode in the new Saigon Podcast Studio
- 04:50 – George’s initial perception of Vietnam and how it changed
- 09:15 – Talking safety concerns and what family back home think
- 15:30 – Beers in Hanoi and connecting with a Vietnamese soldier
- 20:45 – George’s favorite dishes and the one he’s still dreaming about
"Send me a message!"
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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, from growing up in Melbourne to studying in New York and eventually moving to Ho Chi Minh City. He only planned to stay for six months… and that was eight years ago.
We talked about Vietnam’s dental health challenges, the rise of dental tourism, and yes, the importance of flossing. If you’re squeamish about teeth, be warned—but if you’ve ever been curious about why Vietnamese kids drink sugary milk or how dentists are using 3D printing, this one’s for you.
Key Talking Points:
- Why children's teeth in Vietnam are often severely decayed—and how sugar-laced milk plays a role.
- The surprising reasons flossing is more important than you think (hint: it’s linked to Alzheimer’s).
- Why dental tourism in Vietnam is booming and how Premier Dental is leading the charge.
- The cultural and genetic differences in dental health across nationalities.
- How 3D printing and digital scanning are transforming the dental experience.
- Real stories from Albert’s time in Australia, the U.S., and Vietnam—including the worst mouth he’s ever seen.
Chapters and Timestamps
- 10:00 – The state of children's dental health in Vietnam
- 20:30 – Generational habits & lack of awareness
- 25:00 – From Australia to Vietnam: Albert’s journey
- 31:00 – Modern dentistry, 3D printing & Premier Dental
- 39:00 – The truth about flossing (and bad breath)
- 49:00 – Dental tourism: what to know before you go
"Send me a message!"
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With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts!
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"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 is—but you wouldn’t know it from how naturally he connects with people. It’s a beautiful contradiction: someone who claims to be shy yet thrives in a high-contact, high-energy environment like bartending. That’s what this episode is all about: shaking up stereotypes, mixing in some good humor, and serving a double pour of insight.
What we talked about in this episode:
- Why Nam compares happy customers to happy relationships
- The art and storytelling behind signature cocktails at House of Merlin
- Gen Z in Vietnam: lazy but talented?
- Why so many young Vietnamese identify as introverts
- Gender and drinks: is there subtle sexism in how alcohol is served?
- What older generations think of how Gen Z spends money and works
Chapters & Timestamps
- 00:00 – Meet Nam & intro to House of Merlin
- 04:00 – Mixing live: Signature cocktails, saffron, and Huynh’s priceless reaction
- 10:00 – Gender & drinks: Are Vietnamese bars subtly sexist?
- 11:30 – Behind the bar: The reality of being a bartender vs. the glamor
- 14:00 – Gen Z in Vietnam: Lazy but talented? What Nam really thinks
- 17:00 – Introvert or not? Nam’s personal growth through hospitality
"Send me a message!"
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"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 about stocks and finance, but about the real growth and potential happening in this country every day.
From his insights into Vietnam’s economic boom to rowing through weed-covered patches of the Saigon River, Hugo brought stories, stats, and humour in equal measure. And as always, we kept it real—talking about what it’s like to build a life here, why people stay, and what might make them leave.
Key Talking Points
- Vietnam’s stock market: how it works, how fast it's growing, and why foreign investors should care.
- The "demographic dividend" and how a young, urbanising population is fuelling rapid development.
- The joy (and danger) of motorbikes in Saigon, plus the shift toward electric bikes.
- Rowing on the Saigon River—yes, that’s a thing—and what makes it wildly different from the Thames.
- How foreigners view Vietnam vs. the economic reality on the ground.
Chapters & Timestamps
- 00:00 – Welcome & Hugo’s origin story
- 06:00 – The joy of riding motorbikes (and switching to electric)
- 11:00 – What are capital markets? And how Vietnam’s stock market works
- 16:00 – Vietnam’s growth story and demographic dividend
- 28:00 – Trusting the stock market & investing as a foreigner
- 32:00 – Rowing in Saigon: weeds, tides, and surprises
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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“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 garment factory at 14 to running one of the most trusted tech repair shops in Saigon, her story is raw, real, and seriously inspiring.
What struck me most is how Hanh leads with heart. She’s built her business with a mix of resilience, hospitality, and social responsibility—something rare and beautiful. Whether you're an expat, a business owner, or just someone who loves a great human story, this episode will move you.
Key Talking Points
- Hanh’s early life in Quảng Nam and working in a factory at age 14
- How she went from minimum-wage labor to CEO of Haga SmartTech
- Her passion for learning English and overcoming dialect barriers
- The truth about tech myths—like putting your phone in rice!
- Giving back: COVID food relief, small business loans for women, and community work
- Language, accents, and the power of communication
Timestamps & Chapters
- 02:30 – Turning it off and on again: tech tips & myths
- 06:45 – Growing up in Quảng Nam: hard work at 14
- 13:00 – Language barriers and regional accents in Vietnam
- 19:00 – Learning English and building confidence
- 25:00 – From hotel jobs to founding Haga SmartTech
- 32:00 – Creating a repair shop that expats can trust
- 35:00 – Giving back: charity, women’s empowerment, and education
- 43:00 – Miscommunication, pronunciation, and body language
- 49:00 – Final thoughts: success, kindness, and staying inspired
"Send me a message!"
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"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 just about broadcasting, but about representation: Vietnam telling its own story, from the inside out.
He reminded me of the importance of long-term vision. When people told him they’d run out of stories, he proved that Vietnam is overflowing with them. This is more than media; it’s cultural documentation. And honestly, that’s what I hope the Vietnam Podcast becomes as well.
Top 5 Takeaways
- Hao came to Vietnam with no plans and just $300/month: A leap of faith that would unknowingly launch Vietcetera.
- Vietcetera’s first-ever feature was rejected by its subject: A lesson in humility, editing, and persistence.
- The first paid advertorial turned out to be a voucher, not cash: Business lessons in transparency and expectation-setting.
- There was no business model — it was built on energy, value exchange, and curiosity.
- Mission to “bring Vietnam to the world” is not only alive — it’s overflowing with untold stories.
Chapters & Timestamps
04:30-From Tech Layoff to Vietnam Leap
06:30-Meeting Andrew Frazier & Early Immersions
09:30-The First Vietcetera Blog: Rejection & Rewrite
19:00-Living on $300 a Month in Vietnam
22:00-Language, Culture & Being a Vietnamese-American Boss
24:30- Remote Work, Human Connection & Gen Z Trends
31:00-Youth Identity, Content Influence & the Monoculture
39:00-Mission to Bring Vietnam to the World
41:00-Supporting the Next Generation of Vietnamese Talent
"Send me a message!"
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“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 bottom after getting dismissed from Oklahoma State, and how that moment became the spark for personal growth, discipline, and a complete lifestyle change. Now, not only is he playing pro basketball in Vietnam, but he’s also a published author, a proud vegetarian for over a decade, and someone who’s using his story to lift others up.
This one’s about more than basketball. It’s about identity, transformation, and how we can all use our lowest points to rise higher than ever before.
Key Talking Points
- What it’s like playing for the Saigon Heat and the basketball culture in Vietnam
- First impressions of Vietnam, and how Davon’s family reacted to the move
- What it’s like being a tall, tattooed, Black athlete in Asia
- How a lifelong aversion to meat turned into 11+ years of vegetarian living
- Thoughts on Vietnamese food (and navigating “healthy” options)
- The power of resilience, community, and building a legacy through writing
Chapters and Timestamps
06:20 – Basketball in Vietnam: Clappers, crowds, and why it’s catching on
10:15 – Standing out in Asia: On being tall, tattooed, and Black in public
15:40 – The turning point: Getting kicked out of college and hitting rock bottom
26:30 – Writing three cookbooks and building purpose beyond basketball
34:00 – Going vegetarian: childhood food aversions, fasting, and discipline
40:00 – Protein & performance: how he fuels his body with mushrooms, eggs & juice
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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After starting this podcast in 2019 in my living room with one mic I can't believe this is happening...
"Send me a message!"
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"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 identity, belonging, and the culture shocks that come with living between worlds. Anh shares her incredibly candid experiences growing up in Germany, how she reconnected with her Vietnamese heritage, and what it’s like navigating Vietnamese society now with a “German attitude.”
I found this conversation eye-opening, heartfelt, and at times hilarious — especially when we got into German bread vs Vietnamese rice, or Vietnamese CCTV.
5 Key Talking Points
- Growing up Vietnamese in Berlin
Anh moved to Germany at age 8 and didn’t realize she was “different” until much later. - The power of cultural contrast
We compared German directness, Vietnamese community warmth, and American friendliness. - Returning to Vietnam and facing reverse culture shock
Now back in Saigon, Anh shares how her Western mindset sometimes clashes with local norms — especially when working with contractors or navigating gender roles. - Navigating multiple languages and identities
How Anh speaks German, English, and Vietnamese — and thinks in all three. - Marriage to an American and global perspective
Chapters & Timestamps
- 09:00 – Life in East Germany post-Berlin Wall
- 16:00 – Growing up without a Vietnamese community
- 22:30 – Returning to Vietnam & being ‘too German’
- 26:00 – Language barriers between German & Vietnamese
- 33:00 – Why she moved back to Vietnam
- 43:00 – Being married to an American
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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The full list of winners is here.
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"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 pot to coconut ice cream in a coconut shell, to nearly getting hit by an ambulance while searching for bún chả - this was part food tour, part love letter to Saigon, and part chaos. And that’s exactly what I love about it.
Whether you're living here, planning a trip, or just a food nerd like me, I hope this episode gives you a taste of what makes Vietnamese cuisine - and its people - so special.
Key Talking Points
- The Michelin Guide in Vietnam – What it means, how it's grown, and why it matters for local businesses and the country’s global image.
- What is Bib Gourmand? – A Michelin recognition for restaurants that offer great food at great value—not just fine dining.
- Three Must-Try Local Spots – Bò kho at Bà Gà, bún chả at Bun Cha Van, and cơm tấm at a street spot near the airport.
- Why Vietnamese People Don’t Care (And That’s Fine) – Most locals don’t know or care about Michelin, they just know where the food is good.
- The Chaos and Charm of Eating in Saigon – From blowing on cold ice cream to dodging motorbikes, eating here is always an experience.
Chapters and Timestamps
- 01:10 – Starting our food journey at Bà Gà with bò kho in a clay pot
- 07:30 – Coconut & longan ice cream and Vietnamese hospitality
- 18:30 – Bún chả at Bun Cha Van: sesame, spring rolls, and giant fish sauce
- 29:00 – Heading to our third spot: cơm tấm heaven near the airport
- 34:30 – Huge pork chops, sweet-savory flavors, and food nostalgia
- 42:00 – Why Saigon’s food scene is infinite and magical
"Send me a message!"
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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 like going through a U.S. visa interview during a pandemic, and why Vietnamese weddings feel more like family transactions than personal celebrations. Hoa brought raw honesty, insight, and that cheeky energy that makes her so much fun to talk to.
Key Talking Points
- What it’s like to experience culture shock as a Vietnamese person moving from Hanoi to Saigon
- The bureaucratic nightmare of getting a U.S. tourist visa—and how Hoa finally got approved
- Hoa’s candid take on being judged for marrying a foreigner (and how she clapped back)
- The emotional toll of career burnout and planning a 500-person wedding
- The hilarious and bittersweet origin story of her nickname “Chang”
- Observations on American vs. Vietnamese culture, kindness, and food portions
Chapters and Timestamps
- 01:00 – Hoa's journey: from Hanoi to Saigon and why she “ran away”
- 08:00 – Hanoi vs. Saigon: culture clash & accent issues
- 14:30 – The U.S. visa nightmare and awkward interview questions
- 23:00 – First time in the U.S.: kindness, sticker shock, and scooters
- 31:00 – Career burnout, moving cities & dealing with depression
- 38:00 – Vietnamese weddings: stress, scale, and social expectations
- 41:30 – Stereotypes of Vietnamese women & being married to an American
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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"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 just smiled and waved at us — classic Vietnam hospitality. And then watching those fishermen launch their boats at full speed onto the road? I've never seen anything like it.
But honestly, the whole day reminded me why we're still not "done" with Saigon after all these years. There's always something new to discover, always another ferry to catch or countryside road to explore. Even Biscuit seemed to love every minute of it.
Key Moments:
Ferry crossing for 20 cents with trucks and motorbikes
My ongoing frustration with espresso machines replacing traditional Vietnamese coffee
Stumbling onto an unopened highway and just... driving on it
Meeting friendly locals who weren't fazed by foreigners on their construction site
Watching boats literally drive up onto the road at sunset
Injuring myself four different ways at a water park (peak Niall behavior)
Chapters and Time-stamps:
00:00 - Setting Off: Cat Lai Ferry & Escaping Saigon Chaos
03:00 - Breakfast Hunt: When Everything's Sold Out by 9 AM
06:00 - Ferry Crossing: Old School Saigon Transport
10:00 - Food Discovery: Why Random Places Have the Best Meals
13:00 - Coffee Crisis: The Death of Traditional Vietnamese Coffee
18:00 - Timeout Glamping: Dog-Friendly Countryside Escape
20:00 - Rice Paddies & Water Buffalo Hunt
27:00 - The Unfinished Highway Discovery
30:00 - Sunset & Boat Launching Madness
35:00 - Golden Scorpion Water Park Injuries
42:00 - Bu Resort: A More Upmarket Hidden Gem
47:00 - Highway Redux: Google Maps Hasn't Caught Up
50:00 - Sugar Cane Juice & Ferry Home
"Send me a message!"
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"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 supported — that hit home. Her warmth and authenticity reminded me why I started this podcast. These are the conversations that matter. They’re real, honest, and grounded in experience. I feel lucky to have shared the mic with her on such a meaningful day.
Key Takeaways:
- Gossip Girl was based on her high school
- Learning English as a child immigrant
- Reverse culture shock moving back to Vietnam
- What was supposed to be a short stay became 8 years
- Her children are growing up bilingual and connected
Chapters and Time-stamps:
03:00 - Annie’s Background & Career Overview
04:00 - Gossip Girl & High School Life in NYC
07:00 - Immigrating to the U.S. at Age 5
13:00 - Learning English & Adjusting to American Life
20:00 - Returning to Vietnam & Reverse Culture Shock
28:00 - Why She Stayed in Vietnam
30:00 - Building a Life and Business in Saigon
33:00 - Family, Legacy, and Raising Kids Bilingually
"Send me a message!"
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"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 most meaningful way.
This conversation felt really personal. Sandy and I both started as English teachers here in Saigon, and like many of us, we weren’t “just” that. I loved hearing about how far he’s come — from law school struggles to helping families grow through adoption. He also shares what it’s like to see Vietnam now through a very different lens.
Whether you’re a long-time expat, a first-time visitor, or someone curious about the paths people take after teaching abroad, this episode is for you.
Key Talking Points:
- How we met and recorded one of the very first podcast episodes in my apartment with a broken mic
- Why the phrase “just an English teacher” misses the full story
- Sandy’s journey from adopted child to adoption lawyer
- How law school nearly broke him — and why it was still worth it
- What keeps bringing Sandy back to Vietnam, and the changes he’s noticed over time
Chapeters and Timestamps:
- 04:00 – Our first recording memories: Bad mics, hot bedrooms, and blanket forts
- 07:00 – “Just an English teacher” and why that phrase frustrates me
- 09:00 – Sandy’s journey to come to Vietnam instead of China
- 17:00 – Law school, burnout, and becoming an adoption lawyer
- 23:30 – Why Sandy keeps coming back to Vietnam
- 31:00 – Observations as a lawyer: Safety, laws, and business freedom
- 36:00 – What Sandy misses about Vietnam when he’s away
39:30 – Cost of living vs. quality of life
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!
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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 made our way across the Bamboo Bridge (NAME), a nearly 1-kilometer-long structure built for the ‘Gram, complete with swings, hearts, and even a ladder to nowhere.
Finally, we wrapped things up at the breathtaking — and slightly terrifying — Pai Canyon for sunset. It was beautiful, hilarious, a bit slippery, and definitely memorable. If you’re heading to Pai or just want to know what it’s really like, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
Pai Hot Springs are natural and beautiful, but can be dangerous — always check temperatures and wear grippy shoes.
Respect local customs — the hot springs are used by locals, so be clean and mindful (no peeing, no weed, no booze!).
Tha Pai Memorial Bridge has a rich WWII history — rebuilt multiple times and now a perfect selfie stop.
Bamboo Bridge is a modern tourist gem, filled with photo ops — hearts, swings, and “ladder to nowhere” included.
Pai Canyon offers stunning views, but be prepared for narrow paths, sheer drops, and zero handrails — not for the faint-hearted.
Chapters & Timestamps
[00:02:00] Cultural Tips + Slippery Rocks
Local etiquette, weed laws in Thailand, and practical warnings.
[00:04:00] WWII Memorial Bridge History
A Japanese-built war bridge turned tourist stop — and a lesson in resilience.
[00:06:00] Bamboo Bridge Adventures
815 meters of Instagram heaven, odd photo props, and a sandy, bouncy stroll.
[00:10:00] Sunset at Pai Canyon
Stunning views, sketchy ledges, and why alcohol is not sold up there.
[00:17:00] Final Thoughts and Laughs
Slipping, climbing, joking, and reflecting on Pai’s wild charm.
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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“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 toxicity that can bubble up online, both within expat communities and among Vietnamese internet users. It's a stark contrast to the welcoming spirit I've largely encountered here. We also reflected on how things change over time – from cinema etiquette to the increasing polarization of opinions, it feels like the Vietnam I first encountered is constantly evolving.
Key Takeaways:
- There are perceived significant differences in pace and demeanor between the north and south of Vietnam.
- Online toxicity is a notable issue within expat and Vietnamese online communities.
- Cultural norms and perspectives are constantly evolving in Vietnam.
- Stereotypes about foreigners in Vietnam, particularly English teachers, exist and need to be addressed.
- The economic contribution of foreigners in Vietnam is often misunderstood, with many filling roles that locals don't typically pursue.
Chapters and Timestamps:
05:59: Discussion on Online Toxicity
10:59: Changing Perspectives and Behaviors Over Time
14:59: Stereotypes of Foreigners in Vietnam
24:00: Economic Contributions of Foreign Workers
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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"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 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 made our way across the Bamboo Bridge, a nearly 1-kilometer-long structure built for the ‘Gram, complete with swings, hearts, and even a ladder to nowhere.
Finally, we wrapped things up at the breathtaking — and slightly terrifying — Pai Canyon for sunset. It was beautiful, hilarious, a bit slippery, and definitely memorable. If you’re heading to Pai or just want to know what it’s really like, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways
Pai Hot Springs are natural and beautiful, but can be dangerous — always check temperatures and wear grippy shoes.
Respect local customs — the hot springs are used by locals, so be clean and mindful (no peeing, no weed, no booze!).
Tha Pai Memorial Bridge has a rich WWII history — rebuilt multiple times and now a perfect selfie stop.
Bamboo Bridge is a modern tourist gem, filled with photo ops — hearts, swings, and “ladder to nowhere” included.
Pai Canyon offers stunning views, but be prepared for narrow paths, sheer drops, and zero handrails — not for the faint-hearted.
Chapters & Timestamps
[00:02:00] Cultural Tips + Slippery Rocks
Local etiquette, weed laws in Thailand, and practical warnings.
[00:04:00] WWII Memorial Bridge History
A Japanese-built war bridge turned tourist stop — and a lesson in resilience.
[00:06:00] Bamboo Bridge Adventures
815 meters of Instagram heaven, odd photo props, and a sandy, bouncy stroll.
[00:10:00] Sunset at Pai Canyon
Stunning views, sketchy ledges, and why alcohol is not sold up there.
[00:17:00] Final Thoughts and Laughs
Slipping, climbing, joking, and reflecting on Pai’s wild charm.
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ 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 affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
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"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 in our natural voices. I think listeners will get a real kick out of hearing us in our element, not holding back on the Scottish slang and experiences that shaped us before we moved abroad. It's raw, it's authentic, and it's Glasgow through and through.
What's fascinating is how our identities are still so tied to Scotland even though we've both been away for decades. The way we slip in and out of our accents, the experiences that only make sense to other Scots - it's like carrying a piece of home with you that never quite fades, even when you have no plans to move back. This episode really captures that weird space of being proudly Scottish while also acknowledging why we chose to build our lives elsewhere.
Key Takeaways:
- The difficulties of being understood with a Scottish accent in America and how Niall had to adapt his speech to be understood
- How Americans have particular difficulty understanding Scottish accents, especially with words like "bottle of water"
- Discussion of Scottish comedy (Kevin Bridges, Still Game) and how specific cultural references don't translate well internationally
- Stories about Glasgow culture and public confrontations that illustrate the city's rough-around-the-edges character
- Comparisons between Glasgow and Edinburgh and why tourists tend to visit Edinburgh while missing Glasgow's character
Chapters and Timestamps:
03:35 - American Reactions to the Scottish Accent
07:45 - Dating and the "Scottish Accent Effect"
09:27 - Scottish Comedy and Cultural References
12:43 - Glasgow Bus and Street Encounters
17:45 - Glasgow vs. Edinburgh: Cultural Differences
20:06 - Reflections on Moving Back to Scotland
21:54 - How Accents Change After Living Abroad
23:37 - Reconnecting with Old Friends from Scotland
"Send me a message!"
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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 to skip a wild tubing event due to our 'mature' age and instead enjoyed a fun, albeit slightly murky, poolside hangout.
Join us on this journey and get a glimpse of the highs and lows of our travels.
00:00 Introduction to the Extra Episode
00:26 Exploring the Pool and Surroundings
01:07 Sunrise Adventure
03:54 Waterfall Hike Challenges
08:14 Poolside Relaxation and Tipsy Tubing
09:48 Sunset Bar and Local Discoveries
11:36 Reflections on Pai
13:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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Support the show
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"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 Saigon, the nostalgia and humor flowed naturally—and maybe a bit too much football chat!
What struck me most was Craig’s vulnerability and openness. From his journey as a gay man in Glasgow to finding community in Vietnam, and navigating love, culture, and identity—he told it all with humility and a cracking sense of humor. I know listeners will take something valuable from this episode, whether it’s a laugh, a moment of reflection, or simply a reminder of how far we can come when we step into the unknown.
Key Takeaways:
The chaotic beauty of Vietnam – “It’s so unlike any other place… the smells, the lights, the busyness—it’s sensory overload.”
Coming out in Glasgow at 14 – Craig candidly shares what it was like to come out young and navigate high school as a gay teen.
Vietnamese culture and family acceptance – Insight into being part of a liberal Vietnamese family and his relationship with his Northern-born boyfriend.
Scottish identity and sectarianism abroad – A raw discussion on how football-related sectarianism follows Scots globally, and how it divides.
Assimilation vs Expat life – Niall reflects on the expat bubble versus integration; Craig gives a unique view through his deep local ties.
Chapters & Timestamps
03:00 - Growing Up in Glasgow
06:00 - Football, Sectarianism, & Identity Abroad
20:00 - Coming Out Young & School Days
29:00 - Culture Shock & Arrival in Vietnam
31:00 - Assimilation, Language & Expat Realities
32:00 - Loving Local: Life With a Vietnamese Partner
38:00 - Homesickness & Escapes to Hoi An
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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Support the show
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"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 way more lively and international than I expected, and the street food scene was on another level.
This episode is all about leaning into the chaos of travel, trying weird and wonderful things, and laughing along the way.
Key Talking Points:
- The wild road trip from Chiang Mai to Pai – 762 turns and a lemon of a bike.
- The Erotic Garden – a totally unexpected and hilarious stop filled with art, innuendo, and surprise wisdom.
- Hopping on a bike - Riding experience in Thailand was different from that of Vietnam
- Eating everything – from gyoza and halal dumplings to coconut pancakes, and even lasagna made with macaroni.
- First impressions of Pai – hippie vibes, Gen Z fashion, TikTok-famous “banh mi,” and a whole lot of fun.
Chapters and Timestamps
- 01:30 – First stop: a totally unexpected Erotic Garden
- 06:00 – Waterfalls, steep hills, and a near-death motorbike experience
- 17:30 – Finally in Pai: weird fashion, hippie energy, and international food
- 22:00 – The wild night market: Gen Z, food, and weed shops
- 26:00 – More food: stuffed peppers, halal dumplings, and fake banh mi
- 32:00 – A lasagna bar in Thailand (yes, really)
- 34:30 – Pesto’s not the best, but the spinach-mac combo hits the spot
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
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“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. In this episode, I break down the differences in flavor, ingredients, regional styles, and even cultural eating habits. Whether it's pho vs. pad Thai, green curry vs. bun bo Hue, or sticky rice mango vs. chè, we dive into what makes each cuisine special—and why Vietnamese food deserves more global recognition.
Join Adrie and me to find out which is better!
Key Talking Points
- Why Vietnam is one of the best home bases for travel in Southeast Asia.
- Honest thoughts on Tan Son Nhat Airport, including how to navigate it smoothly, what to expect from immigration and check-in
- From temples to night markets to foot massages, I give you a mini-guide to getting the most out of a single day in this chilled-out northern city.
- Street food journey—highlighting spicy curries, grilled meats, and (my personal favorite) mango sticky rice.
- Thai food vs. Vietnamese food, from bold flavors and spice levels to freshness and balance.
- Muay Thai—Thailand’s national sport. Whether you're a fighter or just curious, it's a cultural experience that’ll definitely get your heart rate up.
Chapters and Timestamps
- [00:02:05] Living in Vietnam: A Travel Hub
- [00:03:10] Tan Son Nhat Airport Tips
- [00:05:50] Chiang Mai experience in one day
- [00:12:05] Thai food adventure
- [00:17:00] Comparison between Thai and Vietnamese food
- [00:20:00] Muya Thai experience
"Send me a message!"
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh
Support the show
🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!
👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!
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“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 impressions of Vietnam’s wild traffic and intense heat, to her love of summer rolls and morning glory. But more than that, we dug into deeper themes—what it means to live in alignment with your passions, the healing power of the arts, and how community theater and emerging vertical films are creating space for creativity in Vietnam.
If you're curious about the arts scene in Vietnam, how expats are contributing to creative communities, or just want an inspiring story of someone who’s bravely followed her heart—you’ll love this one.
Key Takeaways
- Discussion about the small Slovenian community in Vietnam and their interactions.
- Alenka's transition from teaching in Slovenia to pursuing a career in the arts in Vietnam.
- Reflections on the differing perspectives on the Vietnam War between Slovenians, Americans, and Vietnamese.
- Alenka's first impressions of Vietnam, including the traffic, heat, and cultural adjustments.
- The challenges and opportunities of producing English language plays in Vietnam.
Chapters and Timestamps
- 00:03:22 - Slovenian community in Vietnam
- 00:06:22 - Alenka’s transition to Vietnam
- 00:20:34 - First impressions of Vietnam
- 00:24:10 - Vietnamese cuisine
- 00:27:36 - Transition to arts
- 00:37:34 - English language plays in Vietnam
- 00:39:42 - Wrap up and thank you
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"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 roads, experiencing Vietnamese weddings, and unique cultural interactions such as strangers displaying affection towards children.
Covering various aspects of Vietnamese cultural norms and practical tips, we aim to ensure tourists have a safe and respectful experience in the country.
02:14 Crossing the Road in Vietnam
05:10 Avoiding Bui Vien Street
08:34 Taxi Scams and Tips
13:10 Handling Money and Scams
15:49 Vietnamese Weddings and Drinking Culture
20:34 Haggling in Vietnam: Myths and Realities
35:36 Tourist Tips: Safety and Common Pitfalls
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"Gen Z in Vietnam are so driven. They’re baristas in the morning, creators by night, and students in between." - Adele Doan
This conversation with Adele Doan was full of energy, insight, and plenty of laughs. Adele’s a TEDx speaker, community builder at Workflow, founder of Career Lab, and LinkedIn influencer with over 80,000 followers—and it’s clear she’s leading the charge in how young Vietnamese people think about work, social media, and identity.
We talked about everything from learning English through How I Met Your Mother, to why Facebook is too noisy for professionals, and how Gen Z in Vietnam are hustling in new, creative ways. She also opened up about the evolution of Saigon—what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what still needs to happen, especially in terms of art, culture, and public spaces. Adele's mission is all about using social media with intention and building meaningful careers, and this episode is packed with stories and ideas to inspire anyone navigating the future of work in Vietnam.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn is still an untapped opportunity in Vietnam – and Adele’s helping Gen Z unlock it.
- English and confidence can come from unconventional places—even sitcoms.
- Gen Z are balancing school, work, and content creation with incredible drive.
- Facebook is cluttered—LinkedIn is where career-focused conversations are happening.
- Saigon is growing fast—but still lacks creative spaces, museums, and arts infrastructure.
Chapters & Timestamps
- 04:30 – Learning English Through Sitcoms & Self-Confidence
- 06:20 – The Rise of LinkedIn in Vietnam & Building Career Lab
- 08:10 – Why Facebook Is Noisy & LinkedIn Is the Future
- 14:00 – Gen Z Hustle Culture: Juggling Jobs, School & Content
- 18:00 – Multi-Channel Networks & the Business of Influence
- 25:10 – The Cultural Shift in Saigon: Art, Museums & Identity
- 30:00 – Final Thoughts: Using Social Media with Intention
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"Why do Vietnamese people love seafood pizza? 'Cause it's disgusting." - Niall Mackay
Find out in this episode why Vietnamese people love seafood pizza! You may be surprised to find out why.
With Krista Hope and Adrie Lopez Mackay, we delve into this curious culinary choice and how pizza in Vietnam has changed with a bit of humor and a lot of curiosity.
Sharing personal takes on what makes this dish universally loved we explore the cultural and gastronomic factors that influence its life in Vietnam.
Over 7 Bridges Craft Beer we discuss the flavors and traditions that make pizza in Vietnam a contentious yet fascinating topic.
02:46 Sustainable Brewing and Pizza
07:00 Pizza in Vietnam: Then and Now
12:44 The Controversy of Pizza Toppings
17:17 Enjoying Recycled Ingredient Pizza
17:57 Exploring Local Pizza Joints
22:26 Cultural Differences in Pizza Preferences
24:13 Vietnamese Perspective on Pizza
27:25 Seafood Pizza and Market Adaptation
29:58 Final Thoughts and Ratings
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“ Drag, I think, is also just a form of art that it doesn't really require you to have any experience in art.” - Gia Nguyen
Gia’s story is one of resilience, self-expression, and community-building, and I think that really shines through in our discussion. It was insightful, energetic, and, most importantly, a conversation that truly needed to be had.
We talked about everything from craft beer to drag culture in Vietnam, and Gia’s perspective on how the country is evolving was fascinating.
What really struck me was how accepting Vietnam is of the LGBTQ+ community, especially compared to some other countries.
Gia shared that while there are still challenges, the overall cultural attitude is one of curiosity rather than judgment. It’s refreshing to hear that queer people can express themselves openly without fear of widespread discrimination. This is one of the reasons I love Vietnam so much – the people here may be conservative in some ways, but they also have a deep-rooted respect for others living their truths.
Gia’s journey into drag was another highlight for me. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision that led to years of performances, community organizing, and the creation of Peach, a space where people of all identities can express themselves. That level of passion and commitment to representation is something that truly deserves recognition.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- LGBTQ+ acceptance in Vietnam is deeply rooted in traditional religious practices
- Vietnamese society tends to be curious rather than judgmental about LGBTQ+ expression|
- Workplace discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals is relatively rare in modern Vietnam
- Discussion of common misconceptions about Vietnam being stuck in wartime
- Observations about Vietnam's rapid economic development and wealth generation
Chapters and TimeStamps:02:00 - Craft Beer Scene in Vietnam
05:00 - Journey into Drag Performance
14:00 - Family Acceptance and Coming Out
24:00 - LGBTQ+ Acceptance in Vietnamese Society
31:00 - Modern Vietnam and Economic Growth
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“We are up at the crack of dawn. It's so early in the morning that the fish are still asleep.”
This video captures our early morning adventure in Da Lat, filled with various activities and hidden gems. Our day begins at dawn and involves cloud hunting—a unique activity of watching clouds roll over the hills. We drive through town, witnessing the quiet before the city awakens and humorously comparing it to nightlife in other regions.
Our strawberry picking plans hit a snag as we realize it's off-season, leading us to buy strawberries from a roadside vendor instead. The adventure continues with a visit to a local chocolate factory offering a tasting session, highlighting hidden gem number eight. We also explore the Maize Bar, a labyrinthine establishment inspired by the Crazy House, culminating in spectacular views over the rolling hills of Da Lat.
Alongside these activities, we savor local dishes such as Vietnamese pizza (Banh Trang Nuong) and Da Lat pancakes with quail eggs.
This episode encapsulates the diverse attractions and culinary experiences that make Da Lat a fascinating destination.
00:00 Early Morning Adventures
01:33 Cloud Hunting Excitement
04:10 Exploring Hidden Gems
10:15 Breakfast Delights
14:57 Strawberry Picking Misadventures
20:57 Strawberry Picking in Da Lat
21:58 Exploring the Chocolate Factory
23:00 Tasting Chocolate Samples
27:02 Discovering Vietnamese Pizza
31:38 Maze Bar Adventure
34:12 Navigating the Maze Bar
39:53 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell🎙️ Want to Start Your Own Podcast?
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"Vietnam is becoming more open, more expressive, and more accepting. It’s exciting to see."
This was such a fascinating conversation with Phuong Truong, the owner of Twist Coffee Bar, one of Saigon’s best LGBTQ+ friendly spaces. We talked about the evolution of queer spaces in Vietnam, how attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community are shifting, and why sex education in Vietnam still has a long way to go.
One of the things I loved most about this conversation was hearing how Vietnam isn’t necessarily anti-LGBTQ+—it’s just that for many people, it’s still something new. As Phuong put it, many people in rural areas haven’t been exposed to it, so their first reaction isn’t rejection—it’s curiosity. That’s a perspective we don’t often hear.
Key Takeaways
- LGBTQ+ spaces in Saigon are growing, and Twist Coffee Bar is a perfect example of that.
- Vietnamese society isn’t necessarily anti-LGBTQ+—it’s just that exposure is still limited in rural areas.
- The shift from a coffee shop to an LGBTQ+ bar was an organic one—and business actually grew.
- Sex education in Vietnam is still awkward and outdated, leaving young people uninformed.
- Vietnamese culture leans more toward acceptance than open discrimination.
Chapters & Timestamps
- 04:00 – How Saigon’s LGBTQ+ Spaces Have Evolved
- 06:00 – Attitudes Toward LGBTQ+ People in Rural Vietnam vs. the Cities
- 10:00 – Why Vietnam Feels More Accepting Than Some Western Countries
- 24:00 – The Awkward Reality of Sex Education in Vietnam
- 30:00 – Religion, Karma, and How They Shape Attitudes Toward Sex
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Join Adrie and I (and Biscuit) on an adventure through Da Lat as we uncover hidden gems and more!
We started with a trek that Google Maps recommended but were blocked by security, leading us to Happy Hill Café with stunning views and Instagram-worthy spots.
While there, we observed the excessive use of plastic in such a natural setting. We then ventured to the Crazy House, a Gaudi-esque marvel designed uniquely.
Throughout our journey, we navigated Da Lat's scenic routes, met locals with impressive English skills, and enjoyed lunch outdoors. Despite some challenges, the exploration was filled with beautiful landscapes, local culture, and of course, our furry friend Biscuit.
This video captures the beauty, quirks, and environmental concerns of Dalat, making it a must-watch for future travelers!
00:00 Introduction and Trek Plans
00:48 Encounter with Security Guards
01:01 Enjoying Coffee at Happy Hill
02:10 Observations on English Proficiency
04:57 Plastic Waste Concerns in Vietnam
07:33 Exploring Hidden Gems
09:39 Attempting the Trek Again
12:38 Lunch at Moe Bistro
15:14 Visiting the Crazy House
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"We don’t always take a straight path in life. Sometimes, the detours lead to the most exciting places."
This conversation with Ben Nguyen was an inspiring discovery into the creative journey of someone who has truly embraced change. From growing up in Hanoi to studying in Japan and working with global brands like IKEA and Trunk Hotel, Ben’s story is a testament to following your passions—even when it means taking unexpected turns.
One of my favorite parts of this episode was discussing the power of saying yes to opportunities. Ben didn’t plan to work in social media, but thanks to a viral Instagram post of his dog, he found himself managing digital content for a luxury boutique hotel in Tokyo.
Key Takeaways
- Saying yes to unexpected opportunities can change your career—Ben’s social media success started with a dog video.
- Work-life balance in Japan is intense, but international companies operate differently.
- The cultural differences between Hanoi and Saigon are more than just accents—each city has its own unique vibe.
- Creativity isn’t always a straight path. Sometimes, your career zigzags into something unexpected.
- NFTs and digital art are redefining how artists can monetize their work.
Chapters & Timestamps
- 02:00 – Ben Nguyen’s Background: From Hanoi to Japan
- 09:00 – Cultural Differences Between Hanoi and Saigon
- 16:00 – Transitioning from Business to Interior Design & Creativity
- 21:00 – The Reality of Work-Life Balance in Japan
- 30:00 – The Rise of NFTs & How Digital Art is Changing
- 36:00 – The Future of Creative Careers in Vietnam
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“Dalat is full of hidden gems—you just have to know where to look.”
Dalat has always had a special charm, but this trip was all about discovering the lesser-known spots that make it truly unique. From scenic coffee farms to quiet nature trails, we set out to uncover places that offer something beyond the usual tourist stops. And of course, Biscuit came along for the adventure—because if anyone loves the cool mountain air, it’s her.
One thing I love about Dalat is how easy it is to explore. We hopped on a motorbike and within minutes, we were riding past pine-covered hills, flower farms, and roadside cafés that felt like they belonged in a movie. Along the way, we met locals, tasted some interesting drinks (cheese coffee, anyone?), and enjoyed the kind of fresh air you just don’t get in Saigon.
If you’re looking for the real Dalat beyond the usual tourist spots, this episode is for you. Get ready for scenic views, local flavors, and a few unexpected twists along the way!
Key Takeaways
- Dalat’s cool climate makes it perfect for growing strawberries, flowers, and wine
- Renting a motorbike in Vietnam is unbelievably easy—just show up, pay, and ride.
- Dalat Eden is a must-visit café with fresh local produce, beautiful gardens, and Instagram-worthy drinks.
- The town is packed with dog-friendly spots—Biscuit had just as much fun as we did.
- Hidden bars exist in Dalat—we found one disguised as a video game shop.
Chapters and Timestamps:01:00 – The French Influence & Climate of Dalat
04:00 – Hidden Gem #1: Dalat Eden Café & Gardens
09:00 – Hidden Gem #2: Roadside Viewpoints & Dog-Friendly Stops
12:00 – Exploring Dalat’s Northern Side & Finding Local Gems
19:00 – Hidden Gem #3: A Secret Bar Disguised as a Game Store
23:00 – Beer Tasting Gone Wrong & a Surprising Rescue
27:00 – Wrapping Up Day 1: Cold Weather, Great Drinks & More to Come
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“ Vietnam is the number two producer of coffee in the world, which blew my mind because I didn't know that as a Vietnamese American.” - Sarah Nguyen
Revisiting this conversation reminded me why I started this podcast—to amplify powerful stories, and Sarah Nguyen’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Her passion for reshaping the global coffee industry, advocating for Vietnamese coffee farmers, and pushing for diversity and transparency is exactly the kind of discussion that makes podcasting so rewarding.
What stood out most was Sarah’s deep connection to her heritage and her unwavering commitment to redefining the perception of Vietnamese coffee in the U.S. She broke down long-held misconceptions about Robusta beans and exposed how "Vietnamese coffee" is often misrepresented in specialty cafés. But her mission extends beyond coffee—it’s about cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and challenging industry biases.
Beyond the coffee industry, we explored themes of identity, language, and the Asian American experience. Sarah’s openness about her family’s refugee journey and the broader challenges facing the AAPI community added an important layer of depth to our conversation. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it in this remastered edition, this episode remains just as powerful. From her surreal Drew Barrymore moment to her insights on sustainability and ethical sourcing, this conversation is packed with energy, authenticity, and game-changing ideas.
Key Takeaways:
- Vietnam’s Coffee Industry is Vastly Underrated – Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, yet many people remain unaware of this. The industry is dominated by Robusta beans, which have been unfairly dismissed by the specialty coffee sector.
- Mislabeling of "Vietnamese Coffee" in the U.S. – Many specialty cafés in America serve "Vietnamese Iced Coffee" made with non-Vietnamese beans, misleading consumers and erasing the contributions of Vietnamese farmers.
- The Power of Representation in Coffee & Business – Sarah’s work with Nguyen Coffee Supply is not just about selling coffee—it’s about giving
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"We can’t be creative all the time. We have to be like a vegetable on the couch sometimes." - Chris Nguyen
Chris’s story is one of adaptability, creativity, and carving out your own space in a world that often demands labels. I loved this conversation because it really encapsulated what it means to be a third culture kid—straddling different worlds, blending influences, and figuring out where you truly belong.
We talked about everything from UX design to content creation, and what really stood out to me was Chris’s perspective on finding a niche—or rather, not having one. He’s embraced a philosophy of creative exploration, which is refreshing in a world that constantly pushes us to specialize.
Another highlight for me was our discussion on the expat experience in Vietnam. Chris has a unique vantage point as someone with Vietnamese heritage but a Western upbringing, and he shed light on how that shapes his interactions with both locals and other expats. His insights into the fast-growing creative and tech scene in Vietnam were fascinating, especially for anyone looking to start a business or build a career here.
It was a conversation full of laughs, deep insights, and, most importantly, a real look at what it means to build a life across cultures. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Key Takeaways:
- The idea of a "niche" is overrated—authenticity matters more.
- Creativity comes in waves, and that’s okay. You don’t have to be productive all the time.
- Expats in Vietnam often get pigeonholed into certain labels, but everyone has a unique story.
- Vietnam’s creative and tech industries are booming, making it an exciting place for entrepreneurs.
- Putting yourself out there is key—there will always be critics, but taking action is what matters.
Chapters & Timestamps:02:00 - Not Having a Niche & Creative Exploration
07:00 - The Highs & Lows of Creative Energy
15:00 - Expats & Identity: Fitting in Across Cultures
24:00 - Vietnam’s Growth in Tech & Creativity
39:00 - Lessons in Self-Motivation & Taking Risks
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Hang Tien 1 is part of a vast cave system in Phong Nha, connected by a river and featuring around 30 individual caves. In this episode, we explore the challenges of making these caves accessible for tourism and uncover fascinating details about their discovery and naming history.
With an entrance measuring a massive 90 meters high and 50 meters wide, Hang Tien 1’s entrance is even larger than the world-famous Son Doong Cave. However, Son Doong holds the title of the world's largest cave by volume, spanning an incredible 38.4 million cubic meters.
Join me as we dive into the wonders of this incredible cave system and the unique geological features that make it such an awe-inspiring destination.
04:46 Cave System Naming and Structure
05:01 Tourism and Accessibility
05:11 Cave Dimensions and Comparisons
05:23 Song Doong Cave vs. Other Caves
05:36 Volume Recognition of Caves
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Join me, Niall Mackay, and my guests Misha Smith, Adria Lopez Mackay, and Ben in a lively debate on the Vietnamese dish, Phở, in this episode of Saigon Sunday Sessions. We discuss the pronunciation, different types (Phở Gà and Phở Bò), and our personal experiences with the dish.
Opinions vary, with arguments ranging from Phở being labeled as 'dirty dishwater with noodles' to it being considered an underrated culinary gem.
We delve into the cultural significance of Phở, addressing misconceptions and contrasting it with other Vietnamese foods. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and join the Seven Million Bikes community on Patreon.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:26 Setting the Scene: Saigon Sunday Sessions
00:41 Segment Introduction: Underrated, Overrated, Properly Rated
01:21 Pho: The Great Debate Begins
02:06 Pho: Personal Experiences and Opinions
04:18 Pho: Cultural and Culinary Insights
09:56 Pho: Final Thoughts and Ratings
17:02 Conclusion and Farewell
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“I keep forgetting that I'm in Vietnam, the country that I live in.”
This episode was one of the most exciting and adventurous ones we’ve done so far.
Exploring the caves in Phong Nha truly felt like stepping into another world—massive chambers, stunning rock formations, and even a bit of a Lord of the Rings vibe. The trek itself was no joke either—river crossings, steep climbs, and the constant challenge of staying warm and dry made it a real test of endurance. But that’s what made it so rewarding.
Pushing ourselves physically and getting to experience such a breathtaking environment was absolutely worth it.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- Hang Tien Cave is part of the world's largest cave system
- Huu explains how the tour supports local employment
- Detailed explanation of limestone cave formation process
- Riverside campsite with sauna facilities
- Evening meal featuring local Vietnamese cuisine prepared by porters
Chapters & Timestamps:
01:00 – What’s Ahead: Trekking, River Crossings & Cave Exploring
02:00 – The Brutal Climb Out of the Cave
04:00 – Inside the Hang Tien Cave: A Geological Wonder
06:00 – A Proper Lord of the Rings Experience
07:00 – The Freezing River Challenge: To Swim or Not to Swim?
08:00 – Camping by the River & Sauna Time
09:00 – Local Food & Stories from the Porters
10:00 – The Haunting Sounds of the Cave: A Ghost Story
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"Hanoi is this magical blend of chaos and serenity—you’ll never want to leave." - Claire Simpson
Having this episode with Clair was an absolute delight—a perfect blend of nostalgia and discovery.
Hearing Clair's unique journey, from arriving in Hanoi on a whim to becoming a local expert and food influencer, was both inspiring and eye-opening. Her insights into how Hanoi’s culture, tourism, and food scene have evolved over the years gave me a fresh perspective on a city I thought I already knew so well.
It reminded me of the magic that Hanoi holds, from the chaotic charm of Train Street to the serenity of Halong Bay, and how it continues to captivate both newcomers and long-term residents alike. Clair’s passion for sharing her love of Hanoi is infectious, and it made me fall in love with the city all over again. - Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
Train Street Magic - A thrilling combination of local charm and tourist allure, where a train rushes through narrow streets lined with cozy cafes.
Hanoi’s Foodie Paradise - Discover Hanoi’s culinary gems, from the famous Bun Cha to the divisive Bun Dao Mam Tom.
The Allure of Halong Bay - Why this UNESCO World Heritage Site remains a must-see, even after multiple visits.
Cultural Evolution Post-COVID - The shift in Hanoi’s tourism demographic from backpackers to families and older travelers.
Bia Hoi Culture - The unique experience of enjoying freshly brewed, ultra-affordable beer while mingling with locals.
Chapters & Timestamps:
04:30 – Clair’s journey: From the UK to Hanoi.
13:00 – The timeless beauty of Halong Bay.
21:30 – Post-COVID tourism in Hanoi: What’s changed?
26:10 – Train Street: Controversy and charm.
30:20 – Foodie Heaven: Must-try dishes in Hanoi.
34:00 – The Bia Hoi experience: Hanoi’s beer culture.
41:00 – Exploring Hanoi: Unique neighborhoods and cultural gems.
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"I can't imagine how massive the cave is... it could be fit one Boeing airplane in the cave, or four 50 Building Floors." - Hoàng Văn Hữu
This trek through Phong Nha with Hoàng Văn Hữu offered an incredible glimpse into how tourism has transformed this region of Vietnam. What struck me most was the stark contrast between past and present - where locals once had to resort to dangerous activities like logging and collecting unexploded bombs for metal, they now have opportunities in the growing tourism sector. Hữu's personal journey from learning English to becoming a cave guide perfectly exemplifies this transformation.
The most fascinating aspect was learning about Son Doong Cave and how carefully they're managing its tourism. Limiting visitors to just 1,000 per year shows remarkable foresight in preservation, especially considering the cave's massive size - being able to fit a Boeing airplane or a 50-story building inside is mind-boggling. The detailed organization of the tours, from fitness checks to the high guide-to-tourist ratio, demonstrates their commitment to both safety and conservation.
5 Key Takeaways
The Life-Changing Power of Learning English – Huu shares how learning English transformed his opportunities in Phong Nha, shifting his career from farming to becoming a tour guide.
The Danger of Unexploded Bombs – Many villagers still risk their lives collecting scrap metal from unexploded bombs, a remnant of past wars in Vietnam.
The Conservation Efforts Behind Son Doong Cave – Tourism in Son Doong Cave is highly restricted to protect its fragile ecosystem, allowing only 1,000 visitors per year.
The Toughest Challenges of the Trek – From river crossings to steep jungle climbs, this adventure demands serious fitness and preparation.
The Evolution of Phong Nha as a Tourist Destination – Once overlooked, Phong Nha has transformed from a quiet farming region into a thriving hub for adventure tourism.
Chapters & Timestamps
02:00 – First Impressions & River Crossings
06:00 – Huu’s Story: From Farming to Tour Guiding
08:00 – The Dangers of Unexploded Bombs
10:00 – How Tourism Changed Phong Nha
17:00 – Son Doong Cave: A Natural Wonder with Strict Conservation
22:00 – The Toughest Parts of the Trek & Fitness Requirements
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"Our traffic jams are herds of ducks and families of water buffaloes." - Faryl Hoang
Talking with Faryl about her journey, her experiences as a Vietnamese-American rediscovering her roots, and what it’s really like to live in a place as magical as Hoi An was fascinating. Her perspective offered a really balanced view—yes, it’s paradise, but it also has its challenges. That’s something I always try to emphasize when we romanticize a place. Hoi An isn’t just lanterns and slow riverboat rides; it’s also a living, breathing community that’s evolving in real time.
One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation was how we, as expats, often view progress differently from locals. The discussion about KFC and Starbucks coming to Hoi An was a perfect example. While foreigners might resist these changes, the local community celebrates them. It’s a reminder that we’re guests in these places, and our nostalgia for an "untouched" Vietnam doesn’t necessarily align with what people living there actually want.
Also, I just loved the moment when Faryl’s dog started barking because a family of buffalo was walking by her house! That’s the kind of real-life, unfiltered Vietnam I love capturing on this podcast. It was a great episode that blended travel, history, and a bit of cultural reality check all in one. - Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:- The Reality of Living in Hoi An – Hoi An is stunning but lacks Western conveniences. No shopping malls, no major grocery stores—life here requires a slower pace.
- The Changing Face of Vietnam – The arrival of big chains like KFC and Starbucks sparked debates among expats, but locals were thrilled. It’s a sign of progress and accessibility, not just commercialization.
- The Complexity of the Vietnamese Language – Even for someone with Vietnamese heritage like Faryl, learning the language is incredibly challenging due to regional dialects and pronunciation differences.
- Hidden Gems Near Hoi An – Bac Ma National Park between Da Nang and Hue is an under-the-radar spot for hiking, wildlife conservation, and stunning landscapes.
- Hoi An’s Nightlife is Underrated – From backpacker chaos at Tiger Tiger to refined cocktails at Market Bar, Hoi An has a surprisingly diverse nightlife scene.
Chapters & Timestamps
01:30 - Faryl’s Journey: From San Francisco to Vietnam
06:00Debating Development: KFC, Starbucks, and Western Influence
11:30 - Hoi An: A Dream Destination, But Not Without Challenges
15:10 - The Vietnamese Language Struggle
19:20 - Hidden Gems & Must-Do Activities in Hoi An
31:00 -Nightlife in Hoi An: From Ba
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"If you want to come to see some of Vietnam that's a little bit of a hidden gem, then I would definitely get yourself to Phong Nha." Niall
Join us on an unforgettable journey from Saigon to Phong Nha Farmstay, where the excitement builds as we prepare to meet Ben Mitchell and explore the stunning landscapes of Phong Nha.
Our adventure kicks off with caving at Phong Nha and Tien Son caves, accessible only by boat. Cruising down the peaceful river, we step into a world of towering stalactites and breathtaking underground beauty, perfect for private or group tours.
The at the Pub With Cold Beer, we experience an incredible farm-to-table moment as a meal is prepared fresh on-site—a spontaneous and authentic slice of local life.
And then, there’s the Duck Stop. Picture quirky fun like a duck foot massage and meeting their buffalo, Mr Donald Trump. It’s as hilarious as it sounds and adds a playful twist to an unforgettable trip filled with adventure, culture, and natural beauty.
02:04 Exploring Phong Nha Cave
05:11 Encounter with a Giant Spider
06:53 Admiring Vietnamese Women
11:46 The Pub with Cold Beer
17:24 Unexpected Chicken Experience
21:35 Reflecting on the Experience
27:28 Exploring Bong Lai Valley
28:45 Visiting the Duck Stop
31:05 Meeting Donald Trump the Buffalo
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"Here in Phong Nha, tourism isn’t just an industry—it’s a lifeline for local communities." – Ben Mitchell
Spending time with Ben Mitchell, someone who has dedicated 18 years to nurturing and showcasing Phong Nha—Vietnam’s most stunning and underrated regions—was an absolute privilege. His stories about the region’s transformation, from remote villages to a budding hub of sustainable tourism, were nothing short of inspiring.
It’s incredible to see how tourism here is not only preserving the natural beauty of the National Park but also empowering local communities to thrive.
What struck me the most was the balance Phong Nha has achieved—it remains raw and untamed while offering unforgettable experiences, from exploring massive caves like Son Doong to riding through misty mountain roads on a motorbike. This episode reminded me why I fell in love with Vietnam’s landscapes, its rich history, and the resilience of its people.
Phong Nha is not just a destination; it’s a journey into the heart of Vietnam’s culture, nature, and soul. I left with a sense of awe and a promise to return—and I hope this episode inspires others to do the same.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
The Magic of Phong Nha’s Caves - From Paradise Cave to Son Doong, these caves are among the most spectacular in the world.
Sustainable Tourism Success - How tourism has transformed Phong Nha while preserving its natural beauty.
Biodiversity and Six Seasons - Phong Nha boasts incredible biodiversity and a unique climate with six seasons.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail and History - Phong Nha’s critical role during the Vietnam War and its historical significance.
Experiencing Phong Nha on a Motorbike - Why exploring this region on two wheels is the ultimate adventure.
Chapters:
03:00 – Meeting Ben Mitchell: The Journey to Phong Nha
10:00 – Exploring Phong Nha’s Breathtaking Caves
22:00 – Sustainable Tourism in Action
28:00 – The Unique Biodiversity of Phong Nha
35:00 – The Ho Chi Minh Trail and Vietnam’s History
40:00 – Motorbike Adventures and Hidden Gems
43:00 – Reflections on Phong Nha: A Must-Visit Destination
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"Here in Phong Nha, tourism isn’t just an industry—it’s a lifeline for local communities." – Ben
Spending time with Ben Mitchell, someone who has dedicated 18 years to nurturing and showcasing Phong Nha—Vietnam’s most stunning and underrated regions—was an absolute privilege. His stories about the region’s transformation, from remote villages to a budding hub of sustainable tourism, were nothing short of inspiring.
It’s incredible to see how tourism here is not only preserving the natural beauty of the National Park but also empowering local communities to thrive.
What struck me the most was the balance Phong Nha has achieved—it remains raw and untamed while offering unforgettable experiences, from exploring massive caves like Son Doong to riding through misty mountain roads on a motorbike. This episode reminded me why I fell in love with Vietnam’s landscapes, its rich history, and the resilience of its people.
Phong Nha is not just a destination; it’s a journey into the heart of Vietnam’s culture, nature, and soul. I left with a sense of awe and a promise to return—and I hope this episode inspires others to do the same.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
The Magic of Phong Nha’s Caves - From Paradise Cave to Son Doong, these caves are among the most spectacular in the world.
Sustainable Tourism Success - How tourism has transformed Phong Nha while preserving its natural beauty.
Biodiversity and Six Seasons - Phong Nha boasts incredible biodiversity and a unique climate with six seasons.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail and History - Phong Nha’s critical role during the Vietnam War and its historical significance.
Experiencing Phong Nha on a Motorbike - Why exploring this region on two wheels is the ultimate adventure.
Chapters:
03:00 – Meeting Ben Mitchell: The Journey to Phong Nha
10:00 – Exploring Phong Nha’s Breathtaking Caves
22:00 – Sustainable Tourism in Action
28:00 – The Unique Biodiversity of Phong Nha
35:00 – The Ho Chi Minh Trail and Vietnam’s History
40:00 – Motorbike Adventures and Hidden Gems
43:00 – Reflections on Phong Nha: A Must-Visit Destination
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"In Hue, you’re never more than 15 minutes away from nature, history, or a great meal." – Brad Hirsch
Talking with Brad was an absolute highlight to start A Vietnam Podcast Season 12. Hearing about his journey, his deep love for Hue City, and the way he has immersed himself in the culture and community was truly inspiring.
This episode reminded me why Vietnam has such a magnetic pull on people from all walks of life. Brad’s passion for Hue’s natural beauty, its fascinating history, and its rich culinary traditions brought the city to life in a way that makes me want to pack my bags and head there immediately.
It’s episodes like this that reignite my love for this incredible country and remind me there’s always more to discover. – Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways
- The Hue Citadel and Royal Recipes
- Experience Vietnam’s rich imperial history at the Citadel. Hue’s royal cuisine features dishes inspired by its emperors.
- Nature Adventures in Hue
- Discover Bach Ma National Park, home to Vietnam’s tallest waterfall and rare bird species.
- Unique Culinary Delights
- Try Bun Hen, a local specialty made from tiny clams harvested from the Perfume River.
- Unmissable Boat Rides
- Take a serene boat ride on the Perfume River, perfect for families and nature lovers.
- Hidden Gems: Brackish Water Ecosystem
- Explore brackish lagoons near Hue for a unique blend of salt and freshwater ecosystems.
Chapters and Timestamps
01:50 - Brad shares his story of moving to Vietnam and falling in love with Hue.
06:50 - Hue’s Underrated Charm
10:10 - Adventures in Bach Ma National Park
15:00 - Biking and Brackish Water Ecosystems
19:00 - The Citadel and Royal Recipes
25:40 - Tips for Visiting Hue
31:20 - Comparing Cities: Hue vs. Saigon and Hanoi
37:30 - Hue’s Culinary Delights
42:50 - Why Hue deserves a place on every Vietnam traveler’s bucket list.
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Every time we've been to Da Lat, we've been probably six times and you can always find something different to do - Adrie
There's so much depth to what you can do in Da Lat that people don't initially realize. Even after five visits, we're still discovering new experiences - from unexplored coffee shops to sunrise cloud hunting adventures.
What's fascinating about Da Lat is its versatility - while the city center and night market might get crowded, especially during holidays, the moment you venture out on a bike, you discover this whole other world.
The contrast between being in the busy center and finding peaceful spots just a short ride away is remarkable. I think both tourists and expats in Saigon don't fully appreciate just how much Da Lat has to offer.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- Most expats who've visited rate Da Lat highly, but many tourists might not even know about it.
- Temperature difference between day and night is dramatic - visitors should always pack a jacket.
- Da Lat is notably dog-friendly and offers various activities from cable cars to flower gardens.
- The night market, while popular, is considered the least appealing aspect of Da Lat.
Chapters and Timestamps:
01:00 - Initial Ratings Discussion
04:00 - Weather and Climate Insights
06:00 - Food and Drink Spots
08:00 - Activities and Attractions
11:00 - Night Market Discussion
13:00 - Final Thoughts and Ratings
15:00 - Holiday Season Discussion
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“Saigon’s energy makes you feel ten years younger—it’s like being awake for the first time in years.” - Niall Mackay
One of the things I love to do the most is take visitors to District 4 - the most “dangerous” district in Saigon!
District 4 is real, raw, and gritty and it’s so different from the rest of Saigon.
Walking or riding through the backstreets of District 4, seeing life spill out onto the roads, the markets, the food stalls—it’s like being thrown into the Saigon of the past.
In this episode I take Nick McGregor, a visitor to Saigon for the first time around District 4, on the back of my bike as I show him my favourite spots and what to do during a monsoon…
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways :
- District 4's Transformation - What was once known as Saigon's most dangerous area is now a hub of local life and affordable street food.
- Street Food Gems - Fried rice cakes with egg (bột chiên), local juices, and strong Vietnamese coffee are must-tries!
- Cultural Observations - The chaos of Saigon’s streets and the unique rhythm of life—grandmas in pajamas, anyone?
- Safety in Saigon - While Saigon might feel chaotic, the city is incredibly safe with mostly opportunistic petty crimes.
Chapters and Timestamps:
06:30 – First impressions of Saigon: Hanoi on crack
13:45 – The gritty charm of District 4
21:10 – Street food break: Fried rice cakes & fresh juices
30:10 – Cultural quirks: Traffic, grandmas in pajamas, and Saigon’s rhythm
34:00 – Debunking myths: Is District 4 really dangerous?
37:00 – Conclusion: Saigon, the city that never sleeps
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"It seems like everyone has a bike... In Singapore, where you don't have that much traffic and everyone's in a car, they will honk at literally everything." - Charlotte
Visiting Cheo Leo—felt like stepping back in time—the oldest coffee shop in Saigon, reminded me of my first days in this city and how much I’ve come to love its energy and culture.
Navigating the crazy traffic, exploring the dense streets of District 4, and tasting that incredibly strong stocking coffee—it was like a time capsule of everything that makes Saigon unique.
It’s chaotic, vibrant, and beautiful all at once, and sharing that experience with Charlotte made it even more special.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
The Legacy of Cheo Leo - Learn about the oldest coffee shop in Saigon and its iconic “stocking coffee.”
Navigating Saigon’s Streets - Why traffic in Vietnam flows like “water” and the art of smiling through chaos.
The Old vs. New Saigon - Exploring how tradition and modernity collide in the heart of the city.
The Expat Experience - Saigon as a “big college town” and the evolution of expat routines.
*Cultural Food Habits - From chicken feet to pho, a look at how food shapes local and expat perspectives.
Chapters:
02:00 – District 4: Past and Present
09:00 – Navigating the Chaos of Saigon Traffic
12:30 – Old vs. New Saigon: A Unique Blend
16:00 – Cheo Leo: The Oldest Coffee Shop in Saigon
24:00 – Expat Life in Vietnam: Adjusting to the Culture
26:00 – Vietnamese Food Habits: From Pho to Chicken Feet
30:00 – Reflections on Saigon and What’s Next
--------------------- Comments & Community: I love hearing from you! Drop a comment below and let me know what you think about this video! Subscribe: If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe for more episodes about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and insightful conversations. Follow On Insta: https://www.instagram.com/a_vietnam_podcast/ Website: avietnampodcast.com Join our community! Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer today with others who love Vietnam and love A Vietnam Podcast : https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast More About Me: I'm Niall Mackay, aka The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and host of a Vietnam Podcast. I love sharing my passion for podcasting and the incredible stories from Vietnam.
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This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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This episode was such a joy to record because it felt like rediscovering Saigon all over again. Walking through the markets, tasting the local food, and getting lost in the buzz of Saigon with Kim, Adrie, and Lewis made me realize just how much this city has to offer.
There’s a vibrant energy here, a mix of tradition and modernity that’s unique to Saigon. I love how you can go from a centuries-old market like Ben Thanh to a hidden Gen Z hotspot above the girly bars, or step from a crowded, chaotic street corner into a peaceful spot along the river.
This city has quirks and charms that you wouldn’t expect until you see them yourself.
Saigon’s layers go deep—whether it’s the story behind the Opera House or the thrill of a $1 noodle soup at a street stall. Even after all these years, I’m constantly discovering new places, foods, and people.
My hope is that this episode gives listeners a taste of that excitement and inspires them to step off the beaten path when they visit. Because the best parts of Saigon aren’t always on the map—they’re in the little moments, the street life, the contrasts that make this city such a one-of-a-kind experience.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- Ben Thanh Market: Discover local flavors and artisan goods at Saigon’s iconic market.
- Navigating Vietnamese Street Food: Essential dishes to try and how to enjoy them like a local.
- The Contrast of Shopping Options: From luxury malls to budget-friendly markets.
- Exploring Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A local hangout with a unique cultural atmosphere.
- Saigon’s Historic Sites: Insights into the city’s colonial architecture and cultural landmarks.
Chapters and Timestamps:
01:00 – Ben Thanh Market: A Glimpse into Saigon’s Local Scene
05:30 – Vietnamese Street Food: Dishes You Must Try
14:00 – Shopping in Saigon: From Markets to Malls
20:00 – Nguyen Hue Walking Street: Saigon’s Vibrant Heart
31:00 – Saigon’s Architectural Wonders: Post Office and Opera House
40:00 – Reflecting on Saigon’s Blend of Past and Present
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In this exciting episode of the Seven Million Bikes podcast, Adrie and I share our first-ever ride on the long-awaited Saigon Metro, a significant infrastructure development in Vietnam.
We then dive into the electrifying atmosphere of watching the final football match between Vietnam and Thailand in the ASEAN Football Cup.
As Vietnam secures a dramatic win, the episode captures the ensuing Đi bão celebration, illustrating the incredible national pride and festive chaos that envelops the city.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:10 Riding the Saigon Metro for the First Time
02:14 Vietnam's Football Fever
03:49 Exploring the City and Finding a Place to Watch the Game
11:09 The Thrilling Football Match
21:29 Celebrating Vietnam's Victory
21:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
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This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"Efficiency, quality, and guest satisfaction—those should always come before flair." – Tyler
Saigon’s cocktail scene truly opened my eyes to see how dynamic and underrated it is. It’s fascinating to see how the city has evolved from humble street-side setups with plastic stools to becoming a budding hotspot for world-class mixology.
Saigon’s charm lies in this juxtaposition of old and new—where you can enjoy a mojito for under 100k VND on a bustling street one moment and sip a perfectly crafted Negroni in a chic rooftop bar the next. It’s a testament to the city’s unique ability to blend tradition and innovation seamlessly.
Talking with Misha and Tyler gave me a deeper appreciation for the passion, creativity, and resilience that drive this industry. From the effort local bars put into earning spots on Asia’s prestigious cocktail lists to the hurdles of oversaturation and staying authentic, it’s clear that Saigon’s bartenders and owners are crafting more than just drinks—they’re shaping a culture.
This episode was an eye-opener and a reminder that Saigon’s cocktail bars aren’t just places to grab a drink; they’re experiences that encapsulate the city’s essence.
Key Takeaways:
Saigon’s Cocktail Scene Evolution - From street cocktails on plastic stools to high-end mixology.
International Recognition - How Saigon bars are pushing to make Asia’s Top 50 list.
Quality Over Flair - The debate over efficiency and substance versus showmanship.
Diversity of Experiences - The charm of pairing rooftop cocktails with street-side mojitos.
Cost Perception - Why cocktail prices in Vietnam reflect more than just cheap living costs.
Chapters:
02:00 – The History of Saigon Cocktails
05:30 – Pushing for International Recognition
09:00 – Quality vs. Flair
12:30 – Rooftops, Street Bars, and Everything in Between
18:00 – Cost and Value in Saigon’s Bars
20:00 – Final Verdict: Underrated
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
I embark on a challenge to find a satisfying, delicious lunch in Saigon for just $1—or 25,000 Vietnamese Dong.
This episode is more than just a food hunt; it’s a snapshot of life in Vietnam, from the quirks of local health and safety practices to the enduring charm of friendly vendors. Along the way, I reflect on cultural differences and why Vietnam’s food scene is unbeatable—even when working with a tight budget.
– Niall Mackay
5 Key Takeaways
1.The $1 Lunch Hunt – Finding affordable meals in Saigon isn’t as easy as it seems. Inflation and rising costs are challenges even in the land of cheap eats. (00:01:00)
2.Local Favorites and Hidden Gems – Exploring options like bánh mì, cơm tấm, and other iconic dishes reveals what makes Vietnamese street food so special. (00:04:00)
3.A Lesson in Safety Culture – Witnessing tree-cutting practices and construction techniques in Vietnam highlights unique cultural approaches to risk. (00:07:00)
4.Bánh Mì Breakdown – A deep dive into the ingredients and the magic behind one of Vietnam’s most beloved dishes, the shredded chicken bánh mì. (00:12:00)
5.Cultural Connections Through Food – Reflecting on how Vietnamese people’s friendliness and passion for food make every dining experience unforgettable. (00:14:00)
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: The $1 Challenge and the Mission Behind It
02:00 – Exploring the Neighborhood for Cheap Eats
04:00 – Struggles and Success: The Unexpected Cost of Cheap Meals
07:00 – Cultural Insights: Observing Vietnam’s Health and Safety Practices
12:00 – Victory! The Perfect Bánh Mì and Its Delicious Story
14:00 – Reflections: Inflation, Food, and Vietnam’s Evolving Economy
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“Vietnam isn’t becoming Western; it’s becoming modern—on its own terms.”
Cedric’s journey is one of the most unique and inspiring stories I’ve ever had on the podcast. This episode completely blew me away.
From being adopted by a French family and growing up across continents to returning to Vietnam and building his own business, Cedric embodies what it means to embrace every part of your identity while carving out your own path. His perspective on Vietnam’s rapid development, cultural pride, and the future of this incredible country left me reflecting deeply.
It’s conversations like this that remind me why I started this podcast—to share stories that challenge perspectives and inspire listeners.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
Cedric’s Adoption Story – Growing up as a Vietnamese adoptee in a French family shaped Cedric’s perspective on culture, identity, and belonging.
Vietnam’s Rapid Development – From motorbikes to malls, Cedric details how infrastructure and societal shifts have transformed Vietnam since 2016.
The Cultural Pride of Vietnam – Despite modernization, Cedric highlights how Vietnam retains its cultural roots and blends them with global influences.
The Work Ethic in Vietnam – Cedric and Niall discuss how Vietnamese people balance their hard work with a love for life and learning.
Vietnam’s Future Identity – Cedric shares his thoughts on Vietnam’s need to define its global role, whether as a tech hub, manufacturing center, or tourist destination.
Chapters & Timestamps:
01:00 - Adoption and Early Life – Cedric shares his adoption story, growing up with a French family, and living in Africa and Europe.
09:00 - Cultural Identity as a Third-Culture Kid – Cedric reflects on being a third-culture kid and navigating identity across cultures.
18:00 - Work Ethic and Culture – [00:18:00]
Niall and Cedric explore the hard-working yet fun-loving spirit of Vietnamese people.
22:00 - Returning to Vietnam – Why Cedric moved back to Vietnam in 2016 and his experience working in his family’s business.
28:00 - Vietnam’s Transformation – From infrastructure to lifestyle, Cedric discusses Vietnam’s rapid development over the past eight years.
34:00 - Vietnam’s Future on the Global Stage – Cedric shares his thoughts on Vietnam’s need to define its identity in manufacturing, technology, and tourism.
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“Dating in Vietnam? Be prepared—sometimes you show up for a date, and she brings five friends. And yes, you’re expected to pay the bill.”
I’m joined by Rochelle Nguyen at 86 Proof to uncover an unwritten rule every expat in Vietnam should know. From navigating the quirks of dating apps to the cultural nuances of Vietnamese family gatherings and countryside weddings, this episode is packed with funny anecdotes and practical advice.
Plus, we dive into the art of making the perfect whiskey sour (spoiler: it’s all about the ice) and share stories of what makes expat life in Vietnam so uniquely unpredictable and rewarding.
– Niall Mackay
5 Key Takeaways (With Timestamps)
1.Unwritten Rule #1: Always Expect the Unexpected on Dates – Sometimes, a date might include her friends—and the bill. (00:01:00)
2.Tết Visits and Cultural Commitments – Why visiting a girlfriend’s hometown during Tết could lead to unintentional engagement rumors. (00:07:00)
3.Countryside Weddings and Rice Wine – Why being a Westerner makes you the life (and drinking buddy) of the party. (00:15:00)
4.Navigating Tinder and Dating Dynamics – How dating apps in Vietnam differ for expats and locals. (00:08:00)
5.The Legendary Whiskey Sour – What makes the 86 Proof Whiskey Sour a true Saigon icon. (00:05:00)
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to 86 Proof: Setting the Scene
01:00 – Dating in Vietnam: Expect the Unexpected
07:00 – Tết Traditions and Unintentional Engagements
10:00 – Cultural Curiosities: Family Questions and Wedding Shots
15:00 – Whiskey Sour Masterclass
Reflect with Me
From dating surprises to countryside weddings, this episode offers a humorous and insightful glimpse into the unspoken norms of expat life in Vietnam. Whether you’re new to the country or a seasoned resident, there’s something relatable—and laugh-worthy—for everyone.
What’s an unwritten rule you’ve encountered? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and stay tuned for more episodes of Saigon Sunday Sessions.
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"I wasn’t Vietnamese enough for the locals and not white enough for the expats. It took time to find my place in Saigon."
It was an absolute joy to record this episode. Rochelle's journey is the epitome of courage, adaptability, and humor. Her ability to share deeply personal stories—like her parents meeting on a refugee boat—alongside lighthearted anecdotes about perfecting cocktails and navigating Saigon’s chaos, is remarkable.
She’s one of those rare guests who can make you laugh, think, and feel inspired all at once.
This conversation wasn’t just about her life; it was about resilience, community, and finding a place in a world that often feels divided. I’m truly grateful she finally said yes to joining me on the podcast, and I think her story will resonate with anyone chasing their dreams or building something meaningful in unexpected places.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways
Vietnam's Duality - Saigon's chaotic vibrancy offers a mix of traditional street life and Western comforts, making it a unique city for locals and expats alike.
Rochelle’s Bold Career Move - Opening 86 Proof was inspired by her entrepreneurial spirit and the guidance of her mentor.
The Whiskey Sour Experiment - It took 34 iterations of whiskey sours to perfect the recipe that became a local favorite.
Navigating Dual Identity - Rochelle discusses the challenges of being too "Vietnamese" for expats and too "Western" for locals, a struggle familiar to many third-culture kids.
* A Refugee Romance - Rochelle’s parents met on the same boat while fleeing Vietnam, a story straight out of a movie.
Chapters & Timestamps
08:00 - Rochelle’s Background: Refugee Parents and Canadian Childhood
24:00 - Journey to Vietnam and Opening 86 Proof
40:00 - The Art of the Whiskey Sour
34:00 - Challenges of Living Between Cultures
42:00 - Saigon’s Vibrancy and Community Spirit
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“My tongue is on fire right now… Holy sh*t, it’s still burning. Is it going to get worse? It’s getting worse.”
In this special edition of Saigon Sunday Sessions, we turn up the heat—literally! Join me at Brick and Barrel for the ultimate hot sauce and taco-eating competition, where local chili aficionados battle it out for bragging rights and fiery glory.
From tasting sauces like the infamous Vietnam Reaper to cheering on contestants in a high-stakes taco showdown, this episode is packed with flavor, laughter, and a lot of sweating. Special guest Chad Mitchell from Mixtape joins the fun, tackling spicy tacos while answering big questions about life and beer.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to eat fire for fun, this is the episode for you.
– Niall Mackay
5 Key Takeaways (With Timestamps)
1. “The Vietnam Reaper” Takes the Crown – Sauce #5 earns its reputation as the spiciest in Saigon. (00:01:00)
2. Anne Pham’s Taco Triumph – Five fiery tacos in 13 minutes—Anne Pham wins the competition with grit and determination. (00:17:00)
3. Hot Ones Homage – Chad Mitchell faces the heat while discussing his journey from California to Saigon. (00:25:00)
4. Spice Brings People Together – From laughter to out-of-body experiences, the event highlights Saigon’s lively food culture. (00:33:00)
5. Pro Tips for Spice Lovers – Lessons learned: don’t touch your eyes, and keep the lime handy. (00:35:00)
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Brick and Barrel: The Heat Is On
01:00 – The Hot Sauce Gauntlet: From Mild to Mind-Blowing
17:00 – Taco Showdown: Anne Pham vs. Kung
25:00 – Spicy Q&A: Chad Mitchell Talks Beer and Life
33:00 – Reflections on Saigon’s Fiery Spirit
Reflect with Me
As someone who barely survived tasting just one taco, I have nothing but respect for the contestants and the brave souls who sampled all 11 sauces. This event perfectly encapsulates the vibrant, bold energy of Saigon’s food scene.
What’s the spiciest thing you’ve ever eaten? Share your story in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and stay tuned for more episodes of Saigon Sunday Sessions.
Cheers!
– Niall Mackay
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"I never understood I was different until the world told me I was."
This episode Linda's story is an incredible journey through culture, identity, and compassion. It is not just unique—it's deeply inspiring and thought-provoking. Hearing about her experiences navigating dual identities as someone seen as Asian in the West and white in Asia really made me appreciate the complexity of cultural perception. Her passion for preserving her heritage, speaking multiple languages, and embracing both her Swedish and Vietnamese roots was eye-opening.
What struck me the most was her work in animal welfare, which is so close to her heart. Her dedication to making a difference for animals in Vietnam, despite the challenges, shows such a profound level of empathy and determination.
This episode left me reflecting on how our roots shape us, but it's our choices and compassion that truly define who we are.
– Niall Mackay
5 Key Takeaways (With Timestamps)
Navigating Dual Identities - Linda’s experience of being perceived as "Asian" in the West and "white" in Asia highlights the complexities of cultural identity.
The Power of Language -Speaking four languages, Linda attributes her mother’s insistence on preserving heritage as a critical part of her identity.
The Refugee Story That Inspires -Linda’s mother’s 10-year struggle as a refugee showcases unparalleled resilience and the importance of familial sacrifices.
Changing Perspectives on Pets in Vietnam - The cultural shift from seeing animals as property to considering them family members is a sign of evolving attitudes in Vietnam.
Advocating for Animal Welfare -Linda’s rescue efforts underline the importance of education and sustainable alternatives to end harmful practices.
Episode Chapters
02:00 – Growing Up Half-Swedish, Half-Vietnamese in Finland. Navigating identity and cultural duality in childhood.
07:00 – Language as a Lifelong Asset. The role of language in preserving heritage and building opportunities.
13:00 – A Refugee’s Resilience. Linda shares her mother’s inspiring journey as a refugee.
36:00 – Evolving Perspectives on Pets in Vietnam. Insights into Vietnam’s cultural shift toward seeing animals as family.
46:00 – Advocating for Change in Animal Welfare. Linda’s rescue work and her vision for a kinder future for animals.
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"In the past I compared myself a lot with the people around me. And I felt, with all my German friends, like less German, but also having low values."I sat down with Trang Nguyen, a food scientist and aspiring content creator who recently moved to Vietnam from Germany. Trang shares her complex journey growing up as a Vietnamese-German, grappling with cultural identity, and her evolving relationship with her Vietnamese heritage.
She also shared how her perspective on Vietnam has transformed, moving from a place she resisted to a vibrant home filled with opportunities and a unique lifestyle.
Trang opens up about her experiences with cultural challenges, societal expectations, and her initial reluctance to connect with her Vietnamese roots. Now in Saigon, she’s immersing herself in the lively street food culture and embracing a new career path in content creation.
Together we explore the stark contrasts between the Western and Vietnamese perspectives on privacy, food safety, and personal growth, offering listeners a heartfelt and insightful look into life as a Vietnamese expatriate reconnecting with her origins.
Key Takeaways
- Struggles with Identity – Trang discusses feeling different growing up as a Vietnamese-German, struggling with self-worth and societal beauty standards.
- Embracing Vietnamese Heritage – After years of distancing from her roots, Trang shares how volunteering and exploring Vietnam sparked a new appreciation for her culture.
- The "City That Never Sleeps" – Living in bustling District 1, Trang recounts the non-stop activity and unique rhythm of life in Saigon.
- Food Safety Culture Shock – As a food scientist, Trang shares her thoughts on Vietnam’s street food culture and the resilience that seems to defy Western food safety norms.
- Content Creation and Career Path – Trang discusses her ambitions in content creation, aiming to share her journey without depending on it for financial stability.
Chapters and Timestamps
03:00 - Growing Up Vietnamese in Germany
07:00 - Cultural Challenges and Identity
16:00 - Embracing Vietnamese Heritage
18:00 - Life in Saigon: First Impressions
24:00 - Food Safety in Vietnam
31:00 - Future Plans and Content Creation
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
One of the things I've loved documenting through our Saigon Sunday Sessions is watching this city embrace its river. When we first arrived, so much of the waterfront was just walled off or wasted space.
Now, whether you're in District 1 or here at Binh Canh by Night, you can see how Saigon is transforming these spaces into something special. Sure, there are still challenges with pollution and development isn't perfect, but being able to walk along the river, grab a pizza or a beer, and watch the sunset over the city - it really shows how far Saigon has come.
It's exactly these kinds of changes that make living here so exciting - you're watching a city reinvent itself right in front of you.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- The Riverfront Revival: Saigon’s waterfront transformation from unused land to vibrant social hubs.
- City Life and Traffic: The quirks of crossing streets and navigating Saigon’s bustling urban life.
- Environmental Challenges: Efforts to clean up the river and educate the public on plastic pollution.
- Saigon’s Culture and Community Spirit: The unique charm of street vendors and riverside hangouts.
- Binh Canh by Night: Discovering a local gem with food courts, live music, and river views.
Chapters and Timestamps:
01:00 - Discovering Binh Canh by Night
06:00 - Urban Adventures: Saigon Traffic and River Crossings
08:00 - River Clean-Up Efforts and Environmental Education
15:00 - Local Hotspots and Riverside Eateries
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"In the West, we say hospitality; in Vietnam, it’s still just F&B. Bridging that gap is everything to me." – Jason Pham
This episode with Jason was truly inspiring. Jason’s journey from Australia to Saigon, rooted in his family’s refugee story, brings so much depth to what he does in the hospitality industry here in Vietnam.
He’s not only a skilled mixologist but also an incredible storyteller, blending Vietnamese and Western influences in a way that’s reshaping Saigon’s cocktail scene.
Our conversation really highlights the passion, creativity, and hard work behind his bars, and I think listeners will walk away with a new appreciation for the artistry involved in every drink he serves.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- Jason’s Negroni Secrets: Why he uses Lady Trieu Flower Bomb Gin to elevate his signature cocktail, the Negroni.
- Mastering Hospitality: Jason’s philosophy on remembering guests’ names and creating a welcoming atmosphere in Vietnam’s young cocktail scene.
- Balancing Two Clienteles: How Jason tailors service for both Western expats and affluent Vietnamese in Saigon’s growing bar industry.
- Embracing Cultural Heritage: Jason’s journey as an Australian-Vietnamese and reconnecting with his roots in Vietnam.
- “Viet Kieu” Influence: How a mentor inspired Jason to return to Vietnam to make the most of the emerging market’s unique opportunities.
Chapters:
10:00 - The Secret Ingredients to the Perfect Negroni
22:00 - How Jason Builds Community Through Hospitality
40:00 - Serving Saigon’s Diverse Clientele: Expats and Vietnamese Elites
58:00 - Growing Up Australian-Vietnamese: Jason’s Cultural Journey
01:02:00 - Why Vietnam is a Land of Opportunity for Viet Kieu and Entrepreneurs
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"There is this special energy about Saigon that you gotta love. I'm risking my life on the back of a stranger's bike, but somehow, it just works."
Riding through Saigon on the back of a Grab bike I felt different, raw, and uniquely special in this episode, with a mic in one hand and a camera in the other was equal parts exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
There's a chaotic magic to this city, an energy that's impossible to replicate anywhere else. I wanted to capture that—every honk, every street vendor, every glimpse of life happening all at once. Honestly, I was risking my equipment, maybe even my safety, but it was worth it.
This wasn’t just a ride through Saigon; it was an unfiltered love letter to the city, its quirks, and its people.
- Niall Mackay
Key Takeaways:
- The Magic of Saigon's Chaos : Experience the vibrant energy that sets Saigon apart from any other city in the world.
- Saigon's Streets as a Cultural Melting Pot : Discover why the heart of Saigon's energy lies in its people, traffic, and street life.
- The Iconic Yet Unfinished Skyscraper : Learn the fascinating story behind Saigon's abandoned real estate marvel.
- Contrasting Cultures : A glimpse into the warmth of Saigon versus the undercurrents of violence in other cities.
- Why Expats Love Vietnam : Insights into the economic boom and cultural appeal making Vietnam a hub for expats.
Chapters and Timestamps
01:00 - The Unmatched Energy of Saigon
03:00 - A Tiki Tour Through Saigon’s Streets
08:00 - Stories of the Abandoned Skyscraper
12:00 - Saigon vs. Glasgow: A Cultural Reflection
14:00 - Why Expats Fall in Love with Vietnam
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“Vietnamese culture values relationships deeply; we believe in kindness as a way of life, not a strategy.” - Jessie Nguyen
Join Niall Mackay as he interviews Jessie Nguyen, a marketing manager at NFQ, about the rapidly changing image of Vietnam. In this episode of A Vietnam Podcast, Jessie sheds light on Vietnam’s rising generation, the power of Gen Z, and their role in reshaping the country’s global identity. From her move from rural Northern Vietnam to Saigon’s bustling tech scene, Jessie shares her personal experiences and unique insights into the evolution of Vietnam’s culture, economy, and tech landscape.
With a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and resilience, this episode explores how young Vietnamese are redefining workplace culture, blending Western influences with traditional values, and moving away from war-torn stereotypes. Discover why Vietnam is becoming an emerging hub for technology and sustainability, and what makes the Vietnamese workforce so unique in Southeast Asia.
If you're interested in Vietnamese culture, Gen Z empowerment, and the country’s transformative journey, don’t miss this inspiring conversation.
Key Takeaways:
Gen Z and Self-Empowerment in Vietnam – How young Vietnamese are prioritizing authenticity, collaboration, and purpose in the workplace, breaking traditional hierarchy.
Vietnam’s Image Evolution – Jessie discusses Vietnam’s shift from historical stereotypes to a modern identity focused on progress and innovation.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Vietnam – Discover how entrepreneurship is embedded in Vietnamese culture and key to the nation’s rapid economic growth.
Embracing Technology and Sustainability – How Vietnam is progressing toward a sustainable, tech-forward economy, led by Gen Z and local businesses.
Balancing Global Influence with Local Identity – Gen Z is blending Western influences with Vietnamese traditions, creating a unique and dynamic cultural identity.
Chapters & Timestamps:
03:00 – Gen Z: Vietnam’s New Generation Redefining Work
08:00 – Vietnam’s Growing Economic Landscape
15:00 – Moving Away from War Stereotypes
19:00 – Embracing Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability
25:00 – Global Influences and Personal Branding in Vietnam
30:00 – Vietnam’s Unique Workforce in Southeast Asia
42:00 – A Vision for a Sustainable Future in Vietnam
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"We’re taught in the U.S. that we are the pillars of the world. But living abroad, you realize how untrue that is." – James
Niall Mackay, Adrie, Mischa, James, Will and Shelly gather at East West Brewing Company to celebrate Vietnam Women’s Day and reflect on what it means to live as expats in Vietnam. The conversation weaves through cultural observations, from the special significance of Vietnam Women’s Day to the complexities of being an American living abroad. They dive into personal stories about embracing new cultural perspectives, the quirks of expat life, and the unique charm of Vietnam that makes it feel like home. With plenty of laughs, unexpected debates, and a bit of free-flowing beer, this episode captures the essence of Saigon's expat community while offering thoughtful reflections on life, freedom, and the challenges of living between worlds.
Key Takeaways:
- The Appeal of Vietnam for Expats: "The American dream doesn’t exist in America, it exists in Vietnam," says James, as they discuss how Vietnam offers a unique sense of freedom and opportunity for foreigners.
- The History of Vietnam Women’s Day: A discussion on the origins of Vietnam Women’s Day and how it commemorates the sacrifices of women in Vietnamese history.
- The Double-Edged Sword of American Identity Abroad: James shares stories of pretending to be Canadian while traveling, reflecting on the global perception of Americans.
- Reflections on Gun Culture in America: A candid conversation about the gun culture in the U.S., personal stories of mass shootings, and how life abroad changes perspectives on safety and freedom.
"Send me a message!"
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"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 country’s rarest creatures, including King Cobras and critically endangered species like pangolins.
James also shares the challenges and joys of navigating Vietnam’s stunning landscapes, from the rich biodiversity of Cat Tien National Park to remote, unexplored regions along the Laos border. Together, Niall and James discuss the growing awareness of conservation in Vietnam, touching on how recent government policies and grassroots efforts are making a difference. It’s a conversation about adventure, discovery, and the importance of preserving Vietnam's natural beauty.
Takeaways:
- Unexpected Journey to Vietnam: James recounts how his initial visit to Vietnam as a photography enthusiast led to an unplanned, long-term stay in a country that captured his heart.
- Vietnam's Hidden Wildlife: Learn about Vietnam’s lesser-known wildlife, including the elusive parakeets and flying squirrels that inhabit even the urban areas of Saigon.
- Conservation Success Stories: James shares how Vietnam's government has made strides in conservation, cracking down on illegal wildlife trade and supporting educational initiatives.
- Exploring Cat Tien National Park: Insight into the changes and improvements at Cat Tien National Park, and why it’s a must-visit for nature lovers looking to experience Vietnam's biodiversity.
- The Fight Against Wildlife Poaching: Discusses the illegal trade of animal parts like bear bile and pangolin scales, and the role of organizations like ENV and Save Vietnam's Wildlife in combating these issues.
Chapters and Timestamps:
02:00 - Meeting James Hunt: From Fried Chicken to Photography
05:30 - How Vietnam Became Home for James
10:15 - Opening Restaurants During COVID: Big Boss Bistro and Brick and Barrel
14:20 - The Hidden Wildlife of Vietnam: Snakes, Birds, and More
18:15 - Conservation Efforts in Vietnam: A Changing Landscape
23:00 - Illegal Wildlife Trade: Challenges and Solutions
28:45 - Discovering Cat Tien National Park: Then and Now
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This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
In Vietnam, they love Americans—even with all the history.
Niall Mackay sits down with Tyler, an American expat and bar owner in Saigon, who shares his colorful experiences adjusting to life in Vietnam and the journey that led him there. From his early days pretending to be Canadian in Australia to avoid stereotypes, to his later years in Vietnam navigating the complexities of cross-cultural living, Tyler provides a blend of humor and insight into the expatriate life.
The conversation touches on Tyler’s decision to give up drinking while still running a bar and the unexpected challenges this brings in an industry where camaraderie often involves sharing a drink. He reflects on cultural differences, like Vietnam's forgiving attitude toward Americans despite past conflicts, and contrasts his life in Saigon with his experiences in the U.S. The episode is both lighthearted and thought-provoking, providing listeners with a unique perspective on expatriate life in Southeast Asia.
Key Takeaways:
- Pretending to Be Canadian – Tyler shares why he initially hid his American identity abroad.
- Navigating Sobriety in the Bar Scene – The challenges and growth he’s experienced as a sober bar owner.
- American Perceptions in Vietnam – Tyler’s surprise at Vietnamese people's positive view of America.
- Living Locally in Saigon – How Tyler’s lifestyle in Vietnam differs dramatically from his life in the U.S.
- Advice for Americans Coming to Vietnam – Tyler’s top tips for Americans thinking of moving to Vietnam.
Chapters:
01:00 - Debating Free Flow Alcohol
02:00 - Reflections on Drinking Habits
05:00 - Cultural Adjustments in Vietnam
06:00 - Experiences in Australia as 'Captain Canada'
10:00 - Perceptions of America Abroad
14:00 - Living Locally in Vietnam
16:00 - Cultural Differences and Adjustments
17:00 - Driving and Traffic Experiences
19:00 - Advice for Americans Moving to Vietnam
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"The best part of Vietnam isn't just the stunning landscapes—it's the people, whose kindness and generosity leave a lasting impact." – Thao Nguyen
Niall Mackay welcomes Thao Nguyen, a passionate advocate for Vietnam's culture, history, and the genuine connections that make the country special. Thao, who hails from the Mekong Delta and has over nine years of experience in the tourism industry, shares her journey from studying business administration to starting her own tour company. She emphasizes the importance of providing authentic experiences that go beyond typical tourist attractions, helping visitors connect deeply with Vietnam's culture and people.
Together, Niall and Thao explore the rapid changes Vietnam has undergone over the past few decades, as well as the unique cultural values that continue to thrive despite modernization. Thao talks about the joy of sharing her country's traditions through personal stories, fostering a sense of belonging among her tour guests. The episode also delves into her charitable efforts, including creating opportunities for local Vietnamese to practice English with foreigners and supporting underprivileged communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Thao shares the importance of authentic storytelling in tourism: "We share Vietnam’s culture not through books, but through our own stories and experiences."
- Vietnamese kindness and generosity: Even those with little are willing to help others, a reflection of the country’s Buddhist values.
- The role of karma in Vietnamese culture helps create a positive, non-confrontational attitude, even in chaotic situations like traffic.
- Thao's unique approach to tourism focuses on connecting travelers with hidden gems and non-tourist destinations, fostering real cultural exchange.
- Thao's commitment to giving back: "Sometimes helping others is a way for us to grow and become better people."
Chapters and Timestamps:
02:00 -Thao's Background: Growing up in the Mekong Delta and discovering her passion for tourism.
05:00 - Rapid Change and Modernization in Vietnam
12:00 - The Heart of Vietnamese Culture: Kindness, generosity, and the influence of Buddhism.
16:00 - Navigating Vietnam’s Traffic: The surprising calm in the chaos.
22:00 - Creating Meaningful Connections through Tourism: Thao’s unique approach to tours.
25:00 - Giving Back to the Community: Thao’s charity work and English clubs.
31:00 - Challenging Stereotypes: Understanding poverty, tourism, and genuine help.
35:00 - Reflections on Giving and Receiving: Stories of karma and kindness.
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“The air in Hanoi was so polluted that some days, we couldn’t even see the mountains. Then COVID hit, and suddenly we had blue skies.”In this episode of The Saigon Sunday Sessions, Niall Mackay dives deep into the age-old debate between Vietnam’s two major cities: Saigon and Hanoi. Joined by guests Paul Villanova and Krista Bernard with Adrie Lopez Mackay, they explore their personal experiences living in both cities, sharing everything from lifestyle differences to humorous anecdotes about motorbike adventures and the impact of pollution on daily life.
Key Highlights:
1.Moving from Hanoi to Saigon: Krista reflects on the decision to move from Hanoi after five years, citing job opportunities and life circumstances that led the couple to embrace Saigon’s vibrancy.
2.Cultural Differences: The group discusses the contrasting personalities of the two cities, with Hanoi’s slower-paced, community-centered life versus the fast-paced, cosmopolitan vibe of Saigon.
3.Traffic Chaos: The panel shares their often-comical motorbike experiences, navigating the chaotic traffic of both cities, and Krista describes her journey of learning to ride in Vietnam’s unpredictable streets.
4.Pollution Concerns: Air quality is a significant topic, with the guests comparing the smog-filled skies of Hanoi to the relatively clearer air in Saigon, particularly after COVID lockdowns.
5.Bia Hoi Culture: A quintessential part of Hanoi life, the discussion highlights the local tradition of Bia Hoi, inexpensive fresh beer that fosters community gatherings in Hanoi, and the noticeable absence of this in Saigon’s upscale bar scene.
Episode Breakdown:[00:01:00] Moving from Hanoi to Saigon: Paul and Krista’s story
[00:07:00] Motorbike Adventures: Learning to ride in Vietnam
[00:11:00] Cultural Differences between the North and South
[00:18:00] Air Pollution: Living with the haze in Hanoi and Saigon
[00:26:00] Bia Hoi vs. Saigon’s bar scene: Social life in both cities
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This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"It’s not about defying my family—it’s about choosing a life that fits who I am."
Niall Mackay sits down with Thinh Dang, a young personal trainer from Vietnam with a fascinating story. Thinh shares his journey from growing up in Dak Lak, moving to Da Nang for education, and ultimately ending up in Saigon, where he has built a successful career as a personal trainer—despite his family’s traditional expectations for him to follow a more conventional career path.
Thinh reveals how his family worked tirelessly to provide him and his siblings with better educational opportunities. Despite the pressure to conform to the typical expectations of a stable office job, Thinh followed his passion for fitness, which has not only given him personal fulfillment but also allowed him to carve out a successful business. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the crossroads between family expectations and personal dreams.
Key Takeaways:
- Growing Up in Dak Lak - Thinh describes the tough environment of his hometown, highlighting the poor education system and his family’s struggles with work.
- The Importance of Education in Vietnamese Culture - Thinh’s parents sacrificed a lot to ensure their children had better educational opportunities in the city of Da Nang.
- Breaking Free from Family Expectations - Despite graduating with a business degree, Thinh chose to follow his passion for fitness and became a personal trainer.
- The Cultural Clash of Career Choices - Thinh shares how difficult it was to tell his traditional family that he wasn’t pursuing a stable, conventional career.
- Building a Fitness Business in Saigon - Thinh’s vision for the future includes scaling his personal training business by mentoring other trainers and eventually opening his own gym.
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“It’s a relief living in a place where I don’t have to worry about guns on a daily basis. In the U.S., there’s always that undercurrent of fear, but here in Vietnam, it’s not something I ever have to think about.”
In this inaugural episode of Saigon Sunday Sessions, Niall Mackay sits down with his wife, Adrie Lopez Mackay, to explore what it’s like living in Vietnam as an American. The conversation delves into Adrie’s first impressions, the cultural perceptions surrounding Vietnam, and how they both adjusted to life in Saigon over the past eight years. The discussion covers everything from Vietnam’s growing craft beer scene to the impact of American foreign policy and even reflections on visiting the War Remnants Museum.
Key Highlights:
- American Perceptions of Vietnam: Adrie shares her initial apprehensions as an American moving to Vietnam, reflecting on the long-standing stereotypes related to the Vietnam War and how those were challenged once she arrived.
- Cultural Reflections: The couple compares cultural experiences in Vietnam with Adrie’s upbringing in the U.S., highlighting the Vietnamese people’s warmth, acceptance, and resilience, especially given the historical context.
- Living in Saigon as a Foreigner: The challenges of adjusting to life in Saigon are explored, from navigating the local food scene to understanding Vietnam’s mix of modern and traditional elements. Adrie and Niall also touch on practicalities like transportation, shopping, and maintaining a connection to American culture while living abroad.
- The War Remnants Museum: A visit to the War Remnants Museum stands out as a pivotal moment in reshaping Adrie’s understanding of the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective, offering an emotional and sobering experience for both.
- Comparing Vietnam and the U.S.: Adrie offers insights into how living in Vietnam provides a break from the gun culture and political turbulence of the U.S., emphasizing the sense of safety and community she feels in Saigon.
Introduction to the Saigon Sunday Sessions – [00:01:00]
Visiting the War Remnants Museum – [00:05:00]
Vietnamese People’s Forgiveness – [00:09:00]
Cultural Differences in Education about the Vietnam War – [00:11:00]
Living in Saigon: A Mix of Tradition and Modernity – [00:14:00]
Gun Culture in the U.S. vs. Vietnam – [00:40:00]
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7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
"I absolutely love living in Saigon, I love living in Vietnam. The people are amazing."
In this comprehensive episode of the Vietnam Podcast, host Niall Mackay blends personal experiences of living in Saigon with the journey and success of creating a globally recognized podcast.
The episode is an 'Ask Me Anything' session where Niall answers listener questions, reflects on the growth and transformation of Vietnam, and shares intriguing personal stories and challenges.
Key topics include insights into Vietnamese and British humor, cultural adaptations, modern amenities in Vietnam, and tips for new expats.
Memorable moments include emotional interviews with guests and the host’s reflections on milestones like winning prestigious podcasting awards.
Practical advice is offered for those planning to move to Vietnam, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and social platforms like Patreon.
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Support the show
This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
“Living in South Korea… my eyes were bugging out of my head on vacation in Saigon.”Mischa Smith was one of the first guests on A Vietnam Podcast in 2019!
Niall and Mischa revisit the dramatic changes in Saigon over the past eight years, highlighting the city's evolution from swamps to modern buildings.
Mischa, a long-term resident of Saigon and former sales director of Pasteur Street Brewing Company, the episode delves into their shared experiences and how both the city and their careers have developed.
Mischa shares nostalgic stories about the emerging craft beer scene in Saigon, comparing it to his time in South Korea.
They discuss the constantly changing landscape of Saigon’s food and beverage industry, touching on the growing presence of international brands and the resilient local culture.
The episode also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and joys of being part of Saigon’s vibrant community while offering insights into the podcast's growth and future plans.
Key Takeaways:
1.Saigon’s Transformation: Saigon has changed drastically over the years, with modern developments continuously bumping up against the city’s old, traditional elements .
2.Craft Beer Scene Growth: The craft beer scene in Saigon was nonexistent when Mischa arrived, but it has since exploded, starting with pioneers like Pasteur Street Brewing Company .
3.Comparison of Korea and Vietnam: Mischa contrasts his experience in Korea, where the foreigner population was mostly ESL teachers and U.S. military, with Saigon, where he encountered people from various backgrounds and industries .
4.Career Shifts: Mischa’s transition from teaching ESL to becoming a sales director for Pasteur Street Brewing was influenced by his passion for craft beer and the opportunity to help grow the industry in Vietnam .
5.Challenges in the Spirits Industry: Mischa discussed the challenges of working in the spirits industry versus beer, noting that small brands face significant competition from large corporations with massive budgets.
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This show is produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
If you would like to work with them too check out their website!
I want to do an Ask Me Anything, but I need your help!
Send me your questions about my life in Vietnam, life in Vietnam in general or anything Vietnam related!
I'll use your answers to create a special AMA episode.
Send your questions by October 11th to;
Email: niall@sevenmillionbikes.com
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Episode Sponsors:
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
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Adrie Lopez-Mackay joins host and husband, Niall Mackay, as they venture out for a brunch in Thao Dien, Saigon and as recommended by Mischa Smith, the Oriental Snapper
They discuss the major infrastructural changes in the city over the past few years. From the transformation of roads and tunnels to improved traffic systems, they reflect on how the city's charm has evolved.
The episode also features a near miss with a dog, funny moments of driving in Saigon, and highlights of new dining spots and amenities in Thao Dien, including a review of a delicious zucchini corn fritter brunch.
00:00 Starting the Journey: Heading Out for Brunch
00:21 Navigating Saigon's Changing Roads
00:50 Unexpected Encounters on the Road
01:32 Saigon's Infrastructure Evolution
02:05 Modernization and Traffic Improvements
04:42 Exploring Thao Dien: Then and Now
06:51 Brunch Time: Trying the Oriental Snapper
08:00 Food Review: Zucchini Corn Fritter
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Episode Sponsors:
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Tenzing Pacific - I highly recommend them for their professional advice related to personal, family, and business insurance.
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
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Podcasts have revolutionized how we consume content, providing a platform for storytelling, education, entertainment, and conversations that span the globe.
Today is International Podcast Day, September 30, is a time to honor the incredible impact podcasting has had on our lives.
As a podcaster myself, I’ve seen firsthand how this unique medium can create connections, foster communities, and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.
In celebration of International Podcast Day, I’ve gathered some fascinating facts about our podcasts and the podcasting industry as well.
If you want to get in touch with Niall with any comments get in touch at niall@sevenmillionbikes.com
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Episode Sponsors:
7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!
Tenzing Pacific - I highly recommend them for their professional advice related to personal, family, and business insurance.
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
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Before Season 11 starts I wanted to share with you an episode from my podcast about podcasting, Smarter Podcasting! Too many podcasts?
In this episode I interview one of the biggest names in podcasting, Jordan Harbinger!
We delve into the art of preparing for podcast interviews.
Jordan, whose podcast has millions of downloads, shares his journey from being a Wall Street lawyer to a renowned podcaster. He discusses the importance of extensive preparation, including reading entire books, taking notes, and adjusting interview flow in real-time.
Jordan emphasizes a structured approach to creating engaging content and advises new podcasters to focus on the joy of podcasting rather than monetization. Additionally, they talk about the misconceptions around podcasting and the hard work required to achieve success in the field.
The episode wraps up with Jordan sharing stories about his favorite guests and offering advice for aspiring podcasters.
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Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer in our community on Patreon and become part of something special.
You can choose a Cà phê sữa đá, Bánh mì, Cơm tấm, Bún Thịt Nướng or the ultimate level, a Bắp Xào Đây.
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
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Join me and Adrie for a look at Yunka, a Chilean-Japanese fusion restaurant in Saigon, as we navigate the chaotic rainy season. We speak to manager Huynh Nguyen about the evolution of Saigon's service industry and the passion of young Vietnamese staff who make places like Yunka shine.
Amidst personal anecdotes and event planning nightmares, we explore the unique offerings of this cozy spot, its serene ambiance, and its standout drinks like the Passion Fruit Sake and Yunka Sour.
And we answer the most important question... is the Yunka Sour better than the 86 Proof whisky sour?
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Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!
I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast.
We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!
Please vote today and make sure to let me know!
Support the Show.
Niall and his frequent guest and friend, Mischa Smith, embark on a conversation about Mischa's favorite Bloody Mary spots in Saigon.
Reviews cover the Bloody Marys from Bardo, Malt South, Layla, Ministry of Men, Wkend, and Summer Experiment, culminating with their top pick.
The episode is part of a broader theme of exploring stories and experiences connected to Vietnam, including insights into brunch cultures, cocktail bars, and the growing craft beer scene.
Listeners also get a glimpse of their upcoming podcast venture focused on rewatching the series Deadwood.
00:00 Hungover Brunch and Bloody Mary Revelation
01:01 Introduction to the Vietnam Podcast
02:26 Exploring Saigon's Craft Beer and Cocktail Scene
03:38 The Quest for the Perfect Bloody Mary
17:05 The Downside of Free Flow Deals
17:43 Testing the Limits at Malt's House
21:44 Exploring Saigon's Best Cocktail Bars
24:35 Top Bloody Marys in Saigon
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Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!
I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast.
We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!
Please vote today and make sure to let me know!
Support the Show.
Niall meets up with his friend and personal trainer Thinh to try bánh bèo, a traditional dish from Central Vietnam. They discuss Vietnamese regional cuisines, accents, and Thinh's experience as a personal trainer while enjoying the food at a local restaurant in Saigon.
Key Points:
Discussion of regional differences in Vietnamese cuisine (North, Central, South)
Comparison of Vietnamese and British regional accents
Thinh explains the proper technique for eating bánh bèo
Conversation about Thinh's work as Niall's personal trainer
They learn about the restaurant owner's background and menu expansion
Plans to return to try other dishes like bánh xèo
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Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!
I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast.
We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!
Please vote today and make sure to let me know!
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
As an affiliate partner it also means that I will get a small commission when you sign up, but at no extra cost to you.
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Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer on Patreon and you would have gotten this episode ages ago!
In this special bonus episode exclusive to Patreon members, Niall Mackay shares a riveting tale about the intense and surreal experience of acquiring a COVID-19 vaccine during the deep lockdown in Saigon. Niall recounts the chaotic situation where his friend, Lewis Wright, tested positive for COVID-19 at a vaccination center, leading to an unexpected journey to deliver essential supplies to Lewis in a government quarantine facility. With a gripping narrative, Niall details the eerie, almost apocalyptic atmosphere of the lockdown, the challenges faced, and ultimately the triumph of safely getting supplies to his friend. This story highlights the extreme measures and human resilience experienced during the pandemic in Vietnam.
00:00 Introduction and Special Thanks
00:29 Exclusive Early Access for Patreon Members
01:03 Recap of Previous Episode
01:37 Introducing Lewis Wright's Story
02:13 Navigating the Lockdown in Saigon
03:08 The Vaccine Adventure Begins
06:08 The Positive Test and Quarantine
11:03 The Rescue Mission
20:37 The Aftermath and Reflections
22:36 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
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Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!
I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast.
We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!
Please vote today and make sure to let me know!
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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In this special episode of 'A Vietnam Podcast,' host Niall Mackay discusses the transformative two-year journey of living through the pandemic in Vietnam with his wife, Adrie.
From their initial excitement over new jobs, a new dog, and a new apartment, to navigating a stringent lockdown in 2021, they share a candid look at their unique challenges and experiences.
The episode covers their successful efforts in building a school for underprivileged children, the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, their extreme lockdown experience, the mental health impacts, and the eventual easing of restrictions.
This episode provides a compelling look at expat life in Vietnam during unprecedented times.
00:00 New Beginnings in Vietnam
01:02 Special Guest Introduction
03:07 Settling Down with Biscuit
10:19 The Onset of the Pandemic
25:42 Navigating COVID-19 in Vietnam
33:29 Facing Uncertainty: Job Challenges and Contract Woes
34:26 Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Work and Life
36:38 Building a Business Amidst Chaos
40:25 The Harsh Reality of Lockdown
56:03 Emerging from Lockdown: New Beginnings and Reflections
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Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!
I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast.
We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!
Please vote today and make sure to let me know!
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer in our community on Patreon and become part of something special.
You can choose a Cà phê sữa đá, Bánh mì, Cơm tấm, Bún Thịt Nướng or the ultimate level, a
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
As an affiliate partner it also means that I will get a small commission when you sign up, but at no extra cost to you.
So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me k
Support the Show.
Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!
I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast.
So I am absolutely buzzing right now.
There are 61 finalists in total that they've whittled down from hundreds of entries.
We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!
Please vote today and make sure to let me know!
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Support the Show.
Have you ever wondered how a short vacation can turn into a life-changing adventure?
Niall Mackay shares the incredible story of how he and his wife Adrie ended up living in Vietnam for over eight years. What started as a brief six-week trip to complete an English teaching certification course turned into a multi-year adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Niall takes listeners on a journey through their initial travels in Southeast Asia, their decision to teach English in Vietnam, and the serendipitous circumstances that led them to put down roots in Saigon. He shares the challenges and joys of their first years teaching, their plans to leave for Oman, and the last-minute job opportunity that changed everything. Throughout the episode, Niall's passion for Vietnam and
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Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer in our community on Patreon and become part of something special.
You can choose a Cà phê sữa đá, Bánh mì, Cơm tấm, Bún Thịt Nướng or the ultimate level, a Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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Comments & Community:
I love hearing from you! Drop a message below and let me know your favorite Vietnamese dishes or any places you recommend I try next. Have you had similar experiences with Vietnamese food? Let's chat!
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Support the Podcast:
Join the Vietnam Podcast community FOR FREE on Patreon and become a Bắp Xào Đâyer! https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast]
More About Me:
I'm Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. I love sharing my passion for podcasting and the incredible stories from Vietnam. Thanks for joining me on this journey!Become a Bắp Xào Đây, join our community on Patreon!
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Comments & Community:
I love hearing from you! Drop a message below and let me know your favorite Vietnamese dishes or any places you recommend I try next. Have you had similar experiences with Vietnamese food? Let's chat!
Subscribe:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow/subscribe for more episodes about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and insightful conversations.
Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/seven_million_bikes_podcasts/
Podcast: avietnampodcast.com
Support the Podcast:
If you enjoy my content and want to support the podcast, consider becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcas]
More About Me:
I'm Niall Mackay, aka The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. I love sharing my passion for podcasting and the incredible stories from Vietnam. Thanks for joining me on this journey!
"Send me a message!"
Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer in our community on Patreon and become part of something special.
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Support the Show.
Comments & Community:
I love hearing from you! Drop a message below and let me know your favorite Vietnamese dishes or any places you recommend I try next. Have you had similar experiences with Vietnamese food? Let's chat!
Subscribe:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow/subscribe for more episodes about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and insightful conversations.
Follow: https://www.instagram.com/seven_million_bikes_podcasts/
Website: avietnampodcast.com
Support the Podcast:
Join the Vietnam Podcast community FOR FREE on Patreon and become a Bắp Xào Đâyer! https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast]
More About Me:
I'm Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. I love sharing my passion for podcasting and the incredible stories from Vietnam. Thanks for joining me on this journey!Become a Bắp Xào Đây, join our community on Patreon!
These are the programs the Seven Million Bikes Podcasts uses. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts too.
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"You discover everything you want by bike. It's easier."
Niall Mackay sits down with Mihai Constantinescu, a long-time expat and passionate motorbike enthusiast known for his YouTube channel "The Vietnam Rider". With 16 years of experience living in Vietnam and fluency in Vietnamese, Mihai shares invaluable insights into the world of motorbiking in Vietnam.
The conversation covers everything from choosing the right bike and essential safety tips to navigating the bustling city traffic and embarking on epic cross-country journeys. Mihai and Niall discuss the freedom and adventure that comes with exploring Vietnam by motorbike, as well as the cultural experiences and interactions with locals that make such trips unforgettable. They also delve into the practicalities of motorbiking in Vietnam, including licensing laws, bike maintenance, and how to stay safe on the roads.
Key Takeaways:
- Choose a common bike model for easy repairs and parts availability
- Always wear a properly fitted and securely fastened helmet
- Stay away from trucks and buses for safety
- Take smaller, less crowded roads for a better experience
- Familiarize yourself with your bike before embarking on long trips
Chapters and Timestamps:01:40 Getting into motorbiking in Vietnam
04:40 First motorbiking experiences
09:10 The appeal of motorbiking in Vietnam
15:40 Choosing the right bike
22:10 Electric bikes in Vietnam
29:40 Traffic safety in Vietnam
35:50 Final tips for motorbiking in Vietnam
38:20 Where to find Mihai's content
Quotes:
- "You discover everythi
"Send me a message!"
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You can choose a Cà phê sữa đá, Bánh mì, Cơm tấm, Bún Thịt Nướng or the ultimate level, a Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
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"The dirtier the place, the better the food and that is 100 percent guaranteed."
Niall Mackay takes listeners on a mouthwatering journey through his favorite Vietnamese dishes and where to find them in Ho Chi Minh City. After eight years in Vietnam, Niall shares his insights on the local food scene, from street food to Buddhist vegetarian restaurants.
Niall explores seven of his top places for Vietnamese dishes, including Com Tam, Bun Thit Nuong, and Bun Cha Hanoi - Tran Nao.
Niall also provides detailed descriptions of each dish he loves eating, along with personal recommendations for the best places to try them. Interestingly, Niall reveals that he's not a big fan of pho, Vietnam's most famous soup, and encourages listeners to explore beyond this well-known dish.
Key Takeaways:
- Vietnamese food can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
- The dirtier the place, the better the food in Vietnam
- Adding lime is crucial to enhance the flavors of bun cha Hanoi
- Com chay (scorched rice) is a delicious and unique Vietnamese dish
- Pho is not necessarily the best Vietnamese dish, despite its popularity
Bun Thit Nuong
Com Tam
Hu Tieu Chay
Com Nhieu (All over Saigon)
Pho Ga Tron
Com Ga
"Send me a message!"
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
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"Vietnam is 20, 30 years behind most countries. So being here right now, though, and watching it catch up so quickly is just really, really exciting."
Niall Mackay reconnects with Nhi Mai, a former guest who moved to Vietnam in 2019 to discover her heritage. Nhi, a third-culture kid born to Vietnamese immigrants in Switzerland, shares her experiences of living in Vietnam for three years and her decision to return to Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conversation explores the stark contrasts between life in Vietnam and Switzerland, from the bustling nightlife and constant changes in Saigon to the structured, slower-paced lifestyle in Switzerland. Nhi reflects on her parents' initial concerns about her move to Vietnam and how her experiences helped bridge the gap between generations. The episode also touches on the challenges of reverse culture shock and the unexpected ways in which Vietnam has modernized compared to some European countries.
Key Takeaways:
- Nhi's motivation for moving to Vietnam and her decision to leave
- The surprising aspects of life in Vietnam compared to preconceptions
- How Nhi's parents' perspective on Vietnam changed through her experiences
- Nhi's process of deciding to move back to Switzerland
- Comparison of social life and pace between Vietnam and Switzerland
Chapters and Timestamps:
00:02:20 - Nhi's journey to and from Vietnam
00:05:50 - Third culture kid experiences
00:09:50 - Surprising aspects of life in Vietnam
00:15:00 - Parents' changing perspectives
00:17:40 - The pandemic's impact on Vietnam
00:21:30 - Decision to return to Switzerland
00:24:40 - Cultural differe
"Send me a message!"
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
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"Your life like 80 years, 90 years max, you are old sickly if you get to 90. So if you are 30, you are 1 third there. What have you done with that 30?"
Niall Mackay reconnects with Nam Den, a Nigerian YouTuber and content creator based in Vietnam. Nam reflects on his journey since their last conversation, sharing how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped his perspective on life and work-life balance.
Nam discusses the challenges of maintaining his YouTube channel while juggling multiple responsibilities, including running a business, teaching, and participating in various TV productions. He offers insights into the intricacies of creating multilingual content and the technical hurdles of video editing and subtitling. The conversation also touches on the financial aspects of being a YouTuber in Vietnam and the quest for social media verification.
Key Takeaways:
- COVID-19 taught Nam to appreciate life more and prioritize self-care [05:50]
- Creating multilingual content presents unique challenges in editing and subtitling [17:10]
- YouTube revenue in Vietnam is significantly lower compared to Western countries [20:40]
- Nam balances his YouTube channel with other professional commitments [14:30]
- The importance of consistency in content creation and maintaining audience engagement [11:00]
"Send me a message!"
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned podcaster, or anyone in between, Fiverr has got you c
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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Support the Show.
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"Vietnam is a massive beer drinking country. Per capita it's top ten ." - Mischa Smith
In this special episode of the Vietnam podcast, host Niall takes listeners on an epic craft beer crawl through Ho Chi Minh City. Joined by a rotating cast of friends and beer industry insiders, Niall visits his seven favorite craft beer bars in Saigon over the course of 8 hours. The crawl begins at Two Guys Belgian Fries in Thanh My Loi and winds its way through popular spots like Mixtape, Brick and Barrel, Pasteur Street Craft Beer, Heart of Darkness, Seven Bridges, before ending at Malt.
Along the way, Niall and his companions sample a wide variety of local craft beers while discussing the evolution of Vietnam's craft beer scene. They dive into topics like the challenges facing breweries post-COVID, efforts to win over more local customers, and debates over pricing and free water policies. The episode offers an inside look at Saigon's thriving craft beer culture through conversations with brewery owners, beer experts, and enthusiastic drinkers.
Key Takeaways:
• Vietnam has a strong beer drinking culture, but the craft beer industry is still working to convert more locals from mass-market lagers
• Many craft breweries are recovering post-COVID, though some have closed and the market was likely oversaturated before the pandemic
• Pricing remains a challenge, with craft beers significantly more expensive than local lagers, though still cheaper than in countries like Australia
• Having a diverse tap list with guest beers from other local breweries is seen as important by some bar owners
• The craft beer scene has evolved rapidly in Saigon over the past 5-8 years, with many
"Send me a message!"
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
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Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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"There's a lot of controversy about Michelin Guide coming here. But for me, I look at it as an opportunity for Vietnam to attract more tourists."
In this episode of A Vietnam Podcast, host Niall Mackay welcomes back Thuyen Vo, a renowned food influencer and KOL (Key Opinion Leader), who previously appeared in Season 6. Thuyen discusses her journey over the past three years, sharing insights into her life, her passion for Vietnamese cuisine, and her current endeavors. The conversation touches on the impact of the Michelin Guide's entry into Vietnam, the importance of warm meals in Vietnamese culture, and Thuyen's personal favorite dining spots in Saigon. With her vibrant personality and deep knowledge of the local food scene, Thuyen provides listeners with a delightful and informative discussion about the evolving culinary landscape in Vietnam.
Key Takeaways:
1. Warm Meals Are Essential: Thuyen emphasizes the cultural significance of warm meals in Vietnamese cuisine, contrasting it with the Western preference for cold foods like cereal and sandwiches.
2. Impact of Michelin Guide: The introduction of the Michelin Guide in Vietnam is seen as an opportunity to attract more tourists and highlight the diverse culinary offerings of the country.
3. Favorite Dining Spots: Thuyen shares her top dining recommendations in Saigon, including Pizza 4P’s and The Deck, highlighting their consistent quality and unique dining experiences.
4. Influencer Insights: As a KOL, Thuyen discusses the shift in her career, her reduced public appearances, and her focus on studying and personal growth.
5. Leveraging LinkedIn: Thuyen encourages influencers to utilize LinkedIn for professional networking
"Send me a message!"
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
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Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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"When you're at rock bottom as a drug addict, you'll know. Cause, as I explained it, there is that choice that you have to make. And when you're ready to look up, then I have plenty of advice."- Tue-Si on reaching the turning point in addiction.
In this powerful episode, Niall revisits the story of Tue-Si, a recovering crystal meth addict who shares his journey from addiction to recovery. Tue-Si candidly discusses his relapse experiences, health scares, and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. He also explores the role of trauma in addiction and the need for a supportive system during recovery. The episode offers raw insight into the challenges of overcoming substance abuse and the ongoing process of healing.
"It wouldn't have taken much to prevent and it didn't take much to fix it. It just took a lot of courage and a lot of yeah, just a few medicine, a few pills." - Tue-Si on his health scare and recovery.
Key Takeaways
- The importance of seeking support and surrounding oneself with non-judgmental individuals during recovery.
- The need for self-forgiveness and taking responsibility for one's actions in the healing process.
- The role of trauma in addiction and the courage required to confront and define one's traumas.
- The value of implementing healthy routines and finding alternative coping mechanisms.
- The ongoing nature of recovery and the acceptance of potential setbacks or relapses along the journey.
"Send me a message!"
Save Frustration. And time!Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!
Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned podcaster, or anyone in between, Fiverr has got you c
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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On the Vietnam Is Awesome Podcast Niall Mackay is joined by Natalya Wissink, the founder of Secret Experiences, to talk about the thriving cocktail scene and hidden gems in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
They discuss the modern side of Vietnam, the use of local ingredients in craft cocktails and beer, and Natalya's company, which offers unique experiences like the Secret Cocktail Experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Vietnam, especially Saigon, has a surprisingly modern and vibrant cocktail and culinary scene that often goes unnoticed by tourists.
- Local ingredients like spices, herbs, and fruits are being used in innovative ways to create craft cocktails, gins, and beers, showcasing a fusion of traditional and modern Vietnamese culture.
- Secret Experiences offers unique tours like the Secret Cocktail Experience, where guests are taken to hidden bars and venues, allowing them to explore Saigon's nightlife scene in a truly immersive way.
- Vietnam's food and beverage industry is not just catering to expats and tourists but is driven by the young, affluent Vietnamese population.
- Saigon is full of hidden gems and speakeasy-style bars that are often difficult to find unless you know where to look, making guided experiences like those offered by Secret Experiences valuable for visitors.
"What I love is... how surprising Saigon is to a lot of people. So when you come here, there's so much to do that you wouldn't expect, which I think is really exciting." - Niall Mackay
"We don't want our guests to, although we support our partners, but we don't want them to discover places too early. We want them to be surprised and not know where we're going exactly." - Natalya Wisnick
"Send me a message!"
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"Who likes to spend money though? If you can save money, you want to do it, right?"
Niall shares his top 7 favorite happy hour spots in Saigon, the bustling city he now calls home.
As a self-professed happy hour enthusiast, Niall has strong opinions on what makes a true "happy hour" deal, favoring bars that offer 50% off drinks over the dreaded "buy 2 get 1 free" promotions.
He highlights spots like the expertly-crafted cocktails at 86 Proof, the stylish ambiance of Mami, and the unbeatable sunset views at Café des Stagiaires. Throughout the episode, Niall marvels at the exceptional talent of Saigon's bartenders, who seem to elevate even classic cocktails like the Whiskey Sour.
He encourages listeners to share their own Saigon happy hour recommendations, as he knows there are many more hidden gems to discover.
Key Takeaways:
1. Niall is a self-proclaimed happy hour aficionado who loves finding the best drink deals in Saigon
2. He has strong preferences for true 50% off promotions over "buy 2 get 1 free" setups
3. Saigon's cocktail scene is thriving with incredibly talented bartenders that impress Niall
4. The 7 happy hour spots Niall highlights each offer something unique, from killer views to expertly-mixed libations
5. Niall encourages listener participation, inviting others to share their Saigon happy hour recommendations
"If you have a happy hour and it's buy two get one free, that's not a happy hour to me. That's the worst happy hour you can possibly do, I don't understand it. Who does that work for?"
"Send me a message!"
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"COVID really affected me that by the time the pandemic was over, I felt rusty as a performer and in my whole adult life, I'd never, ever experienced that."
In this heartwarming episode, Niall is reunited with his friend Ella Beth, who first appeared on the podcast back in Season 2. They reminisce about their friendship, revisiting Ella Beth's journey from being a singer in Vietnam to navigating the challenges of the pandemic and ultimately finding love and a new life in America.
5 key takeaways:
- The importance of maintaining personal connections and friendships over time and distance, as exemplified by Niall and Ella Beth's long-lasting friendship.
- An inside look at the challenges of navigating immigration processes, particularly the U.S. green card process, and the difficulties faced by many seeking residency.
- Insights into the resilience required to overcome major life disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ability to adapt and find new paths forward.
- The unique experiences of an Australian expatriate adjusting to life in America after living abroad for many years, and the cultural shifts involved.
- The power of pursuing one's passions, as Ella Beth was able to reestablish her musical career after moving to the United States, showcasing determination and commitment to her craft.
"Send me a message!"
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In his first solo episode of A Vietnam Podcast, host Niall Mackay shares his top seven places to enjoy craft beer in Saigon, Vietnam. From long-standing establishments to newcomers, Niall provides an insider's perspective on the city's vibrant craft beer scene.
- Malt Saigon on Mac Thi Buoi is an OG craft beer bar in Saigon, known for its shuffleboard table and Fuzzy Logic Pale Ale on draft.
- MixTape Drinks offers unique brews like Peaches and Cream Pale Ale and the green tea seltzer Partea.
- Brick and Barrel by James Jolokia and Tyler Maurice Kooy is renowned for its pizza, chicken sandwiches, and extensive craft beer menu.
- Heart of Darkness Brewery crafts some of Saigon's best-tasting but pricier beers, like the Dream Alone Pale Ale and Kurtz Insane IPA.
- Two Guys Belgian Fries offers just two house beers - a blonde and a dark - along with their famous Belgian fries in a nice canal-side setting.
- Pasteur Street Brewing Company (now Pasteur Street Craft Beer) is one of the pioneering craft breweries, with standouts like the Pomelo IPA and Jasmine IPA.
- 7 Bridges from Da Nang is a newcomer with great beers and New York-style pizza, offering a hot sauce that's a must-try.
"Which to me is immoral and insane to be serving beer so strong and not offer free water to your customers."
"Send me a message!"
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Send us a Text Message.
Niall sits down with Thuyen Vo, a former host on the Best Ever Food Review Show and the founder of Easy English and Easy Vietnamese language centers. Thuyen opens up about her experiences navigating the post-pandemic world, content creation, and her newfound passion for the fine dining industry.
Thuyen reflects on her time with the Best Ever Food Review Show, sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and the challenges of unscripted on-camera moments. She also delves into the magic of editing and how it transforms the viewing experience. And shares whether she is actually Sonny's wife!
As she explores her journey into content creation, Thuyen discusses the impatience of the millennial mindset, the allure of instant gratification, and the art of labeling one's identity. She reveals her newfound love for the fine dining segment, fueled by her exposure to Michelin-starred restaurants and the realization that food can be an art form.
Thuyen also touches on the impact of the Michelin Guide's arrival in Vietnam and the transformation of Saigon's culinary scene. She shares her desire to further her education in hospitality and discover the fine dining cultures of other countries.
Key Takeaways:
- The power of unscripted moments in creating authentic content and audience connections.
- The millennial need for labels and the generational differences in self-expression.
- The evolution of Saigon's culinary landscape, from street food dominance to the emergence of fine dining experiences.
- The transformative impact of exposure to Michelin-starred restaurants and the appreciation of food as an art form.
- The drive to continuously learn and explore new avenues within the hospitality and culinary industries.
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Join pilot and adventurer Fernando Pinho as he takes you on journeys to discover...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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In this episode of the Vietnam is Awesome podcast, host Niall Mackay, an expat in Vietnam since 2016, and guest Shane Dylan, who has spent 17 years in Vietnam and founded an insurance brokerage firm, discuss the importance of insurance for tourists to Vietnam.
They debunk common insurance myths, discuss the necessity of having insurance for healthcare, travel, and accidents, and share personal anecdotes to illustrate the consequences of being uninsured.
The conversation covers the types of insurance available, tips for selecting policies, and guidance on handling insurance claims, especially in emergency situations. Additionally, they touch on legal considerations for riding motorbikes in Vietnam, the risks of sports and adventurous activities, and navigating the Vietnamese healthcare system.
The podcast aims to educate and encourage expats and travelers to prioritize insurance as a key component of their preparation for living or traveling in Vietnam.
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"It's never a dull moment in Vietnam. Things are going so fast, things are changing, and, It's really interesting to document this contrast."
- Adrien on the ever-changing nature of Saigon's streets.
In this episode, host Niall Mackay welcomes Adrien, a French photographer who has been living in Vietnam for nearly 10 years. Adrien shares his journey of falling in love with the country's vibrant street life and culture, leading him to become a street photography tour guide in Saigon.
They delve into the allure of Vietnam for photographers, the art of respectfully capturing candid moments, and the ever-changing landscape of the city. Adrien offers insights into his approach to street photography and the authentic experiences he aims to provide through his tours.
Adrien's love for Vietnam blossomed unexpectedly after initially visiting for a short trip in 2014. As he immersed himself in the country's culture, he discovered a passion for street photography, drawn to the dynamic contrasts and constant flux of Saigon's streets. Adrien emphasizes the importance of respectful and genuine interactions with subjects, often returning to the same neighborhoods to build connections over time.
Takeaways:
- Vietnam, particularly Saigon, offers a unique and constantly evolving canvas for street photographers, with its blend of traditional and modern elements.
- Approaching street photography requires respect, genuine curiosity about people's lives, and an authentic exchange rather than staging or intruding.
- Adrien's tours aim to provide an off-the-beaten-path experience, taking clients to lesser-known neighborhoods where interactions with locals are more natural and welcoming.
- Capturing the essence of a place goes beyond just scenic landscapes; street photography freezes fragments of time that may soon disappear due to rapid development.
- Building trust and returning to the same locations allow for deeper connections and more candid photographic opportunities.
"When you photograph people doing a lot of things in the street, there are many angles, there are many ways to compose your images, and that just makes it a lot more exciting." - Adrien on the appeal of street photography in Saigon.
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The authenticity and the genuineness and the cheekiness of Vietnamese people is still coming through. And I really like seeing that repeat guest coming back. It's a healthy sign for a destination."- Pieter Van Der Hoeven
In this episode of the Vietnam is Awesome Podcast, host Niall Mackay is joined by Pieter Van Der Hoeven, the Managing Director of the Waifafo Resort and Spa in Hoi An.
Pieter shares his insights and recommendations on the best things to do, see, and experience in the Hoi An region, from immersive food tours and world-class golfing to the burgeoning craft cocktail scene. They also discuss the rapidly improving service standards in Vietnam's hospitality industry and Pieter's vision for his upcoming resort that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Hoi An.
Pieter highlights the importance of repeat visitors for Vietnam's tourism industry, which lags behind neighboring countries like Thailand. He believes addressing visa requirements, improving infrastructure, and preserving authenticity will help attract more return guests.
The episode offers a glimpse into Hoi An's vibrant food, drink, and wellness scenes, showcasing the destination's evolution while retaining its charming character.
Key Takeaways:
- Hoi An offers immersive food tours, allowing visitors to dine in local homes and experience regional specialties like cao lau and bahn mi.
- The region boasts seven world-class golf courses designed by renowned architects like Greg Norman and Nick Faldo, with better value than Thailand.
- Hoi An's burgeoning craft cocktail scene features trendy spots like Hill Station, Mango Rooms, and Market Bar, offering unique Vietnamese-inspired drinks.
- Vietnam's hospitality industry has rapidly improved, with major brands providing training, and locals embracing it as a career path after gaining overseas experience.
- Pieter's upcoming Waifafo Resort aims to celebrate Hoi An's culture through modern and ancient elements, including innovative wellness concepts.
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"As soon as you start doing something for money, whether you like it or not. It's gonna change."Podcasting expert and host of A Vietnam Podcast and Smarter Podcasting, Niall Mackay, is interviewed by Samantha an AI Voice powered by ChatGPT.
Niall shares his journey from being an avid podcast listener to becoming a successful podcaster himself. He candidly discusses the challenges of podcasting, strategies for attracting and retaining an audience, and the future of the industry.
Niall's wealth of experience and practical advice make this a must-listen for aspiring and experienced podcasters alike.
Niall delves into the transition from hobby to profession, emphasizing how money changes the dynamics of podcasting. He also explores the importance of consistency, authenticity, and community-building in establishing a dedicated following.
Additionally, Niall shares his thoughts on the impact of video integration and offers monetization strategies for podcasters.
Key Takeaways:
- Appreciate the time commitment required for podcasting, and consider outsourcing tasks like editing to save time.
- Consistency and being true to yourself are crucial for building a dedicated audience.
- Engage with your audience where they are, and provide value beyond just promoting your episodes.
- Sponsorships and Patreon are viable monetization strategies, but don't expect quick riches from podcasting.
- Video integration is the future of podcasting, but audio should remain the primary focus.
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In the heart of Vietnam, there are hidden gems that beckon travelers seeking authentic adventures and unforgettable experiences. Join Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, as he uncovers the magic of these destinations in this episode of the Vietnam is Awesome podcast.
Niall's guest for this episode is Ben Mitchell, the visionary behind Phong Nha Farm State and the luxurious Victory Road Villas. Ben's journey in transforming these locations into must-visit spots on the tourist map is nothing short of inspiring. With Niall's lively interview style, you'll get to know Ben and his incredible achievements.
Why Ben Mitchell is a Phong Nha Expert:
- Founder of Phong Nha Farm Stay and Victory Road Villas.
- Champion of responsible tourism in remote rural Vietnam.
- Combining contemporary elegance with traditional Vietnamese architecture.
- Impacting the Vietnamese tourism landscape.
Topics Discussed:
- The inspiration behind Phong Nha Farm Stay and Victory Road Villas.
- The unforgettable experiences these destinations offer.
- Responsible tourism and its impact on the beautiful regions of Vietnam.
- Ben Mitchell's personal journey in Vietnam.
Discover the real Vietnam in Phong Nha through the eyes of Ben Mitchell and learn about the authentic adventures and hidden gems waiting to be explored in this captivating episode of the Vietnam is Awesome podcast.
Places To Visit
- Phong Ke Bang National Park
- Phong Nha Loop
- Easy Riders
- Jungle Treks
- Oxalis Adventure
- Jungle Boss Tours
- Greenland Tours
- Phong Nha Cave
- Bong Lai Valley
- Dark Cave
- Paradise Cave
- Eight Lady Cave
- Nuk Mok Eco Trail
- Botanical Gardens.
- Victory Road Villas Restaurant
- Pub with cold beer
- Phong Nha Funky Beach
Nearby:
- Hue
- Hoi An
- Da Nang
- Ho Chi Minh Trail
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Exploring the Beauty of Vietnam's Halong Bay: A Conversation with Local Guide, Quan
In this episode host Niall Mackay invites special guest Quan, a local tour guide from Ha Long Bay, who shares his wealth of knowledge and experience regarding this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The conversation covers various aspects of the Halong Bay experience from the types of tours available to historical significance and environmental concerns.
A thorough understanding of why Halong Bay cruises, including the traditional 'junk' boats and luxury boats, are a must-visit is presented.
Additional highlights include a brief foray into the changes brought about by COVID-19, efforts towards environmental conservation, and fascinating insights into life on a Halong Bay cruise.
00:11 Introduction and Host Background
00:44 Guest Introduction: Local Tour Guide
01:04 Guest's Journey to Becoming a Tour Guide
02:14 Understanding Junk Boats
05:01 UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay
06:56 Tour Options in Halong Bay
07:59 Experience of Overnight Tours
08:58 Recommendations for Tour Duration
10:04 Exploring Caves in Halong Bay
22:43 Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism
25:25 Environmental Protection in Halong Bay
28:29 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
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Earlier this year, I responded to a Facebook post on an ex-pat group. There were looking for someone to be on their YouTube video as they were traveling through Vietnam. So I reached out and then I kind of forgot about it.
I didn't really expect the response. But luckily I did, and I was happy to make arrangements to meet Tal Oran, the host of the wildly successful Travelling Clatt YouTube channel.
This is what I messaged him,
"I'd love to take your own town on the back of my bike and show you the craziness of the traffic firsthand and some food spots that are off the beaten track. And also show you the insane developments here. I've been here for nearly eight years. The amount of new buildings that go up is crazy and there's even a new bridge in downtown. That makes sense silly, but seeing a bridge being built in the middle of a major city was cool."
And I still think that's cool.
So we arranged to meet at 7:00 AM on a Monday morning. And I did exactly that. I took him around Saigon on the back of my bike. Tal has generously allowed me to share the audio from his YouTube video with you. So enjoy the episode and here's some of my story. If you don't know already. And some of my thoughts on life and Saigon and Vietnam as an expat.
I'd love to hear any comments or questions, and then I can feature them on a future episode. Leave me a voice message here!
Thank you so much for choosing to listen to my podcast, whatever you're doing right now, wherever you are in the world.
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Welcome to the Vietnam is awesome podcast. We'll help you discover the real Vietnam with awesome experiences.
My guest today is Canadian Vietnamese, and also worked in the nightlife scene there for over 10 years. He moved to Vietnam in 2019 and has since then opened up three food and beverage businesses. The latest one is in Thao Dien which has changed dramatically post COVID and now a destination for tourists who want to see a different side of Saigon.
I'm Niall Mackay, your host. I've lived in Vietnam since 2016, and I'm the host of A Vietnam Podcast, A comedian, and now brand ambassador for Vietnam is Awesome. I came to Vietnam for a two week vacation in 2015 and was immediately taken by the beauty, friendliness, energy, and even all the quirks of Vietnam.
Venues to visit
Cocktails and cool vibe
- Brix
- Clay
- 86 Proof
- Zumwhere
- Le Cafe des Stagiaires
- Racha Room
- Dram
Pizza/Pasta
- Pendolasco
- Pasta Fresca
Craft Beer
- Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
- BiaCraft
- Belgo
Sports Bar
- The Avenue
Great Food
- Okra HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
- Ut Ut
- Bep Vo
- Tinto
Craft Chocolate
- Marou
Nightclub
- Indigo
Activities
- Ice Skating at Vincom Mega Mall
- Yoga Pod
- Skating at Outcast
- Rock Climbing at Outcast
- Festivals at Outcast
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The Vietnam Is Awesome Podcast will help you discover the real Vietnam with awesome experiences.
In this episode, we’ll share our recommendations for boutique hotels across Vietnam.
My guest today is Lauren Pienaar. She has been in Vietnam now for 7 years, she's from South Africa originally. She's a singer-songwriter with Moon Rise City and is now the Head of Communications for Vietnam Is Awesome. The very maker of this podcast, she has traveled all over Vietnam to many different luxury and eco-friendly boutiques.
Hotels and activities mentioned.
Phu Quoc
- Mango Bay
- Fusion Resorts
- Premier Village
Saigon
- Myst
- An Lam Retreat
- Mia Resort
- Villa Song
Mui Ne
- Clown Car
- Minh On Hotel
- Cargo Remote
- The Cliff
- Joe’s Cafe
- Bo Khe
- Mini Golf
Da Lat
- Twin Lam Lake (sic
- Lavender Valley
- Mo Stay
- Lang Biang Peak
Phong Nha
- Victory Villas
- Phong Nha Homestay
Da Nang
- La Salle de Mer
Hoi An
- An Bang Beach
- Royal Riverside Hotel
- Cao Lau
- Nem
- Mi Quang
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Elizabeth Nguyen is from Honolulu, Hawaii, and is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees who arrived in 1975.
She has a background in Human Biology and Psychiatry, which gives her a unique perspective on the cross-cultural aspects of mental health.
Her career in community mental health and her interests in spirituality and psychiatry led her to write her first book, Aloha Vietnam.
Elizabeth reached out to me a while ago and shared her book with me. I am a notoriously slow reader so this interview has been a long time in the making but I’m so excited to talk to share her story with you today.
In this episode we discuss the gap between mental health needs in Vietnam versus the reality, and compare the perspective of mental health in Vietnam to Western outlooks in countries like the USA and UK.
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Uncover the Unique Aspects of Saigon's Underground Art Scene
In this episode of the Vietnam is Awesome podcast, host Niall Mackay takes us on a journey into the vibrant underground art scene of Saigon. He introduces us to two extraordinary individuals who are at the forefront of this creative movement: Truong Que Phuong, the owner of Twist Cafe and Barzinga, and Sabra Johnson, the creator of the Jackfruit Cabaret Show.
Guests:
-
Truong Que Phuong is the owner of Twist Cafe and Barzinga, two premier LGBTQ+ venues in Saigon.
-
Sabra Johnson is the creator of the Jackfruit cabaret show and the founder of Eva Dance Company.
Discussion Points:
-
The LGBTQ+ scene in Vietnam and its acceptance in big cities like Saigon and Hanoi.
-
An overview of LGBTQ+ venues in Saigon, including Twist Cafe and Barzinga.
-
Collaboration between Truong Que Phuong and Sabra Johnson to create the Jackfruit cabaret show at Barzinga.
-
Exploring the concept of burlesque cabaret and how it combines stripping with theater and variety performances.
-
Addressing the unique atmosphere of Barzinga and its resemblance to the creative vibe of Berlin.
Key Takeaways:
-
Vietnam is surprisingly progressive and LGBTQ+ friendly, especially in big cities like Saigon.
-
Saigon's underground art scene offers a diverse range of experiences, from drag shows to comedy and music events.
-
Barzinga provides a unique atmosphere reminiscent of Berlin's creative clubs.
-
The Jackfruit cabaret show brings elegance and grunge together, showcasing the talent of local dancers and performers.
Links:
-
Twist Cafe
-
Barzinga
-
Eva Dance Company
LQBTQ+ Friendly Venues and Events In Saigon
- Twist
- Barzinga
- Frolic
- Pride Cafe
- Gender Funk
- Haus of Drag
Join Niall Mackay as he delves into the hidden world of Saigon's underground art scene in this captivating episode of the Vietnam is Awesome podcast. Discover the unique experiences awaiting you and gain insights into the LGBTQ+ community's acceptance in Vietnam. Prepare to be inspired, informed, and intrigued!
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Welcome to the Vietnam Is Awesome podcast. We’ll help you discover the real Vietnam with Awesome experiences.
I interviewed Mischa Smith who has lived in Vietnam for 10 years now. He's worked at Pasteur Street Brewing Company for eight and a half, most of those as the sales director spreading amazing craft beer across Vietnam.
In our main interview we both starting reminiscing about "old" Saigon. Which isn't that old but vastly different from 10 years ago.
We talk about;
- What Saigon looked like 8-10 years ago
- How much the city has changed in that time
- Places that aren't here any longer that we miss
Vietnam Is Awesome
- Listen to the main episode
- 6 Best Bars With Craft Beer In Ho Chi Minh City | Guide To Delicious Saigon Beer
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Welcome to the Vietnam Is Awesome podcast. We’ll help you discover the real Vietnam with Awesome experiences.
In this episode my guest, Mischa Smith, has lived in Vietnam for 10 years now. He's worked at Pasteur Street Brewing Company for eight and a half, most of those as the sales director spreading amazing craft beer across Vietnam.
And he's also the co-host of the Beer Stories podcast, which is produced by myself and Seven Million Bikes podcast and shares stories of craft beer, highlighting the amazing beer that we have here in Vietnam.
We talk about;
- Why he loves Saigon so much
- The growth of the craft beer industry in Vietnam
- The best places to eat and drink in Saigon
And like every guest, he shares;
- What is a good 24 hour itinerary in Saigon
- What life is like for locals?
- Is it a good place to live? And why?
- Where should travellers go next in Vietnam after Saigon?
Places to visit
- Rum Bar
- Malt
- Bui Vien
- Quán Ăn Quang Mập
- Steersman Brewery
Vietnam Is Awesome
- 6 Best Bars With Craft Beer In Ho Chi Minh City | Guide To Delicious Saigon Beer
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This episode is going to be more than a little bit different.
Instead of me interviewing a guest, I'll be answering questions written by chat GPT. That's right, I'll be interacting with a machine to explore the intersection of technology and human interaction?
And chat GPT wrote that sentence.
So, what you're about to hear was written by chat GPT, and then it's voiced by AI from Descript the program. I used to edit all my podcasts. So I'm going to hand you over to today's host., whose voice is called, Nancy.
NancyI'm your host, Chat Gee Pee Tee.
As an AI language model, I'm programmed to understand natural language and generate responses that mimic human speech.
But how well can I really understand the complexities of Vietnam and its people? That's what we're going to find out.
I'll be using GPT-3, one of the most advanced AI models available today, to generate questions based on a range of topics related to Vietnam, such as culture, history, and daily life. I have no idea what questions I will come up with, so this is going to be an exciting and unpredictable conversation.
Of course, as an AI I'm not a Vietnam expert by any means. But I hope that by engaging in this AI-human dialogue, we can learn something new and thought-provoking about Vietnam and ourselves.
Meet Niall Mackay the entertaining and knowledgeable host of A Vietnam Podcast. Niall is a seasoned comedian, teacher, and podcast expert who has been hosting his show since 2019. With over 40,000 downloads and a spot in the top 10% of podcasts worldwide, A Vietnam Podcast is the leading English language podcast in Vietnam. Niall's passion for sharing stories, insights, and experiences about Vietnam has captivated audiences around the globe. Through his podcast, Niall takes listeners on a journey through Vietnam's rich history, culture, and people. Join Niall and his guests as they explore everything from food and travel to music and politics. With Niall as your guide, you're sure to have a fun and informative experience on A Vietnam Podcast.
Places I Remember with Lea Lane
Award-winning writer shares travel memories, tips w/ savvy travelers. Smart, lively, fun!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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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 Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.
Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.
In this episode Anastasia shares in detail;
why she made the decision to return home
what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement
how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border
the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members
* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her mother
And how YOU can help support Ukraine.
Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.
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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
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Welcome to the Vietnam Is Awesome podcast. We’ll help you discover the real Vietnam with Awesome experiences.
In this episode my guest, Oscar Wright, has studied various religions in India and Istanbul… practices and teaches hatha yoga and meditation and tai chi... and facilitates Zen Tango workshops that turn tango dance into meditation.
He is a film maker originally from El Paso, Texas, but after spending the last 22 years in Italy he is now making a film series in Hanoi where he has been since September 2022 and believes it is on the cusp of being the legendary Paris of the 1930s.
He was recently recognised as the top posted on the Vietnam Is Awesome page for sharing so many amazing insights into Hanoi.
We talk about;
- Why he is so enthusiastic about Hanoi
- Stereotypes of Vietnam and Vietnamese people and if they are true
- And what his film series is about
And like every guest, he shares;
- What is a good 24 hour itinerary in Hanoi
- What life is like for locals?
- Is it a good place to live? And why?
- Where should travellers go next in Vietnam after Hanoi?
Biophilic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers
A podcast about the human connection to nature. Biophilia is the innate connection that...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Radioactive Rant
The Radioactive Rant comedy podcast with Mark Reynolds and Tom Swain is an open forum...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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Welcome to the Vietnam Is Awesome Podcast. We'll help you discover the real Vietnam with awesome experiences.
I'm Niall Mackay, your host. I've lived in Vietnam since 2016, and I'm the host of a Vietnam podcast, A comedian, and now a brand ambassador for Vietnam Is Awesome.
I came to Vietnam for a two-week vacation and was immediately taken by the beauty, friendliness, energy, and even all the quirks of Vietnam. I came back in 2016 with my wife for just six weeks, and six years later we're still here.
I’ll be talking to people from all over Vietnam working in tourism, bars, resorts, hotels, nightlife and more to share with you experiences that prove, Vietnam Is Awesome.
In this episode my guest is the Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Is Awesome.
Also having lived here for 6 years, he has travelled to many iconic and off-the-beaten-track locations in Vietnam with some stunning photos to show for it.
He’s also married and lives in Da Nang with his wife Phuong and his little dog Lilly.
My guest today is Alan Brownbridge.
We’re going to be talking about Da Nang and Central Vietnam today…
- Why Danang is a good central point and where can you explore from there?
- How has Covid and the weather affected the region?
- Why photography tours are such big thing to do in Vietnam.
Enjoy!
If you're in Saigon on a Thursday night book your tickets to The Tourist Trap Comedy Show!
What we mentioned...
Sights To See
- Son Tra Mountain
- Marble Mountain
- Bana Hills
- Hai Van Pass
- Lady Buddha
- Golden Bridge
- Phong Nha
- Son Doong Caves
- Quy Nhon
- Nha Trang
- Mui Ne
Bars To See
- The Trip
- Seven Bridges Brewing Co.
- The Workshop
Tours
- Easy Rider
To Do
- Hikes in Son Tra
- Photo Tours
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In this Bonus Episode, Alex & Mischa interview Producer Niall about HIS craft beer journey!
They discuss Niall's favourite thing about beer, that time he quit drinking for a year and a half, his first memory of discovering craft beers, the Australian craft beer scene (from back in the day), visiting St. James's Gate, the sanctity of the bar area, drinking beer in The UK vs. drinking beer in The USA, big breweries acquiring craft breweries, the 1%, the problem with gendering beer styles, whether or not it's appropriate to try to pick up women at a Taproom, beer snobs, and draft vs. package!
They also engage in a pre-Hangover Check Hangover Check segment that was then called "How Hungover Are You" and wrap it up with a lively round of Fact or Fiction! Enjoy.
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Welcome to Beer Stories Episode 8 by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts! Produced by Niall Mackay.
Alex & Mischa welcome their former colleague and current HiWine Sales Rep Kat Marshall into the studio to discuss the Vietnamese Craft Beer Industry from an insider's look!
Kat talks about how she got into the craft beer scene with the guys at BiaCraft & Quan Ut Ut, and then joined Pasteur Street Brewing Company as a Sales Rep before eventually moving on to the wine sales game.
They also discuss the sensation of trying an IPA for the first time after a lifetime of light local lagers, the personality you need to be an effective sales rep, Vietnam's place in the larger craft beer community, why people like craft beer, the very beginnings of the Vietnamese Craft Beer Industry, the difference between selling wine and selling beer, and becoming a TikTok sensation!
They also search deep inside Kat's heart in a very personal round of Fact or Fiction. Cheers!
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Produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, welcome to Episode 7 of Beer Stories! Enter The Darkness with Alex & Mischa as they sit down with the man behind Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery in Saigon, Vietnam! The boys discuss the joys of starting a brewery from scratch in a foreign country, how John first discovered craft beer, HOPS!, building a brand, Joseph Conrad, Wholesale vs. Retail, why quality is the most important thing to any good craft brewery, thoughts on lo/no alcohol beers, John's favourite beer, how craft beer can help sustain a healthy marriage, and Contract Brewing vs. Export. We also get a wide range out of The Hangover Check and a spirited round of Fact or Fiction! Cheers!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
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Did That Really Happen? From Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Book your tickets to see Korey David.Ever heard a joke and asked, “Did That Really Happen?”
My name’s Niall Mackay from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and a comedian... long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?”
… and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke.
In each episode of this podcast I talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?”
Today I am with a special guest who is performing at Seven Million Bikes Comedy Show, One Night In Saigon this Saturday, Feb 11th at Eddie’s Diner in District 1.. If you haven’t already make sure you go book your tickets for the show, the link is in the show notes.
This psychedelic loving ex-Mormon Is a stand up comedian and actor based in Denver, CO who works out his angst on stage from growing up as the black sheep in an ultraconservative household.
He has performed at High Plains Comedy Festival, Alaska b4 u die Fest, Vail Comedy Festival, is a regular at the world famous Comedy Works in Denver, and appeared on Netflix and Adult Swim.
My guest today is Korey David.
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In Episode 6 of Beer Stories, Mischa & Alex welcome Hannah Jefferys, Founder and Brewmistress of Saigon Cider, into studio. The episode is bookended, as always, by The Hangover Check and Fact or Fiction. In between they discuss a range of topics, including differentiating craft cider from craft beer, Cider's specific appeal to Vietnamese drinkers, the Cider making process, some of her favourite Ciders from back home, walking the line between commercial viability and being a taste leader, utilizing local ingredients, low/no alcohol craft beverages, the Vietnam Cider Community and how everyone gets along within it, and where to source the best organic apples! Cheers!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
Follow us on Facebook.
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Produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, in Episode 5 of Beer Stories, Alex & Mischa talk to Charles Guerrier of Brew Asia about a range of topics, including how he started the South East Asian Brewer's Conference (recently renamed Brew Asia for 2023), why he loves visiting Saigon so much, how much and how quickly Brew Asia has grown, the Vietnamese Craft Beer Industry, how you deal with armed guards storming your conference in a foreign country, getting started on Belgian beers, the fluidity of beer styles in the modern craft beer market, off-flavours vs. on-flavours, the spirit of community that arises around craft beer in different countries, and the importance of winning awards. They also run the spectrum on The Hangover Check and Charles comes clean in the latest installment of Fact or Fiction. Cheers!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
Follow us on Facebook.
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Produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, in Episode 4 of Beer Stories, Alex & Mischa talk with the Founder of Turtle Lake Brewing Company (Hanoi, Vietnam), Lamont Wynn, about Opening a Craft Brewery in Vietnam. Over the course of the conversation they touch on stories about what Lamont was doing when he decided to start Turtle Lake, the logistics of starting any company up in Vietnam as foreigners, the particulars of starting a brewery from scratch, the first beers they brewed, the similiarities and differences that Alex and Lamont faced - starting breweries up a few years apart in the same part of the world, the importance of good food and fun events at Taprooms for the guest experience, actual turtles, music, running and attending craft beer festivals, a brand new segment for the pod - Story Time With Lamont (!!), Haunted Houses, distribution vs. Taprooms, winning international beer awards, and the secrets to all of our success! We also have a brisk edition of The Hangover Check and a lively round of Fact or Fiction. Cheers!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
Follow us on Facebook.
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This is a brand new show from Seven Million Bikes podcasts. The Vietnam is awesome podcast. I'll be talking to people from all over Vietnam, working in tourism, bars, results, hotels, nightlife, and more to share with you experiences the prove Vietnam is awesome.
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Follow and Subscribe to Beer Stories, produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
In Episode 3 of Beer Stories, Alex & Mischa talk to the Founder & CEO of MixTape Drinks, Chad Mitchell, about Beer Styles! Do they even matter anymore?! They discuss the importance of learning the fundamentals of brewing before you can start playing around with style guidelines, inventing new styles of beer, the ubiquity of IPAs in the current craft beer market, style guidelines, the importance of beer styles for marketing purposes, category confusion at beer competitions, Pickle beers, the importance of pushing boundaries & challenging yourself, the beer naming process at MixTape, Sour Beers, Hazy IPAs, and whether Brewers prefer drinking their own beers or other people's. We also have new installments of our weekly segments, The Hangover Check and Fact or Fiction. Cheers!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
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This has been a really hard decision to make, but A Vietnam Podcast is going on hiatus in it's current format.
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As we take a break right now between seasons, we're bringing you regularPodSwaps, where we bring you a podcast from one of our friends, which is related to Vietnam. In this episode, we share another touching episode from the Vietnamese Boat People podcast.
Tracey Nguyen Mang has been on A Vietnam Podcast before . So go back and check that episode out. Tracey has shared one of her episodes with us before, which was the very first episode of the Vietnamese boat people podcast. This is one of my favorite shows out there. So go and check it out.
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I am beyond excited to share this special first episode of Beer Stories hosted by my good friends Mischa Smith and Alex Violette from Pasteur Street Brewing Company and produced by me at Seven Million Bikes Podcasts.
This is a combination of two major passions for me, podcasting and craft beer. I cannot thank Alex and Mischa enough for putting their trust, faith, and patience in me to get this off the ground, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it.
And of course, as always, a massive, massive, massive thank you to Louis Wright for all of his support for what I do, I literally couldn't do it without.
So check out the first episode of Beer Stories here on A Vietnam podcast.
It's gonna be a special PodSwap and we're gonna do more of these over the coming months. There will be new episodes every week, so make sure you go on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts.
This is for beer enthusiasts, not beer snobs. So if you love beer, you'll love this podcast. Enjoy the podcast.
In Episode 1 of Beer Stories, Mischa talks to Alex about his craft beer journey, where it all started, Brown Ales, Walter White, favourite beer styles, his Mount Rushmore of beers, the Vietnamese Craft Beer Industry, legacies, and his decision to bring his family back to Vietnam after two years back home in the USA. We also debut our first running segment of the podcast - Fact or Fiction, where Mischa makes some statements about Alex's life, or beers in general, and he confirms or denies. Cheers!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
Follow us on Facebook.
Places I Remember with Lea Lane
Award-winning writer shares travel memories, tips w/ savvy travelers. Smart, lively, fun!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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Enjoy the launch episode of Beer Stories - A new podcast produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Follow and Subscribe wherever you are listening from.
Join Mischa Smith and Alex Violette as they share their passion and knowledge of the craft beer industry. Each week, they will be joined by a different guest to discuss the world of beer and share their stories. Whether you're a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or just getting started, there's something for everyone on Beer Stories. Tune in and join the conversation. Welcome to Beer Stories!
Learn more about Pasteur Street Brewing Co.
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At the end of every episode of A Vietnam Podcast I ask my guests the same set of questions.
Hear every guests answers to each question in these bonus compilation episodes.
Join the Partea here.
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So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me kSupport the showThese are the programs we use to create Did that really happen? These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Thanks to our sponsors Mixtape Drinks we had a private pool Partea for the Seven Million Bikes Community at my new apartment - enjoying Mixtape Hard Seltzer, Partea.
Thank you to Tracey, Dan & Dan, Fiona & Adam, Adrie and Carrey for coming, it was such a fun day. And shout outs in this episode to absent community members Alistair Chapman and Pippa Claire. Also thanks to Andrew, Thien, Annie, Zion and Brandon who couldn't join us.
We moved on to Two Guys Belgian Fries on the canal in Thanh My Loi for sunset, more beer, and Belgian fries. And recorded a podcast! Enjoy!
Join the Partea here.
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So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me kSupport the show
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Join the Partea here.
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
As an affiliate partner it also means that I will get a small commission when you sign up, but at no extra cost to you.
So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me kSupport the showThese are the programs we use to create Did that really happen? These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Join The Community
Season 9 Guests
Episode 1 - Conor Kelly
Episode 2 - Kevin Lee
Episode 3 - Deinse Truong
Episode 4 - Justin Young
Episode 5 - Matt Tran
Episode 6 - Myke Nguyen
Episode 7 - Selena Luong
Episode 8 - Tam Nguyen
Episode 9 - Markeiz Ryan
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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean.
Join the Partea here.
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
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So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me kSupport the show
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Join here to get 4 free cans of MixTape Brewery Partea Hard Seltzer.
Seven Million Bikes podcasts couldn't happen without the support of our community. I wanna give a massive thank you to our existing Patreon members, Zion Johnson, Brandon Thompson, Dan Jones, Andrew Barry, Carey Hughes Parey, Pippa Claire, Tracy Wright, Alistair Chapman, Brandon Thompson, and our newest member, Tien Cung.
To say thank you to all of our members. We're having a special pool party here at my new apartment, and thanks to my friends at Mix Tape Brewery, we'll be enjoying the new green tea based hard seltzer, perfect for an afternoon of drinking by the pool.
As you probably know, I'm a massive craft beer fan. MixTape Drinks is a relative newcomer on the growing craft beer scene here in Vietnam starting in 2020 by my friend Chad Mitchell and Taipei based Shawn Kidd.
You'll often see me and a out in Saigon drinking their delicious peaches and cream ipa, or a refreshing California Sun Juicy Pale Ale. And if you're in the mood for something a bit heavier and darker, their Molly Milk Stout is delicious. I was pretty disappointed when I found out though, that it didn't actually include Molly.
Through craft beer MixTape drinks is becoming part of the Vietnam community through local music, art, Food, and now podcasts. If you'd like to be part of the Seven Million Bikes community and support our podcast, then Mix Tape is giving away four free cans to the next three new community members that's worth 280,000 dong or 11 US dollars.
To get your free cans, you have to be in HoChi Min City and join the We Mic Plan or above. You can still support us wherever you are in the world. And when you do, next time you're in Saigon, the drinks are on me as a community member. You'll also get episodes before anyone else invites the special events like our pool party and bonus content that no one else will ever see or hear.
And I'll also give you a special shout out on future. Join here. Thank you so much to everyone for listening and helping us pass 40,000 downloads recently and everyone who supports us, including Mix Tape, Brewery.
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A PodSwap with my other podcast, Did That Really Happen?, sharing jokes and comedy of comedians connected to Vietnam.
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Ever heard a joke and wondered, “Did That Really Happen?”
Long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?” … and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke. In each episode of this podcast we’ll talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?
My guest today is Liem Smith an American-born Vietnamese comic out of Dallas, TX. He’s been doing comedy for over 10 yrs all over the US and has performed in Japan and South Korea. Listen to his joke and find out... Did that really happen?
Soraya -Be Convinced! Sharing Lifechanging Stories of Hope
Host Soraya Coffelt shares lifechanging stories of hope to encourage and motivate you.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Cowboys not Eggheads
We are all hypocrites. We all have our demons. We need more cowboys and fewer...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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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 Airforce
- Why he is learning Vietnamese
- the challenges of living in Vietnam
- the difficulty of accepting being unproductive
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
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Criminal AF
A true crime podcast that blends unfiltered conversations with narrative storytelling.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Join the community here and get a free ticket to a show!
Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.
As an affiliate partner it also means that I will get a small commission when you sign up, but at no extra cost to you.
So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me kSupport the show
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Markeiz Ryan shares why he is dedicated to learning Vietnamee. 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 Tâm talk about;
- what it is really like to be in the US Airforce
- Why he is learning Vietnamese
- the challenges of living in Vietnam
- the difficulty of accepting being unproductive
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
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Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Ever heard a joke and wondered, “Did That Really Happen?”
Long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?” … and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke. In each episode of this podcast we’ll talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?
Joe Vu won an award for a super bowl commercial then abandoned his lucrative career in advertising. He's performed on national TV For the Winnipeg comedy club and most recently he worked on the writer's room for the hit Netflix show Kim's Convenience and has just done a string of successful shows here in Vietnam. My guest today is Joe Vu.
Listen to his joke and find out... Did that really happen?
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
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According to Wes Podcast
When did college kids start to have problems "Hooking Up" ?
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Tâm Nguyễn has a double degree in two very different subjects, business administration, and fine arts. As an art curator she is the first and still only person host Niall has ever met in Vietnam who has this job.
In this episode Niall and Tâm talk about;
- following your creative side rather than family pressure to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer...
- creativity in Vietnamese culture
- when art will be more accessible in Vietnam
- why there is a lack of public art in Saigon
- how the art scene in Vietnam is evolving
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Tâm Nguyễn has a double degree in two very different subjects, business administration, and fine arts. As an art curator she is the first and still only person host Niall has ever met in Vietnam who has this job.
In this episode Niall and Tâm talk about;
- following your creative side rather than family pressure to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer...
- creativity in Vietnamese culture
- when art will be more accessible in Vietnam
- why there is a lack of public art in Saigon
- how the art scene in Vietnam is evolving
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Selena Luong is a Gen Z Saigonese - she was raised in a conservative and religious family without a proper sex education. After a lot of struggles with her own sex life, it is now her mission to become a sex, love, and relationship coach to encourage more open conversations about sex and pleasure. Her biggest goal in her career as a sex coach is able to help sexual abused victims take back the fulfilling sex life they deserve after traumas.
In this episode Niall and Selena talk about;
🎙being a sex, love and relationship coach in Vietnam,
🎙normalising conversations around sex
🎙how the young Vietnamese can be given a different perspective about sex and unlearn everything the patriarchal society has taught.
Sex Coaching by Selena Luong
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow.
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Selena Luong is a Gen Z Saigonese - she was raised in a conservative and religious family without a proper sex education. After a lot of struggles with her own sex life, it is now her mission to become a sex, love, and relationship coach to encourage more open conversations about sex and pleasure. to Her biggest goal in her career as a sex coach is able to help sexual abused victims take back the fulfilling sex life they deserve after traumas
In this episode Niall and Selena talk about;
🎙being a sex, love and relationship coach in Vietnam,
🎙normalising conversations around sex
🎙how the young Vietnamese can be given a different perspective about sex and unlearn everything the patriarchal society has taught.
Sex Coaching by Selena Luong
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |
Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Enjoy an episode from our sister podcast!
Ever heard a joke and wondered, “Did That Really Happen?”
Long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?” … and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But I've now learned the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke. In each episode of this podcast I talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?"
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA with a look that can best be described as "ambiguously Southeast Asian", Matt Tran is a fresh faced comedian in the Saigon scene.
A regular at comedy shows in Saigon, he's constantly looking for the funny in embarrassing moments, absurd shower thoughts, and more!
Listen to his joke and find out... Did that really happen?
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Chicago History Podcast
We discuss Chicago's stories - the places, events, and the people behind it all! Have a...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Myke Nguyen is founder and CEO at OMG Talent Group. A serial entrepreneur, he has been operating businesses in Vietnam for nearly 30 years and has cultivated a vast network across multiple industries. He’s an owner and partner of several local companies covering marketing, events, sports, community, education, commercial property and digital transformation.
He returned to Vietnam to coach basketball in 1994 and never looked back.
In this episode Niall and Myke talk about;
🎙His families escape from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon
🎙Talking to his family about this traumatic experience, not remembering it as a 2 year old
🎙The difficulty of starting a new life in the United States with no English, no documentation and no jobs
🎙Why he returned to Vietnam through his love of basketball
🎙Using his contacts, networks and business acumen to give back to Vietnam
OMG Talent Group
BAO (Book and Organize)
Vietnam Basketball Academy
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Reality Life with Kate Casey
Three times a week I interview directors, producers, and stars from unscripted television.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Discover Durham
A podcast about the people that make Durham, North Carolina such an amazing place to...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow.
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Myke Nguye is founder and CEO at OMG Talent Group. A serial entrepreneur, he has been operating businesses in Vietnam for nearly 30 years and has cultivated a vast network across multiple industries. He started his career working for Ringier AG Media Group in the early 1990s managing print advertising sales. He then worked his way up to become Media Director for Saatchi & Saatchi, one of the big four Ad Agencies and then as Research Director for Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) Vietnam, one of the largest customized market research companies in the world. In 2000, he co-founded IM Media, a local advertising and marketing company which he managed and sold after 10 successful years. He’s an owner and partner of several local companies covering marketing, events, sports, community, education, commercial property and digital transformation.
In this episode Niall and Myke talk about;
🎙His families escape from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon
🎙Talking to his family about this traumatic experience, not remembering it as a 2 year old
🎙The difficulty of starting a new life in the United States with no English, no documentation and no jobs
🎙Why he returned to Vietnam through his love of basketball
🎙Using his contacts, networks and business acumen to give back to Vietnam
OMG Talent Group
BAO (Book and Organize)
Vietnam Basketball Academy
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA with a look that can best be described as "ambiguously Southeast Asian", Matt Tran is a fresh faced comedian in the Saigon scene.
A regular at comedy shows in Saigon, he's constantly looking for the funny in embarrassing moments, absurd shower thoughts, and more!
Even though he does social media marketing as a job, he's barely active on his own Instagram @mvtthewtrvn (follow him and say hi!).
In this episode Niall and Matt talk about;
🎙The instant energy and appeal of living in Vietnam as a foreigner
🎙The space the Vietnam affords locals and expats if you want to try something new
🎙The difficulty of his family in sharing their story of escaping Vietnam
🎙Performing comedy in Saigon
🎙Growing up in a multicultural Asian community in Vietnam
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Afterglow: UnVEILING The Idaho Cult Series
Afterglow; UnVEILING The Idaho Cult is a true crime story like no other. Lori Vallow is...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Proffitt Podcast
The podcast that shows you tips & strategies to create content with confidence!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow.
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA with a look that can best be described as "ambiguously Southeast Asian", Matt Tran is a fresh faced comedian in the Saigon scene.
A regular at comedy shows in Saigon, he's constantly looking for the funny in embarrassing moments, absurd shower thoughts, and more!
Even though he does social media marketing as a job, he's barely active on his own Instagram @mvtthewtrvn (follow him and say hi!).
In this episode Niall and Matt talk about;
🎙The instant energy and appeal of living in Vietnam as a foreigner
🎙The space the Vietnam affords locals and expats if you want to try something new
🎙The difficulty of his family in sharing their story of escaping Vietnam
🎙Performing comedy in Saigon
🎙Growing up in a multicultural Asian community in Vietnam
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year planSeven Million Bikes was again invited back to perform at The Workshop in Da Nang for the third time. Jack Nguyen joined Niall Mackay from Saigon with support from local act Laurie and hosted by Theo.
After the show Niall sat down with Jack, Adrie and the owner of The Workshop Chris with father and son Mark and Jack and a host of others to talk comedy, Vietnam and music!
Enjoy this one of a kind bonus episode!These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Greg Krino Show
Veteran, pilot, and attorney - Greg Krino - takes you on a deep-dive with experts to...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Black Father's Podcast
The bi-weekly podcast & community that supports, educates and celebrates black fathers.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |
While we have a mid-season break check out our interview with Calvin Bui. We have remastered this episode to improve the audio quality from the original. Let us know what you think!
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 Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.
- Owner and Founder at El Camino
- Gin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer
Instagram; fkndeliciousness
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Greg Krino Show
Veteran, pilot, and attorney - Greg Krino - takes you on a deep-dive with experts to...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow.
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Ever heard a joke and wondered, “Did That Really Happen?”
My name’s Niall Mackay, host of A Vietnam Podcast and a comedian... long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?” … and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke. In each episode of this podcast I’ll talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?
Thomas O'Neil, the 2021 runner up in the Saigon heats of the Vietnam Comedy Competition. He is a magician and comedian, with his unique blend of dead pan and in depth story telling a unique journey that captivates audiences.
Listen to his joke and find out... Did that really happen?
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web v
Aesthetic Vibes Podcast
Welcome to the Aesthetic Vibes Podcast. I am your host Ami! This is the podcast where...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Justin Young, a business owner, entrepreneur and professional basketball player. was born in America of Vietnamese parents. He never dreamed he would one day captain the country of his parent's birth country by becoming a Vietnam National.
In this episode Justin and Paul talk about;
🎙Moving to Vietnam to be a professional athlete
🎙Introducing Vietnam fans to basketball and the rules
🎙Vietnam fans cheering BOTH teams scoring
🎙The pressure of Vietnamese parents on children to study hinders the growth of basketball as a sport in Vietnam
🎙The honour of representing and captaining the Vietnam Men's basketball team
🎙Being a team player and how to lead other players
Follow Justin on Twitter, Facebook and check out his basketball store here.
Your host this week is a comedian and good friend of the show, Paul Villanova.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
FUTR Podcast
FUTR.tv focuses on startups, innovation, culture and the business of emerging tech with...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Subscribe/Follow to Did That Really Happen?
Ever heard a joke and wondered, “Did That Really Happen?”
My name’s Niall Mackay, host of A Vietnam Podcast and a comedian... long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?” … and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke. In each episode of this podcast we’ll talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?
Gaining inspiration from Flight of the Conchords, Axis of Awesome and Tri-Pod, Wanye Westt combines music and comedy together, covering a range of topics including his love for Maccas, losing his virginity and getting down and dirty with your mother.
Listen to his song and find out... Did that really happen?
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Smells Like Humans
Like spending time with funny friends talking about curious human behavior.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow.
Support the show
Get NordVPN’s ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes Community
Justin Young, a business owner, entrepreneur and professional basketball player. was born in America of Vietnamese parents. He never dreamed he would one day captain the country of his parent's birth country by becoming a Vietnam National.
In this episode Justin and Paul talk about;
🎙Moving to Vietnam to be a professional athlete
🎙Introducing Vietnam fans to basketball and the rules
🎙Vietnam fans cheering BOTH teams scoring
🎙The pressure of Vietnamese parents on children to study hinders the growth of basketball as a sport in Vietnam
🎙The honour of representing and captaining the Vietnam Men's basketball team
🎙Being a team player and how to lead other players
Follow Justin on Twitter, Facebook and check out his basketball store here.
Your host this week is a comedian and good friend of the show, Paul Villanova.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Support the show
Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Community!
Denise Truong is the CEO of TYDE consulting and co-representative of Trash Hero Ho Chi Minh City. From coordinator to certified trainer and coach, Denise has acquired the fundamentals of change management. She is certified by IDEO U and HarvardX and trained teams across various industries in Vietnam. She conducts training programs of leadership, communication and management skills.
In this episode Denise and Micka talk about;
🎙Being born Asian in France
🎙Mental health
🎙Self development
🎙Self care
🎙Overcoming challenges
🎙Getting things done
Your host this week is a previous guest and good friend of the show, Micka Chu. Check out her episode in Season 6 here.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
The Crash Cart Rule with Serge Brown
The Crash Cart Rule is a podcast about social issues, conspiracy theories, politics,...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Eye-Opening Moments Podcast
Eye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
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- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Denise Truong is the CEO of TYDE consulting and co-representative of Trash Hero Ho Chi Minh City. From coordinator to certified trainer and coach, Denise has acquired the fundamentals of change management. She is certified by IDEO U and HarvardX and trained teams across various industries in Vietnam. She conducts training programs of leadership, communication and management skills.
In this episode Denise and Micka talk about;
🎙Being born Asian in France
🎙Mental health
🎙Self development
🎙Self care
🎙Overcoming challenges
🎙Getting things done
Your host this week is a previous guest and good friend of the show, Micka Chu. Check out her episode in Season 6 here.
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Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Community!
Guest, Kevin Lee is the Founder, Executive Producer and Photographer at The CAKE Collective. Singaporean, he has been living in Vietnam for the past 7 years or so. A little known fact, about Kevin is that he used to be a tech geek, working in I.T.!
In this episode Kevin and Mischa talk about;
🎙Starting his creative business in Vietnam
🎙Collaborating with others in the industry
🎙Why he chose Vietnam over Singapore
🎙What live in Vietnam is like versus what it's perceived to be like.
🎙His love for Jasmine IPA and beer in Vietnam!
Your host this week is a previous guest and good friend of the show, Mischa Smith. Check out his episode in Season 1 here.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram. And buy us a coffee!
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Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Community!
Guest, Conor Kelly is a podcaster, teacher and journalism graduate. Anii Hoang is the host of this episode while Niall takes a break from hosting Season 9.
In this episode Conor and Anii talk about;
🎙Mental health
🎙Self development
🎙Overcoming challenges
🎙Getting things done
🎙And of course his podcast, The ComebaCK
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram. And buy us a coffee!
The Crash Cart Rule with Serge Brown
The Crash Cart Rule is a podcast about social issues, conspiracy theories, politics,...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
slutcast
slut is a derogatory term for a female sex worker. the use of "slut" is an attempt at...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Community!
Guest, Conor Kelly is a podcaster, teacher and journalism graduate. Anii Hoang is the host of this episode while Niall takes a break from hosting Season 9.
In this episode Conor and Anii talk about;
🎙Mental health
🎙Self development
🎙Overcoming challenges
🎙Getting things done
🎙And of course his podcast, The ComebaCK
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram. And buy us a coffee!
Support the show
Join The Community
Seven Million Bikes recently hosted Paul Villanova from Hanoi for One Night in Saigon. It was an amazing sold out show. And if you haven't already go back and listen to episode's we've shared. It was an amazing night of comedy - hear A Vietnam Podcast host Niall Mackay hosting the show!
"Inspired by his comedic heroes, Billy Connolly and Bill Hicks Niall will make you laugh at being a Scotsman abroad, life in Vietnam and anything else in between.
As the founder of Seven Million Bikes he has been entertaining people since 2019 through the podcasts Did That Really Happen? & A Vietnam Podcast while hosting and performing comedy shows across Vietnam.
“Niall wins his audiences over with a charming presence and funny jokes and songs! He has a hilarious point of view as an expat and world traveler!” - JK Hobson"
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web
Thoughts from a Content Creator
Let's become full-time content creators together!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Join The Community
At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode where you can hear each of our guests answers.
Episode 1 - Ben Nguyen
Episode 2 - Tue-Si Nguyen
Episode 3 - Moni Le
Episode 4 - Kerry Newsome
Episode 5 - Riz Harcus
Episode 7 - Phuong Truong
Episode 8 - Anastasia Sokyrka
Episode 9 - Rosi Happi
Episode 10 - Zion Johnson
Episode 11 - Niall Mackay interviewed by JK Hobson
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Thoughts from a Content Creator
Let's become full-time content creators together!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Join The Community
Seven Million Bikes recently hosted Paul Villanova from Hanoi for One Night in Saigon. It was an amazing sold out show. And if you haven't already go back and listen to episode we. He let us share the whole thing. It was an amazing night of comedy.
We also had support from Ankita Ghosh. Ankita has graciously allowed us to share the audio from her set that night.
Like many things in her life, Ankita is a work in progress comic. She hails from Kolkata, India, where she learned to ask uncomfortable questions about everything. At her day job in advertising she tries to sell stuff, and as a comic at night she tries to hurl insults at those who buy, but in a funny way. Or not. You'll find out
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support the show
Join The Community
At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode where you can hear each of our guests answers.
Episode 1 - Ben Nguyen
Episode 2 - Tue-Si Nguyen
Episode 3 - Moni Le
Episode 4 - Kerry Newsome
Episode 5 - Riz Harcus
Episode 7 - Phuong Truong
Episode 8 - Anastasia Sokyrka
Episode 9 - Rosi Happi
Episode 10 - Zion Johnson
Episode 11 - Niall Mackay interviewed by JK Hobson
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
THEY'RE NOT SHADOWS
Spooky stories of the paranormal, the supernatural and the unexplained with no...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Join The Community
At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode where you can hear each of our guests answers.
Episode 1 - Ben Nguyen
Episode 2 - Tue-Si Nguyen
Episode 3 - Moni Le
Episode 4 - Kerry Newsome
Episode 5 - Riz Harcus
Episode 7 - Phuong Truong
Episode 8 - Anastasia Sokyrka
Episode 9 - Rosi Happi
Episode 10 - Zion Johnson
Episode 11 - Niall Mackay interviewed by JK Hobson
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Follow and Subscribe to Did That Really Happen? by Seven Million Bikes.
This is a special episode with Paul Villanova, a first for A Vietnam Podcast. Paul just played here in Saigon for one night only, visiting from Hanoi. He's Australian. He sold out shows in Hanoi, performed all over Vietnam, in Hanoi, Dalat & Saigon and was lucky enough to be part of “Comedy Oi” Vietnam’s first comedy festival.
He tells stories of his own failures(there are many), what it’s like to change your life completely in your 30’s & what mild success in Vietnam is like.
It was a sold out show at Eddie's Diner. I was lucky enough to host, watch it, it was absolutely hilarious. And thankfully, we are able to share it with you in this special episode. So this is a PodSwap from, Did That Really Happen? of Paul Villanova live at Eddie's in Saigon. Enjoy! - Niall
Between Two Mics: The Remote Recording Podcast
SquadCast founders, Zach & Rock, share remote recording tips, software updates, and more!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
The Enthusiasm Project
Deep dives exploring the world of what it means to be an independent creator.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Join The Community
At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode where you can hear each of our guests answers.
Episode 1 - Ben Nguyen
Episode 2 - Tue-Si Nguyen
Episode 3 - Moni Le
Episode 4 - Kerry Newsome
Episode 5 - Riz Harcus
Episode 7 - Phuong Truong
Episode 8 - Anastasia Sokyrka
Episode 9 - Rosi Happi
Episode 10 - Zion Johnson
Episode 11 - Niall Mackay interviewed by JK Hobson
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly 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 Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.
Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.
In her recent episode Anastasia shared in detail;
why she made the decision to return home
what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement
how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border
the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members
* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her mother
And how YOU can help support Ukraine.
Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.
Support the show
Join The Community
At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode where you can hear each of our guests answers.
Episode 1 - Ben Nguyen
Episode 2 - Tue-Si Nguyen
Episode 3 - Moni Le
Episode 4 - Kerry Newsome
Episode 5 - Riz Harcus
Episode 7 - Phuong Truong
Episode 8 - Anastasia Sokyrka
Episode 9 - Rosi Happi
Episode 10 - Zion Johnson
Episode 11 - Niall Mackay interviewed by JK Hobson
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support the show
Donate to United24 in support of Ukraine!
Book a photography session with Anastasia Sokyrka, she is donating 100% of her photography income directly to Ukraine.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Support the show
As we take a break between Seasons here's the latest episode from our sister podcast, Did That Really Happen?
Book your tickets for One Night In Saigon: Paul Villanova (June 5th 2022)
Ever heard a joke and wondered, “Did That Really Happen?”
My name’s Niall Mackay, host of A Vietnam Podcast and a comedian... long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?” … and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke. In each episode of this podcast we’ll talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?
Paul has sold out shows in Hanoi, performed all over Vietnam, in Hanoi, Dalat & Saigon and was lucky enough to be part of “Comedy Oi” Vietnam’s first comedy festival.
He tells stories of his own failures(there are many), what it’s like to change your life completely in your 30’s & what mild success in Vietnam is like.
Listen to his joke and find out... Did that really happen?
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Reality Life with Kate Casey
Three times a week I interview directors, producers, and stars from unscripted television.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Thank you so much to our podcast producer for Season 8, Luke Digweed!
Listen to this bonus episode where Luke shares more details about what it takes to edit and make a podcast, his most memorable episode and what it's like to have to listen to Niall Mackay for 10 episodes!!
Reality Life with Kate Casey
Three times a week I interview directors, producers, and stars from unscripted television.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Join The Community
Season 8 Guests
Episode 1 - Ben Nguyen
Episode 2 - Tue-Si Nguyen
Episode 3 - Moni Le
Episode 4 - Kerry Newsome
Episode 5 - Riz Harcus
Episode 6 - Riz Harcus & Niall Mackay
Episode 7 - Phuong Truong
Episode 8 - Anastasia Sokyrka
Episode 9 - Rosi Happi
Episode 10 - Zion Johnson
Episode 11 - Niall Mackay interviewed by JK Hobson
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Reality Life with Kate Casey
Three times a week I interview directors, producers, and stars from unscripted television.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Book tickets here.
Support the show
Join The Community
On May 19th 2019 JK Hobson was the first every guest on A Vietnam Podcast (then called Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast).
From there Niall and JK have grown to be close friends and both their comedy careers have flourished in Vietnam.
To celebrate this special occasion for the first time EVER Niall has relinquished hosting duties and turned it over to JK after he suggested that he interview Niall!
In this episode they talk about;
🎙How they first met and the first episode they recorded together
🎙How you can get to know people more intimately through comedy
🎙Niall's journey from comedy fan to comedian and show promoter
🎙How Niall comes up with comedy material and approach to comedy
🎙Why Niall thinks governments and taxes are two of the best things human beings have created
🎙THE BIGGEST CHANGE A VIETNAM PODCAST HAS EVER SEEN!
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Reality Life with Kate Casey
Three times a week I interview directors, producers, and stars from unscripted television.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Create Content with Confidence
Listen to The Proffitt Podcast for the best content tips, strategies, and resources.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Join The Community
On May 19th 2019 JK Hobson was the first every guest on A Vietnam Podcast (then called Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast).
From there Niall and JK have grown to be close friends and both their comedy careers have flourished in Vietnam.
To celebrate this special occasion for the first time EVER Niall has relinquished hosting duties and turned it over to JK after he suggested that he interview Niall!
In this episode they talk about;
🎙How they first met and the first episode they recorded together
🎙How you can get to know people more intimately through comedy
🎙Niall's journey from comedy fan to comedian and show promoter
🎙How Niall comes up with comedy material and approach to comedy
🎙Why Niall thinks governments and taxes are two of the best things human beings have created
🎙THE BIGGEST CHANGE A VIETNAM PODCAST HAS EVER SEEN!
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support the show
Support the show
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 ZionZion's Blog.
As mentioned by Zion.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support the show
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show
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 ZionZion's Blog.
As mentioned by Zion.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support the show
Join The Community
Rosi Happi is the Creative Director of The Happievent and Managing Founder of Social ChangeMakers. She spent time studying and living in Europe (Germany, Spain, France & England) and Australia before returning to Vietnam.
She is an atypical Vietnamese - a mixed soul: half traditional, half modern.
In this episode we talk about;
- making herself visible in the Australian hospitality industry as an Asian female
- the causal racism found in some Australians
- her social impact journey: from personal charity to philanthropy
- how she is building long lasting social changes
- helping the process of Vietnam moving from a developing country to developed
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show
Rosi Happi is the Creative Director of The Happievent and Managing Founder of Social ChangeMakers. She spent time studying and living in Europe (Germany, Spain, France & England) and Australia before returning to Vietnam.
She is an atypical Vietnamese - a mixed soul: half traditional, half modern.
In this episode we talk about;
- making herself visible in the Australian hospitality industry as an Asian female
- the causal racism found in some Australians
- her social impact journey: from personal charity to philanthropy
- how she is building long lasting social changes
- helping the process of Vietnam moving from a developing country to developed
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.
Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.
In this episode Anastasia shares in detail;
why she made the decision to return home
what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement
how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border
the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members
* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her mother
And how YOU can help support Ukraine.
Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript
Host - Buzzsprout
Design - Canva
Support - Fiverr
Website - 10 Web
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.
Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.
In this episode Anastasia shares in detail;
why she made the decision to return home
what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement
how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border
the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members
* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her mother
And how YOU can help support Ukraine.
Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 finding her 12 year old child had been watching pornography.
Phuong herself started watching pornography at only 8 years old.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 finding her 12 year old child had been watching pornography.
Phuong herself started watching pornography at only 8 years old.
Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
In Episode 5 I talked with Richard Harcus is the CEO of Harcus Consultancy Group, a football consultancy company based in Asia about his background and football development in Asia..
We also are both reformed conspiracy theorists!
In Episode 6 we move subjects to talk about a variety of conspiracy theories and why, like me, he believed them and how we came out of that rabbit hole…
Follow Richard
YouTube
Facebook (Harcus CG)
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
In Part 1 I talked with Richard Harcus is the CEO of Harcus Consultancy Group, a football consultancy company based in Asia about his background and football development in Asia..
We also are both reformed conspiracy theorists!
In part 2 we move subjects to talk about a variety of conspiracy theories and why, like me, he believed them and how we came out of that rabbit hole…
Follow Richard
YouTube
Facebook (Harcus CG)
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Welcome to Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story. We now share the stories from people around the world connected to Vietnam.
Richard Harcus is the CEO of Harcus Consultancy Group, a football consultancy company based in Asia and is also a UEFA qualified coach and Elite scout and qualified intermediary.
We also are both reformed conspiracy theorists!
In part 2, on a completely unrelated subject, we talk about a variety of conspiracy theories and why, like me, he believed them and how we came out of that rabbit hole…
In this episode we discuss...
🎤 his background in football including representing Scotland as a schoolboy
🎤 how he’s bringing the former Man City player Yaya Toure to Vietnam in June
🎤 his work in Vietnamese and Asian football
🎤 Football development in Asia.
And... will Vietnam ever qualify for the World Cup?
Follow Richard
YouTube
Facebook (Harcus CG)
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Welcome to Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story. We now share the stories from people around the world connected to Vietnam.
Richard Harcus is the CEO of Harcus Consultancy Group, a football consultancy company based in Asia and is also a UEFA qualified coach and Elite scout and qualified intermediary.
We also are both reformed conspiracy theorists!
In part 2, on a completely unrelated subject, we talk about a variety of conspiracy theories and why, like me, he believed them and how we came out of that rabbit hole…
In this episode we discuss...
🎤 his background in football including representing Scotland as a schoolboy
🎤 how he’s bringing the former Man City player Yaya Toure to Vietnam in June
🎤 his work in Vietnamese and Asian football
🎤 Football development in Asia.
And... will Vietnam ever qualify for the World Cup?
Follow Richard
YouTube
Facebook (Harcus CG)
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Welcome to Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story. We now share the stories from people around the world connected to Vietnam.
Kerry Newsome is a regular traveler to Vietnam and serial travel industry professional, bringing groups from Australia to experience Vietnam. Like many people she has been locked out of the country since the start of the pandemic so started a podcast in 2020 called What About Vietnam to share more about Vietnam as a holiday destination and show anyone on the fence about coming here why they should visit.
In this episode we discuss
🎤 Kerry’s experiences of Vietnam,
🎤 Why it is so appealing to so many people
🎤 The future of tourism in Vietnam
🎤 The pros and cons of increased tourism
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Welcome to Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story. We now share the stories from people around the world connected to Vietnam.
Kerry Newsome is a regular traveler to Vietnam and serial travel industry professional, bringing groups from Australia to experience Vietnam. Like many people she has been locked out of the country since the start of the pandemic so started a podcast in 2020 called What About Vietnam to share more about Vietnam as a holiday destination and show anyone on the fence about coming here why they should visit.
In this episode we discuss
🎤 Kerry’s experiences of Vietnam,
🎤 Why it is so appealing to so many people
🎤 The future of tourism in Vietnam
🎤 The pros and cons of increased tourism
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
This is Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story. We now talk to people around the world connected to Vietnam.
Moni Lê is Hungarian-Vietnamese, currently living in Saigon to reconnect with her roots and explore her life from a more creative perspective. She is a life purpose coach and fellow podcaster, hosting the Creators in Vietnam podcast with previous guest Tue-Si Nguyen
In this episode we discuss...
🎙the challenges, and benefits, of having Vietnamese parents in Hungary
🎙the connection between Hungary and Vietnam
🎙what made her decide to reconnect with her roots
🎙the visible economic development of her family's life in Hue
🎙the excitement and challenges of working as a creator whatever we do
Follow Creators In Vietnam on Facebook and listen to them wherever you get podcasts.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
This is Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story. We now talk to people around the world connected to Vietnam.
Moni Lê is Hungarian-Vietnamese, currently living in Saigon to reconnect with her roots and explore her life from a more creative perspective. She is a life purpose coach and fellow podcaster, hosting the Creators in Vietnam podcast with previous guest Tue-Si Nguyen
In this episode we discuss...
🎙the challenges, and benefits, of having Vietnamese parents in Hungary
🎙the connection between Hungary and Vietnam
🎙what made her decide to reconnect with her roots
🎙the visible economic development of her family's life in Hue
🎙the excitement and challenges of working as a creator whatever we do
Follow Creators In Vietnam on Facebook and listen to them wherever you get podcasts.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
This is Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story.
Tue-Si Nguyen, a French-Vietnamese man who moved to Canada to study and work, became addicted to crystal meth while working a corporate job and dealing with identity and family issues. He moved to Vietnam to beat his addiction. He is now sober and a co-host of the Creators in Vietnam podcast & Coach-sultant for young professionals.
In this episode we talk about...
🎙 What it was like as a young French-Vietnamese in Canada?
🎙 Understanding and establishing your identify in the world
🎙 His family history that came to light in a book
🎙 How he became addicted to crystal meth and keep his job
🎙 Why he came to Vietnam to beat his addiction?
🎙 What is a coach-sultant?
Follow Creators In Vietnam on Facebook and listen to them wherever you get podcasts.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Privacy - NordVPN https://bit.ly/3nZYHmU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
This is Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story.
My guest today is Tue-Si Nguyen, a French-Vietnamese man who moved to Canada to study and work, where he became addicted to crystal meth while working a corporate job and dealing with identity and family issues. He now lives in Saigon and is the host of the Creators in Vietnam podcast & Coach-sultant for young professionals.
In this episode we talk about
🎙 What it was like as a young French-Vietnamese in Canada?
🎙 Understanding and establishing your identify in the world
🎙 His family history that came to light in a book
🎙 How he became addicted to crystal meth and keep his job
🎙 Why he came to Vietnam to beat his addiction?
🎙 What is a coach-sultant?
Follow Creators In Vietnam on Facebook and listen to them wherever you get podcasts.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Privacy - NordVPN https://bit.ly/3nZYHmU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Welcome to Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story.
Our guest today was born and raised in Hanoi but left Vietnam at the age of just 18 to study business and interior design in Japan, and worked for companies such as Ikea! He is a Creative Director, artist and dog Dad of crumpet and butter.
We’ll share today what it was like leaving Vietnam at a young age, and living in Japan, being a creative today, what is an NFT, and how he got his dogs Instagram to 140,000 followers!!
Our guest today is Ben Nguyen.
Follow Ben on Instagram.
Or Crumpet and Butter.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Welcome to Season 8 of A Vietnam Podcast. Sharing the stories of people connected to Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay, I’ve been living in Vietnam since 2016, and hosting this podcast since 2019. I wanted to know more about the people that lived in Vietnam, both local and foreigners and share their story.
Our guest today was born and raised in Hanoi but left Vietnam at the age of just 18 to study business and interior design in Japan, and worked for companies such as Ikea! He is a Creative Director, artist and dog Dad of crumpet and butter.
We’ll share today what it was like leaving Vietnam at a young age, and living in Japan, being a creative today, what is an NFT, and how he got his dogs Instagram to 140,000 followers!!
Our guest today is Ben Nguyen.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.
These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB
Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk
Design - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2n
Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ
Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU
Privacy - NordVPN https://bit.ly/3nZYHmU
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
Season eight is coming soon I'm already starting to record episodes, so don't don't worry!
But I've got another PodSwap for you. This time it's from my own second podcast. If you don't know already I started a comedy podcast called Did That Really Happen? back in December.
I talk to comedians from around the world, play one of the jokes and then I ask them, did that really happen?
Because long before I ever started doing comedy every time I helped comedians tell the crazy funny stories on stage I always wondered just that question.
So today I'm going to share with you an extra special episode of Did That Really Happen? with a Saigon comedian, the first ever guest on A Vietnam Podcast and my good friend J K Hobson. So enjoy the episode make sure you let me know what you think.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
We're going to be starting season 8 soon , we've got some amazing guests lined up for you!
We're going to give you some more bonus content, I'm sharing with you an episode that I recently recorded with Kerry Newsome on her podcast What about Vietnam.
We talk about the comedy scene and entertainment in Saigon and Vietnam, especially after the pandemic. Kerry is going to be coming up as a guest on A Vietnam Podcast when we get restarted so make sure to look out for that episode.
Enjoy this special bonus episode pod swap with Kerry Newsome where I was interviewed on her podcast What About Vietnam.
From the What About Vietnam Website.
What About if I told you there is a “happening” Comedy Scene in Saigon? After the years just passed, I thought this has to go on the "MUST DO" things during your stay in this vibrant city.
I am talking about a fun night out in a funky place right in the heart of Saigon.
My guest, Niall Mackay is no stranger to the comedy scene in Saigon having lived in Vietnam since 2016. A well known Stand Up Comedian, and Podcaster of his own Vietnam podcast “Seven Million bikes”, and “Did that really happen?”, he is ideally placed to talk about the evolution of English speaking comedy in Saigon.
Niall takes us through some great stories of how the comedy scene has matured with some surprising talent and venues.
As an organiser, promoter, and comedian himself he shares with us the bevy of talent coming through. From local Vietnamese doing English speaking comedy, to the many Expats who also relish the chance to jump on stage and bring the house down.
Niall hopes to be back on stage next week. Check out http://www.sevenmillionbikes.com/ to find tickets to shows and everything about his podcasts.
Kerry Newsome
Don’t forget - Night out entertainment - COMEDY show - Saigon - its bound to set the right tone for the rest of your trip or for the trip home.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Thank you for listening to Seven Million Bikes; A Vietnam Podcast. We share the stories of people with a love for Vietnam. My name’s Niall Mackay and I’m your host.
I’ve lived in Vietnam since 2016 and first started this podcast to know more about the interesting people that live in Saigon - a crazy, bustling, energetic city. As the show has grown we now talk to people from all over the world who have a Vietnam story to share.
While we are getting ready to share Season 8 with you this is an extra special PodSwap with our friends at Creators In Vietnam. We share a long history with their show since before each of our podcasts started. I was lucky enough to be a guest recently and finally meet their hosts in person, Tue-Si and Moni.
They’ve graciously allowed me to share this episode with you.
I’ve been asked several times whether I’d ever be a guest on my own show, and the answer is no, mostly because I like to share other people’s stories. You’ll learn a little bit about me if you’ve listened to enough episodes. In my interview with Creators in Saigon you get to hear more about behind the scenes of Seven Million Bikes and the thought process behind what I do and how I do it and how I went from the shy kid into a stand-up comedian & podcast host.
Hope you enjoy this episode, let me know what you think, and thanks again to Creators In Vietnam for sharing my story and letting me share it with you.
Follow Creators In Vietnam!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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In this episode we are joined by Dr Leigh Jones, a fellow Scot who has lived in Vietnam since 2017 and Singapore before that since 2010. Dr Jones is a prominent vaccine advocate in the Saigon community and has a PhD in Immunology with years of experience in researching infectious disease.
Follow OUCRU - website: http://www.oucru.org FB: https://www.facebook.com/OUCRUVN and Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUCRU_Vietnam
Follow Leigh - Twitter: https://twitter.com/drleighannjones
WHO COVID: https://covid19.who.int
CDC COVID: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
NHS COVID: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Royal College of Ons and Gyn (for info on pregnancy related to COVID): https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-fertility/
British Society for Immunology: https://www.immunology.org/coronavirus
Health Feedback Initiative for fact checking: https://healthfeedback.org
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
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- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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This episode has been remastered using AI technology - Enjoy!
Thank you for listening to Seven Million Bikes, A Vietnam podcast. My name's Niall Mackay and I've been the host of this podcast since 2019, when we started as A Saigon Podcast. We set out to share the stories of people that lived in Saigon, because it's such a crazy energetic city. And there was so many interesting people here.
As the podcast grew, we started to interview more and more people from across the world. The all have a connection to, and a love for Vietnam. So we hope if you're a regular listener, you've enjoyed these stories. And if you're new to the podcast, then enjoy this episode, which is from the archives. While we take a break after season seven.
If you are new, then make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you get notifications for new episodes and check us out on Facebook and Instagram, YouTube and even Tik Tok. Enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening.
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 blogger with the well-know blog So The Adventure Begins. She is also well-known for her pink Honda cub she is often seen driving around Saigon. She has been living in Saigon now for three years and is the first Scottish guest to join me on the show. Don't worry, you can understand us!
We talk about her not being an influencer, why she started a blog, breaking up and dating in Saigon, out homeland and of course Scottish accents.
There is the unplanned ubiquitous shout out as always for Matt Ryan! And his deep-fried Mars Bars.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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This episode has been remastered using AI technology - Enjoy!
Thank you for listening to Seven Million Bikes, A Vietnam podcast. My name's Niall Mackay and I've been the host of this podcast since 2019, when we started as A Saigon Podcast. We set out to share the stories of people that lived in Saigon, because it's such a crazy energetic city. And there was so many interesting people here.
As the podcast grew, we started to interview more and more people from across the world. The all have a connection to, and a love for Vietnam. So we hope if you're a regular listener, you've enjoyed these stories. And if you're new to the podcast, then enjoy this episode, which is from the archives. While we take a break after season seven.
If you are new, then make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you get notifications for new episodes and check us out on Facebook and Instagram, YouTube and even Tik Tok. Enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening.
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 the U.S. to be with her parents before she was locked out of Vietnam. Or her parents were locked out of the U.S.
Her story is one of many similar yet unique stories around the world about how the rapid escalation of Covid-19 affected people.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Join the Seven Million Army on Facebook and tell us your answer!
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast by Seven Million Bikes. We share the stories of people with a love for Vietnam. Host, Niall Mackay, has lived in Vietnam since 2016. As the show has grown we now talk to people from all over the world who have a Vietnam story to share. At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
A Vietnam Podcast is made using these digital tools. We 100% recommend them. Any questions send us an email or message on the socials.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting A Vietnam Podcast too.
Episode Edited with Descript
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay using Canva
Podcast Hosting Platform Buzzsprout
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Keep your privacy safe with NordVPN
www.sevenmillionbikes.com Hosted on 10Web
If you order before the end of November Masqd are giving A Vietnam Podcast listeners 20% off orders over 330k. Click the link in the notes to their Instagram or Facebook and message them directly with the code 7MB to get your discount!
In 2020, 2,900 disposable masks were thrown away every minute! Protect the environment, yourself and others.
Have you thought about starting your own podcast, but don't know where to begin or have the time. Seven Million Bikes can help you with this.
Read our Free Blog Post here - 10 Tips To Start Your podcast
Book A Free Consultation.
Support the show
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
This episode has been remastered using AI technology - Enjoy!
Thank you for listening to Seven Million Bikes, A Vietnam podcast. My name's Niall Mackay and I've been the host of this podcast since 2019, when we started as A Saigon Podcast. We set out to share the stories of people that lived in Saigon, because it's such a crazy energetic city. And there was so many interesting people here.
As the podcast grew, we started to interview more and more people from across the world. The all have a connection to, and a love for Vietnam. So we hope if you're a regular listener, you've enjoyed these stories. And if you're new to the podcast, then enjoy this episode, which is from the archives. While we take a break after season seven.
If you are new, then make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you get notifications for new episodes and check us out on Facebook and Instagram, YouTube and even Tik Tok. Enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening.
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 and rounds of applause. Her family doesn't think she is funny, which is why they are never invited to shows.
We talk about the differences between Hanoi and Saigon, what it's like to be a risqué, Vietnamese and female comedian, doing comedy in a second language, and Tu's ongoing journey with depression. Below are recommended links from Tu if you need support with your mental health.
Links
Saigon Support Group
The Beautiful Mind Group
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permiss
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Army on Facebook and tell us your answer!
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast by Seven Million Bikes. We share the stories of people with a love for Vietnam. Host, Niall Mackay, has lived in Vietnam since 2016. As the show has grown we now talk to people from all over the world who have a Vietnam story to share. At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
A Vietnam Podcast is made using these digital tools. We 100% recommend them. Any questions send us an email or message on the socials.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting A Vietnam Podcast too.
Episode Edited with Descript
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay using Canva
Podcast Hosting Platform Buzzsprout
Clean Your Mac by MacPaw
Keep your privacy safe with NordVPN
www.sevenmillionbikes.com Hosted on 10Web
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Ever heard a joke and asked, “Did That Really Happen?”
In each episode of this podcast we’ll talk to comedians from around the world, play you one of their jokes, then ask them, “Did That Really Happen?”
As the host of A Vietnam Podcast and a comedian... long before I ever started comedy, when I heard comedians tell the craziest, funniest stories I would always wonder just that. And if I got a chance to meet them after the show I would always ask “Did That Really Happen?”
… and 9 times out of 10 the answer was “Yes!”
But the difference between sharing a funny story with friends and telling it on stage is a comedian’s ability to take those moments and craft them into a well worked joke.
Recently I talked to Hayden Lowry on A Vietnam Podcast about one his favourite jokes of mine about moving to America. I’ll play you the joke from my recent Headliner Show performed online during lockdown.
Then you can hear for yourself… did it really happen?
Follow or Subscribe wherever you get podcasts!
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Seven Million Bikes uses these digital tools. We 100% recommend them. Any questions send us an email or message on the socials.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.
Episode Edited with Descript
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay using Canva
Podcast Hosting Platform Buzzsprout
Clean Your Mac by MacPaw
Keep your privacy safe with NordVPN
www.sevenmillionbikes.com Hosted on 10Web
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
This episode has been remastered using AI technology - Enjoy!
Thank you for listening to Seven Million Bikes, A Vietnam podcast. My name's Niall Mackay and I've been the host of this podcast since 2019, when we started as A Saigon Podcast. We set out to share the stories of people that lived in Saigon, because it's such a crazy energetic city. And there was so many interesting people here.
As the podcast grew, we started to interview more and more people from across the world. The all have a connection to, and a love for Vietnam. So we hope if you're a regular listener, you've enjoyed these stories. And if you're new to the podcast, then enjoy this episode, which is from the archives. While we take a break after season seven.
If you are new, then make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you get notifications for new episodes and check us out on Facebook and Instagram, YouTube and even Tik Tok. Enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening.
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 Scholarship. He went on to co-found Saigon Funny People, regularly hosting open mic nights and performing stand-up comedy. JK now writes for City Pass Guide, Saigoneer and TaleCity, has appeared on Vietnamese TV AND teaches English. The main questions I’ll be asking JK is ‘What do you not do? And where do you find the time?’
We had so much to talk about I've split this episode into two parts!
Part 1
First of all we talk about what it was like growing up in New York and how lucky we both feel to be of a generation that didn’t have their lives pictured, recorded and shared for the world to see.
JK shares stories from his days with Crisis and life with a touring band that then moved from New York to LA. We also get into race relations in America, especially under Donald Trump, and how that influenced JK’s decision to stay in Vietnam.
Crisis - Politics of Domination
Crisis - Exit CatacombDallas police officer who shot
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Join the Seven Million Army on Facebook and tell us your answer!
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast by Seven Million Bikes. We share the stories of people with a love for Vietnam. Host, Niall Mackay, has lived in Vietnam since 2016. As the show has grown we now talk to people from all over the world who have a Vietnam story to share. At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
A Vietnam Podcast is made using these digital tools. We 100% recommend them. Any questions send us an email or message on the socials.
These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting A Vietnam Podcast too.
Episode Edited with Descript
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay using Canva
Podcast Hosting Platform Buzzsprout
Clean Your Mac by MacPaw
Keep your privacy safe with NordVPN
www.sevenmillionbikes.com Hosted on 10Web
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community!
In Season 5 we spoke to Nhi Mai a Swiss born and raised Viet Kieu who decided to live in Saigon to discover more about her roots and gave her another perspective of her motherland.
She decided to create a YouTube channel about it, called Now Or Nhi to give insight into her life as a Viet Kieu / Expat in Saigon.
I was lucky enough to be a guest on her show and this was the first YouTube interview I had done before. Nhi wanted to talk to me about how I ended up in Vietnam after living in different countries, the journey of his podcast and how Seven Million Bikes started hosting comedy shows.
Thanks Nhi, come back soon, and enjoy hearing me be the interviewee!
Watch Here
https://www.youtube.com/c/NowOrNhi
Seven Million Bikes is one of the top English-speaking podcasts in Vietnam. And I was so lucky to be the first YouTuber who got Niall Mackay, the founder of Seven Million Bikes, in front of the camera for an interview! We talked about how he ended up in Vietnam after living in different countries, the journey of his podcast and how Seven Million Bikes now also hosts comedy shows. If you are not really convinced by podcasts (or comedy shows) yet, give this one a try! Niall gave me an insight into the world of podcasts and comedy, one that I didn’t know about before. And even more of a surprise: All this is happening in Saigon / Vietnam!
Nhi
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Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Army on Facebook and tell us where you'd go!
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast by Seven Million Bikes. We share the stories of people with a love for Vietnam. Host, Niall Mackay, has lived in Vietnam since 2016. As the show has grown we now talk to people from all over the world who have a Vietnam story to share. At the end of every episode we ask our guests the same set of questions each time, so enjoy this bonus compilation episode where you can hear a guest answers about where they would go If they could get on a motorbike.
This question was especially pertinent during lockdown in Saigon when we couldn't leave home never mind drive somewhere on a motorbike. This was also one of the worst questions I've ever asked with nearly every guest feeling to understand exactly what I meant. That's my fault, not theirs!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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If you want to start your own podcast let Seven Million Bikes help you!
Book a call or meeting for a free consultation.
This is an extra special episode at the end of season seven of A Vietnam Podcast. Each month, we are now hosting a networking event for creatives and creators looking to meet like-minded people and share ideas.
Our second event was hosted by Conor Kelly, who is the founder and host of The ComebaCK Podcast. In this presentation, Conor explains the foundations of The ComebaCK, how to take the hardest step in actually starting a podcast and why podcasting is extremely valuable for purpose and connection.
The show’s slogan, ‘The comeback beats the setback’, aims to shed light on comeback stories, and how guests have triumphed over adversities faced in their lives. Based in Saigon, Vietnam, the podcast has over 250 interviews from people all over the world, covering themes such as expat life, creative projects and mental health awareness.
At the end of this presentation, there is a question and answer session. So please make sure you stay tuned for that. There may be some questions that you wanted to ask and hopefully someone else will ask them and you can hear the answer.
If you've ever thought about starting your own podcast, then get in touch with Seven Million Bikes.
We now offer podcast production services and we can help you get your podcast started, whether it's just for a hobby or for your business. We've now started producing podcasts for a number of different businesses. So, if you are interested in starting your own podcast, get in touch and we can talk more about how we can help you do that.
Enjoy this presentation by Connor Kelly podcasting for purpose and connection.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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We recently talked to Tracey Nguyen Mang from the Vietnamese Boat People podcast, listen here. This is a special PodSwap Episode of A Vietnam Podcast where we share Tracey’s family story in the first ever episode of the Vietnamese Boat People podcast.
The Vietnamese Boat People podcast shares stories of hope, survival and resilience. Between 1975 to 1992, almost two million Vietnamese risked their lives to flee oppression and hardship after the Vietnam War, in one of the largest mass exoduses in modern history. Escaping by boat, many found freedom in foreign land, many were captured and brutally punished, and many did not survive the journey. This population of people are known as the ‘Vietnamese Boat People‘.
We’ve been fortunate enough to share the stories of Vietnamese Boat People and their children. These are often traumatic yet inspiring and we recommend listening to previous episodes from many of our guests from Tracey Nguyen, Tam Le and Sahra Nguyen in the US, Zoonie Nguyen in Canada to Nhi Mai from Switzerland and Levi Oi from Germany.
Enjoy this episode, and don’t forget to follow Seven Million Bikes and also the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast. Enjoy
The Vietnamese Boat People #1 - Prelude |10/8/2018
Hi I'm Tracey Nguyen Mang. I was just under four years old when my Mom organized an escaped from the Vietnamese Communist regime in 1981. With nothing but clothes on our backs, she left everything behind and took three girls under the age of 10, deep into the jungle in the middle of the night, and eventually out into the treacherous seas. Thirty-seven years later, I'm on a mission to document every part of that escape and the events and turmoil that led my family and many others to choose the possibility of death if it meant freedom and safety on the other side.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
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TW// abandonment, racism, physical and mental child abuse, death
This episode talks about topics that might make our audience uncomfortable. Before reading further, please consider your own journey and safety.
A Vietnam Podcast hosts a wide variety of guests from all over the world of all different backgrounds. Hosted by Niall Mackay, audiences never know if the episode will be funny or emotional, but they are always enlightening. In this episode, Niall knew the story being shared was an emotional one, but was still caught off guard by his reaction.
“This is the first time in over 60 interviews I’ve cried during an interview - and I’ve been close a couple of times before.” shares Niall.
During the Vietnam War Suzanne Thi Hien Hook was a baby found on the street and placed in an orphanage. She’s Amerasian; with a Vietnamese mother and an African-American soldier father. She was adopted into a white English family and moved to the UK when she was just three years old. Unfortunately this wasn’t the happy childhood expected. Despite an abusive upbringing she became a trained chef, gained a business degree and started a successful beauty business.
She returned to Vietnam for the first time in 2006 to connect with her roots, including meeting children in orphanages with no hope in life, that had a profound effect on her. When she returned to the UK, she realised money didn’t buy happiness, and sold all of her possessions, including a £500,000 home and sports car to fund the Allambie orphanage.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community!
TW// abandonment, racism, physical and mental child abuse, death
This episode talks about topics that might make our audience uncomfortable. Before reading further, please consider your own journey and safety.
A Vietnam Podcast hosts a wide variety of guests from all over the world of all different backgrounds. Hosted by Niall Mackay, audiences never know if the episode will be funny or emotional, but they are always enlightening. In this episode, Niall knew the story being shared was an emotional one, but was still caught off guard by his reaction.
“This is the first time in over 60 interviews I’ve cried during an interview - and I’ve been close a couple of times before.” shares Niall.
During the Vietnam War Suzanne Thi Hien Hook was a baby found on the street and placed in an orphanage. She’s Amerasian; with a Vietnamese mother and an African-American soldier father. She was adopted into a white English family and moved to the UK when she was just three years old. Unfortunately this wasn’t the happy childhood expected. Despite an abusive upbringing she became a trained chef, gained a business degree and started a successful beauty business.
She returned to Vietnam for the first time in 2006 to connect with her roots, including meeting children in orphanages with no hope in life, that had a profound effect on her. When she returned to the UK, she realised money didn’t buy happiness, and sold all of her possessions, including a £500,000 home and sports car to fund the Allambie orphanage.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community!
TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide is mentioned in this episode.This episode's guest has an incredible story to share with A Vietnam Podcast.
Zoonie Nguyen grew up on Nguyễn Thông street in Sài gòn and left on the last day possible - on April 30th 1975. At only 8 years old, her family escaped and went through an exodus from hell on the last boat with 4000 people.
This was a traumatic journey, but by a 'miracle' and they made it to a refugee camp and after many months the family started a new chapter of their life in Canada. In 1995 Zoonie decided to go back to visit Sài gòn, a trip that completely transformed and turned her life around.
She is now known as a public speaker, coach & mentor for women entrepreneurs launching and growing their business. She is currently making a documentary called ‘How She Dares’.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community!
TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide is mentioned in this episode.
This episode's guest has an incredible story to share with A Vietnam Podcast.
Zoonie Nguyen grew up on Nguyễn Thông street in Sài gòn and left on the last day possible - on April 30th 1975. At only 8 years old with her family they escaped and went through an exodus from hell on the last boat with 4000 people.
Their boat was sinking but a 'miracle' happened and after many months in a refugee camp, she started a new chapter of her life in Canada. In 1995 she decided to go back to visit Sài gòn, a trip that completely transformed and turned her life around...
She is now known as a speaker, coach & mentor for women entrepreneurs launching and growing their business. She is currently making a documentary called How She Dares.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Seven Million Bikes Community.
Jovel Chan has made a big impression in Saigon in a short time, but she is no overnight success, having worked in the food and beverage industry since she was 14. It is her passion and her life and it shines through.
Jovel is a food marketer, writer and industry speaker who has a decade of working, living and eating across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She has held the head of marketing roles in more than 50 restaurants across 10 countries.
Today, she is the founder of Vietnam's only-dedicated F&B industry blog and podcast, is regularly featured in the media and speaks at industry conferences and workshops.
Her blog (www.jovelchan.com) has blown up quickly in Saigon after a flurry of engaging articles about the local scene. She shares the latest industry news and happenings, trends, opinions and interviews with key opinion leaders from places like Mondelez Kinh Do, Unilever Food Solutions and BAEMIN.
Her words have been featured in Vietcetera, Vietnam Plus, e27 and Destinations of the World News and she can often be seen speaking at industry conferences (Reimagine: Halal in Asia 2020 APAC) and universities (National Economics University and VinUniversity in Vietnam) or conducting industry workshops and webinars in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
For anyone who follows Jovel on social media you will know how candid she is about her mental health and how she deals with this. Jovel's openness to breaking down stigmas around mental health is refreshing. She has come a long way on her journey and speaks candidly with her followers about how she went from seeing herself as "the crazy lady on the train" to an empowered mental health advocate."
This episode dives further into her daily health practices, how she got into the industry and what's next in the Saigon food and beverage scene after a gruelling lockdown.
Follow Jovel on Instagram and check out her blog at www.jovelchan.com
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Community
Jovel Chan has made a big impression in Saigon in a short time, but she is no overnight success, having worked in the food and beverage industry since she was 14. It is her passion and her life and it shines through.
Jovel is a food marketer, writer and industry speaker who has a decade of working, living and eating across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She has held the head of marketing roles in more than 50 restaurants across 10 countries.
Today, she is the founder of Vietnam's only-dedicated F&B industry blog and podcast, is regularly featured in the media and speaks at industry conferences and workshops.
Her blog (www.jovelchan.com) has blown up quickly in Saigon after a flurry of engaging articles about the local scene. She shares the latest industry news and happenings, trends, opinions and interviews with key opinion leaders from places like Mondelez Kinh Do, Unilever Food Solutions and BAEMIN.
Her words have been featured in Vietcetera, Vietnam Plus, e27 and Destinations of the World News and she can often be seen speaking at industry conferences (Reimagine: Halal in Asia 2020 APAC) and universities (National Economics University and VinUniversity in Vietnam) or conducting industry workshops and webinars in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
For anyone who follows Jovel on social media you will know how candid she is about her mental health and how she deals with this. Jovel's openness to breaking down stigmas around mental health is refreshing. She has come a long way on her journey and speaks candidly with her followers about how she went from seeing herself as "the crazy lady on the train" to an empowered mental health advocate."
This episode dives further into her daily health practices, how she got into the industry and what's next in the Saigon food and beverage scene after a gruelling lockdown.
Follow Jovel on Instagram and check out her blog at www.jovelchan.com
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join The Seven Million Bikes Community.
Jovel Chan has made a big impression in Saigon in a short time, but she is no overnight success, having worked in the food and beverage industry since she was 14. It is her passion and her life and it shines through.
Jovel is a food marketer, writer and industry speaker who has a decade of working, living and eating across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She has held the head of marketing roles in more than 50 restaurants across 10 countries.
Today, she is the founder of Vietnam's only-dedicated F&B industry blog and podcast, is regularly featured in the media and speaks at industry conferences and workshops.
Her blog (www.jovelchan.com) has blown up quickly in Saigon after a flurry of engaging articles about the local scene. She shares the latest industry news and happenings, trends, opinions and interviews with key opinion leaders from places like Mondelez Kinh Do, Unilever Food Solutions and BAEMIN.
Her words have been featured in Vietcetera, Vietnam Plus, e27 and Destinations of the World News and she can often be seen speaking at industry conferences (Reimagine: Halal in Asia 2020 APAC) and universities (National Economics University and VinUniversity in Vietnam) or conducting industry workshops and webinars in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
For anyone who follows Jovel on social media you will know how candid she is about her mental health and how she deals with this. Jovel's openness to breaking down stigmas around mental health is refreshing. She has come a long way on her journey and speaks candidly with her followers about how she went from seeing herself as "the crazy lady on the train" to an empowered mental health advocate."
This episode dives further into her daily health practices, how she got into the industry and what's next in the Saigon food and beverage scene after a gruelling lockdown.
Follow Jovel on Instagram and check out her blog at www.jovelchan.com
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
This is another fascinating deep dive into the live of someone who has chosen to make Vietnam home for over a decade.
Hayden Lowry runs Caribê Jamaican Patties, is a freelance video post-production specialist, and the admin for the "Black in Saigon" Facebook group.
"I was bequeathed it by a lovely, smart and intelligent lady named Hillary who is a lawyer and she was living out here. We had the the opportunity to meet each other mere months before I moved to Vietnam in 2005, and at that time you literally could count black Westerners then on one hat, there were so few of us."
Among various topics discussed Hayden explains the ‘Black In Saigon’ Facebook group was created to give this community a safe space to ask questions that would often be the subject of disdain or even abuse in Expat groups on Facebook. As anyone who has lived in Saigon and used some of these groups, they are familiar with how toxic they can be. So it is understandable why the Black Community in Saigon would want to create their own group.
Listen to the full episode wherever you get podcasts!
Shout-outs in this show to Nadis Nam, Jwyanza Hobson and Adrie Lopez Mackay (as always)!
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
This is another fascinating deep dive into the live of someone who has chosen to make Vietnam home for over a decade.
Hayden Lowry runs Caribê Jamaican Patties, is a freelance video post-production specialist, and the admin for the "Black in Saigon" Facebook group.
"I was bequeathed it by a lovely, smart and intelligent lady named Hillary who is a lawyer and she was living out here. We had the the opportunity to meet each other mere months before I moved to Vietnam in 2005, and at that time you literally could count black Westerners then on one hat, there were so few of us."
Among various topics discussed Hayden explains the ‘Black In Saigon’ Facebook group was created to give this community a safe space to ask questions that would often be the subject of disdain or even abuse in Expat groups on Facebook. As anyone who has lived in Saigon and used some of these groups, they are familiar with how toxic they can be. So it is understandable why the Black Community in Saigon would want to create their own group.
Listen to the full episode wherever you get podcasts!
Shout-outs in this show to Nadis Nam, Jwyanza Hobson and Adrie Lopez Mackay (as always)!
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
This episode's guest is another foreigner fluent in Vietnamese who was put forward to us by similarly fluent Nam Den from Season 5, and works with both him and Season 6 guest Micka Chu regularly, including on VTV.
Brandon Hurley, known as Phúc Mập is a popular YouTube Content Creator in Vietnam, going viral before he’d even published his first video after parading around Saigon in ladies pyjamas and a “pet” chicken.
Phúc Mập tread a similar path to host Niall, and many other expats, in that after travelling around Asia fell in love with Vietnam and never left.
While there are a lot of expats who have found themselves in Vietnam for many years and still can’t speak the language, some even with a Vietnamese wife, Phuc Map was motivated to speak the local language to communicate with his wife’s family.
Watch and Subscribe to Phúc Mập Vlog here.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.
This episode's guest is another foreigner fluent in Vietnamese who was put forward to us by similarly fluent Nam Den from Season 5, and works with both him and Season 6 guest Micka Chu regularly, including on VTV.
Brandon Hurley, known as Phúc Mập is a popular YouTube Content Creator in Vietnam, going viral before he’d even published his first video after parading around Saigon in ladies pyjamas and a “pet” chicken.
Phúc Mập tread a similar path to host Niall, and many other expats, in that after travelling around Asia fell in love with Vietnam and never left.
While there are a lot of expats who have found themselves in Vietnam for many years and still can’t speak the language, some even with a Vietnamese wife, Phuc Map was motivated to speak the local language to communicate with his wife’s family.
Watch and Subscribe to Phúc Mập Vlog here.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Conversation Starter Kit they've developed to help children of Vietnamese Boat People break down barriers and get their family to comfortable open up about their painful past.
Read The Accompanying Blog Post.
Follow and Listen to the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast here.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Conversation Starter Kit they've developed to help children of Vietnamese Boat People break down barriers and get their family to comfortable open up about their painful past.
Read The Accompanying Blog Post.
Follow and Listen to the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast here.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
Follow us on Facebook.
Buy us a coffee.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 at the time. Growing up in New Orleans and North Virginia, speaking Vietnamese at home as her first language, she went to a public school where she was one of just a few minorities and in an effort to assimilate suppressing her “history and heritage to adapt and assimilate”. Partly due to the trauma of their journey and the will to fit into their new surroundings the family didn’t talk about their past.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SevenMillionBikes
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 at the time. Growing up in New Orleans and North Virginia, speaking Vietnamese at home as her first language, she went to a public school where she was one of just a few minorities and in an effort to assimilate suppressing her “history and heritage to adapt and assimilate”. Partly due to the trauma of their journey and the will to fit into their new surroundings the family didn’t talk about their past.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SevenMillionBikes
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Only the second ever Live A Vietnam Podcast!
This is the Question and Answer session after the main episode which is an insightful and interesting conversation.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SevenMillionBikes
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Only the second ever Live episode of A Vietnam Podcast!
Niall is joined by business consultant Martial Ganière, from Switzerland.
Niall and Martial discuss Martial's background, moving for Europe to Vietnam and creating a life and business in Saigon.
We also talk about setting up a business in Vietnam and how to deal with the current lockdown, lockdown itself and life in Vietnam.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SevenMillionBikes
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Only the second ever Live episode of A Vietnam Podcast!
Niall is joined by business consultant Martial Ganière, from Switzerland.
Niall and Martial discuss Martial's background, moving for Europe to Vietnam and creating a life and business in Saigon.
We also talk about setting up a business in Vietnam and how to deal with the current lockdown, lockdown itself and life in Vietnam.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SevenMillionBikes
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thuyen Vo is the founder of Easy English Vietnam and Easy Vietnamese - 2 language centers in Saigon. She is also known as the seasonal host at Best Ever Food Review Show, with a background in Digital Marketing.
Thuyen has a passion for education and is combining her skills in English and Marketing to make this happen. She predominantly wants to help Viet Kieus living in Vietnam who may want to update their Vietnamese.
Read the Blog Post
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation.
and Saigon Children's Foundation.
Please donate if you are in a position to.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with
permission.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Buy us a coffee or beer!
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Found in a long forgotten folder in the corner of Niall's old as MacBook. Hear what happens before you hear the show. Unedited and unfiltered, here you go!
Chris Nguyen is a third culture kid born and raised in the UK to Vietnamese and Chinese parents.
He’s a self-taught product design leader, facilitator, and creator. His journey into content creation happened during the pandemic.
He now documents his journey on Youtube covering Creativity, Life in Asia, Unemployment, and The Human Condition.
Subscribe to his podcast Ranting Bananas on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts and his YouTube channel Semigrownkid.
You can also follow Chris on Instagram.
Shout outs in this episode to
Creators in Saigon Podcast
Ho Chi Minh Expat Group Saigon
and please support
The Green Bamboo Center - Cơ sở Bảo trợ Xã hội Tre Xanh
The Green Bamboo Kitchen - Quán cơm Tre Xanh
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thuyen Vo is the founder of Easy English Vietnam and Easy Vietnamese - 2 language centers in Saigon. She is also known as the seasonal host at Best Ever Food Review Show, with a background in Digital Marketing.
Thuyen has a passion for education and is combining her skills in English and Marketing to make this happen. She predominantly wants to help Viet Kieus living in Vietnam who may want to update their Vietnamese.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation.
and Saigon Children's Foundation.
Please donate if you are in a position to.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with
permission.
Read the Blog Post
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Buy us a coffee or beer!
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Saigoneer and the Urbanist Network is still operating without any loss of staff and is still keeping Bryan busy. Like many people, he is enjoying spending time at home with his young daughter, and feels fortunate to have a full fridge.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation.
and Saigon Children's Foundation.
Please donate if you are in a position to.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with
permission.
Read the Blog Post
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
Buy us a coffee or beer!
Support the show
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Both Saigon Children's Charity and Blue Dragon have Emergency COVID Appeals.
The outbreak of the delta variant is wreaking havoc on vulnerable communities across Vietnam.
Families are struggling to survive. They need YOUR help.
Urgent help is needed for children in lockdown, who are the hidden victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially impoverished children in lockdown areas.
Both organisations urgently need your support!
SPONSOR A “COVID BACKPACK” NOW with Saigon Children's Charity containing food staples, hygiene necessities, books, and games, to a child in COVID-affected areas in Vietnam so that they know they are taken care of physically and mentally.
Or donate An emergency food pack through Blue Dragon. It contains fruit and vegetables, rice, and staples to keep children and families going.
Food will be bought locally, and will include a mix of fresh food and longer-lasting items.
For families who are hard to reach, your donation will provide a cash grant to buy food at the local market.
Donate here;
Saigon Children's Charity
Blue Dragon Children's Foundation
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Saigoneer and the Urbanist Network is still operating without any loss of staff and is still keeping Bryan busy. Like many people, he is enjoying spending time at home with his young daughter, and feels fortunate to have a full fridge.
Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation.
and Saigon Children's Foundation.
Please donate if you are in a position to.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast. Join the Community here.How to order Episode Sponsor Saigon Cider & groceries from Classic Deli:
In each Episode we ask the same questions of each guest. While we're on a break between seasons here is all their answers to each question.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Buy Us A Coffee or Beer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast. Join the Community here.How to order Episode Sponsor Saigon Cider & groceries from Classic Deli:
Nhi is a Swiss born and raised Viet Kieu who decided to move to Saigon 2 years ago. Growing up with two completely different cultures, it was not always easy for her to define her identity.
Living in Vietnam allowed her to understand and discover more about her roots and gave her another perspective of her motherland.
While she is experiencing this new and exciting chapter on the other side of the world, she decided to create a YouTube channel about it, called Now Or Nhi. This lifestyle channel is an outlet for her to give insight into her life as a Viet Kieu / Expat in Saigon.
She uploads vlogs and multilingual interviews about her favorite topics: culture, travel, food and fashion.
Subscribe to her YouTube
Follow her on Instagram
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
In each Episode we ask the same questions of each guest. While we're on a break between seasons here is all their answers to each question.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Buy Us A Coffee or Beer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast. Join the Community here.You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
This is the most emotional episode of Seven Million Bikes and a must listen.
AJ Miller is a Jersey Girl in ‘Nam. she is a fitness trainer, artist, singer and comedian in Saigon. A daughter of a Vietnam (American) War Veteran.
She came to Vietnam exhausted and angry at the world after spending 3 years taking care of her dad through Agent Orange induced Leukemia.
She had his memoirs and wanted to see, hear and feel these memoirs in the country where they were experienced. She has done live readings of her father’s memoirs on-line to spread awareness of PTSD in soldiers.
Spent last two years healing/exploring/developing herself in the unique magic and freedom that is Vietnam. Misses snow and snowboarding desperately.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast. Join the Community here. You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
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 trip, but almost immediately those plans changed as things developed rapidly in the world. And continued to change daily, then hourly, then almost by the minute as we tried to get back to Vietnam as soon as we could before the borders closed and we were stranded in New Zealand. In hindsight we should have listened to those red flags and stayed in Vietnam.
Adrie tells the story of how we got back into Vietnam, barely, and why we are in quarantine after the most anxiety inducing and stressful period of our lives together.
We feel ridiculously lucky that we made it into Vietnam at literally the 11th hour before the border effectively shut at midnight to foreigners.
Adrie and the presenter of Seven Million Bikes, Niall have been married for nearly 7 years, living in Vietnam for 4 of those, calling this country home. They have a beautiful French Bulldog called Biscuit who is waiting for them to get out of quarantine at her best friends house.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thank you for listening to A Vietnam Podcast. Join the Community here.
If you’re based in Vietnam you know how much a problem it can be to find entertainment in English. Seven Million Bikes not only hosts A Vietnam Podcast, but also stand-up comedy shows, quiz nights and events. So you can have fun, connect with others and share experiences of Vietnam.
Become a member of the Seven Million Bikes Community and you’ll get free tickets to comedy shows (that includes a beer!), access to episodes a day early, credit at the end of each episode and invites to special Seven Million Bikes member events.
Membership starts from just 92,000 dong per month, and if you join the community before the end of August and live in Vietnam we’ll send you a free Seven Million Bikes face mask.
Seven Million Bikes. Listen. Laugh. Connect.
Join the Community.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
In each Episode we ask the same questions of each guest. While we're on a break between seasons here is all their answers to each question.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Buy Us A Coffee or Beer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
In each Episode we ask the same questions of each guest. While we're on a break between seasons here is all their answers to each question.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Buy Us A Coffee or Beer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
UPDATE: This episode is 2 years old. A lot of the things Sen shared in this episode might have evolved or changed since then and reflects her views then, not necessarily now.
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 of children happens in Vietnam and how it is dealt with - especially in relation to the way that older people are automatically believed and respected. We also discuss what is changing to help protect children and prevent this happening.
Despite the heavy nature of the subject, we still find some light-hearted moments and it was great to see that Sen hasn't been worn down by the nature of her reporting and stays upbeat.
This is Sen's hidden gem she recommends;Cầu Thủ Thiêm, P. Bình An, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
Recommended restaurant;The Tib Restaurant
Vietnamese VN Express
English Vn Express
Below are some articles by Sen.
Tale of children who survived My Lai massacre falls on deaf earsDon’t you mess with us any more: women, children learn self-defense
Dim light at the end of sex education tunnel
South Korean brokers advertise Vietnamese women as commodities on YouTube
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
In each Episode we ask the same questions of each guest. While we're on a break between seasons here is all their answers to each question.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Buy Us A Coffee or Beer
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
You can get Saigon Cider delivered from;
Classic Deli
or
ByNature
Tâm was the first listener-suggested guest, thanks to regular listener, Brandon Coleman. Tâm was an entertaining and interesting guest who shared in-depth story with many insights to share about life in Saigon. Evidenced by the fact this is the third most listened to episode of A Vietnam Podcast.
Born in Texas to Vietnamese refugees, Tâm moved to Saigon after a stint in Singapore. She has now returned to her hometown Houston.
In Saigon she worked at an international branding agency but soon started creating Vietnamese-Mexican dishes and hosting dinners out of her apartment, creating a closed-door restaurant named Saigonita.
Soon Saigonita appeared in Vice Munchies and was profiled in Saigoneer so she decided to quit her corporate career to pursue her passion in food. Since then, she's been interviewed by publications in Vietnam, Singapore, the US, Italy, France; and has given a TEDx Talk.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The final guest of Season 6, Tuấn Lê, is the director of several unique cultural shows in Vietnam, including Lang Toi - My Village, À Ố Làng Phố (The ÀỐ Show) and Teh Dar. Tuấn started his career as a solo juggler. He learned from his brother at a young age and saw it as a fun trick. Learning to juggle was just a fun thing to do as a kid, there was never an intention for this to be a pathway to a career!
He polished his skills living in Germany and performing with Cirque du Soleil. During his time with Cirque, he became a choreographer for their Toruk show. He returned to Vietnam in 2012 and and is the co-founder and creator of Lune Productions which produces the aforementioned shows, with À Ố Làng Phố described as a global sensation by The Guardian.
Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/7TkOQpIrESM
Read the Blog Post
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
Follow us on Facebook
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The final guest of Season 6, Tuấn Lê, is the director of several unique cultural shows in Vietnam, including Lang Toi - My Village, À Ố Làng Phố (The ÀỐ Show) and Teh Dar. Tuấn started his career as a solo juggler. He learned from his brother at a young age and saw it as a fun trick. Learning to juggle was just a fun thing to do as a kid, there was never an intention for this to be a pathway to a career!
He polished his skills living in Germany and performing with Cirque du Soleil. During his time with Cirque, he became a choreographer for their Toruk show. He returned to Vietnam in 2012 and and is the co-founder and creator of Lune Productions which produces the aforementioned shows, with À Ố Làng Phố described as a global sensation by The Guardian.
Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/7TkOQpIrESM
Read the Blog Post - Coming Soon
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
Follow us on Facebook
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Camille Ink a tattoo artist, from the North West of France, has recently found herself in Ho Chi Minh City where she is sharing her passion for tattooing.
Her life has always been shared between Art and Travel. She left France at 18 to live in Ireland, learned English, then she studied graphic design in Barcelona and worked as a freelance for a few years. She kept on traveling: Europe, America, Asia, Africa… and now Saigon.
Watch on YouTube.
Read the Blog Post
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
Follow us on Facebook
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Full Episode on Thursday July 22nd.
Camille Ink a French tattoo artist, from the North West of France, has recently found herself in Ho Chi Minh City where she is sharing her passion for tattooing.
Her life has always been shared between Art and Travel. She left France at 18 to live in Ireland, learned English, then she studied graphic design in Barcelona and worked as a freelance for a few years. She kept on traveling: Europe, America, Asia, Africa… and now Saigon.
Watch the teaser on YouTube.
Read the Blog Post
Coming Soon
Season 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.
https://www.facebook.com/EddiesSaigon
Follow us on Facebook
Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Michael Brosowski is the founder and CEO of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, a charity that helps street kids and rescues victims from slavery and human trafficking in Vietnam.
Michael Brosowski moved to Saigon in 2002. Unlike other expats who unexpectedly find themselves in Vietnam, Michael came with a purpose. Even if that wasn’t clear at first what it was.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Michael Brosowski is the founder and CEO of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, a charity that helps street kids and rescues victims from slavery and human trafficking in Vietnam.
Michael Brosowski moved to Saigon in 2002. Unlike other expats who unexpectedly find themselves in Vietnam, Michael came with a purpose. Even if that wasn’t clear at first what it was.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast)
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Brooklyn-based Sahra Nguyen has set out to change that perception and is on a mission to transform the coffee industry through diversity, inclusion, and transparency.
She is the Founder & CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply, America's first specialty Vietnamese coffee importer & roaster, and has recently appeared on the Drew Barrymore TV show, several other podcasts and Zoom panels. Since high school she has been involved in activism, notably recently in support of the Asian and Pacific Islander Communities, especially in light of the recent violence towards this community in America.
Read the Seven Million Bikes Blog post here.
Follow Nguyen Coffee Supply;
Facebook & Instagram
Season 6 A Vietnam Podcast is sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli & Diner.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Brooklyn-based Sahra Nguyen has set out to change the perception of Vietnamese coffee abroad and is on a mission to transform the coffee industry through diversity, inclusion, and transparency.
She is the Founder & CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply, America's first specialty Vietnamese coffee importer & roaster, and has recently appeared on the Drew Barrymore TV show, several other podcasts and Zoom panels. Since high school she has been involved in activism, notably recently in support of the Asian and Pacific Islander Communities, especially in light of the recent violence towards this community in America.
Read the Seven Million Bikes Blog post here.
Follow Nguyen Coffee Supply;
Facebook & Instagram
Season 6 A Vietnam Podcast is sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli & Diner.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nickie Tran, a fish-sauce American, worked for a major chip manufacturer in the U.S. before becoming an “accidental chef”.
After “failing hard” at opening a Saigon restaurant in 2010 a drunken night changed her life.
This resulted in being featured in a magazine shortly after she opened the restaurant, which led to more print media attention. including an airline magazine, in just a short time.
She was then approached about appearing on a Netflix show when she didn’t even know what Netflix was!
We had so much to talk about in this episode and could have talked about so much more. So much so in fact I split this episode into two parts!
You can eat at her restaurant at Kau Ba Kitchen in Houston and Kậu Ba in Saigon.
Read the full blog post here.
Follow Nickie;
Facebook & Instagram
Season 6 A Vietnam Podcast is sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli & Diner.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nickie Tran, a fish-sauce American, worked for a major chip manufacturer in the U.S. before becoming an “accidental chef”.
After “failing hard” at opening a Saigon restaurant in 2010 a drunken night changed her life.
This resulted in being featured in a magazine shortly after she opened the restaurant, which led to more print media attention. including an airline magazine, in just a short time.
She was then approached about appearing on a Netflix show when she didn’t even know what Netflix was!
We had so much to talk about in this episode and could have talked about so much more. So much so in fact I split this episode into two parts!
You can eat at her restaurant at Kau Ba Kitchen in Houston and Kậu Ba in Saigon.
Read the full blog post here.
Follow Nickie;
Facebook & Instagram
Season 6 A Vietnam Podcast is sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli & Diner.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nickie Tran, a fish-sauce American, worked for a major chip manufacturer in the U.S. before becoming an “accidental chef”.
After “failing hard” at opening a Saigon restaurant in 2010 a drunken night changed her life.
This resulted in being featured in a magazine shortly after she opened the restaurant, which led to more print media attention. including an airline magazine, in just a short time.
She was then approached about appearing on a Netflix show when she didn’t even know what Netflix was!
We had so much to talk about in this episode and could have talked about so much more. So much so in fact I split this episode into two parts!
You can eat at her restaurant at Kau Ba Kitchen in Houston and Kậu Ba in Saigon.
Read the full blog post here.
Follow Nickie;
Facebook & Instagram
Season 6 A Vietnam Podcast is sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli & Diner.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nickie Tran, a fish-sauce American, worked for a major chip manufacturer in the U.S. before becoming an “accidental chef”.
After “failing hard” at opening a Saigon restaurant in 2010 a drunken night changed her life.
This resulted in being featured in a magazine shortly after she opened the restaurant, which led to more print media attention. including an airline magazine, in just a short time.
She was then approached about appearing on a Netflix show when she didn’t even know what Netflix was!
We had so much to talk about in this episode and could have talked about so much more. So much so in fact I split this episode into two parts!
You can eat at her restaurant at Kau Ba Kitchen in Houston and Kậu Ba in Saigon.
Read the full blog post here.
Follow Nickie;
Facebook & Instagram
Season 6 A Vietnam Podcast is sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli & Diner.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Lâm Vissay is a well known German actor and singer-songwriter, a filmmaker who's written and recently directed his 4th shortfilm. He moved to Germany when he was only 4 years old, his parents being boat people.
Read more about this episode with Lâm on the Seven Million Bikes Blog.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Lâm Vissay is a well known German actor and singer-songwriter, a filmmaker who's written and recently directed his 4th shortfilm. He moved to Germany when he was only 4 years old, his parents being boat people.
Read more about this episode with Lâm on the Seven Million Bikes Blog.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.I talk to AnneSophie Hoffman, a French-Canadian Singer, Vocal Coach & Director who has sung in front of audiences world-wide.
She shares interesting, scathing and hilarious insights into being French, French-Canadian and French in Vietnam. We also discuss the highs and lows of being a performer as well as the challenges.
Listen to the end and you will AnneSophie's amazing voice!
Read more about this episode on the Seven Million Bikes Blog.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.I talk to AnneSophie Hoffman, a French-Canadian Singer, Vocal Coach & Director who has sung in front of audiences world-wide.
She shares interesting, scathing and hilarious insights into being French, French-Canadian and French in Vietnam. We also discuss the highs and lows of being a performer as well as the challenges.
Listen to the end and you will AnneSophie's amazing voice!
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.Tony Fornaro is an extroverted introvert, who has been living in Saigon since the end of 2019. He came with a partner which unfortunately ended so is now trying to navigate Saigon solo.
Tony had a good job, and comfortable life working as an insurance underwriter in Boston but felt unsettled with the Monday to Friday, 9-5 lifestyle. He found it boring, monotonous, and soul-crushing.
"I quit a 19-year career with no real, tangible plan. I went ALL IN to get to Vietnam. Fear of wasting my life...of wasting more time was enough to let go of all my security and finally make that BIG, high-risk move."
Influenced by Anthony Bourdain, once he started traveling in his early 30s it changed him and got under his skin - broadening his horizons as travel does, taking him to more than 20 countries. The seed was planted to leave the U.S., eventually doing so at the not so tender age of 41.
"I actually didn't have a set vision of what life would look like here; I was just romantic about travel and about Vietnam (even though I had never been here). All the good things that have happened here could not have been envisioned as 'goals'; the bad things have just been part of being human. Vietnam has given ALL of it to me and it's really special."
Once in Saigon, he was able to follow his passion for cooking and eye for something new by hosting three YouTube shows. He's now started a new job as a copywriter and is writing for an online magazine
Tony will also be contributing to the new Seven Million Bikes Blog.
We discuss in this episode the massive difference that traveling and leaving your home country can make to you as a person, the challenges of living in the United States, and the freedom from leaving.
Check Tony on YouTube!
Vietnam $4 Street Food Challenge!! Best Street Food in Saigon!!! What to eat at the Cao Thang Street
Saigon Street Food Vietnam | Best Street Food in Saigon!!! MI QUANG - VIETNAMESE QUANG STYLE NOODLE
Vietnam Street Food !! Best Street Food in Saigon!!! What to eat in Ngo Gia Tu Apartment - Part 2
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.
Tony Fornaro is an extroverted introvert, who has been living in Saigon since the end of 2019. He came with a partner which unfortunately ended so is now trying to navigate Saigon solo.
Tony had a good job, and comfortable life working as an insurance underwriter in Boston but felt unsettled with the Monday to Friday, 9-5 lifestyle. He found it boring, monotonous, and soul-crushing.
"I quit a 19-year career with no real, tangible plan. I went ALL IN to get to Vietnam. Fear of wasting my life...of wasting more time was enough to let go of all my security and finally make that BIG, high-risk move."
Influenced by Anthony Bourdain, once he started traveling in his early 30s it changed him and got under his skin - broadening his horizons as travel does, taking him to more than 20 countries. The seed was planted to leave the U.S., eventually doing so at the not so tender age of 41.
"I actually didn't have a set vision of what life would look like here; I was just romantic about travel and about Vietnam (even though I had never been here). All the good things that have happened here could not have been envisioned as 'goals'; the bad things have just been part of being human. Vietnam has given ALL of it to me and it's really special."
Once in Saigon, he was able to follow his passion for cooking and eye for something new by hosting three YouTube shows. He's now started a new job as a copywriter and is writing for an online magazine
Tony will also be contributing to the new Seven Million Bikes Blog.
We discuss in this episode the massive difference that traveling and leaving your home country can make to you as a person, the challenges of living in the United States, and the freedom from leaving.
Check Tony on YouTube!
Vietnam $4 Street Food Challenge!! Best Street Food in Saigon!!! What to eat at the Cao Thang Street
Saigon Street Food Vietnam | Best Street Food in Saigon!!! MI QUANG - VIETNAMESE QUANG STYLE NOODLE
Vietnam Street Food !! Best Street Food in Saigon!!! What to eat in Ngo Gia Tu Apartment - Part 2
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.
Micka Chu is a Russian French MC, Actress and media personality in Vietnam.
She speaks 5 languages and participates regularly in major Vietnamese National TV shows. Micka has her Youtube Channel (Savyu Vietnam) where she is doing food reviews in Saigon.. and in Vietnamese of course !
You can hear her use all 5 languages in one sentence - how many languages can you understand? Me? 1!
Micka is full of energy and enthusiasm and we not only talk about languages, her journey from Russia to France then Vietnam where she has carved out a career in the entertainment industry. And also the crazy foods she’s tried, including bull testicles!
Artist and Adventurer at the same time this young lady takes the best from every situation and is always ready for a new challenge !
Follow Micka Chu
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
If you are interest in learning Vietnamese contact Yuli!
With 3 years of teaching experience, she offers private or group Vietnamese classes, tailored to suit the topics you want to learn to talk about.
Her lesson content is unconventional, and all self created. Lessons are conversational and she uses tools such as Anki - a flash card app used to study vocabulary, and google drive, where all notes and recaps from each session are stored in a private folder created for you.
Lessons take place at a location of your choice or online
For more information please contact her at Vietnamesewithyuli@gmail.com
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.
Micka Chu is a Russian French MC, Actress and media personality in Vietnam.
She speaks 5 languages and participates regularly in major Vietnamese National TV shows. Micka has her Youtube Channel (Savyu Vietnam) where she is doing food reviews in Saigon.. and in Vietnamese of course !
You can hear her use all 5 languages in one sentence - how many languages can you understand? Me? 1!
Micka is full of energy and enthusiasm and we not only talk about languages, her journey from Russia to France then Vietnam where she has carved out a career in the entertainment industry. And also the crazy foods she’s tried, including bull testicles!
Artist and Adventurer at the same time this young lady takes the best from every situation and is always ready for a new challenge !
Follow Micka Chu
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.In Episode 1 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 tried out stand up comedy before exploring Drag as the character Colonel Hai Minh, performing in several shows and also works with Dragonfly Theatre.
Instead of talking about the arts scene in Saigon that they are both a part of, for some unknown reason Niall and Ilse get very excited to talk about urban planning in Saigon and the improved road network! It's a way more interesting conversation than it sounds!
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
LaraHomestay is only 3-4 hours from Saigon, it’s a great hidden gem! A real homestay for travelers on a budget and you’re looking for nature and simplicity. Lara is also a great host, so check out the link to their Facebook and send them a message on their to book your getaway from Saigon.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Season 6 is Sponsored by Eddie's - New York Deli and Diner.In Episode 1 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 tried out stand up comedy before exploring Drag as the character Colonel Hai Minh, performing in several shows and also works with Dragonfly Theatre.
Instead of talking about the arts scene in Saigon that they are both a part of, for some unknown reason Niall and Ilse get very excited to talk about urban planning in Saigon and the improved road network! It's a way more interesting conversation than it sounds!
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
While we take a break between Season 5 and 6 each week we'll publish a compilation episode from Season 5 with all the answers to the end of show questions asked by Niall.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
While we take a break between Season 5 and 6 each week we'll publish a compilation episode from Season 5 with all the answers to the end of show questions asked by Niall.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
While we take a break between Season 5 and 6 each week we'll publish a compilation episode from Season 5 with all the answers to the end of show questions asked by Niall.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
While we take a break between Season 5 and 6 each week we'll publish a compilation episode from Season 5 with all the answers to the end of show questions asked by Niall.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
While we take a break between Season 5 and 6 each week we'll publish a compilation episode from Season 5 with all the answers to the end of show questions asked by Niall.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 & Berlin.
Listen on Soundcloud.
Vice Article
Meet the young artists shaping Saigon’s creative underground
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 & Berlin.
Listen on Soundcloud.
Vice Article
Meet the young artists shaping Saigon’s creative underground
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nhi is a Swiss born and raised Viet Kieu who decided to move to Saigon 2 years ago. Growing up with two completely different cultures, it was not always easy for her to define her identity.
Living in Vietnam allowed her to understand and discover more about her roots and gave her another perspective of her motherland.
While she is experiencing this new and exciting chapter on the other side of the world, she decided to create a YouTube channel about it, called Now Or Nhi. This lifestyle channel is an outlet for her to give insight into her life as a Viet Kieu / Expat in Saigon.
She uploads vlogs and multilingual interviews about her favorite topics: culture, travel, food and fashion.
Subscribe to her YouTube
Follow her on Instagram
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nhi is a Swiss born and raised Viet Kieu who decided to move to Saigon 2 years ago. Growing up with two completely different cultures, it was not always easy for her to define her identity.
Living in Vietnam allowed her to understand and discover more about her roots and gave her another perspective of her motherland.
While she is experiencing this new and exciting chapter on the other side of the world, she decided to create a YouTube channel about it, called Now Or Nhi. This lifestyle channel is an outlet for her to give insight into her life as a Viet Kieu / Expat in Saigon.
She uploads vlogs and multilingual interviews about her favorite topics: culture, travel, food and fashion.
Subscribe to her YouTube
Follow her on Instagram
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nghia Mai began doing Stand Up in Scotland in 2014 and has performed his unique brand of racially-infused humour on numerous stages across the world, entertaining audiences with his colourful stories including the relentless mispronunciation of his name by Scotsmen and other nationalities.
In September 2019, he moved to Dublin, Ireland, to pursue further studies at Trinity College and is now immersing himself in the local Irish comedy scene.
In his short time in Ireland, Nghia has already made it to the finals of a number of competitions including the Cherry Comedy Breakout Act of the Year and Dublin's Next Top Comic. He's also the host of the Hot Potcast, a podcast where a panel of Vietnamese comics discuss a wide range of topics with international guests.
The Hot Potcast- podcast featuring Vietnamese and international comics sharing ideas and jokes. Available on all major platforms. Socials (FB, Insta): @thehotpotcastvn
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Nghia Mai began doing Stand Up in Scotland in 2014 and has performed his unique brand of racially-infused humour on numerous stages across the world, entertaining audiences with his colourful stories including the relentless mispronunciation of his name by Scotsmen and other nationalities.
In September 2019, he moved to Dublin, Ireland, to pursue further studies at Trinity College and is now immersing himself in the local Irish comedy scene.
In his short time in Ireland, Nghia has already made it to the finals of a number of competitions including the Cherry Comedy Breakout Act of the Year and Dublin's Next Top Comic. He's also the host of the Hot Potcast, a podcast where a panel of Vietnamese comics discuss a wide range of topics with international guests.
The Hot Potcast- podcast featuring Vietnamese and international comics sharing ideas and jokes. Available on all major platforms. Socials (FB, Insta): @thehotpotcastvn
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Californian by custom and New Orleanian at heart, Erick Garcia has been performing comedy for 8 years. Starting in New Orleans, he has since performed in Los Angeles and all over Vietnam. He has hosted shows for such acts as Daniel Ray Spaulding, Turner Sparks, Scott Agnew, Kristel Zweers and Garret Millerick.
He was able to snag the runner up spot in the 2019 Vietnam Amateur comedy competition in Saigon and is continuing to build on his craft after recently moving from Hanoi to Saigon.
Traveling throughout Vietnam and taking the stages, Erick Garcia is an American who takes the time to joke about politics, family and his travels through life.
In this episode we cover his journey through comedy, living in Hanoi versus Saigon, leaving your home country and what it means to be a first-generation immigrant of Mexican parents.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Californian by custom and New Orleanian at heart, Erick Garcia has been performing comedy for 8 years. Starting in New Orleans, he has since performed in Los Angeles and all over Vietnam. He has hosted shows for such acts as Daniel Ray Spaulding, Turner Sparks, Scott Agnew, Kristel Zweers and Garret Millerick.
He was able to snag the runner up spot in the 2019 Vietnam Amateur comedy competition in Saigon and is continuing to build on his craft after recently moving from Hanoi to Saigon.
Traveling throughout Vietnam and taking the stages, Erick Garcia is an American who takes the time to joke about politics, family and his travels through life.
In this episode we cover his journey through comedy, living in Hanoi versus Saigon, leaving your home country and what it means to be a first-generation immigrant of Mexican parents.
Follow Seven Million Bikes;
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content and/or become a Patreon Member.
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 understand the culture he was living in better Mr Nam Đen took Vietnamese lessons and without fear of making mistakes he threw himself into learning Vietnamese.
As a trained actor, with a strong comedic sense and master of the local language, what started as a hobby in 2018 has grown into a channel with over 66,000 Subscribers and a devoted fanbase.
You can follow Mr Nam Đen on any of his channels here;
Afro Viet TV YouTube
Tik Tok
And in this episode we give a shout out to fellow content creators;
Koalaland
Live Awesome
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content and/or become a Patreon Member.
Mr Nam Đen as he is affectionately know in Vietnam, or Nadis as he is know 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 understand the culture he was living in better Mr Nam Đen took Vietnamese lessons and without fear of making mistakes he threw himself into learning Vietnamese.
As a trained actor, with a strong comedic sense and master of the local language, what started as a hobby in 2018 has grown into a channel with over 66,000 Subscribers and a devoted fanbase.
You can follow Mr Nam Đen on any of his channels here;
Afro Viet TV YouTube
Tik Tok
And in this episode we give a shout out to fellow content creators;
Koalaland
Live Awesome
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Chris Nguyen is a third culture kid born and raised in the UK to Vietnamese and Chinese parents.
He’s a self-taught product design leader, facilitator, and creator. His journey into content creation happened during the pandemic.
He now documents his journey on Youtube covering Creativity, Life in Asia, Unemployment, and The Human Condition.
Subscribe to his podcast Ranting Bananas on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts and his YouTube channel Semigrownkid.
You can also follow Chris on Instagram.
Shout outs in this episode to
Creators in Saigon Podcast
Ho Chi Minh Expat Group Saigon
and please support
The Green Bamboo Center - Cơ sở Bảo trợ Xã hội Tre Xanh
The Green Bamboo Kitchen - Quán cơm Tre Xanh
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Chris Nguyen is a third culture kid born and raised in the UK to Vietnamese and Chinese parents.
He’s a self-taught product design leader, facilitator, and creator. His journey into content creation happened during the pandemic.
He now documents his journey on Youtube covering Creativity, Life in Asia, Unemployment, and The Human Condition.
Subscribe to his podcast Ranting Bananas on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts and his YouTube channel Semigrownkid.
You can also follow Chris on Instagram.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
After 4 Seasons and interviewing over 30 guests we are giving you the chance to be a part of A Vietnam Podcast and enjoy member benefits for supporting this content.
A massive thank you to Brandon Thompson and Zion Johnson for becoming the first ever Seven Million Bikes; A Vietnam Podcast Patreon Members!
Little Mic $6 PER MONTH
For people who love A Vietnam Podcast and want to give their support AND enjoy the benefits of being a Little Mic.
As a Little Mic...
- You'll receive a Free Ticket for a 7MB show* and one ticket every 3 months after.
- If you are not based in Vietnam you'll be sent a digital copy of the professional video recording of the Ha Ha Hard Rock Show (~2 hours long) and a video of a performance/show every three months.
- The first ten Little Mic supporters will be given a personal thank you at the End Credits of every episode. After the first ten supporters you will get a personal thank you at the end of an episode after you join.
- You will also be given a personal thank you on Facebook and Instagram.
- Please inform us if you don't want to be publicly thanked.
Big Mic $12 PER MONTH
As a Big Mic...
- You get a Free Ticket Per Month to a 7MB show* while your support is active.
- If you are not based in Vietnam you'll be sent a digital copy of the professional video recording of the Ha Ha Hard Rock Show (~2 hours long) and a video of a performance/show every three months.
- You will be given a personal thank you at the End Credits of each episode.
- You will also be given a personal thank you on Facebook and Instagram.
- Please inform us if you don't want to be publicly thanked.
- An episode link will be sent to you the day before the release of the Full Episode.
Wee Mic $4 PER MONTH
For listeners who love A Vietnam Podcast and want to give their love and support as a Wee Mic without the need for any benefits.This is a massive help in supporting the ongoing costs of maintaining A Vietnam Podcast.
*Does not include The Headliner
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
This episode didn't turn out as planned. A Vietnam Podcast usually shares individuals stories, but in this episode we immediately start discussing the amazing work of Saigon Children's Charity and the intricacies therein. We didn't even get a chance to talk to Damien about him or his background or how he ended up in Vietnam and making a difference leading his team as Executive Director at Saigon Children's Charity.
Watch this space - as this is one guest we may have to get back on to tell their story.
You can check out the work of Saigon Children's Charity here and please donate if you can.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
This episode didn't turn out as planned. A Vietnam Podcast usually shares individuals stories, but in this episode we immediately start discussing the amazing work of Saigon Children's Charity and the intricacies therein. We didn't even get a chance to talk to Damien about him or his background or how he ended up in Vietnam and making a difference leading his team as Executive Director at Saigon Children's Charity.
Watch this space - as this is one guest we may have to get back on to tell their story.
You can check out the work of Saigon Children's Charity here and please donate if you can.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The second episode of season 5 is with Bliss Saigon’s Edith Giraudo.
Hailing from France, and after living in England, the United States and Germany, Edith first came to Saigon in 1983 for work. Like many visitors here, she instantly fell in love with Vietnam. So much so she would travel a week out of every month to Vietnam for work.
With a background in Art History Edith carved out a career in communications which led to the creation of this very online-magazine. Now with staff from France, Vietnam and Australia and produced in both English and Vietnamese, it is one of the leading lifestyle magazines in Saigon with readers from around the world.
Edith shares on this episode what life was like in Saigon in 1983 and how it compares to a very different city now.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Thank you to everyone who listens to and enjoys Seven Million Bikes; A Vietnam Podcast.
A Vietnam Podcast will always be available for free wherever you can listen to podcasts. After 4 Seasons and interviewing over 30 guests we are now giving you the chance to be a Member of A Vietnam Podcast and give your support through our Patreon page.
We've created four different levels, to give everyone the chance to support this content.
You can be a;
- Wee Mic
- Little Mic
- Big Mic or
- Mega Mic
Each with different Member Benefits that you can enjoy.
Click on the link below to see the page and the benefits of each level.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
To celebrate the first Seven Million Bikes show outside of Saigon we interview the host of the upcoming show, Jazzie Más.
Jazzie is a comedian, MC & holistic Transformation Coach, from South Central Los Angeles and has been living in Đà Nẵng since last year. Before then she had lived in Mexico, Indonesia and Thailand.
The pandemic has put a halt to any more travel in the near future but she loves life by the beach in Đà Nẵng and after placing 2nd in the Saigon Comedy Competition Heats and making the finals she is working on her business and building the comedy scene in Đà Nẵng.
Check out her website Black Digital Nomad. Or follow her on Instagram.
To reserve tickets for the show on Friday, January 22nd at The Workshop go here and message Seven Million Bikes.
We did end up discussing briefly COVID so this is not an entirely COVID-FREE conversation. Sorry!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The second episode of season 5 is with Bliss Saigon’s Edith Giraudo.
Hailing from France, and after living in England, the United States and Germany, Edith first came to Saigon in 1983 for work. Like many visitors here, she instantly fell in love with Vietnam. So much so she would travel a week out of every month to Vietnam for work.
With a background in Art History Edith carved out a career in communications which led to the creation of this very online-magazine. Now with staff from France, Vietnam and Australia and produced in both English and Vietnamese, it is one of the leading lifestyle magazines in Saigon with readers from around the world.
Edith shares on this episode what life was like in Saigon in 1983 and how it compares to a very different city now.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The first guest of A Vietnam Podcast Season 5 is Kelso Dowling.
Kelso, one of the newest comics in the burgeoning Saigon comedy scene, moved to Vietnam after a trip around Southeast Asia, and, having spent much of their formative years bouncing around the States and beyond on the “military brat” circuit, Kelso once again uprooted themself and settled in Hanoi.
They recently made the move from Hanoi, but don’t bother asking which is better - “they’re just different.” After only 18 months of doing stand-up comedy, Kelso has honed their style to approach weighty topics with an air of breezy honesty and self-awareness.
On stage, Kelso can be seen breaking down social constructs around gender, consent and monogamy, skillfully navigating that territory from behind the mic. Sobriety has also found a place in their life and, naturally, their set - and they’ve perhaps found it a bit easier to grapple with onstage than in the minefield of dating. “I never realized how much I relied on alcohol to flirt.”
On January 16th Kelso will be The Headliner at 1920 Prohibition Bar in D1, performing her longest set yet. This show is nearly sold out already so contact Seven Million Bikes to book tickets.
Follow Kelso on Instagram
Suggested Reading
How to Understand Your Gender
Life Isn't Binary Paperback
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast)
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The first guest of A Vietnam Podcast Season 5 is Kelso Dowling.
Kelso, one of the newest comics in the burgeoning Saigon comedy scene, moved to Vietnam after a trip around Southeast Asia, and, having spent much of their formative years bouncing around the States and beyond on the “military brat” circuit, Kelso once again uprooted themself and settled in Hanoi.
They recently made the move from Hanoi, but don’t bother asking which is better - “they’re just different.” After only 18 months of doing stand-up comedy, Kelso has honed their style to approach weighty topics with an air of breezy honesty and self-awareness.
On stage, Kelso can be seen breaking down social constructs around gender, consent and monogamy, skillfully navigating that territory from behind the mic. Sobriety has also found a place in their life and, naturally, their set - and they’ve perhaps found it a bit easier to grapple with onstage than in the minefield of dating. “I never realized how much I relied on alcohol to flirt.”
On January 16th Kelso will be The Headliner at 1920 Prohibition Bar in D1, performing her longest set yet. This show is nearly sold out already so contact Seven Million Bikes to book tickets.
Suggested Reading
How to Understand Your Gender
Life Isn't Binary Paperback
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
With a background in construction design and 3d modelling, Stewart Gatsi is an independent singer/songwriter, recording artist, educator, and author.
Born in Harare Zimbabwe, his experiences across more than fifteen countries play a key role in shaping his outlook. In 2019 Stewart officially released his first fully professional recorded musical project, the seven-track E.P Songs On My Bike. Currently based in Ho Chi Minh City, his first book Rough Guide To Planet Earth is the first in a series of books chronicling his tumultuous twenty-year journey across four continents.
It chronicles his adventures and misadventures starting out in Zimbabwe, then subsequently migrating to the U.S, Cyprus, Dubai, and ultimately a return to Zimbabwe after almost a decade of living abroad. Ensuing events eventually lead to him traveling yet again, with experiences taking him through South Africa, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Buy his book here.
Listen to his music here.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
With a background in construction design and 3d modelling, Stewart Gatsi is an independent singer/songwriter, recording artist, educator, and author.
Born in Harare Zimbabwe, his experiences across more than fifteen countries play a key role in shaping his outlook. In 2019 Stewart officially released his first fully professional recorded musical project, the seven-track E.P Songs On My Bike. Currently based in Ho Chi Minh City, his first book Rough Guide To Planet Earth is the first in a series of books chronicling his tumultuous twenty-year journey across four continents.
It chronicles his adventures and misadventures starting out in Zimbabwe, then subsequently migrating to the U.S, Cyprus, Dubai, and ultimately a return to Zimbabwe after almost a decade of living abroad. Ensuing events eventually lead to him traveling yet again, with experiences taking him through South Africa, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Buy his book here.
Listen to his music here.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 interview with Niall and more on her website:
https://theblueexpat.com/
or on wherever you listen to podcasts.
Connect with Phuong on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblueexpat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblueexpat/
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 interview with Niall and more on her website:
https://theblueexpat.com/
or on wherever you listen to podcasts.
Connect with Phuong on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblueexpat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblueexpat/
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
This is the most emotional episode of Seven Million Bikes and a must listen.
AJ Miller is a Jersey Girl in ‘Nam. she is a fitness trainer, artist, singer and comedian in Saigon. A daughter of a Vietnam (American) War Veteran.
She came to Vietnam exhausted and angry at the world after spending 3 years taking care of her dad through Agent Orange induced Leukemia.
She had his memoirs and wanted to see, hear and feel these memoirs in the country where they were experienced. She has done live readings of her father’s memoirs on-line to spread awareness of PTSD in soldiers.
Spent last two years healing/exploring/developing herself in the unique magic and freedom that is Vietnam. Misses snow and snowboarding desperately.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright
Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray
Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
Buy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
This is the most emotional episode of Seven Million Bikes and a must listen.
AJ Miller is a Jersey Girl in ‘Nam. She is a fitness trainer, artist, singer and comedian in Saigon. A daughter of a Vietnam (American) War Veteran.
She came to Vietnam exhausted and angry at the world after spending 3 years taking care of her dad through Agent Orange induced Leukemia.
She had his memoirs and wanted to see, hear and feel these memoirs in the country where they were experienced. She has done live readings of her father’s memoirs on-line to spread awareness of PTSD in soldiers.
Spent last two years healing/exploring/developing herself in the unique magic and freedom that is Vietnam. Misses snow and snowboarding desperately.
Check out her Facebook Page RED17.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Born and fled South African Comedian Devin Gray, one of the top rising stars in comedy. With appearances on Comedy Central, International Festivals and pretty much any local bar with a stool and a microphone Devin is sure to set the pace for a whirlwind of hilarity.
And circuituos is a word! I just didn't say it right.
cir·cu·i·tous
/sərˈkyo͞oədəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
(of a route or journey) longer than the most direct way.
"the canal followed a circuitous route"
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 blogger with the well-know blog So The Adventure Begins. She is also well-known for her pink Honda cub she is often seen driving around Saigon. She has been living in Saigon now for three years and is the first Scottish guest to join me on the show. Don't worry, you can understand us!
We talk about her not being an influencer, why she started a blog, breaking up and dating in Saigon, out homeland and of course Scottish accents.
There is the unplanned ubiquitous shout out as always for Matt Ryan! And his deep-fried Mars Bars.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
The boys who help run everything in our quarantine facility hang out in the evenings on the floor below us. We often see them play games, play music, play drums and guitars and sing together.
Tonight we were lucky enough to hear, what sounded like every one of the quarantine staff in our block, singing together outside on the floor below us. I was able to record their rousing singing to share with you. Thank you to them all! If you know the song then please share it with me.
We can't thank them enough for everything they have done for us and for Vietnam. It is amazing to hear that despite the work they are doing they seem to be able to enjoy themselves together.
If you know anyone who has volunteered at The National University Dormitory then please put them in touch with me at sevenmillionbikes@gmail.com.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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, from the Prime Minister - 2 metre distancing, only leave for your home for essentials, groups of no more than two people outside and only essential services open. He also gives us his take on the state of the financial market, why we shouldn't panic and why it matters to everyone. Whether you own stocks or not.
If you would like to reach out to Lawrence for advice you can email him at lawrence.young@holbornassets.com or message him on LinkedIn.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 the U.S. to be with her parents before she was locked out of Vietnam. Or her parents were locked out of the U.S.
Her story is one of many similar yet unique stories around the world about how the rapid escalation of Covid-19 affected people.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 reason to get back to Vietnam as soon as possible.
Flying on the same flight from Sydney as Niall and Adrie she found herself on the same problem at the Vietnamese border of being moment away from being sent back to Australia, a country she has no ties to. Before luckily being allowed in at midnight and sent to quarantine with a group of foreigners who'd never met before. There she paired up with Niall and Adrie, wanting to be with the only other female in the group.
Listen to more details about her story and what life has been like in quarantine for the three new friends.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 trip, but almost immediately those plans changed as things developed rapidly in the world. And continued to change daily, then hourly, then almost by the minute as we tried to get back to Vietnam as soon as we could before the borders closed and we were stranded in New Zealand. In hindsight we should have listened to those red flags and stayed in Vietnam.
Adrie tells the story of how we got back into Vietnam, barely, and why we are in quarantine after the most anxiety inducing and stressful period of our lives together.
We feel ridiculously lucky that we made it into Vietnam at literally the 11th hour before the border effectively shut at midnight to foreigners.
Adrie and the presenter of Seven Million Bikes, Niall have been married for nearly 7 years, living in Vietnam for 4 of those, calling this country home. They have a beautiful French Bulldog called Biscuit who is waiting for them to get out of quarantine at her best friends house.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 of Angee the Diva, Uy Nguyễn and Jesús López II.
Panel Profile
Angee the Diva
Angee is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam. She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been 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. She is a mother of two, writer, event planner, and has a Degree in Education, previously teaching kids in her home of Hawaii.
Uy Nguyễn
A Vietnamese comedian who gives a fresh perspective on dating, dealing with tourists, and other thoughts that will have you splitting a side.
He has performed in Saigon for 3 years and opened for Gina Yashere, Grem Wooding and Ro Campbell since 2017.
Uy represents the new generation of young English-speaking Vietnamese comics coming into the scene with hilarious success.
Jesús López II
Jesús is a journalist regularly featured in Saigon’s Oi magazine and works a professional copywriter. As a general assignment reporter, Jesús has covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Ho Chi Minh City’s comedians and (just a bit of) political coverage.
Supporting Materials
10 famous comedians on how political correctness is killing comedy: "We are addicted to the rush of being offended"How Political Correctness is Killing ComedyIs the snowflake generation really about to kill off com
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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 being discriminated in Vietnamese, orgies and changing perceptions of what's right or wrong.
Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
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Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 being discriminated in Vietnamese, orgies and changing perceptions of what's right or wrong.
Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 Hanoi, sexuality, gender, inclusiveness, white, male privilege and a whole lot more!
Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 Hanoi, sexuality, gender, inclusiveness, white, male privilege and a whole lot more!
Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.
- Owner and Founder at El Camino
- Owner and Founder at Easy Tiger
- Gin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer
- Owner and Founder at 20twenty Kick-Ass Bia Hoi
Instagram; fkndeliciousness
How not to treat your customers;
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/68165320/wellingtons-ekim-burger-fires-off-expletive-filled-facebook-rant-at-customers
Calvin's response to a 1 star review;
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293925-d14090367-Reviews-El_Camino_Korean_Tacos-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.
- Owner and Founder at El Camino
- Owner and Founder at Easy Tiger
- Gin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer
- Owner and Founder at 20twenty Kick-Ass Bia Hoi
Instagram; fkndeliciousness
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 Senses resort.
Currently, she is Head of Sales for Bira91; a beer imagined in India, brewed in Belgium, sold worldwide and currently making inroads into the crowded Vietnamese market.
We talk about her parents tumultuous relationship, owing to their different backgrounds and family pressures, and how that affected her growing up; living in different places around the world and the experiences gleaned from that and of course... alcohol. From the mass consumption of beer in Vietnam to the plethora of new cocktail bars opening in Saigon and our favourite types of whisky.
She also believes that dogs are better than humans! Biscuit agrees.
Bira 91Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Senses resort.
Currently, she is Head of Sales for Bira91; a beer imagined in India, brewed in Belgium, sold worldwide and currently making inroads into the crowded Vietnamese market.
We talk about her parents tumultuous relationship, owing to their different backgrounds and family pressures, and how that affected her growing up; living in different places around the world and the experiences gleaned from that and of course... alcohol. From the mass consumption of beer in Vietnam to the plethora of new cocktail bars opening in Saigon and our favourite types of whisky.
She also believes that dogs are better than humans! Biscuit agrees.
Bira 91Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 cover it all and more in this episode with Ella Beth.
Check out Ella on YouTube.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 cover it all and more in this episode with Ella Beth.
Check out Ella on YouTube.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 are among the artists performing.
Listen to this episode to find out how to win one of three Coracle Music Festival tickets worth 1.5m vnd each!
Get your tickets for the Coracle Music Festival here.
APOLOGIES; I was having microphone issues on this recording, so the sound quality of this episode may be poorer than usual. I tried my best, with the help of Lewis Wright, to fix it but this was as good as it gets. I hope you enjoy the episode and massive apologies!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 are among the artists performing.
Listen to this episode to find out how to win one of three Coracle Music Festival tickets worth 1.5m vnd each!
Get your tickets for the Coracle Music Festival here.
APOLOGIES; I was having microphone issues on this recording, so the sound quality of this episode may be poorer than usual. I tried my best, with the help of Lewis Wright, to fix it but this was as good as it gets. I hope you enjoy the episode and massive apologies!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 of children happens in Vietnam and how it is dealt with - especially in relation to the way that older people are automatically believed and respected. We also discuss what is changing to help protect children and prevent this happening.
Despite the heavy nature of the subject, we still find some light-hearted moments and it was great to see that Sen hasn't been worn down by the nature of her reporting and stays upbeat.
This is Sen's hidden gem she recommends;Cầu Thủ Thiêm, P. Bình An, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
Recommended restaurant;The Tib Restaurant
Vietnamese VN Express
English Vn Express
Below are some articles by Sen.
Tale of children who survived My Lai massacre falls on deaf earsDon’t you mess with us any more: women, children learn self-defense
Dim light at the end of sex education tunnel
South Korean brokers advertise Vietnamese women as commodities on YouTube
LGBT rights: Vietnam recognises transgender people, but there’s a flaw in its law
Sen is also a contributing writer for the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post and also reports on LGBT rights and related issues.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 of children happens in Vietnam and how it is dealt with - especially in relation to the way that older people are automatically believed and respected. We also discuss what is changing to help protect children and prevent this happening.
Despite the heavy nature of the subject, we still find some light-hearted moments and it was great to see that Sen hasn't been worn down by the nature of her reporting and stays upbeat.
This is Sen's hidden gem that she talked aboutCầu Thủ Thiêm, P. Bình An, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh
Vietnamese VN Express
English Vn Express
Below are some articles by Sen.
Tale of children who survived My Lai massacre falls on deaf earsDon’t you mess with us any more: women, children learn self-defense
Dim light at the end of sex education tunnel
South Korean brokers advertise Vietnamese women as commodities on YouTube
LGBT rights: Vietnam recognises transgender people, but there’s a flaw in its law
Sen is also a contributing writer for the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post and also reports on LGBT rights and related issues.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
Vietnam's raunchiest comedian live at The Tavern, Phu My Hung, D7 - June 2019
The first episode of Season 2 was 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 and rounds of applause. Her family doesn't think she is funny, which is why they are never invited to shows.
We talk about the differences between Hanoi and Saigon, what it's like to be a risqué, Vietnamese and female comedian, doing comedy in a second language, and Tu's ongoing journey with depression. Below are recommended links from Tu if you need support with your mental health.
Links
Saigon Support Group
The Beautiful Mind Group
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 and rounds of applause. Her family doesn't think she is funny, which is why they are never invited to shows.
We talk about the differences between Hanoi and Saigon, what it's like to be a risqué, Vietnamese and female comedian, doing comedy in a second language, and Tu's ongoing journey with depression. Below are recommended links from Tu if you need support with your mental health.
Links
Saigon Support Group
The Beautiful Mind Group
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
TEASER FOR SEASON 2 EPISODE 1! STARTING THIS SATURDAY, SEPT 21st 2019.
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 and rounds of applause. Her family doesn't think she is funny, which is why they are never invited to shows.
We talk about the differences between Hanoi and Saigon, what it's like to be a risqué, Vietnamese and female comedian, doing comedy in a second language, and Tu's ongoing journey with depression. Below are recommended links from Tu if you need support with mental health.
Links
Saigon Support Group
The Beautiful Mind Group
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
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A compilation of every guests answers (except Kim because I forgot to ask her!)
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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-confessed damaged American perpetually creating a guide to living and teaching abroad in Vietnam. He also is an enthusiast of all things meat!
We talk about our shared love of beer and experiences of living in Saigon, how they met (and finish each others sentences) and came to create Sexy Meat Talks.
This is only Part 1 of this special crossover episode. To listen to Part 2 head over to Sexy Meat Talks to listen on their Website.
And don't forget to like their Facebook too.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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FULL EPISODE Monday 29th, 9am
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-confessed damaged American perpetually creating a guide to living and teaching abroad in Vietnam. He also is an enthusiast of all things Meat!
We talk about our shared love of beer and experiences of living in Saigon, how they met (and finish each others sentences) and came to create Sexy Meat Talks.
This is only Part 1 of this special crossover episode. To listen to Part 2 head over to Sexy Meat Talks to listen on their Website.
And don't forget to like their Facebook too.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 her apartment, creating a closed-door restaurant named Saigonita.
Soon Saigonita appeared in Vice Munchies and was profiled in Saigoneer so she decided to quit her corporate career to pursue her passion in food. Since then, she's been interviewed by publications in Vietnam, Singapore, the US, Italy, France; and has given a TEDx Talk.
She is currently getting to more deeply know her roots and explore Vietnam's culinary scene through travels around the country.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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FULL EPISODE Monday 22nd, 9AM
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 her apartment, creating a closed-door restaurant named Saigonita.
Soon Saigonita appeared in Vice Munchies and was profiled in Saigoneer so she decided to quit her corporate career to pursue her passion in food. Since then, she's been interviewed by publications in Vietnam, Singapore, the US, Italy, France; and has given a TEDx Talk.
She is currently getting to more deeply know her roots and explore Vietnam's culinary scene through travels around the country.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 weekly wine nights and monthly Network Girl events. When you see her feel free to say hi as she loves meeting new people.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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FULL EPISODE MONDAY 15th JULY 9am.
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 with Matt Ryan, The Wreck Saigon.
Originally born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Susan decided to move abroad to Saigon and has tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit.
She also organises weekly wine nights and monthly Network Girl events. When you see her feel free to say hi as she loves meeting new people.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 six years studying in the US before being pressured to move back home to Saigon by his parents despite wanting to pursue his biggest passion, fashion.
We talk about what it was like to come out to his parents as a gay man, and how they have handled that since. And what it is like to be LGBTQ in Saigon compared to other parts of Vietnam. You'll be surprised to learn that he is now married and expecting a baby boy soon.
After moving back to Saigon Daniel was admittedly lost, qualifying to become an English Language teacher but never finding a job. He eventually made peace with his families demands on him as a gay man, and followed his other passions, American and food. He is now a restauranteur, owning American Bistro Hungry Bunny.
If you go to Hungry Bunny and tell Daniel you've heard this episode he'll give you 30% off your bill!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 six years studying in the US before being pressured to move back home to Saigon by his parents despite wanting to pursue his biggest passion, fashion.
We talk about what it was like to come out to his parents as a gay man, and how they have handled that since. And what it is like to be LGBTQ in Saigon compared to other parts of Vietnam. You'll be surprised to learn that he is now married and expecting a baby boy soon.
After moving back to Saigon Daniel was admittedly lost, qualifying to become an English Language teacher but never finding a job. He eventually made peace with his families demands on him as a gay man, and followed his other passions, American and food. He is now a restauranteur, owning American Bistro Hungry Bunny.
If you go to Hungry Bunny and tell Daniel you've heard this episode he'll give you 30% off your bill!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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 Huddersfield he quickly became involved in the local music scene. It wasn’t long before he began doing music production work and now works full time as a music producer.
This is one of the most entertaining interviews I've had, and when you hear about the rhubarb you'll know why!
He is now engaged to Kim Nguyen, our guest from Episode 2, and plans to make Saigon their home.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Huddersfield he quickly became involved in the local music scene. It wasn’t long before he began doing music production work and now works full time as a music producer.
This is one of the most entertaining interviews I've had, and when you hear about the rhubarb you'll know why!
He is now engaged to Kim Nguyen, our guest from Episode 2, and plans to make Saigon their home.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 and a BONUS episode with us talking about football, the influence of Asia on the English Premier League and why I became disillusioned with football because of the bigotry and sectarianism in Scotland. There are some interesting stories but if you’re not into football this may not be of interest to you so I separated it from the main pod.
In the main episode Greg shares how he came to live in Saigon after he started in Italy as a football journalist, and important advice and tips for anyone thinking about being a digital nomad. He shares the realities of being a digital nomad, both the benefits and drawbacks. Greg also talks about life in Saigon and answers the usual questions I ask each guest.
In classic Saigon fashion, there is construction above us so at times you may hear some banging in this episode although Biscuit doesn’t make an appearance this time!
(And yes I called it Seven Million Podcasts near the end!)
Celtic v Dunfermline Scottish Cup Final I talked about. I got it wrong, Dunfermline scored after 40 minutes, not 26.
Check out the website Greg mentioned Nomad List
Here is Greg’s article from The Guardian; The world is my office: why I chose to become a digital nomad worker.
Follow Greg on Twitter @GregLeaFootball.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 and a BONUS episode with us talking about football, the influence of Asia on the English Premier League and why I became disillusioned with football because of the bigotry and sectarianism in Scotland. There are some interesting stories but if you’re not into football this may not be of interest to you so I separated it from the main pod.
In classic Saigon fashion, there is construction above us so at times you may hear some banging in this episode although Biscuit doesn’t make an appearance this time!
(And yes I called it Seven Million Podcasts near the end!)
Celtic v Dunfermline Scottish Cup Final I talked about. I got it wrong, Dunfermline scored after 40 minutes, not 26.
Check out the website Greg mentioned in the main episode; Nomad List
Here is Greg’s article from The Guardian; The world is my office: why I chose to become a digital nomad worker.
Follow Greg on Twitter @GregLeaFootball.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 and a BONUS episode with us talking about football, the influence of Asia on the English Premier League and why I became disillusioned with football because of the bigotry and sectarianism in Scotland. There are some interesting stories but if you’re not into football this may not be of interest to you so I separated it from the main pod.
In the main episode Greg shares how he came to live in Saigon after he started in Italy as a football journalist, and important advice and tips for anyone thinking about being a digital nomad. He shares the realities of being a digital nomad, both the benefits and drawbacks. Greg also talks about life in Saigon and answers the usual questions I ask each guest.
In classic Saigon fashion, there is construction above us so at times you may hear some banging in this episode although Biscuit doesn’t make an appearance this time!
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
We talk about life in Atlanta, anti-semitism, racism and being an adoptee. We also discuss adoption law in Georgia and the shocking affect this can have on all parties involved. As well as talking about his life in Saigon and the usual questions to finish.
If you know Sandy, can you guess his favourite beer?
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
We talk about life in Atlanta, anti-semitism, racism and being an adoptee. We also discuss adoption law in Georgia and the shocking affect this can have on all parties involved. As well as talking about his life in Saigon and the usual questions to finish.
If you know Sandy, can you guess his favourite beer?
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Network. He was named ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2018 San Luis Obispo Comedy Festival for the second time in as many appearances. Lars has also been overseas to entertain the troops 3 times.
Lars has toured with the likes of Miss Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, Bob Saget and Martin Short. He will be making his fifth appearance this April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia
You can find Lars on Instagram, Twitter and his Website.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
FULL EPISODE JUNE 7TH, 9AM
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 Network. He was named ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2018 San Luis Obispo Comedy Festival for the second time in as many appearances. Lars has also been overseas to entertain the troops 3 times.
Lars has toured with the likes of Miss Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, Bob Saget and Martin Short. He will be making his fifth appearance this April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia
You can find Lars on Instagram, Twitter and his Website.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 time.
Mischa shares how he went from drinking beers to pouring them for free to selling Pasteur Beer nationally and internationally and his tips for eating, drinking and living in Saigon.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
FULL EPISODE MONDAY JUNE 3RD, 9AM
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 time.
Mischa shares how he went from drinking beers to pouring them for free to selling Pasteur Beer nationally and internationally and his tips for eating, drinking and living in Saigon.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
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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.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
FULL EPISODE MAY 27TH, 9AM
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.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Scholarship. He went on to co-found Saigon Funny People, regularly hosting open mic nights and performing stand-up comedy. JK now writes for City Pass Guide, Saigoneer and TaleCity, has appeared on Vietnamese TV AND teaches English. The main questions I’ll be asking JK is ‘What do you not do? And where do you find the time?’
Part 2
Moving forward to 2015 when JK first came to Vietnam we talk about his life here, speaking Vietnamese and why he loves it here.
Right mouse click the link to open in a new tab.
Where to get the Bò khoJK talked about.
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)
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 Scholarship. He went on to co-found Saigon Funny People, regularly hosting open mic nights and performing stand-up comedy. JK now writes for City Pass Guide, Saigoneer and TaleCity, has appeared on Vietnamese TV AND teaches English. The main questions I’ll be asking JK is ‘What do you not do? And where do you find the time?’
We had so much to talk about I've split this episode into two parts!
Part 1
First of all we talk about what it was like growing up in New York and how lucky we both feel to be of a generation that didn’t have their lives pictured, recorded and shared for the world to see.
JK shares stories from his days with Crisis and life with a touring band that then moved from New York to LA. We also get into race relations in America, especially under Donald Trump, and how that influenced JK’s decision to stay in Vietnam.
Crisis - Politics of Domination
Crisis - Exit CatacombDallas police officer who shot man in his own apartment indicted on murder charge
World Star Hip Hop-------------------
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Support independent podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast Vietnam by joining the Seven Million Bikes Community.
- Start from just 90k a month, stop at any time,
- get episodes early, bonus content, free tickets to shows, invites to member-only events
- next 5 people to join up will get an SMB reusable mask for free! (Worth 129k)
Did That Really Happen? A new comedy podcast from Seven Million Bikes
Listen and Subscribe/Follow
Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Podcast Addict / Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SevenMillionBikes)