Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast

"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 tour...

"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...

Click here for Adventure Travel inspiration from our friends at Explore Worldwide . Don’t Just Travel, Explore. "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...

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...

Click here for Adventure Travel inspiration from our friends at Explore Worldwide . Don’t Just Travel, Explore. “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...

 "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 traffi...

Click here for Adventure Travel inspiration from our friends at Explore Worldwide . Don’t Just Travel, Explore. 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...

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 bã...

"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 n...

"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:  🔒 Prot...

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 wi...

“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 identit...

“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 fun...

"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 cocktai...

“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 Viet...

"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 complexi...

"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...

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 polluti...

"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...

"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 m...

“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 glo...

"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 o...

"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 photo...

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 livin...

"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 t...