Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast

“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...

"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...

“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 conversatio...

"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...

“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...

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 Instagram Facebook "Send me a message!" Book a free call with me here if you want to start your...

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 f...

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 ampl...

Join me and Adrie for a look at Yunka, a Peruvian-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,...

Join Adrie and I as we embark on the Hop On Hop Off bus tour in Saigon, taking in the beautiful views of the city at sunset.  We discuss the development of new buildings and infrastructure, and our experiences as both tourists and residents in the vibrant city of Saigon.  Highlights include visits to key landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace, and the bustling Nguyen H...

I’m incredibly honored to announce that I’ve won two major awards at the Asia Podcast Awards 2024—Best Interview Podcast for A Vietnam Podcast and Best Audio Producer for my work on all the podcasts created by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts! Since starting my podcast journey in 2019, what began as a passion project has now grown into a full podcast production service. A Vietnam Podcast , produced by...

Niall and Adrie celebrate Vietnamese Independence Day with you from the much changed Saigon waterfront.  The couple shares their experiences and observations from the bustling waterfront, offering insights into the city's transformation over their eight years as residents.  They blend historical context with personal anecdotes, creating a vivid picture of Saigon's evolution and the vibra...

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 podca...

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...

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 Bri...

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 vaccinat...

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 the...

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...

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 j...

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:...

"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 conversatio...

"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 cr...

"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...

"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 ba...

"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 a...