Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast

"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, sharin...

"There are misconceptions about Vietnam, People just think of water buffaloes, rice paddies and lanterns if you live in the big city, like Saigon, it's just like any other big city."   Ever wondered where to find the best cocktails in Saigon? Join Niall Mackay as he takes you on a tour through the city's top cocktail bars, sharing insider tips and personal favorites. Whether yo...

"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 addic...

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...

"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" prom...

"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 Vie...

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. 1. 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 d...

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 an...

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 an...

"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 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. ...

" 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...

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...

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 s...

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 ch...

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 destin...

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 I...

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...

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...

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...

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 podcas...

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 A...

Donate to Ukraine! I met Anastasia Sokyrka in Government Quarantine in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. You can listen to my episode with her and my wife, Adrie , about our experiences while we were living them. Since then we have become close friends, a silver lining of a tough experience (17 days with no mattress, no air con and no booze!) Finally, after two years of the pandemic Anastasia was...

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 aft...

My guest is Alan Brownbridge. 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. 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...