021 - Linh Vu, Vietnam

This week on Aspiring Martians, I sat down with Linh Vu—also known as Quoc Anh—the only Vietnamese finalist among the Mars One program’s top 100. With degrees from the National University of Singapore and Columbia University, Linh blends curiosity, ambition, and a deep desire to explore what lies beyond Earth. Today, he lives in Hanoi and proudly calls himself a Martian-in-waiting.

We talk about the realities of pursuing a dream that most people consider impossible. Linh shares how he balances startup life with space dreams, how he’s navigated public perception, and why he's not trying to convince anyone—he’s just focused on doing. From hydroponic vegetables to Vietnamese pride, CV drop-ins to emotional goodbyes, it’s a conversation about bold moves, quiet confidence, and preparing for the long journey ahead.

A huge thank you to Linh Vu for joining me today and sharing his thoughtful, daring perspective, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the Facebook group, and to my family for supporting this mission—even when it wanders into 18th-century star maps.