Vietnam Podcast: Culture, Community & Conversations

“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 hea...

"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 a...

“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 ...

After starting this podcast in 2019 in my living room with one mic I can't believe this is happening...

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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 tim...

"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 an...

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 Gr...

"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 di...

"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 navigat...

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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 ...

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 Bridg...

“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 dif...

"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...

"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,...

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...

"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 ...

"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 p...

“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 ...