A Vietnam Podcast

You may know James Jolokia (aka James Hunt) as the man behind some of Saigon’s most popular eateries, like Big Boss Bistro and Brick and Barrel. In this episode listen and explore James’s unexpected journey from photographer to restaurateur, as well as his passion for wildlife conservation, which led him to create a whole new life for himself here in Saigon.

In this episode, I talked to Tyler, an American who has spent years living and working in Vietnam’s bustling hospitality scene.  From his days as a bartender to navigating the daily life and culture shock that comes with such a drastic change, Tyler shared his perspective on what it’s really like to embrace the contrasts between life in the U.S. and Vietnam.

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to introduce my guest, Thao Nguyen. Thao has an incredible passion for Vietnam — it’s her homeland, after all. She shared her unique experience and insights about the tourism industry as well as her charity work in Vietnam.

I had the chance to sit down with my good friend Paul Villanova and his partner Krista Bernard during one of our Saigon Sunday Sessions, and the conversation quickly turned to their big move from Hanoi to Saigon. Paul and Krista, recently traded life in Hanoi for Saigon, and they’re here to tell us all about the differences between these two iconic cities.

My guest today is my personal trainer, Thinh. As a member of Gen Z, Thinh brings a fresh perspective and unique stories about life in Vietnam, from growing up in the rural mountains of Dak Lak to making his way to the vibrant city of Saigon. In this episode, we talk about his journey, the challenges of breaking away from traditional career expectations, and his passion for fitness.

In our Saigon Sunday Sessions episode, I sat down with my lovely guest (and wife), Adrie Lopez Mackay, to talk about her experience as an American living in Vietnam. From her first impressions to dealing with the country’s complex history, to navigating daily life, Adrie’s journey sheds light on what it’s really like to live here as an expat.

This is another episode in which I interviewed my friend – Mischa Smith. Hey there! Welcome to a special blog post inspired by my first-ever AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode of A Vietnam Podcast. It’s a bit different this time—no guest interviews or deep dives into Vietnam. Instead, it’s just me, Niall Mackay, answering your burning … Read more

Mischa has been a key figure in Vietnam’s craft beer scene for years, and it was great to catch up with him as we discussed his journey from helping build Pasteur Street Brewing Company into Vietnam’s leading craft beer brand to his new role at East West Brewing Company.

It’s Niall again, and joining me in this episode is my wife, Adrie. We headed for brunch in Thao Dien to try the Oriental Snapper as recommended by Mischa Smith!

Here is another episode of A Vietnam Podcast, where you can find stories, experiences, and insights about Vietnam. I am Niall, The Podcast Guy and host of this show. I’m an expat living in Vietnam for 8 years now.  I visited another Bar, Yunka on a rainy day. I had a chance to talk with … Read more