niallmackay

So this post is my attempt to actually figure out what was in that bowl — and why bún bò deserves a lot more attention outside Vietnam than it gets.

For bún khô gà today, I’m heading to Bếp Võ, a restaurant that started life in Tao Đàn and has since opened a second location just a couple of minutes from the studio.

Listening to her talk made me pause and reflect on my own journey here, and why Saigon still keeps me excited all these years later.

Niall Mackay’s here. I am the founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and the host of this show. I’ve lived in Vietnam for almost ten years now, but I’ve never experienced being a parent here. So when I got to sit down with my friend Claire Simpson, who has also lived here a decade and … Read more

I always knew they were strong, but our conversation showed me just how much they carry while still building amazing businesses in this country.

We talked about how Vietnam has changed from a backpacker stop to a global lifestyle hub, why so many of us stayed longer than we planned, and what makes Saigon feel alive in a way no other city does.

Over the years, I learned that cheap living is possible, but long-term comfort and security require more planning. Let’s discover the real cost in Vietnam.

That moment set me off on a financial journey that led to some of the worst mistakes of my life. I lost tens of thousands of dollars because I trusted the wrong person.

Mai shared the challenges of adapting to life abroad, the stereotypes she had to fight against, and the shock of returning home to a culture that had changed while she was away.