Blog

We were at one of my favorite cocktail bars in Saigon, and I’m sitting down with Jason Pham, an Australian-Vietnamese bartender widely recognized as one of the best in the city. Jason is the co-owner of two fantastic bars, 86 Proof and Mami Cocktails, both of which have become go-to spots for locals and expats alike.  

If you’ve been tuning in, you’ve already known these are meant to be informal, spontaneous conversations – the type that just happens when I’m out and about with my microphone, sharing what life in Saigon is truly like.

Jessie is passionate about elevating Vietnam’s image and promoting the role of social responsibility among young people. Let’s discover Jessie’s journey, her work in Vietnam’s tech scene, and her insights into the country’s incredible transformation.

Listen now to discover what makes life in Vietnam so special and why some of us may never want to leave. I was joined by some familiar voices and a few friends who were here to share their expat experiences, perspectives, and stories about life in Vietnam.

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.