Blog

Living in Vietnam As An American

Living in Vietnam As An American: The Saigon Sunday Sessions #1

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.
Ask Me Anything

Ask Me Anything – Behind the Mic and Life in Vietnam

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

Ten Seasons In: Saigon’s Transformation Through the Eyes of Mischa Smith

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.

Brunch & The Oriental Snapper at WKND in Thao Dien

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!

Exploring Saigon’s Vibrant Bar Scene: A Visit to Yunka

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

Hop On Hop Off Bus in Saigon

After the excitement of National Day celebrations, Adrie and I decided to do something a bit different—a fun and popular activity for many foreigners and visitors in Saigon: the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. While we’ve been living in the city for years, this was a chance to experience Saigon from a completely new perspective.

Vietnam’s National Day – Fireworks on the Saigon Water Front

This is another episode that Adrie, my wife joined me. Adrie and I headed down to the Saigon waterfront to celebrate Vietnamese Independence Day and take in the fireworks. It was a great experience when we had a chance to immerse ourself in the city night vibes, and recall how much this city has changed since we moved here. 

7 Best Bloody Mary Spots in Vietnam

In this episode, Mischa Smith and I went on a tour of Saigon’s best spots for the classic hangover cure cocktail…. the Bloody Mary. Whether you’re in for a lazy brunch or a classic cocktail experience, these insights will guide you through the top spots offering the best Bloody Marys in Saigon. 
A Vietnam Podcast

“Bánh Bèo” – Most people have NEVER HEARD of this Vietnamese food!

When it comes to Vietnamese cuisine, the experience of tasting a dish often tells a story far richer than any recipe alone. That’s why I love to explore many Vietnamese traditional dishes. In the episode, my friend Thinh and I tried Banh Beo together. We talked about how diverse it is between different regions.  Listen … Read more

Expat Life Part 2: Living Through the Pandemic in Saigon

In this episode, I welcomed a very special guest, who hadn’t been on the podcast since season 3 – my wife Adrie Lopez Mackay. During the talk, we recalled the memories of how we overcame challenges during the Pandemic, both in our work and life.