Navigating Identity, Culture & Confidence – Adele Doan

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For this episode of A Vietnam Podcast, I had the chance to speak with someone I’ve been following for a while — Adele Doan. She’s the founder of Career Lab, a TEDx speaker, the community lead at Workflow Saigon, and a well-known LinkedIn expert in Vietnam with over 80,000 followers.

This is me, Niall Mackay, the host of A Vietnam Podcast. As Adele called me a “LinkedIn creator”, I also use LinkedIn to promote my business Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, a company that provides professional podcasting services. 

Our conversation went from how Adele learned English, and the social media landscape in Vietnam to the changes in Saigon in the past few years.

Adele Doan as an English Learner

We recorded the episode at Workflow, an amazing co-working space in Ho Chi Minh City. It was a relaxed setup, and it really felt like we were just two people having a coffee and sharing stories — exactly the vibe I love most on this podcast.

Learning English with no teacher

Adele shared that she was born and raised in Vietnam and didn’t study abroad. She actually learned English entirely on her own. No formal teachers. No international schools. Just a whole lot of exposure through American TV shows like How I Met Your Mother and daily conversations with foreign friends.

She joked that TV was her teacher — and honestly, it worked. Her English is not only fluent, but she even has a slight American accent. It’s impressive and inspiring, especially for anyone trying to learn a new language the non-traditional way.

Do Foreigners Still Think Nobody Understands Them?

I asked Adele whether she’d ever overheard foreigners talking in English, assuming no one around them could understand. She said it rarely happens to her, possibly because her appearance sometimes leads people to assume she’s not Vietnamese — maybe Chinese or Korean.

But she agreed that English fluency in Vietnam is rising fast, especially in places like Saigon. Most people under 30 now speak at least decent English. And if you’re in a restaurant or coffee shop, chances are high the staff — often university students — can understand you just fine.

I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of saying something I probably shouldn’t have in English, thinking nobody around could understand me — until my wife nudged me and said, “People here speak English, Niall.”

It made me remember the talk with Thinh – my personal trainer – he also speaks English fluently. Listen to this episode here: From Vietnam Village Life to Saigon – A Young Vietnamese Man’s Growth

English in Vietnam: Redefining Language and Learning

A Country Speaking More English Than Ever

Adele’s point was clear: Vietnam is not the same place it was 10 years ago, especially when it comes to language and global exposure. She lives in Saigon and said it’s now rare to meet a young person who doesn’t speak at least conversational English. That’s backed up by the fact that universities now require an English proficiency level to graduate.

It’s no longer surprising to meet a young Vietnamese person fluent in English — what’s surprising is when someone isn’t.

Gen Z is mastering English

Adele identified herself as part of the “in-between generation” — not quite Gen Z, not quite Gen X. She didn’t grow up fluent in English, but she had to learn it on her own as her career developed. Today’s Gen Z, she said, has it very different. Many of them come from well-off families, start learning English from a very early age, and are fluent by their teens.

She estimated that most Gen Z Vietnamese speak English at a “7 out of 10” level or higher — and I’d agree. When I first arrived in Vietnam in 2015, only a handful of young people spoke fluent English. Now, it feels like second nature to many. Actually, scratch that — it’s often just their language, not even a second one.

Even more impressive, many university students working part-time in cafes or co-working spaces (like Workflow, where we recorded) are from top universities and speak excellent English. It’s not just for school anymore — it’s part of everyday life.

The Shifting Landscape of Work and Social Media in Vietnam

When I first moved to Vietnam, Facebook was king. It was where everything happened — from event invites to business deals. Whether you were selling something, promoting an event, or looking for a job, you did it on Facebook. But during my chat with Adele, it became clear that times are changing — and fast.

Facebook vs. LinkedIn: What’s Changing?

Adele explained how different generations in Vietnam use social media differently. Older generations — Gen X and Boomers — still use Facebook, mostly to stay in touch with friends and family. But they’re also getting tired of it. Facebook has become cluttered, full of ads, drama, and news overload. It’s no longer the clean, simple platform it once was.

That’s where LinkedIn comes in.

More professionals in Vietnam are turning to LinkedIn to build real networks, grow their careers, and avoid the noise of other platforms. It’s more focused, less toxic, and actually useful — especially for people serious about business and personal branding.

LinkedIn in Vietnam: More Than Just an Online Resume

Adele has been using LinkedIn since 2016, back when she worked as a headhunter. It wasn’t just a tool — it became part of her daily life and career. Now, she’s known as one of the top LinkedIn creators in Vietnam, with over 80,000 followers. And she’s not just using it for herself — she’s helping the next generation do the same.

Last year, she launched the LinkedIn Student Influencer program. The idea was simple but smart: instead of trying to teach every student herself, she trained student leaders — club presidents and community builders — how to use LinkedIn. They then passed on that knowledge to their peers.

The goal was to show Vietnamese students that LinkedIn isn’t just a place to drop your CV and forget about it. It’s a tool to build your online reputation, find mentors, share your career journey, and connect with industry professionals — even before you graduate.

And it worked. Adele said she’s seen more students taking LinkedIn seriously, posting regularly, and networking with senior executives. That’s a massive shift from just a few years ago when LinkedIn felt like a ghost town in Vietnam.

Have you discovered the full potential of LinkedIn? Check out: How To Use LinkedIn For Podcast Growth

Tiktok – A New Social Media Giant for Young Generation

While LinkedIn is growing among career-focused students and professionals, TikTok is exploding across all generations — especially Gen Z. It’s fast, fun, and full of energy. But it’s not just for entertainment anymore. TikTok has become a new kind of job.

If you’ve walked around District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City lately, you might’ve noticed new buildings with signs like “BIU BIU Star.” These aren’t cafés or co-working spaces — they’re MCNs (multi-channel networks), basically agencies that manage TikTok creators. They recruit young Vietnamese people — usually very trendy and good-looking — and help them become full-time content creators.

Adele and I talked about how this new influencer economy is taking off. These companies help TikTokers with filming, strategy, and brand deals. Some even pay them a salary. It’s now a real job path — though it raises important questions about sustainability and long-term impact.

Are these creators building lasting careers, or just riding a short wave of fame? What happens when the algorithm changes? Or when trends shift? These are big unknowns.

Choosing the Right Platform

What I found most interesting was how Adele draws a line between creators and professionals. She saw TikTok as a powerful tool — but only when used with intention. Not everyone needs to go viral. Instead, people can use TikTok, LinkedIn, or any platform to support their real careers.

A designer might use TikTok to share their creative process. A student might post about their internship journey on LinkedIn. The platform doesn’t matter as much as the purpose behind it.

That message stuck with me. Social media in Vietnam is evolving, and so are the people using it. Whether you’re 22 or 42, the tools are there — it’s all about how you use them.

Teaching People to Create Instead of Creating for Likes

I even gave a talk recently where I explained this idea: don’t make money by creating content — make money by teaching others how to create content. But one of the first questions I got was, “So how much money do you make as a content creator?”

I laughed. “None,” I said. “I just told you — I make money by helping people create content.”

I realised that for a lot of people, especially those just starting out, the dream of being a content creator still revolves around being the face of something — getting followers, going viral, landing brand deals. And that’s totally fine if that’s your path. But for me, it made more sense to support others who are doing the creating, and use my skills to build a more stable, long-term business.

Saigon Then and Now: How Vietnam Is Changing

A City That Never Stops Growing

Adele and I have both lived in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) for around eight years, and it’s safe to say — the change has been massive. On the way to record this episode, I drove over the Ba Son Bridge, which didn’t even exist a year ago. Last week, I took the new metro for the first time — something we’ve all been waiting nearly a decade for. The roads are different, new buildings are everywhere, and traffic feels heavier by the day.

When I first moved here, there were barely any cars on the road. Now, it’s a full-blown urban jungle. But it’s not just the infrastructure that’s changed — the mindset has too.

Changing Perceptions: From Rural to Global

One thing Adele brought up — and something I’ve experienced myself — is that many people outside Vietnam still have an outdated view of the country. They imagine rice fields and villages, maybe some motorbikes and thatched roofs. I’ve had people back home ask me if I live in a hut. It’s kind of funny, but also frustrating because Vietnam today is a modern, global country.

Saigon is a big, buzzing city with everything you’d expect from any major capital — international food, luxury apartments, modern offices, rooftop bars, co-working spaces, and yes, now even a metro line.

Adele said it best: the energy here rivals places like Singapore, minus the spotless streets and hyper-efficient public transport. She challenged people to name one thing they have in their city that Saigon doesn’t — and it’s actually pretty hard. You want sushi, craft cocktails, stand-up comedy, live music, or wine tastings? We’ve got it all.

The Missing Piece: Art and Museums

But there’s still one area where Saigon is playing catch-up: art and museums.

I noticed it, especially after visiting Hong Kong — the museums there were incredible. Creative, weird, modern. In Saigon, most of what we have is historic — like the War Remnants Museum or the Ho Chi Minh Museum. They’re important, of course, but we’re still waiting on that next wave: bold, experimental, modern art created by a new generation of Vietnamese artists.

Adele pointed out that we’re starting to see signs of change. Museums are updating their branding, younger people are getting involved in design and curation, and there’s growing interest in art, fashion, and street culture among Gen Z.

From learning English through sitcoms to becoming a LinkedIn leader in Vietnam, Adele is helping the next generation find their voice and take control of their careers. 

And beyond LinkedIn and career talk, she reminded me how far Vietnam has come — and how exciting the future looks, especially as the country starts to invest more in art, creativity, and identity.

Stay tuned and become part of our community here. 

128 thoughts on “Navigating Identity, Culture & Confidence – Adele Doan”

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