A Vietnam Podcast
“Phở” – Overrated, Underrated, or Properly Rated.
Phở – A dish so iconic that people outside Vietnam think it’s the Vietnamese dish. But is it actually that amazing, or is it just the default answer when people talk about Vietnamese food?
Discovering the Fun Cave in Phong Nha: An Unforgettable Adventure
I had heard so much about these caves before going, but nothing could prepare me for the sheer size and beauty of what I was about to experience.
5 Things You Must Do In Hanoi: Explore Hanoi with Claire Simpson
We discuss how tourism in Hanoi has changed over the years, and we cover the best things to do in Hanoi, from exploring Train Street and indulging in street food tours.
Caving in Phong Nha with Hoàng Văn Hữu – Day 1
Once just a quiet farming area, Phong Nha is now a must-visit destination for adventure seekers. But how did it all happen? And what does it mean for the people who live here?
8 Hội An Travel Tips with Faryl Cat Hoang
In our conversation, we talked about what it’s like to live in Hoi An, the charm of the old town, some travel tips, and how she went from a backpacking trip to building a life in Vietnam.
Phong Nha Caves & a WILD Afternoon Animal Adventure!
This is the next episode of my journey in Phong Nha. In today’s post, I will take you through magnificent caves in Phong Nha and some unforgettable moments.
Explore Phong Nha with Ben Mitchell
In this blog, we will discover Ben’s journey in developing tourism in Phong Nha and give you some tips for experiencing the best of Phong Nha.
Phong Nha is the BEST Kept Secret in Vietnam! Episode 1
During my stay in rural Vietnam, I had the chance to explore a small village near Phong Nha with Ben, a local guide whose deep connection to the area brought every story to life.
Explore Hue with Brad Hirsch!
In this conversation, we explored the wonders of Central Vietnam, with a special focus on Hue. From its natural beauty and bike tours to its unique advantages compared to Vietnam’s bigger cities, Brad paints a vivid picture of why Hue deserves more recognition.
Da Lat: Underrated, overrated, properly rated?
This episode’s topic was something my good friend Mischa suggested: rating Đà Lạt as underrated, overrated, or properly rated.
Explore Saigon’s Most Dangerous District!
The plan was to jump on the bike and start in District 1 before heading to District 4 to explore its grittier, more authentic vibe.
I take a tourist to the oldest coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City
Today, we’re starting off in District 4, a place that once had a reputation as the most dangerous district in Saigon. Years ago, it was infamous for its gangsters and crime, but those days are long gone.
Explore the Saigon Sights with Kim Nguyen and Lewis Wright
Today, we’re starting in Saigon. From its famous landmarks to hidden gems, we’re taking you on a walking tour through the city’s must-visit spots.
Vietnam Cocktail Bars: Underrated, Overrated or Properly Rated
The city’s bar scene has transformed dramatically over the years, so we’re breaking it down and sharing our thoughts. Are Saigon’s cocktail bars truly underrated? Are they starting to feel overrated? Or have they found that sweet spot to be properly rated? Let’s get into it!
Exploring VinWonders Grand Park: A Day in District 9
My name is Niall Mackay, the host of A Vietnam Podcast. In this Saigon Sunday Session, I will talk about my experience and reflection on my recent visit to VinWonders Grand Park.
Finding Vietnamese Lunch for $1 (and it’s AMAZING)
This is a special episode of A Vietnam Podcast: Saigon Sunday Session, where I have a solo episode or casual conversation with my friends about our experiences in Vietnam. This time I challenged myself by seeking a lunch priced $1 (25,000 dong).
From Vietnam to the World: Cedric’s Inspiring Journey of Culture, Business, and Identity
Cedric grew up in countries across Africa, studied in Switzerland and the United States, and eventually found his way back to Vietnam in 2016. Let’s listen and explore a third-culture kid’s journey and his insight into his roots – Vietnam.
The EXPAT SECRET Nobody Tells You About!
In this blog, I’ll share highlights from my conversation with Rochelle Nguyen at 86 Proof, where we explored the unwritten rules for expats in Vietnam with plenty of laughs and some eye-opening insights.
Cocktails, Culture, and Courage — Rochelle Nguyen’s Journey from Refugee Roots to Saigon Icon
Rochelle Nguyen shared her stories behind 2 cocktail bars and her background as a Vietnamese-Canadian.
Brick & Barrel Hot Sauce Festival 2024
Spicy food, camaraderie, and chaos Brick and Barrel transformed into a battleground of heat, flavor, and pure willpower for their annual hot sauce and taco-eating competition.
Cultivating Compassion: A Journey Through Cultural Identity with Linda Beck
Linda offers a rare perspective, navigating the world as someone perceived as Asian in the West and white in Asia. Her dual lens allows her to understand cultural viewpoints from both sides.
Vietnamese Roots, German Beginnings – Embraces Your Identity with Trang Nguyen
Trang shared about her feelings when she was a kid, as a Vietnamese in German. We also talked about food safety in Vietnam as Trang has just graduated with a Food Science Degree.
The Saigon River: Transformation and Unique Culture
As always, we were out for an evening walk with Biscuit and thought it would be the perfect time to turn on the microphones and share some casual musings.
Jason Pham: Crafting Saigon’s Best Cocktails and Building Community
Jason is the co-owner of two fantastic bars, 86 Proof and Mami Cocktails. We talked about his journey from refugee to master mixologist.
Saigon Traffic: The Unique Experience
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.
Breaking Stereotypes & Empowering Gen Z in Vietnam
Let’s discover Jessie’s journey, her work in Vietnam’s tech scene, and her insights into the country’s incredible transformation.
Sunday Session 4: Are Americans REALLY Proud of Their Country?
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.
Hidden Wildlife to Conservation Wins
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.
The Unexpected Welcome of An American in Vietnam!
Tyler shared his perspective on what it’s really like to embrace the contrasts between life in the U.S. and Vietnam.
Thao Nguyen Shares Vietnam’s BEST Kept Secrets
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.
Hanoi Vs Saigon: Comparing between 2 big cities in Vietnam
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.
From Vietnam Village Life to Saigon – A Young Vietnamese Man’s Growth
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.
Living in Vietnam As An American: The Saigon Sunday Sessions #1
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 – Behind the Mic and Life in Vietnam
Hey there! Welcome to a special blog post inspired by my first-ever AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode of A Vietnam Podcast.
Ten Seasons In: Saigon’s Transformation Through the Eyes of Mischa Smith
It was great to catch up with Mischa as he shared 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
I had a chance to talk with the Manager there, and we shared our thoughts about Cocktails as well as the development of the F&&B Industry in the last few years.
Hop On Hop Off Bus in Saigon
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
It was a great experience when we had a chance to immerse ourselves 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.
“Bánh Bèo” – Most people have NEVER HEARD of this Vietnamese food!
In the episode, my friend Thinh and I tried Banh Beo together. We talked about how diverse it is between different regions.
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.
Expat Life: How I ended up in Vietnam
In another solo episode, I share my experience of how I ended up living in Vietnam. Many people ask me why I chose to stay here, and I always say, “It’s complicated.” What was supposed to be a brief six-week stay has turned into nearly a decade of incredible experiences.
What Vietnamese Food I Eat in Saigon
Now let’s move to Vietnamese food! I’ll tell you what I eat in Vietnam and where to get them.
Nhi Mai, A Third Culture Kid’s Journey and Experience In Vietnam
In the episode, she shared her experiences of living in both Switzerland and Vietnam, highlighting the differences in lifestyle and culture that have impacted her journey.
Nam Den, The Host of Afro Viet TV is BACK!
Nam Den’s content often focuses on his experiences living in Vietnam, language learning, and cultural insights.
Saigon Podcast Pub Crawl
We’re doing a craft beer crawl that day, and I couldn’t believe how many people showed up.
Thuyen Vo And The Michelin Guide Controversy
Continuing the conversation between Thuyen and me, we explored deeper in the Michelin Guide. She also gave us expert insight about Michelin Restaurants in Vietnam as well as her favorite fine dining spots!
Discovering Modern Vietnam: Top 11 Cocktail Bars in Ho Chi Minh City
In the latest episode of A Vietnam Podcast Niall shares his best Cocktail Bars in Ho Chi Minh City. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, these top 11 cocktail bars promise to change your perspective of Saigon and Vietnam.
A Journey of meth addiction and Recovery with Tue-Si Nguyen
“When you’re at rock bottom as a drug addict, you’ll know. Cause, as I explained it, there is that choice that you have to make. And when you’re ready to look up, then I have plenty of advice.”
Secret Cocktail Experiences in Saigon with Natalya Wissink
From the Trieu Institute’s signature cocktails made with Lady Trieu gin to the art of storytelling behind each drink, we will show you the modern, fast-growing economy of Vietnam.
7 Best Happy Hours in Saigon
For those seeking to avoid full-priced drinks, navigating the happy hour options can be tricky. In this blog post, I will go through some of my favorite happy hour spots in Saigon.
ESCAPING Vietnam for America – Ella Beth Explains WHY!
By sharing our last experience, this talk highlighted friendship across borders, the difficulties in the Pandemic, and also true love through long distance.
7 Craft Beer Bars To Visit in Saigon
In this episode, I’m taking a break from interviews with guests to share my passion: craft beer!
Thuyen Vo doesn’t think Vung Tau is a B*TCH city!
Thuyen and I reconnected after three years to discuss how life has changed since the pandemic.