My name is Niall Mackay, the podcast host of this show. I visited Vietnam as a tourist and fell in love with this country. I started podcasting in 2019 as a hobby, sharing stories about Vietnam, but now it’s my job and I offer podcasting services to others.
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. Born in the Mekong Delta, just south of Saigon, Thao has spent the past nine years working in the Vietnamese tourism industry.
She shared her unique experience and insights about the tourism industry as well as her charity work in Vietnam.
Meet Thao Nguyen: A Passion for Sharing Vietnam’s Beauty
Thao Nguyen was born in the Mekong Delta, a few hours south of Saigon, and has worked in the Vietnamese tourism industry for nine years. Her passion for sharing Vietnam’s beauty, culture, and history with foreigners is truly inspiring. What makes her journey even more remarkable is that she didn’t initially plan to pursue a career in tourism.
Growing up, her mother, a small business owner in the Mekong Delta, encouraged her to study business administration, hoping she would follow in the family business. Like other parents in Vietnam, her family wanted her to choose a stable career path. This is just like Thinh’s story when he chose a different path from what his parents expected.
Listen To Thinh’s Story: From Vietnam Village Life to Saigon
Thao knew what she would love to do when he entered the tourism industry in her third year of university. She quickly realized how much she enjoyed interacting with foreigners, learning about their cultures, and, most importantly, introducing them to Vietnam’s rich traditions. This was the beginning of her journey into tourism, and today, she runs her own tourism company, offering travelers a more authentic and genuine experience of Vietnam.
Thao shared her story from the countryside to a big city, and we reflected on how much Vietnam has changed. Thao shared how her parents were farmers, living off the land in the Mekong Delta. Today, many young Vietnamese, like Thao, have made the leap from rural life to bustling cities, finding themselves in office jobs and thriving in the country’s quickly modernizing economy.
For me, this echoes stories from my own country, where just two generations ago, my grandfather grew up in poverty, sharing a bathroom with 40 other people. Vietnam is undergoing a similar transformation, with young people moving from their parents’ rural roots to vibrant urban centers.
Many still viewed Vietnam as a poor, “third-world” country, despite its significant development, particularly in cities like Saigon. As someone who had lived here for many years, I had seen firsthand how quickly Vietnam was changing. In certain areas, you could see expensive cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis cruising around, and yet, many tourists were still surprised by the wealth that existed alongside the country’s economic challenges.
What Attracts Tourists to Come – Kindness as Vietnam’s Signature
As a tourism expert, I asked Thao what made Vietnam different and the reasons why tourists came to Vietnam. Many people, including me, said that they love Vietnam because Vietnamese people are so lovely and kind.
Hence, one of the most remarkable things about Vietnam is the genuine kindness of its people. As Thao Nguyen explained in our conversation, this kindness is deeply rooted in Vietnam’s cultural and spiritual heritage, especially its Buddhist background and belief in karma. Vietnamese people tend to believe that the actions they take today will have consequences in the future, which encourages them to live in the moment and treat others with generosity and respect.
Even those with limited means, like lottery ticket sellers, were known to give whatever they could to help others in need.
This level of kindness is what draws travelers back to Vietnam — it’s not just the breathtaking landscapes or delicious food, but the human connections they form while visiting. Thao shared how this kindness transcends social status. Whether you’re talking to a lottery ticket seller, a street vendor, or someone working in an office, Vietnamese people radiate warmth and positivity.
It’s important to acknowledge that such statements about kindness can sometimes feel like clichés, especially in tourism, where people often describe a country’s inhabitants as “so nice.” I, too, have heard this about places like Thailand, where the tourism slogan even emphasizes it. But Vietnam’s kindness feels different because it’s consistent across all levels of society.
I recalled that when Adrie and I celebrated National Day, we were surrounded by thousands of people in Saigon. Despite the huge crowd, I felt completely safe and at peace — there was no aggression or discomfort, just a collective sense of happiness and celebration.
In Vietnam, even in situations where there’s potential for stress, such as in its famously chaotic traffic, the attitude remains calm and relaxed. People smile at you, even when there’s a minor mishap on the road. This easygoing and forgiving nature is something truly unique to Vietnam and is part of what makes the country feel so welcoming and special.
Tourism Expert Insight – A New Approach to Tourism
Thao’s approach to tourism had been as unique as the kindness that defined Vietnam. She had been committed to creating experiences that moved beyond the typical one-way tours, where tourists were merely passive observers. Instead, her tours were built on real connections, allowing visitors to engage deeply with local culture and people.
What set her tours apart was the storytelling element. Thao believed that to truly understand Vietnam, travelers needed more than just historical facts or pre-written guidebooks — they needed personal stories and insights. During her tours, the guides shared stories from their own lives, their families, and their experiences growing up in Vietnam. This made the history and culture of the country come alive in ways that reading an article or visiting a monument simply couldn’t achieve.
Equally important to Thao’s tours had been the two-way conversation between the guides and travelers. She encouraged dialogue, ensuring that travelers shared their thoughts and experiences, making the tours feel like an exchange of cultures, much like a conversation among friends.
Moreover, Thao explained that her tours focused on creating meaningful, two-way connections. One of her specialties was food tours, which led travelers to hidden gems — local, non-touristy spots where they could experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine. She took pride in introducing visitors to these lesser-known places, though we both laughed about the irony of non-tourist destinations eventually becoming popular once they were discovered.
Stereotypes About Foreign Tourists
During our conversation, I asked Thao one of the questions I had been really excited to explore: stereotypes of different nationalities. Thao, having dealt with many foreigners through her tourism work, had interacted with travelers from all around the world, and I was curious to hear her insights. With a smile, she was quick to emphasize that all foreigners, like the Vietnamese, are lovely people, but she also acknowledged that different countries and cultures come with their own distinct personalities and expectations.
Thao explained that Americans were generally very direct and open, often happy to engage and show generosity. Australians shared a similar spirit of generosity but stood out for their relaxed and easygoing nature. They approached things in a very casual and spontaneous way, not taking life too seriously. With a laugh, she added that although Aussies had a reputation for swearing, they were seldom impolite.
When it came to the British, Thao observed that they were somewhat distinct from Americans and Australians. The British tended to be more detail-oriented, especially when it came to history or culture. They sought depth in their tours, whether it was related to historical facts, cultural traditions, or even discussions about coffee. Although their need for detailed information could sometimes make things more demanding, she admired their enthusiasm for learning.
I tried to ask Thao to share some humorous or less flattering stereotypes, but she remained kind and professional throughout. Even when discussing more challenging clients, she was diplomatic. For example, she mentioned that Indian travelers often had specific expectations and tended to be more particular about rules. However, Thao didn’t complain. Instead, she explained that part of her job as a tour guide was to understand and accommodate these preferences, ensuring that everyone had the best experience possible.
Related Post: Living in Vietnam As An American
Thao’s Charity Work and the Ethics of Giving Back
When I asked Thao about her charity work, her passion for helping others was immediately apparent. She spoke about how fortunate she felt growing up, surrounded by kind and supportive people, including her parents, who had given her the best education they could. It was this sense of gratitude that fueled her desire to give back to the community, particularly through initiatives like improving locals’ English skills.
Thao had set up English clubs where both young and older Vietnamese could practice speaking English with foreigners. These clubs were designed to spark a passion for the language in a way that went beyond the dry, book-focused methods often found in Vietnamese public schools. Thao believed that speaking directly with foreigners made learning English more enjoyable and opened up many opportunities for those who became fluent. Whether it was the chance to study abroad, teach future generations, or simply engage with tourists, mastering English could have a life-changing impact.
Beyond the English clubs, Thao has been involved in various other charity activities, helping underprivileged communities in rural areas. She had a unique perspective on giving, viewing it as mutually beneficial. As she put it, helping others wasn’t just about improving their lives – it also gave her a chance to grow as a person. In her eyes, helping someone was an opportunity to feel grateful for being able to make a difference.
This idea of giving led me to reflect on the concept of “karma.” Just a few days earlier, I had found someone’s phone on the street and returned it. The very next day, my name was drawn in a raffle, and I won a free stay at a hotel. It might not have been directly connected, but it felt like a little bit of instant karma for the good deed I had done.
When I asked Thao if the wealthier people in Saigon were giving back to their communities, she explained that many did, even if they didn’t publicly announce their charitable efforts. From billionaires to famous actors, plenty of successful people were involved in charity work, quietly helping those in need. The most successful individuals, Thao believed, were those who gave the most without seeking recognition.
Poverty Porn – The Ethical Dilemma of Charity Tourism
One topic that came up during our conversation was the ethical complexity of charity tourism. I shared my thoughts on a phenomenon often referred to as “poverty porn,” where tourists visit impoverished areas or orphanages to feel good about themselves, often without making any long-term impact. She believed that the people who needed help could feel that it was coming from a good place, and that charity shouldn’t be done for marketing or self-promotion.
reminded me of a similar experience I had in India, where bus tours of slums were offered as a tourist attraction. While the intention behind these tours might have been good, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was wrong to treat poverty as a spectacle. Thao shared my concerns about such practices in Vietnam, particularly when it came to orphanage tours, where tourists would visit children, take pictures, and leave. She emphasized that helping children should be about creating real emotional connections and improving their lives, not just capturing a moment for social media.
Thao’s thoughtful approach to charity work, both in her personal efforts and in how she viewed charity tourism, was inspiring. She reminded me that true giving is about empathy and action, not self-gratification.
Conclusion
A special thank you to Dolphy Café for hosting us today in their beautiful space in Thao Dien. If you’re ever in the area, make sure to check them out.
I hope you all enjoyed the episode and remember to share, follow, and subscribe to A Vietnam Podcast or be part of the community.