I am Niall Mackay, the host of A Vietnam Podcast.
This is a special episode, which is Saigon Sunday Session. My guest and I will have casual conversations focusing on the expat’s experience when living in Vietnam.
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.
Working in The Bar Industry
We started chatting about cocktails, and I casually mentioned Negronis. Tyler began reflecting on how much alcohol he’d been giving away for years—until he decided to stop drinking. Once he did, he noticed all the extra whiskey bottles lying around. Turns out, when he wasn’t drinking, there were a lot fewer shots passed around! Before, when he was tipsy, he’d be hugging people and pouring shots for anyone who came by. That was just how things were in the bar scene.
Tyler was nearing a year without alcohol, which he said felt strange after spending over a decade in bars. He described how he used to bond with his team, taking shots with the kitchen and bar staff—it was a kind of “family meal,” as he put it. But now, people were still offering him drinks, like this guy who’d just moved to town from New Orleans. The guy wanted to buy him a Woodford and soda, but Tyler politely declined, suggesting they wait until he was drinking again.
I asked him more about how he felt being a bartender who didn’t drink, and he admitted it was odd since there’s almost an unspoken expectation that bar owners and bartenders should drink. For him, though, it was a year-long challenge—a test to see if he could stay in the business without drinking.
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How Is Life In Vietnam: Expat Experience
I was chatting with Tyler about his experience as an American in Vietnam, and he said that, in the hospitality industry, it feels like you age twice as fast. “Technically, I’m like 60,” he joked.
When he first moved here eight years ago, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. He’d seen a lot from bloggers about the bustling traffic and city life, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty, wondering how people here might react to an American—especially given the historical context.
In Australia, he’d even told people he was Canadian, just to avoid the reactions that could come with being American abroad. He had a great time doing that at a Sydney bar where they even nicknamed him “Captain Canada”—until one night a friend called him out, revealing his Seattle roots to everyone. To his relief, they just laughed, and the bartender even changed his nickname to “Captain America.”
Moving to Vietnam, Tyler thought he might have to do the same, but surprisingly, people were thrilled to meet an American. They’d high-five him and even shout things like “America number one!” It was such a contrast to what he’d expected, almost surreal. We got into a bit of a debate about whether anyone else might pretend to be Canadian, and I pointed out, well, Seattle is pretty close to Canada. Tyler agreed but said most Australians couldn’t tell the difference anyway.
One of the biggest surprises for him was the Vietnamese people’s attitude—how they seemed to hold no grudge. “I think it just shows how awesome the people here are, just moving on, letting things go,” he said. “It’s like they’re the better person.” It amazed him how accepting people could be, even finding joy in meeting Americans. He compared it to the misconceptions people have about Vietnam as an underdeveloped place—where, in reality, it’s modern, convenient, and rich in culture.
It works both ways; Vietnamese people sometimes travel to America and find it much tougher than they imagined, facing high costs and the demands of a fast-paced life.
More Insights from the American: Living in Vietnam As An American
Culture Shock – Unexpected Things
I asked Tyler about the differences he’s noticed between America and Vietnam, and he said the list could go on for hours.
The Bad Habit
But he shared a few things he still wasn’t used to, starting with public urination—something he’s seen people do in the street without even facing away. “It’s just right there in front of everyone,” he laughed, adding that back in the U.S., someone would be fined or even arrested for that, especially near a school.
Sitting Culture
Another big one was the small stools around the tables. He could handle those just fine, but family gatherings where everyone sits on the floor were a whole different story. We both chuckled over this, but it really got us talking about cultural norms and how some things you just learn to accept over time.
Traffic
Then there was the traffic. Tyler shared how chaotic it felt when he first arrived, especially since drivers rarely use blinkers or obey traffic lights consistently. But here, it’s “organized chaos,” as he put it. He laughed about how he’d learned to let people cut him off go unchallenged. “You just get used to it,” he said. Even when traffic lights turn green, people still pour into the intersection from all directions, unlike in the U.S., where blocking an intersection is almost unthinkable.
We both agreed that once you settle into this rhythm, the chaos starts to feel normal, but there are always those moments when you ask, “What are they doing?” We laughed about a recent cab ride where the entire intersection was gridlocked because of drivers caught mid-jump at a red light. Tyler admitted it was insane but also said he’d adjusted to the flow here, realizing that every culture has its own way of doing things.
Advice For Travelers – Come Without Expectation
For my final question, I asked Tyler what advice he’d give to an American thinking of coming to Vietnam. He paused, then chuckled a bit, saying he wasn’t sure whether he’d give a list of “things to watch out for” or just the “must-dos.”
His first thought was the classic safety tips: don’t act overly cautious, cross the street confidently, keep moving forward, and never step back—all those basics that help when navigating the bustling streets here.
When prompted further to outline specific recommendations for someone preparing to move, Tyler emphasized the importance of coming without preconceived expectations.
He believed that arriving with a blank slate was the best approach because, as he put it
“You’ll have your mind blown.”
This, he believed, was the best way to experience the country authentically. He described the convenience and speed of daily life in Vietnam, comparing it to the slower and often pricier delivery and services in the U.S.
In Vietnam, food delivery, available any hour of the day, could be ordered and delivered promptly, without the high cost or lengthy wait common back home.
“Here, I just go on the app, order anything, and in a few minutes, someone’s on the way—24 hours a day, any time I need it.”
His ultimate advice was to approach the experience with openness, ready to be “wowed” by the country’s pace, convenience, and accessibility.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Tyler made it clear that his time in Vietnam was about more than just adjusting to a new place; it was about embracing a life full of surprises and new conveniences. From his funny observations on local customs to his insights on understanding a different culture, Tyler showed the value of living with an open mind.
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