Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast
I’m your host, Niall Mackay. Each week I share my personal stories, my wife and I's and with guests connected to Vietnam — entrepreneurs, artists, locals, Viet Kieu, expats, and voices from across the community, including the LGBTQ+ world.
Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast takes you inside the stories shaping life in one of the world’s most dynamic countries.
The conversations are honest and unscripted. Sometimes funny, sometimes challenging — always real. Together, we discover what it means to live, work, and thrive in modern Vietnam.
If you’re curious about Vietnam beyond the headlines and guidebooks, this podcast offers the insights and perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else.
Episodes
383 episodes
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Young German Vietnamese DJ Shaping Saigon’s Creative Underground | Levi Oi S5 E10
Levi Oi moved from Berlin to Saigon at the end of 2018 - to discover her Vietnamese roots and to become a DJ.Her style is characterized by deep infectious melodic tunes, strong baselines paired with a cheeky sprinkle of techno.
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1:07:00
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Fluent Vietnamese Expat, Afro Viet TV Creator, Musician & Actor | Nam Đen S5 E6
Mr Nam Đen as he is affectionately known in Vietnam, or Nadis as he is known in his home country of Nigeria, is the creator of Afro Viet TV, a massively popular You Tube channel.Through comedy, food, music and travel his channel e...
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1:17:28
Discover How Vietnam Became a Lifestyle Destination with Dana Bradley, Where in HCMC
“Vietnam isn’t just somewhere people come for a cheap holiday anymore — it’s where creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers are choosing to build a life.”That line sums up what this episode is all about.For our first-...
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Season 15
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Episode 10
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34:14
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Drag King & Performer Contributing to the Creative Community | Ilse Zoerb; S6 E1
Niall talks to Ilse Zoerb. They instantly click and are both super goofy, joking about her name, accent and even Niall's dead grandmother. We even find a mutual appreciation for the TLC channel. Check out her favourite TLC show
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1:18:21
Discover The True Cost of Living in Vietnam, hosted by Adrie Lopez Mackay
“You can live in Vietnam for $1,000 a month… but will you be happy, healthy, and secure doing it?”Adrie and I are gonna be here again, but in different roles - she’s the host and interviews me. Adrie asks me about the real cost of...
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Season 15
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Episode 9
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46:20
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Lars Callieou - Touring Canadian Comedian
Lars Callieou is a touring comedian from Edmonton, Canada, who was recently on his 4th tour of Saigon and Vietnam.After watching his show and attending a workshop he put on for local comedians I caught up with Lars at his hotel shortly ...
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46:19
Discover The Expat Money Mistakes That Cost Me $20,000, with Robin Copely
“Life is not about the money in your bank account. Life is for living, and your investments, your insurance, all those things should be about allowing you to live the life you want.” – Robin CopleyIt wasn’t easy to share,...
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Season 15
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Episode 8
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43:04
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Mischa Smith - Pasteur Street Brewing Company Sales Director
Mischa Smith, from Canada, is a regular sight around Saigon in the craft beer scene as the Sales Director for Pasteur Street Brewing Company. Mischa started in the craft beer industry in Toronto, Ontario before he packed up a...
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46:16
Q&A: Discover The Setbacks I Overcame to Create Seven Million Bikes Podcasts
“Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.”That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my jour...
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Season 15
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Episode 7
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17:02
Discover How My MS Diagnosis Led To Opening Saigon Podcast Studio
“Choose one thing that you want to focus on. Start saying no to everything else politely. Make everything you do about that one thing and I guarantee you’ll be successful.”That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my jour...
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Season 15
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Episode 7
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33:32
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Saigon Native Kim Nguyen's Life Overseas & Vietnam
In this episode I speak with Saigon native, Kim Nguyen. Kim moved to the UK as a teenager to study and stayed for 6 years, meeting her boyfriend in the process who now lives with her in Saigon. Returning to Vietnam in 2018, Kim has a uniq...
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29:15
Discover How Devin Hong Found Identity, Acting, and Belonging in Vietnam
“It’s like you’re wearing our face, but you’re not really us.” – Devin HongThis episode with Devin was one of those conversations that reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. Devin’s journey—from leaving Vietn...
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Season 15
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Episode 6
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54:17
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Why JK Hobson Made A Life in Saigon
My first guest on Seven Million Bikes is JK Hobson. As a finalist in the 2018 Vietnam Comedy Competition JK is known by ma...
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52:47
Discover Why The Nguyens Took Their Kids Out Of School To Travel The World
What an amazing story! I was so fascinated by Dennis and Emily's decision to leave their jobs as accountants and travel the world with their two kids, Hannah and Aiden. They turned a simple idea into an incredible journey across more than 30 co...
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Season 15
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Episode 5
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40:21
Discover Vietnam's Changing Consumption Patterns and Health Trends
“Everyday life in Saigon means navigating sugar in everything—from coffee to orange juice—and I can’t have any of it.” – Jane HaMy guest today is Jane Ha, a researcher in behavioral science who has lived in Hanoi, ...
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Season 15
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Episode 4
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55:37
Discover the Silent Struggles of Vietnam’s Returning Students
“I felt like my Vietnamese froze at the level of a 17-year-old.” – Mai DoanMy guest today is Mai Doan, who left Vietnam at just 17 to study in Oregon, later studied in France, built a career in the U.S., and then made the...
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Season 15
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Episode 3
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46:25
New Name: Same Podcast!
If you’ve been following the show since the Seven Million Bikes: A Saigon Podcast days, you’ll know this has always been about sharing the stories of the incredible people who make up Vietnam — locals, expats, entrepreneurs, crea...
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Season 15
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2:29
Discover Why People Stay in Saigon With Krista Bernard and Guest Host, Adrie Lopez Mackay!
“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista BernardIf you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know ...
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Season 15
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Episode 2
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19:43
Discover How Premier Dental is Changing Vietnam's Dentistry with Annie Vo
“You can fly to Vietnam, stay a month, get your teeth done—and still spend less than you would back home.” – Niall MackayAnnie Vo finally made it on the podcast—and it was well worth the wait. This is Part 2 of our conversation, a...
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Season 15
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Episode 1
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28:59
Discover Vietnam’s Hidden Magic with Uncle George & Aunt Betty | An Extra Special Epsiode!! | S14 E11
“I can honestly say my expectations of Vietnam were completely blown away.”This episode is extra special. Not only is it the first recorded in the brand-new Saigon Podcast Studio, but my guest is my very own Uncle George. He and m...
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Season 14
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Episode 17
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24:44
Discover How Culture and Sugar Shape Vietnam’s Dental Health with Dr Albert Le | S14 E10
I’ve met a lot of interesting people in Vietnam over the years, but this conversation with Dr. Albert Viet Le really stuck with me—pun intended (and yes, it involves floss). Albert is the Managing Director of Premier Dental and the only US and ...
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Season 14
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Episode 16
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33:24
First EVER A Vietnam Podcast in Vietnamese! With Huynh Nhu (Bonus @ House of Merlin)
With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts!
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Season 14
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Episode 15
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4:19
Discover what Vietnamese Gen Z Really Thinks About His Generation with House of Merlin | S14 E9
"For me, the customer is like my girlfriend. If the customer is happy, I’m happy.” – Nguyen Van NamThis episode was such a blast to record. Not only was it filmed at the stunning House of Merlin, one of my favorite...
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Season 14
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Episode 14
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23:00
Discover What's Fuelling Vietnam's Growing Economy with Hugo Bosch | S14 E8
"There’s a youthful, hungry population here—and you can feel the energy in the streets every day." – Hugo BoschI absolutely loved this episode. Hugo was not only a fantastic guest, but also someone who opened my ey...
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Season 14
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Episode 13
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38:20
Discover How Hanh Overcame Child Labor and Poverty | S14 E7
“If I don’t speak, I cannot share what I’m thinking.” – Hanh, Haga SmartTechThis quote from Hanh really hit me. Her story isn’t just about fixing phones—it’s about finding your voice, building a life from scratch, and hel...
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Season 14
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Episode 12
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47:59