Vietnam Podcast: Culture, Community & Conversations
Host Niall Mackay takes you on a journey through the vibrant and diverse culture of modern Vietnam.
Niall focuses on personal stories and experiences of both himself and guests, sharing insights into the everyday life of people connected to Vietnam.
From artists and entrepreneurs, locals and Viet Kieu, expats and Vietnamese worldwide and members of the LGBTQ community, this podcast offers a unique perspective on this rapidly developing country.
With engaging discussions and thought-provoking insights, A Vietnam Podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in exploring the rich culture of modern Vietnam.
Vietnam Podcast: Culture, Community & Conversations
From $300 a Month to Vietnam’s Media Mogul with Vietcetara's Hao Tran | S14 E6
"I took my entire severance pay and blew it on a two-month trip to Asia — and that decision changed my life." - Hao Tran
In this episode, I felt a strong sense of kindred spirit with Hao. We both came to Vietnam almost exactly nine years ago and ended up building something rooted in storytelling. I loved Hao's honesty about how Vietcetera started from nothing — no business plan, no roadmap — just curiosity and persistence. What stuck with me most was his idea that podcasting and media aren't just about broadcasting, but about representation: Vietnam telling its own story, from the inside out.
He reminded me of the importance of long-term vision. When people told him they’d run out of stories, he proved that Vietnam is overflowing with them. This is more than media; it’s cultural documentation. And honestly, that’s what I hope the Vietnam Podcast becomes as well.
Top 5 Takeaways
- Hao came to Vietnam with no plans and just $300/month: A leap of faith that would unknowingly launch Vietcetera.
- Vietcetera’s first-ever feature was rejected by its subject: A lesson in humility, editing, and persistence.
- The first paid advertorial turned out to be a voucher, not cash: Business lessons in transparency and expectation-setting.
- There was no business model — it was built on energy, value exchange, and curiosity.
- Mission to “bring Vietnam to the world” is not only alive — it’s overflowing with untold stories.
Chapters & Timestamps
04:30-From Tech Layoff to Vietnam Leap
06:30-Meeting Andrew Frazier & Early Immersions
09:30-The First Vietcetera Blog: Rejection & Rewrite
19:00-Living on $300 a Month in Vietnam
22:00-Language, Culture & Being a Vietnamese-American Boss
24:30- Remote Work, Human Connection & Gen Z Trends
31:00-Youth Identity, Content Influence & the Monoculture
39:00-Mission to Bring Vietnam to the World
41:00-Supporting the Next Generation of Vietnamese Talent
This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
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