Vietnam Podcast: Culture, Community & Conversations
Seven Million Bikes Podcasts
366 episodes
2 days ago
“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard If you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again. Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon. It’s her birthday, she’s r...
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“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard If you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again. Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon. It’s her birthday, she’s r...
“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard If you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again. Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon. It’s her birthday, she’s r...
“You can fly to Vietnam, stay a month, get your teeth done—and still spend less than you would back home.” – Niall Mackay Annie Vo finally made it on the podcast—and it was well worth the wait. This is Part 2 of our conversation, and in this episode, we dug into something I find really fascinating: what it takes to run a truly modern, ethical dental clinic in Vietnam. Annie and her husband have built something rare. They’re not just doing dentistry—they’re creating a model for what healthcare...
“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 my Aunt Betty just spent two weeks traveling through Vietnam, and we squeezed this conversation in right before they flew home. George opens up about his first impressions of Vietnam, how his perspective completely changed during the trip, and why he’s now seriously ...
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 Australian board-certified periodontist practicing in Vietnam. We recorded this episode in our brand-new studio—Albert was our very first proper guest—and I couldn’t have asked for a better conversation to kick things off. I loved hearing his story, fro...
With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts! "Send me a message!" This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental. Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh Support the show 🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today! 👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript! 👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here: 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF t...
"For me, the customer is like my girlfriend. If the customer is happy, I’m happy.” – Nguyen Van Nam This episode was such a blast to record. Not only was it filmed at the stunning House of Merlin, one of my favorite cocktail bars in Saigon, but I also got to sit down with Nguyen Van Nam, a talented young bartender who represents the next wave of Gen Z hospitality professionals in Vietnam. What struck me most about Nam is how honest and self-aware he is. He says he’s an introvert—and maybe he ...
"There’s a youthful, hungry population here—and you can feel the energy in the streets every day." – Hugo Bosch I absolutely loved this episode. Hugo was not only a fantastic guest, but also someone who opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I hadn’t properly explored before: the stock market and capital markets. I’ll admit it, even as a long-term expat here, I never really thought much about investing in Vietnam. But after this conversation, I came away with a whole new perspective—not just abo...
“If I don’t speak, I cannot share what I’m thinking.” – Hanh, Haga SmartTech This 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 helping others do the same. I had the pleasure of speaking with Hanh, founder of Haga SmartTech in Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve been a customer for years, but this was the first time I got to really sit down with her and hear her full story—and wow, what a journey. From working in a ...
"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...
“I got kicked out of college. That was the moment I had to grow up—not just as a player, but as a man.” – Davon Dillard When I first saw Davon Dillard playing for the Saigon Heat, I knew I had to talk to him. He stood out immediately—not just because of his athleticism on the court, but because there was something about his presence. He looked focused. Grounded. Professional. And as it turns out—his story is even more powerful off the court than on it. Davon opens up about hitting rock bott...
After starting this podcast in 2019 in my living room with one mic I can't believe this is happening... "Send me a message!" This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental. Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh Support the show 🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today! 👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript! 👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:...
"Send me a message!" This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental. Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh The full list of winners is here. Support the show 🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today! 👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript! 👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here: 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-...
"Beef stew for breakfast, in this heat? Only in Vietnam - and somehow, it works." I’ve lived in Saigon for nine years, and yet, this city’s food scene never stops surprising me. Let me bring you through Michelin Guide’s 2025 picks - but not the fancy, white-tablecloth stuff. We're talking about the real heroes: local eateries that made it to the Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected lists for their exceptional quality and value. This episode was a blast to record. From simmering bò kho in a clay...
I absolutely loved recording this episode with Hoa. We first met through my Tuesday night quiz at Rabbit Hole, and her warmth, wit, and honesty always stood out. This chat went from laugh-out-loud moments to some truly eye-opening reflections about culture shock, navigating visa bureaucracy, and the sometimes ridiculous expectations placed on Vietnamese women, especially when they marry foreigners. I had a lot to talk about, from Grab drivers not understanding northern accents to what it’s li...
"Everything we do in Saigon, we're like, 'We don't do this enough.'" - Niall This episode perfectly captures why I love living in Vietnam — the spontaneity, the constant surprises, and how quickly you can go from urban chaos to countryside magic. What started as a simple glamping trip turned into one of our most memorable adventures yet. Driving on that unfinished highway felt like discovering a secret part of Vietnam that most people will never experience. The workers painting the lines ju...
"I think I grew up more sheltered. I didn't have the typical New York upbringing." - Annie Vo This episode was special in so many ways — not just because it marked six years of A Vietnam Podcast, but because of Annie’s story. Her journey from Saigon to Yale, and then full circle back to Vietnam, embodies what this podcast is all about: identity, resilience, and connection. Hearing how Annie navigated culture shock, built a successful career, and now helps others feel seen and supporte...
"Send me a message!" This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental. Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh Support the show 🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today! 👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life! 🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript! 👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here: 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN! 👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free inte...
"I was born in a house without electricity, and now I help create families through adoption. It’s like winning the lottery." I catch up with one of the very first guests ever on A Vietnam Podcast — my friend Sandy. The last time we recorded together, it was 2019. We were sitting in my apartment with a tiny mic that picked up every sound in the room. Now, six years later, Sandy is back in Vietnam — this time not just as a tourist, but as an adoption lawyer who’s come full circle in the m...
This trip was one of the most fun and immersive ones we’ve recorded so far. Pai has this laid-back charm and unexpected beauty that really took us by surprise. Adrie and I take you along as we explore some of Pai’s must-see spots — and wow, what a day. We started with the National Park Hot Springs, where the water gets hot enough to boil eggs (or a human, seriously). Then we checked out the WWII Memorial Bridge (Nara Bridge), which has a surprisingly cool history behind it. After that, we ma...
“In the south it's always more dynamic. Everyone is just moving around all the time. In the north, it's slower. People are a bit meaner.” - Viet Anh For nearly ten years now, I've called Vietnam home, and while I've experienced the incredible energy and warmth of the south, Viet Anh's perspective on the north offered a viewpoint I hadn't fully considered. It's fascinating how regional differences can shape the experience of living in the same country. We touched on the sometimes-surprising ...
Vietnam Podcast: Culture, Community & Conversations
“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard If you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again. Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon. It’s her birthday, she’s r...
