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.
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Données mises à jour le 02/08/2026
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Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Vietnamese Expat In Cyprus & Host of The Blue Expat Podcast | Phuong Nguyen S4 E4
dimanche 2 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:21:41
Phuong Nguyen is a Vietnamese expat currently located in Paphos, Cyprus.
She has hosted a Vietnamese podcast since 2016. Occasionally she interviewed Expats living in Vietnam and has some episodes covering expat lives such as being a vegan in Hanoi, Vietnam under the eyes of an artist and expat's life during Tet - Vietnam's traditional New year holiday.
At the age of 30, she decided to shift her career into Fitness and now she is a Pilates instructor.
You can find her interview with Niall and more on her website:
------------------- Theme music composed by Lewis Wright Logo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin Gray Episode Art designed by Niall Mackay
I bring you a quick update as we take a short break.
The podcast has evolved into a thriving business since its inception in 2019, leading to the establishment of the Saigon Podcast Studio.
This year has been challenging due to my health issues, but the business is growing with new clients. We've rebranded to focus on relevant topics and I'm eager for your feedback.
We've been reliving our journey by airing older episodes and have been nominated for the Best Podcast in Vietnam at the People's Picks Awards.
Your support and votes are greatly appreciated. New episodes and exciting guests are on the way!
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Discover Vietnam’s Street Food Secrets with Best Ever Food Review Show's Calvin Bui
dimanche 26 octobre 2025 • Durée 01:15:57
The most difficult man to nail down for an interview is finally on Seven Million Bikes! Chef and Restaurateur Calvin Bui of El Camino and Dos Amigos Taqueria.
A California native born of parents who escaped the fall out of the Vietnam war, Calvin has lived in Saigon for 10 years now and gone from a Wall Street Banker to owning and running successful restaurants in Saigon. Most notable for his fusion of Korean and Mexican food.
Calvin and I talk about his love of feeding people, Trip Advisor Reviews and the state of the food and beverage market in Saigon at the moment and why customers need to support local businesses if they want to see them thrive and stay in Saigon.
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Young German Vietnamese DJ Shaping Saigon’s Creative Underground | Levi Oi S5 E10
dimanche 19 octobre 2025 • Durée 01:07:00
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.
Within 5 months of her DJ career, she played her first Boiler Room set in Ho Chi Minh City. Next to organizing electronic music events, she was also the tour manager of Red Axes and local guide for their EP “Trips in Vietnam”.
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Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Fluent Vietnamese Expat, Afro Viet TV Creator, Musician & Actor | Nam Đen S5 E6
dimanche 12 octobre 2025 • Durée 01:17:28
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 explores the beauty of African and Asian cultures.
After first coming to Vietnam in 2008 he has now lived here for 10 years and is one of those rare things... an expat who can speak fluent Vietnamese. Sick of communicating through hand gestures and wanting to understand the culture he was living in better Mr Nam Đen took Vietnamese lessons and without fear of making mistakes he threw himself into learning Vietnamese.
As a trained actor, with a strong comedic sense and master of the local language, what started as a hobby in 2018 has grown into a channel with over 66,000 Subscribers and a devoted fanbase.
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Discover How Vietnam Became a Lifestyle Destination with Dana Bradley, Where in HCMC
Saison 15 · Épisode 10
jeudi 9 octobre 2025 • Durée 34:14
“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-ever live-streamed episode of Discover Vietnam, I sat down with Dana Bradley, co-founder of Where in HCMC, to talk about how Vietnam — especially Saigon — has evolved into one of the most exciting lifestyle destinations in Asia.
Dana first arrived in Vietnam by accident during the COVID lockdowns… and ended up staying five years (and counting). Her story mirrors so many of ours: we came for a short time, fell in love with the energy, and somehow built a life here.
What I loved most about this conversation is how naturally it flowed between personal stories, cultural observations, and genuine admiration for what makes Saigon Saigon. We dug into everything from why foreigners can’t seem to leave, to how Vietnamese creatives are shaping the city’s future.
Key Talking Points
Vietnam’s evolution – from a backpacker stop to a global lifestyle and creative hub.
Why people stay – Saigon’s spontaneity, community, and energy make it impossible to leave.
Dana’s story – from being “stuck” during COVID to building Where in Vietnam, a platform connecting people and local businesses.
Authenticity redefined – the real Vietnam isn’t just pho and war museums; it’s also cocktail bars, design studios, and Gen Z creatives.
Empowering small businesses – how Where in Vietnam’s new website and People’s Picks Awards are spotlighting modern Vietnam.
Chapters & Timestamps
02:45 – Dana’s accidental arrival and decision to stay
06:30 – What makes Saigon special
13:40 – The birth of Where in HCMC
23:00 – Vietnam’s new generation and creative boom
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Drag King & Performer Contributing to the Creative Community | Ilse Zoerb; S6 E1
dimanche 5 octobre 2025 • Durée 01:18:21
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 here.
Ilse helped her parents move to Vietnam at the end of 2016 while Trump was taking office. She got caught in the Saigon vortex and is grateful for it.
Ilse is a creator of things, having studied Movement in her native US. Since moving to Saigon she tried out stand up comedy before exploring Drag as the character Colonel Hai Minh, performing in several shows and also works with Dragonfly Theatre.
Instead of talking about the arts scene in Saigon that they are both a part of, for some unknown reason Niall and Ilse get very excited to talk about urban planning in Saigon and the improved road network! It's a way more interesting conversation than it sounds!
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Discover The True Cost of Living in Vietnam, hosted by Adrie Lopez Mackay
Saison 15 · Épisode 9
mercredi 1 octobre 2025 • Durée 46:20
“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 living in Vietnam after nine years as expats in Ho Chi Minh City. When we first arrived, we thought everything would be dirt cheap — almost free. But as we settled into long-term life, we learned that costs depend entirely on the lifestyle you want to live.
This conversation was a fun mix of stories from our early days, lessons we’ve learned the hard way, and advice I wish someone had told me when we first moved here. It’s not just about whether you can survive on a backpacker budget — it’s about whether you can thrive here long-term with savings, health insurance, and a lifestyle you actually enjoy.
Key Talking Points
First impressions vs. reality – Vietnam feels cheap at first, but costs add up quickly.
Wide price ranges – from 10k coffees to 110k Starbucks, lifestyle choices shape your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month?
Long-term essentials – pensions, health insurance, transportation, and gym memberships are often overlooked.
Simple but rich lifestyle – Vietnam makes it easier to spend less on consumer goods, but temptations (international food, travel, shopping) are always there.
Chapters
[00:00] Arriving in Vietnam – first impressions and naïve expectations.
[07:00] The shock of real rent prices in Ho Chi Minh City.
[13:00] Street food vs. Western comforts: how your lifestyle changes your budget.
[19:00] Hidden costs expats forget: pensions, insurance, gyms, and groceries.
[29:00] Big question: Can you live on $1,000/month in Saigon?
[45:00] Why a simpler life in Vietnam can actually feel richer.
Back Catalog Rewind : Discover Vietnam - Lars Callieou - Touring Canadian Comedian
dimanche 28 septembre 2025 • Durée 46:19
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 before he flew back to Canada. So apologies for the background noise, we were in the hotel restaurant that was thankfully mostly quiet.
Lars has appeared at the Just for Laughs Festival and has a 1-Hour Comedy Special currently airing on The Comedy Network. He was named ‘Best of the Fest’ at the 2018 San Luis Obispo Comedy Festival for the second time in as many appearances. Lars has also been overseas to entertain the troops 3 times.
Lars has toured with the likes of Miss Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, Bob Saget and Martin Short. He will be making his fifth appearance this April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia You can find Lars on Instagram, Twitter and his Website.
Discover The Expat Money Mistakes That Cost Me $20,000, with Robin Copely
Saison 15 · Épisode 8
mercredi 24 septembre 2025 • Durée 43:04
“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 Copley
It wasn’t easy to share, but I opened up about my own financial mistakes in Vietnam—losing tens of thousands of dollars because I trusted the wrong person. Robin Copley, my financial planner now, joined me to unpack what went wrong, what red flags I should have seen, and what every expat needs to know about money here.
I walked away from this conversation feeling relieved, but also more aware. Relieved because I know I’m back on track with someone I can trust. Aware because Vietnam really is a financial superpower if you manage things properly—but also a financial nightmare if you don’t.
5 Key Talking Points
Why living in Vietnam can be a “financial superpower” if you manage money wisely.
The biggest financial mistakes expats make—and how to avoid them.
Hidden commissions and fees in products sold to expats.
The importance of fiduciary responsibility and transparency in financial advice.
Why money is only a tool—the real goal is the life you want to live.
Chapters & Timestamps
[00:00] Why Vietnam is a financial superpower – The balance between cost of living and income potential.
[00:02] My financial horror story – Losing tens of thousands through bad advice.
[00:09] Red flags and hidden commissions – Robin explains how expats are often misled.
[00:23] Investments as tools, not goals – Shifting the focus from money to lifestyle.
[00:27] Practical advice for expats – Motorbike licenses, medical insurance, and saving strategies.
[00:38] Life beyond money – Robin’s philosophy on living fully while planning responsibly.
