“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 considering retiring here. We talk about everything from navigating Saigon’s “organized chaos” traffic to unforgettable meals, moments on Ha Long Bay, and a surprising bond he formed with a Vietnamese soldier over beers in Hanoi.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• George’s first impressions of Vietnam and his initial safety concerns
• What it’s like to navigate Saigon’s traffic as a first-timer
• How locals welcomed him and Betty in unexpected ways
• The highlights from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, and Hoi An
• Why this trip changed his perspective on travel and retirement

Timestamps:

• 00:03 – Recording our very first episode in the new Saigon Podcast Studio
• 04:50 – George’s initial perception of Vietnam and how it changed
• 09:15 – Talking safety concerns and what family back home think
• 15:30 – Beers in Hanoi and connecting with a Vietnamese soldier
• 20:45 – George’s favorite dishes and the one he’s still dreaming about

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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, from growing up in Melbourne to studying in New York and eventually moving to Ho Chi Minh City. He only planned to stay for six months… and that was eight years ago.

We talked about Vietnam’s dental health challenges, the rise of dental tourism, and yes, the importance of flossing. If you’re squeamish about teeth, be warned—but if you’ve ever been curious about why Vietnamese kids drink sugary milk or how dentists are using 3D printing, this one’s for you.

Key Talking Points:

• Why children's teeth in Vietnam are often severely decayed—and how sugar-laced milk plays a role.
• The surprising reasons flossing is more important than you think (hint: it’s linked to Alzheimer’s).
• Why dental tourism in Vietnam is booming and how Premier Dental is leading the charge.
• The cultural and genetic differences in dental health across nationalities.
• How 3D printing and digital scanning are transforming the dental experience.
• Real stories from Albert’s time in Australia, the U.S., and Vietnam—including the worst mouth he’s ever seen.

Chapters and Timestamps

• 10:00 – The state of children's dental health in Vietnam
• 20:30 – Generational habits & lack of awareness
• 25:00 – From Australia to Vietnam: Albert’s journey
• 31:00 – Modern dentistry, 3D printing & Premier Dental
• 39:00 – The truth about flossing (and bad breath)
• 49:00 – Dental tourism: what to know before you go

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With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts!

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"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 is—but you wouldn’t know it from how naturally he connects with people. It’s a beautiful contradiction: someone who claims to be shy yet thrives in a high-contact, high-energy environment like bartending. That’s what this episode is all about: shaking up stereotypes, mixing in some good humor, and serving a double pour of insight.

What we talked about in this episode:

• Why Nam compares happy customers to happy relationships
• The art and storytelling behind signature cocktails at House of Merlin
• Gen Z in Vietnam: lazy but talented?
• Why so many young Vietnamese identify as introverts
• Gender and drinks: is there subtle sexism in how alcohol is served?
• What older generations think of how Gen Z spends money and works

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Meet Nam & intro to House of Merlin
• 04:00 – Mixing live: Signature cocktails, saffron, and Huynh’s priceless reaction
• 10:00 – Gender & drinks: Are Vietnamese bars subtly sexist?
• 11:30 – Behind the bar: The reality of being a bartender vs. the glamor
• 14:00 – Gen Z in Vietnam: Lazy but talented? What Nam really thinks
• 17:00 – Introvert or not? Nam’s personal growth through hospitality

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"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 about stocks and finance, but about the real growth and potential happening in this country every day.

From his insights into Vietnam’s economic boom to rowing through weed-covered patches of the Saigon River, Hugo brought stories, stats, and humour in equal measure. And as always, we kept it real—talking about what it’s like to build a life here, why people stay, and what might make them leave.

Key Talking Points

• Vietnam’s stock market: how it works, how fast it's growing, and why foreign investors should care.
• The "demographic dividend" and how a young, urbanising population is fuelling rapid development.
• The joy (and danger) of motorbikes in Saigon, plus the shift toward electric bikes.
• Rowing on the Saigon River—yes, that’s a thing—and what makes it wildly different from the Thames.
• How foreigners view Vietnam vs. the economic reality on the ground.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & Hugo’s origin story
• 06:00 – The joy of riding motorbikes (and switching to electric)
• 11:00 – What are capital markets? And how Vietnam’s stock market works
• 16:00 – Vietnam’s growth story and demographic dividend
• 28:00 – Trusting the stock market & investing as a foreigner
• 32:00 – Rowing in Saigon: weeds, tides, and surprises

"Send me a message!"

This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.

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“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 garment factory at 14 to running one of the most trusted tech repair shops in Saigon, her story is raw, real, and seriously inspiring.

What struck me most is how Hanh leads with heart. She’s built her business with a mix of resilience, hospitality, and social responsibility—something rare and beautiful. Whether you're an expat, a business owner, or just someone who loves a great human story, this episode will move you.

Key Talking Points

• Hanh’s early life in Quảng Nam and working in a factory at age 14
• How she went from minimum-wage labor to CEO of Haga SmartTech
• Her passion for learning English and overcoming dialect barriers
• The truth about tech myths—like putting your phone in rice!
• Giving back: COVID food relief, small business loans for women, and community work
• Language, accents, and the power of communication

Timestamps & Chapters

• 02:30 – Turning it off and on again: tech tips & myths
• 06:45 – Growing up in Quảng Nam: hard work at 14
• 13:00 – Language barriers and regional accents in Vietnam
• 19:00 – Learning English and building confidence
• 25:00 – From hotel jobs to founding Haga SmartTech
• 32:00 – Creating a repair shop that expats can trust
• 35:00 – Giving back: charity, women’s empowerment, and education
• 43:00 – Miscommunication, pronunciation, and body language
• 49:00 – Final thoughts: success, kindness, and staying inspired

"Send me a message!"

This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.

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"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

"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

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🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

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“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 bottom after getting dismissed from Oklahoma State, and how that moment became the spark for personal growth, discipline, and a complete lifestyle change. Now, not only is he playing pro basketball in Vietnam, but he’s also a published author, a proud vegetarian for over a decade, and someone who’s using his story to lift others up.

This one’s about more than basketball. It’s about identity, transformation, and how we can all use our lowest points to rise higher than ever before.

Key Talking Points
- What it’s like playing for the Saigon Heat and the basketball culture in Vietnam
- First impressions of Vietnam, and how Davon’s family reacted to the move
- What it’s like being a tall, tattooed, Black athlete in Asia
- How a lifelong aversion to meat turned into 11+ years of vegetarian living
- Thoughts on Vietnamese food (and navigating “healthy” options)
- The power of resilience, community, and building a legacy through writing

Chapters and Timestamps
06:20 – Basketball in Vietnam: Clappers, crowds, and why it’s catching on
10:15 – Standing out in Asia: On being tall, tattooed, and Black in public
15:40 – The turning point: Getting kicked out of college and hitting rock bottom
26:30 – Writing three cookbooks and building purpose beyond basketball
34:00 – Going vegetarian: childhood food aversions, fasting, and discipline
40:00 – Protein & performance: how he fuels his body with mushrooms, eggs & juice

"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!

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If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

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