Episodios

  • E49: Vietnam’s digital shake-up: Threads, Facebook's fightback and the banking app boom
    Apr 22 2025

    Ho Thuy Tien and Thue Quist Thomassen from market research agency Decision Lab return to You Don’t Know Vietnam to break down their latest Connected Consumer Report — and what it means for brands. We dive into why Threads is exploding among Gen Z, how brands should approach audio platforms and live commerce, and why Vietnam’s ride-hailing and digital finance sectors are evolving fast. From the rise of Xanh SM to the blurring lines between e-wallets and banking apps, this episode is full of insights for anyone looking to stay ahead in Vietnam’s fast-moving digital landscape.

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    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

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    33 m
  • E48: How to make your global brand relevant in Vietnam - with Tammy Thi Phan
    Apr 9 2025

    Tammy Thi Phan is a Chief Digital Marketing Officer who spent most of her professional life overseas working for some of the biggest global brands. She spent eight years working at Google in Singapore—first as Head of Strategic Partnerships for Southeast Asia, and later as the Country Head of Marketing for Vietnam. She's now Chief Digital Marketing Officer at one of Vietnam's largest FMCG-retail conglomerates and is based out of Ho Chi Minh City. Today, Tammy shares what's wowed her most about her return to Vietnam. We talk about the importance of relationship building, and Vietnam's quickly changing consumer market. She also offers her top tips for global brands that want to get their marketing right in Vietnam. Spoiler alert: hyperlocal wins.

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    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

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    30 m
  • E47: Inside Vietnam’s blockchain takeover: Cris D. Tran on grit, growth and gaming
    Mar 25 2025

    Cris D. Tran is a leading voice in Vietnam's blockchain space. He's the Regional General Manager Web3 (SEA) and Head of Growth (VN) at The Sandbox, a community-driven application that connects brands with gamers in the metaverse. Previously, he held leadership roles at Sovico Holdings, Infinity Blockchain Holding, and Frost & Sullivan, shaping the digital transformation landscape in Vietnam and beyond. Today, Cris tells us why Vietnam is so well positioned to become a blockchain powerhouse in the region and some of the challenges it faces along the way. He shares some of his favourite Vietnam-made blockchain projects to date, why Vietnam is the perfect gaming market, and his vision for Web3 applications in different sectors as Vietnam races full throttle into its future.

    Send us a text

    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

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    36 m
  • E46: Vietnam market entry updates: 6 tips CEOs must know to avoid failure
    Mar 11 2025

    Vietnam's market readiness signals are everywhere. And they are strong. GDP growth is solid YoY with no signs of slowing down, and Foreign Direct Investment is at record highs. But what should CEOs be doing to get beneath the headlines and avoid getting their market entry wrong? Jenny Nguyen, a market entry consultant at Incorp Vietnam has the answers. She helps global businesses and brands with all things compliance when it comes to entering the Vietnam market. In other words, she's got your ass covered! Today, Jenny shares what businesses need to do before jumping into Vietnam, and gives 6 tips to avoid market entry failure. She outlines 2025's Q1 tax updates that you should be on top of, and reveals what the biggest challenges are (and unexpected costs!) for companies when landing in Vietnam to get amongst the action.

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    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

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    35 m
  • E45: The delicate art of doing business in Vietnam - with fine dining chef patron Quang Dung
    Feb 25 2025

    Quang Dung is the Chef Patron of Chapter Dining and Grill and Tales Saigon, which are two restaurants helping to raise the bar and push the boundaries in Vietnam's rapidly changing F&B scene. While Chapter in Hanoi takes its guests on a journey through Vietnam's northern mountains with an EPIC tasting menu and drinks pairing, Tales Saigon is Vietnam's first plant-based and zero waste restaurant, which opened its doors just weeks ago. Today, Dung shares why now is the most exciting time ever for Vietnam's hospitality sector. He describes the difference between building business trust in Vietnam's cities compared to building trust with his foragers in the countryside. He gives his tips for global audiences looking to come to Vietnam to do business, shares what he thinks the biggest mistake is that foreigners make, and drops massive insight bombs on how he manages and retains talent in his finer dining establishments.

    Send us a text

    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

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    42 m
  • E44: Can Esports become Vietnam’s biggest entertainment export?
    Feb 11 2025

    TK Nguyen is as high energy as the industry he's working in: Esports. As the CEO of GAM Entertainment, TK leads Vietnam's most successful Esports League of Legends team as they continue to represent Vietnam on the world stage. Today, TK tells me about the explosive growth of Esports in Vietnam, and how it's become a legitimate sport and career for Vietnam's young people. He tells me why Esports could be THE thing to put Vietnam on the global entertainment map, and what needs to happen to make this a reality. He breaks down what League of Legends is and why it's so popular in Vietnam: 67% of Esports players choose to play League of Legends and 68% of Esports fans choose to watch it. He also reveals what he's doing with GAM sports on social media to truly connect with Vietnam's Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences.

    Send us a text

    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

    Más Menos
    38 m
  • E43: Expert insights for recruiting (and keeping!) talented teams in Vietnam
    Jan 21 2025

    In this episode of #YouDontKnowVietnam, we speak to HR expert Hanh Ngo, who recruits teams for new hotels for the Intercontinental Hotel Group in Southeast Asia and Korea. With 15 years in HR, Hanh has a lot of insight to share with global brands or business owners who are looking to enter Vietnam to build a team.

    She explains the difference between a good workplace and bad workplace in Vietnam, and covers that all important topic at this time of the year: the Tet bonus.

    Is it REALLY compulsory? Why is it SO important? Do staff expect a whole month's salary? And will they do a runner if your business can't deliver?

    Listen now to find out.

    Plus:

    🇻🇳 Her top 5 tips for recruiting (and keeping!) staff in Vietnam
    💡 The mindset you need when recruiting a team here
    🤔 Why Vietnamese employees like to work in teams
    🎯 The current trends driving Vietnam's hospitality sector

    Send us a text

    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

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    40 m
  • E42: I've been a business lawyer in Vietnam for 20 years. Here's my tips for newcomers!
    Jan 7 2025

    If your company is looking for a piece of the action in Vietnam this year, this episode is for you. In this instalment of You Don't Know Vietnam, Ian talks to Jerome Buzenet, a business lawyer with 20 years of experience in Vietnam.

    As Partner at DFDL Vietnam, Jerome helps businesses enter and navigate the Vietnamese market, shedding light on the complexity and fast-paced nature of Vietnam's business landscape.

    Today, Ian and Jerome discuss key milestones that have shaped Jerome's understanding of doing business in Vietnam, including the influx of investment bankers in the early 2000s and the first private equity investment in the country. They explore the challenges faced by international businesses in Vietnam, such as differences in respecting intellectual property and dealing with bureaucracy. The conversation also touches on the unique role of Vietnamese women in the workforce, the importance of embracing Vietnamese culture and work practices, and the significance of trust and building long-lasting relationships.

    Topics discussed:

    🇻🇳 The complexity and fast-paced nature of Vietnam's business landscape
    🇻🇳 Key milestones shaping understanding of doing business in Vietnam
    🇻🇳 Challenges faced by international businesses in Vietnam
    🇻🇳 The role of Vietnamese women in the workforce
    🇻🇳 Embracing Vietnamese culture and work practices
    🇻🇳 Building trust and long-lasting relationships

    Send us a text

    If you enjoy this conversation or think someone in your network could find value in it, please share it and hit follow to get notified when the next episode drops.

    This podcast is brought to you by We Create Content, the content marketing agency that builds audiences for global brands in Vietnam. You can follow our host, Ian Paynton, on LinkedIn, and follow the podcast on Instagram, TikTok and X.

    A special thanks to DJ Jase at The Beats Saigon for the soundtrack, and to YOU for listening.

    Más Menos
    35 m
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