Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast

“I love this country. I was about to head back to the mall. I'd given up hope, but I knew this country always pulls through at the very last second.”This Lunch Walk takes me out of Saigon and onto the streets of Da Nang, where I'm hunting down one of Central Vietnam's most famous dishes: Mì Quảng.At least, that was the plan.I set off looking for a highly rated local spot, only for Google Maps to send me to what appears to be a car lot. Add in Da Nang heat that feels close to 40°C, a complete lack of suitable clothing after coming straight from winter in Australia, and a growing temptation to give up and hide in an air-conditioned mall, and this quickly becomes more of an actual walk than expected.But just as I'm about to admit defeat, Vietnam delivers.I finally find a local Mì Quảng place and get to compare the dish in Da Nang with the versions I regularly eat back in Saigon. We talk about its lighter broth, peanuts, noodles, the differences between food in Central and Southern Vietnam, and why Mì Quảng deserves far more attention outside the country.And, as often happens on these Lunch Walks, the food is only part of the story. A random conversation with another customer turns into a chat about Saigon, Ha Long City and his former life working as a bartender on a cruise ship in Ha Long Bay.Key TakeawaysMì Quảng is one of Central Vietnam's most famous regional dishes.Unlike many Vietnamese noodle dishes, it usually comes with only a small amount of broth rather than a full bowl of soup.The Mì Quảng I've eaten in Saigon tends to have more broth and feel heavier and oilier than the version I try here in Da Nang.Vietnamese food changes significantly by region, with Central Vietnamese cuisine often associated with stronger and spicier flavours.Da Nang continues to modernise rapidly, with new malls, roads and developments sitting alongside traditional streets and local food stalls.Sometimes the best moments while exploring Vietnam come from completely unplanned conversations with strangers.Phở and bánh mì might dominate the international conversation about Vietnamese food, but there are countless regional dishes like Mì Quảng that deserve much more attention.Timestamps01:00 Searching for Mì Quảng and my confidence in Vietnamese food after 10 years05:00 Giving up on the original Mì Quảng restaurant07:00 Almost settling for cơm tấm08:00 The Da Nang heat starts winning09:00 Giving up and heading for air conditioning10:00 Finally finding Mì Quảng and getting rescued by a fan12:00 Trying authentic Da Nang Mì Quảng14:00 Meeting a local customer and attempting some Vietnamese16:00 My verdict on the Mì Quảng18:00 Why Vietnam has so much great food people rarely talk about"Send me a message!"Support the show

Recorded pre-quarantine, pre-lockdown this episode was intended to be the first of Season 3, recorded at Waves studio.As you may well know, season 3 became the Quarantine Season and I haven't been able to record any more episodes yet for season 4.So to celebrate one year of Seven Million Bikes I dusted down the file off the shelf and am releasing it for your listening pleasure as a bonus episode to start Season 4.Look out for new episodes as soon as I am able to!Frances is a travel blogger with the well-know blog So The Adventure Begins. She is also well-known for her pink Honda cub she is often seen driving around Saigon. She has been living in Saigon now for three years and is the first Scottish guest to join me on the show. Don't worry, you can understand us!We talk about her not being an influencer, why she started a blog, breaking up and dating in Saigon, out homeland and of course Scottish accents.There is the unplanned ubiquitous shout out as always for Matt Ryan! And his deep-fried Mars Bars."Send me a message!"Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio!Support the show

Welcome back to Lunch Walk #5! Starting from Saigon Podcast Studio on Pasteur Street in the Nguyen Thai Binh neighborhood (District 1), we go down a history rabbit hole — a vanished canal, a 150-year-old bridge tied to Gustave Eiffel's company, and the wild engineering behind the Thủ Thiêm Tunnel — before finishing up with a bowl of bún bò at a historic building on Ton That Dam Street.Key Takeaways:The lost canal: Pasteur Street (formerly Pellerin) once ran along a canal through the heart of Saigon, filled in decades ago. A look at the shophouses and Cantonese and Tamil immigrant communities that once lined the route.Cầu Mống ("Rainbow Bridge"): Built around 1880, ~150 years old, and engineered by a company linked to Gustave Eiffel. Originally a road bridge connecting District 1 and District 4, later dismantled and rebuilt during tunnel construction.The Thủ Thiêm Tunnel: Finished in 2011 (years behind schedule thanks to unexpectedly soft riverbed soil), built using the "tube tunnel" method: four ~26,000-ton tubes dredged into a trench under the Saigon River and connected with millimeter-level precision.A functional building with character: The unassuming structure managing the tunnel's ventilation, drainage, and lighting — designed to actually fit the neighborhood.Lunch stop: Bún bò at a historic building on Ton That Dam Street, now home to cafes, vintage shops, and cocktail bars tucked above a street of Vietnamese-only menus.Timestamps00:00 — Intro from Saigon Podcast Studio03:07 — Cầu Mống, the Rainbow Bridge & its Eiffel connection09:16 — How the Thủ Thiêm "tube tunnel" was built13:56 — Arriving at the lunch spot on Ton That Dam Street18:33 — Plans for a "Discover Vietnam" series & walking tours20:33 — Bún bò arrives"Send me a message!"Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio!Support the show

This was recorded via Skype from quarantine, you may have to turn the volume up.For no other real reason than I haven't spoken to Jay in nearly a month and is one of my favourite people to talk to, I call up JK Hobson to have a chat about the state of the world today, life on the outside and how he is coping with quarantine. "Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

A sudden five-minute monsoon just poured down before I even got moving today, so this one starts in blue skies and puddles. I'm walking along Hồ Tùng Mậu — once an actual canal until it was filled in back in the 1920s — and finally sharing some proper research I did on this neighborhood I keep saying I love. Along the way I point out a cluster of hundred-year-old shophouses, a hidden alley bar, and buildings I really hope survive the next wave of glass-and-concrete development. I also grab a rare bag of tofu with fermented shrimp paste (tofu nắm) before finally sitting down for a bowl of mì gà a few blocks from the studio.Key TakeawaysThis neighborhood has real history behind it: Hồ Tùng Mậu was once a canal, and many of the surrounding shophouses date back to the early 1900s — built with tall windows and shutters designed for the heat and rain, long before AC existed.Preservation is informal, not guaranteed: None of these century-old buildings are officially protected — some survive mostly because they're awkwardly wedged between other structures, not because anyone's actively saving them. One inspiration for wanting this area preserved: George Town in Penang, Malaysia, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The good stuff is easy to miss and easy to lose: Tofu nắm is a favorite that's genuinely hard to find — worth buying on sight rather than waiting until after lunch, because the seller might be sold out next time.Big personal update, worth knowing: After a year since an MS diagnosis and a strong initial recovery, a second round of treatment two months ago has brought lower energy and more frequent illness — though the latest MRI brought good news, with no new lesions and existing ones inactive.The podcast keeps growing in unexpected directions: The YouTube channel just crossed 950,000 views, and the "how's your accent understood on national TV" comments keep coming now that the VTV show is underway.Chapters and Timestamps00:00 – A surprise monsoon, then blue skies along Hồ Tùng Mậu02:00 – The canal-turned-street history and hundred-year-old shophouse architecture06:00 – A hidden alley bar and why some old buildings quietly survive12:00 – Penang as inspiration for preserving this kind of neighborhood20:00 – Podcast milestones and life on VTV's Vietnam Explained24:00 – Sitting down for mì gà and talking through the meal28:00 – Wrapping the walk, more neighborhood history, and heading back in the rain"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

A Saigon resident, Lawrence Young has worked in the finance industry worldwide for 30 years, currently with Holborn Assets and created the non-troll Facebook group Ho Chi Minh Expat Group Saigon. Now at nearly 10,500 members in just 14 months.He has seen the market go up and down over the years and is confident we will come out of the current crisis stronger but different.We talk about what life has been like in Saigon and what it's like today after the latest guidance, starting April 1st, from the Prime Minister - 2 metre distancing, only leave for your home for essentials, groups of no more than two people outside and only essential services open. He also gives us his take on the state of the financial market, why we shouldn't panic and why it matters to everyone. Whether you own stocks or not.If you would like to reach out to Lawrence for advice you can email him at lawrence.young@holbornassets.com or message him on LinkedIn."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

Lunch Walks continues, and this time I've got company — Te from Saigon Podcast Studio joins me, since Carrie had to duck out after we wrapped a Vietnam Content Marketing episode together. It's pouring rain in Nguyễn Thái Bình, but we push on anyway to a fried chicken and rice spot I only found a couple of weeks ago, tucked down a back alley I hadn't explored before. Along the way we talk about the neighborhood getting recognized by Time Out as one of the coolest in the world (or Vietnam — details are fuzzy), the nonstop construction that's part of daily life here, and why Vietnamese people always seem thrilled to end up on camera. Then the rain really sets in, and getting back to the studio turns into its own adventure.Key TakeawaysThis neighborhood has fans beyond just me: Nguyễn Thái Bình has apparently been named one of the coolest neighborhoods around by Time Out — and between the mix of old buildings, cocktail bars, and hidden local spots, it's easy to see why.The best finds are the ones you almost walked past: This fried chicken and rice place had been on this street the whole time, but it took a few passes before it actually got noticed and tried.Not all rice is created equal: The rice here isn't broken rice (cơm tấm) — it's fried separately, which gives it a different color, texture, and flavor that's worth asking about if you don't recognize it."Developing country" hits different when you live it: Watching construction happen in real time — new buildings going up constantly, the sound of drilling as a daily backdrop — makes the textbook definition of a developing economy feel a lot more real.Rainy season doesn't wait for you to finish lunch: What starts as a light rain can flood a street within minutes, turning a short walk back to the studio into a full production — sandals over sneakers, camera tucked away, and a lot of patience.Chapters and Timestamps00:00 – Heading out with Tay after wrapping Vietnam Content Marketing, rain already falling02:00 – Nguyễn Thái Bình's reputation, and the neighborhood's mix of old and new04:00 – Arriving at the fried chicken and rice spot, ordering fish sauce and garlic chicken08:00 – Talking construction, development, and life as a foreigner watching Vietnam grow11:00 – The bill, and Vietnamese love of being on camera13:00 – Flash flooding on the walk back and sheltering from the rain16:00 – Back at the studio, wrapping up the episode"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

Back for round two! I'm heading out from the Saigon Podcast Studio again, this time down Thôn Đất Đàm — the market street I'm honestly surprised is still standing given how much prime real estate around here has been redeveloped.Along the way I point out some old Chinese signage on the buildings, a newly renovated coffee spot that went from empty nightclub to permanently packed in a few months, and a 70-year-old coffee roaster where I stock up on my usual mix. Then it's on to “Bếp Võ” for my go-to order — dry noodles with chicken — before a coffee run and the walk back before the rain hits.Key TakeawaysSome things in Vietnam just work immediately: The corner coffee shop that used to be a nightclub sat empty for a while, then reopened completely redone — and it's been packed non-stop ever since. No slow build, just instant success.History hides in plain sight: Old Cantonese/Chinese signage on the market buildings is a reminder of how long this street has been here — probably 50 years or more — even as everyone assumes it'll eventually be torn down for redevelopment.The best lunch spots are the ones you never have to think about: Same order every time at Bếp Võ— dry noodles with chicken, no menu needed — and it still comes out to under $5.Rainy season rules everything: No umbrella, two blocks from the studio, and still a real risk of getting stuck in a downpour — planning your day (and your route) around the rain is just part of living in Saigon.Chapters and Timestamps00:00 – Back for Lunch Walks #2, heading out from the studio03:00 – The market street and its Chinese-lettered buildings04:00 – The coffee shop that went from nightclub to instant hit08:00 – Arriving at Bếp Võ for dry noodles with chicken11:00 – The bill, the walk to coffee, and beating the rain back to the studio"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

"This corner... I love seeing it every day. It kinda sums up Vietnam for me — an amazing juxtaposition of the old and the new."Welcome to the very first Vietnam Lunch Walks; a new series where I take you along on my actual lunch breaks around the neighborhood I love most in Saigon. This one's been a while coming: it's the first new Discover Vietnam episode in six months, after a stretch of low motivation and a busy year setting up Saigon Podcast Studio.In this episode, I walk you from the studio on Pasteur Street to my favourite halal phở spot near Bến Thành Market, order my usual (phở gà with extra chicken), and then take you on a loop through the neighborhood — past the old bank building, the stock exchange, and my favourite bridge in the world, with a few old Saigon stories along the way.Key TakeawaysConsistency is hard, even for the host: Six months between episodes isn't unusual for Discover Vietnam — motivation for content creation comes and goes, and this episode is a reminder to just start again.Old vs. new is the whole vibe: The view of the old bank building against the Bitexco Tower is a favourite spot precisely because it captures Saigon's mix of old and new.Great phở comes down to small details: Good white breast meat over tough "walking chicken," a light hand with chili, and sawtooth basil are what make this order worth repeating weekly.Documenting a neighborhood before it disappears: Older buildings nearby are quietly being replaced with modern glass developments, which is part of the motivation for filming these walks now.Chapters and Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Lunch Walks: launching a new series after a 6-month break02:00 – A favourite view: the old bank building against the Bitexco Tower05:00 – Ordering phở gà at the halal spot near Bến Thành Market13:00 – Walking tour: the canal, the favourite bridge, and a 2016 street story17:00 – Watching old Saigon disappear, then back to the studio to wrap up"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

After realising we were in the same quarantine facility online Mizuka reached out and connected with our WhatsApp group and Adrie on Instagram where they were following each others Stories from opposite buildings. After chatting for several days online Niall and Adrie finally met Mizuka in person, at a distance, on one of our walks.Born and raised in Saigon, with her parents still living here, Mizuka made the difficult decision to return to Vietnam from her final year of studies in the U.S. to be with her parents before she was locked out of Vietnam. Or her parents were locked out of the U.S.Her story is one of many similar yet unique stories around the world about how the rapid escalation of Covid-19 affected people. "Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

Adrie, and roommate Anastasia, discuss what life in quarantine is like with host and fellow quarantee Niall.Anastasia, originally from the Ukraine, has lived in Saigon for 5 years working in sales for a major hotel chain.Her company sent her on an ill-fated dream trip to Australia for work on March 15th, 3 days after the pandemic was declared. As a result most of her business meetings went online and were then cancelled leaving her no reason to be in Australia and as borders closed every reason to get back to Vietnam as soon as possible. Flying on the same flight from Sydney as Niall and Adrie she found herself on the same problem at the Vietnamese border of being moment away from being sent back to Australia, a country she has no ties to. Before luckily being allowed in at midnight and sent to quarantine with a group of foreigners who'd never met before. There she paired up with Niall and Adrie, wanting to be with the only other female in the group.Listen to more details about her story and what life has been like in quarantine for the three new friends. -------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast!Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio!Support the show"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

This is a special episode, maybe mini-season, of Seven Million Bikes direct from quarantine in Saigon. This was recorded on a phone recorder and I don't have a laptop for edits so it's a live interview with my wife, Adrie Mackay.Adrie and I left Vietnam on March 9th for what was meant to be three weddings in three weeks on three continents; going to New Zealand, then the USA then back to Vietnam for the final wedding. Weighing up the risks of the coronavirus we decided to start out trip, but almost immediately those plans changed as things developed rapidly in the world. And continued to change daily, then hourly, then almost by the minute as we tried to get back to Vietnam as soon as we could before the borders closed and we were stranded in New Zealand. In hindsight we should have listened to those red flags and stayed in Vietnam.Adrie tells the story of how we got back into Vietnam, barely, and why we are in quarantine after the most anxiety inducing and stressful period of our lives together. We feel ridiculously lucky that we made it into Vietnam at literally the 11th hour before the border effectively shut at midnight to foreigners.******Adrie and the presenter of Seven Million Bikes, Niall have been married for nearly 7 years, living in Vietnam for 4 of those, calling this country home. They have a beautiful French Bulldog called Biscuit who is waiting for them to get out of quarantine at her best friends house. -------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast!Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio!Support the show"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

"Be authentic. If it doesn't feel right inside, don't post it." – Amy WenhamIn this episode, I sat down with Amy Wenham, founder of the Women's Business Network (WBN) in Ho Chi Minh City, to talk about one of my favourite topics—authentic content marketing.The conversation made me reflect on my own content. We talked about the podcast studio, the countless hours spent setting up lights and cables, and how I'd often forgotten to share the journey behind the finished product. It reminded me that people don't just want to see the final result—they want to understand the work that got you there.If you're a business owner, marketer, or content creator trying to build a genuine connection with your audience, this episode is packed with practical advice you can start using today.Key Takeaways:How Amy grew the Women's Business Network from just 23 members to more than 900 without paying for advertising.Why authentic stories consistently outperform polished, "perfect" content.The biggest content marketing mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them.How to use AI without losing your own voice and personality.Why podcasting is one of the most powerful tools for creating authentic, long-form content.Chapters and timestamps:00:00 – Rapid-fire questions and why authenticity beats viral marketing04:00 – Why sharing challenges creates stronger engagement than polished content08:30 – Listening to your community and creating content your audience actually wants14:00 – The biggest content marketing mistakes SMEs make20:00 – AI, authenticity, and why your voice still matters26:00 – Why podcasting is the perfect format for authentic content marketing"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

Can authenticity still cut through in a world overflowing with AI-generated content?In this trailer for the first episode of Vietnam Content Marketing, I explore the growing gap between polished corporate marketing and the raw, human stories that audiences are actually engaging with.Featuring a preview of the conversation with Amy Wenham, founder of the Women's Business Network, this episode asks an important question for every marketer and business owner:As AI makes content easier to create, what makes people actually care?The full episode drops this Friday.Vietnam Content Marketing is hosted by me, Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and Saigon Podcast Studio, exploring the people, ideas and trends shaping marketing in Vietnam."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

 In the break between season 2 and 3 here are the answers each guest gave to my questions at the end of each episode.Thanks for listening!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay. "Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

In the break between season 2 and 3 here are the answers each guest gave to my questions at the end of each episode.Thanks for listening!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast!Support the show"Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

This is an extra special episode of Discover Vietnam!As you probably know, I run Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and we produce podcasts for clients around the world. We've done over a thousand episodes, helped with millions of downloads, and we've even won some awards. One of our clients is Laura Colon from Inspired Authority, and I was really, really lucky to be asked by her to be a guest on her show. And so I wanna bring this episode to you with her permission. Please subscribe to her channel, check them out. "Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Book your free tour of Saigon Podcast Studio! Support the show

In the break between season 2 and 3 here are the answers each guest gave to my questions at the end of each episode.Thanks for listening!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay."Send me a message!"Book a free call with me here if you want to start your own podcast! Support the show

The first ever live show of Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast, recorded live at Soma Art Lounge in D2, HCMC.I am so sorry, the recording cut out with about 10-15 mins left of the show! I have no idea why. If you are in HCMC look out for the next live show to avoid disappointment.The panel discussed comedy in the current PC era and post #metoo era. Is comedy being stifled or do comedians need to adapt to stay funny without offending? Or are audiences too sensitive?The panel consisted of Angee the Diva, Uy Nguyễn and Jesús López II.Panel ProfileAngee the DivaAngee is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam. She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been headlining gigs around Vietnam and South East Asia since 2017, as a solo comedian and as half of the comedy duo, “Stand Up for the Queens”. She has headlined solo in Canada and USA, as well. She is a mother of two, writer, event planner, and has a Degree in Education, previously teaching kids in her home of Hawaii.Uy NguyễnA Vietnamese comedian who gives a fresh perspective on dating, dealing with tourists, and other thoughts that will have you splitting a side.He has performed in Saigon for 3 years and opened for Gina Yashere, Grem Wooding and Ro Campbell since 2017.Uy represents the new generation of young English-speaking Vietnamese comics coming into the scene with hilarious success.Jesús López IIJesús is a journalist regularly featured in Saigon's Oi magazine and works a professional copywriter. As a general assignment reporter, Jesús has covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Ho Chi Minh City's comedians and (just a bit of) political coverage.Supporting Materials10 famous comedians on how political correctness is killing comedy: "We are addicted to the rush of being offended"How Political Correctness is Killing ComedyIs the snowflake generation really about to kill off comedy?Is standup comedy doomed? The future of funny post-Kevin Hart, Louis CK and Nanette“Un-PC” Comedy Lovers: George Carlin And Eddie Murphy Aren't On Your TeamThe New Culture of CensorshipSarah Silverman - Rape JokesGeorge Carlin About RapeLouis C.K. and Aziz"Send me a message!"Support the show

The first ever live show of Seven Million Bikes; A Saigon Podcast, recorded live at Soma Art Lounge in D2, HCMC.I am so sorry, the recording cut out with about 10-15 mins left of the show! I have no idea why. If you are in HCMC look out for the next live show to avoid disappointment.The panel discussed comedy in the current PC era and post #metoo era. Is comedy being stifled or do comedians need to adapt to stay funny without offending? Or are audiences too sensitive?The panel consisted of Angee the Diva, Uy Nguyễn and Jesús López II.Panel ProfileAngee the DivaAngee is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam. She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been headlining gigs around Vietnam and South East Asia since 2017, as a solo comedian and as half of the comedy duo, “Stand Up for the Queens”. She has headlined solo in Canada and USA, as well. She is a mother of two, writer, event planner, and has a Degree in Education, previously teaching kids in her home of Hawaii.Uy NguyễnA Vietnamese comedian who gives a fresh perspective on dating, dealing with tourists, and other thoughts that will have you splitting a side.He has performed in Saigon for 3 years and opened for Gina Yashere, Grem Wooding and Ro Campbell since 2017.Uy represents the new generation of young English-speaking Vietnamese comics coming into the scene with hilarious success.Jesús López IIJesús is a journalist regularly featured in Saigon's Oi magazine and works a professional copywriter. As a general assignment reporter, Jesús has covered a wide spectrum of topics, including Ho Chi Minh City's comedians and (just a bit of) political coverage.Supporting Materials10 famous comedians on how political correctness is killing comedy: "We are addicted to the rush of being offended"How Political Correctness is Killing ComedyIs the snowflake generation really about to kill off comedy?Is standup comedy doomed? The future of funny post-Kevin Hart, Louis CK and Nanette“Un-PC” Comedy Lovers: George Carlin And Eddie Murphy Aren't On Your TeamThe New Culture of CensorshipSarah Silverman - Rape JokesGeorge Carlin About RapeLouis C.K. and Aziz"Send me a message!"Support the show

Esta Ricardo is a Drag Queen and GenderFunk performer and Founder/Mother of GenderFunk. He loves exploring Gender through workshops, performance and lots of talking!Born in Birmingham he then lived in Manchester and London before studying Journalism in London. He then worked for the British Red Cross for 2 years and started performing in the radical arts festival scene in Europe. He has now lived in Saigon for 3 years.In part 2 we talk about inclusiveness, not knowing if you're being discriminated in Vietnamese, orgies and changing perceptions of what's right or wrong.Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!"Send me a message!"Support the show

Esta Ricardo is a Drag Queen and GenderFunk performer and Founder/Mother of GenderFunk. He loves exploring Gender through workshops, performance and lots of talking!Born in Birmingham he then lived in Manchester and London before studying Journalism in London. He then worked for the British Red Cross for 2 years and started performing in the radical arts festival scene in Europe. He has now lived in Saigon for 3 years.We talk about the art of Drag, the Drag scenes in Saigon and Hanoi, sexuality, gender, inclusiveness, white, male privilege and a whole lot more!Esta Ricardo is a funny, entertaining and fabulous guest!"Send me a message!"Support the show

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. Owner and Founder at El CaminoOwner and Founder at Easy TigerGin Bar, chef / owner at Dos Amigos Taqueria :: Tacos • Burritos • Craft Beer Owner and Founder at 20twenty Kick-Ass Bia HoiInstagram; fkndeliciousnessHow not to treat your customers;https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/68165320/wellingtons-ekim-burger-fires-off-expletive-filled-facebook-rant-at-customersCalvin's respo"Send me a message!"Support the show

Angee the Diva is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam.She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been a headlining gigs around Vietnam and South East Asia since 2017, as a solo comedian and as half of the comedy duo, “Stand Up for the Queens”. She has headlined solo in Canada and USA, as well. This mother of two, writer, event planner, and boss as bitch will leave you in stitches with her raunchy yet relatable comedic stories!Videoshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0"Send me a message!"Support the show

Angee the Diva is an American comedian based in Saigon, Vietnam.She was a 2019 finalist in the Vietnam Comedy Competition and has been a headlining gigs around Vietnam and South East Asia since 2017, as a solo comedian and as half of the comedy duo, “Stand Up for the Queens”. She has headlined solo in Canada and USA, as well. This mother of two, writer, event planner, and boss as bitch will leave you in stitches with her raunchy yet relatable comedic stories!Videoshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w2XCmoLg1U&authuser=0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcnBuXe2Xis&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcZ1U7m0TY&authuser=0"Send me a message!"Support the show

GiangSinh is named due to her birth date of December 24th, being Vietnamese for Christmas, which she still went by until recently.Her Vietnamese mother and father met in Indonesia where GiangSinh was born and lived there for the first 5 years of her life. After moving back to Saigon she has lived in Nha Trang, Singapore, LA and now back to Saigon again where she feels her heart belongs. She has worked in Hospitality and FMCG most of her adult life, starting out at the prestigious Six Senses resort.Currently, she is Head of Sales for Bira91; a beer imagined in India, brewed in Belgium, sold worldwide and currently making inroads into the crowded Vietnamese market.We talk about her parents tumultuous relationship, owing to their different backgrounds and family pressures, and how that affected her growing up; living in different places around the world and the experiences gleaned from that and of course... alcohol. From the mass consumption of beer in Vietnam to the plethora of new cocktail bars opening in Saigon and our favourite types of whisky. She also believes that dogs are better than humans! Biscuit agrees.Bira 91"Send me a message!"Support the show

Ella Beth is a sassy jazz singer and more recently comedian hailing from Australia. Since leaving her hometown, singing has taken her all over Australia and Asia and in traveling she's developed her own brand of on stage performance.This lead to being the first foreign competitor on The Voice Vietnam - making it all the way to the finals!We talk about her time in Vietnam which has been a rollercoaster, between different cities, festivals, teaching, dating and of course motorbikes. We cover it all and more in this episode with Ella Beth.Check out Ella on YouTube.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

Originally from Manchester, Damian Kilroy has lived in Vietnam for 10 years, 5 of those in Saigon, where most notably, he brought a raft of international artists to Saigon for the first time (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Mac DeMarco, The Cribs, The Vaccines).Now in Vung Tau, Damian is the owner of Cask Bar and is working on the 2nd year of Coracle Music Festival which takes place in Ho Tram at the end of November. The Lemonheads, Ca Hoi Hoang, Fleetmac Wood and The King Khan & BBQ Show are among the artists performing.Listen to this episode to find out how to win one of three Coracle Music Festival tickets worth 1.5m vnd each!Get your tickets for the Coracle Music Festival here.APOLOGIES; I was having microphone issues on this recording, so the sound quality of this episode may be poorer than usual. I tried my best, with the help of Lewis Wright, to fix it but this was as good as it gets. I hope you enjoy the episode and massive apologies!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

TRIGGER WARNING: The subject of this episode is the reporting of sexual abuse in Vietnam. While there is nothing graphic in this episode, if you feel that this would be a trigger or discomforting please feel free to skip this episode.Sen is a journalist based in Saigon, Vietnam where she covers development, culture, and human rights. She writes for the English publication VnExpress International.We talk about many of the articles that you can read below, and the reasons why sexual abuse of children happens in Vietnam and how it is dealt with - especially in relation to the way that older people are automatically believed and respected. We also discuss what is changing to help protect children and prevent this happening.Despite the heavy nature of the subject, we still find some light-hearted moments and it was great to see that Sen hasn't been worn down by the nature of her reporting and stays upbeat.This is Sen's hidden gem she recommends;Cầu Thủ Thiêm, P. Bình An, Quận 2, Hồ Chí MinhRecommended restaurant;The Tib RestaurantVietnamese VN ExpressEnglish Vn ExpressBelow are some articles by Sen.Tale of children who survived My Lai massacre falls on deaf earsDon't you mess with us any more: women, children learn self-defenseDim light at the end of sex education tunnelSouth Korean brokers advertise Vietnamese women as commodities on YouTubeLGBT rights: Vietnam recognises transgender people, but there's a flaw in its lawSen is also a contributing writer for the Hong Kong newspaper South China Mor"Send me a message!"Support the show

The first episode of Season 2 is with Saigon Funny People co-founder and resident cat lady, Vu Minh Tu!Hanoi-born, Saigon-based Tu is a comedy force to be reckoned with. An established performer on the Vietnam circuit, her style can be described as like any stereotypical Asian female: passive aggressive. Tu's hilarious jokes at shows across the region have seen her collect numerous awards including first place in the Roosters Beer Comedy Competition in Saigon, as well as the usual free beers and rounds of applause. Her family doesn't think she is funny, which is why they are never invited to shows.We talk about the differences between Hanoi and Saigon, what it's like to be a risqué, Vietnamese and female comedian, doing comedy in a second language, and Tu's ongoing journey with depression. Below are recommended links from Tu if you need support with your mental health.LinksSaigon Support GroupThe Beautiful Mind Group-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

This is an extra-special Seven Million Bikes; our first ever crossover episode with fellow Saigon-based podcast, Sexy Meat Talks. A massive thank you to Sexy Meat Talk hosts, Joshua Durkin and Mark Gustafson, for being so open and enthusiastic to this collaboration.Mark, from the Chicago area in the U.S., is a Brew Master, Pit Master, and enthusiast of all things Meat! In addition, he is co-founder and co-owner of Quan Ut Ut American BBQ and BiaCraft - Artisan Ales.Josh, is a self-confessed damaged American perpetually creating a guide to living and teaching abroad in Vietnam. He also is an enthusiast of all things meat!We talk about our shared love of beer and experiences of living in Saigon, how they met (and finish each others sentences) and came to create Sexy Meat Talks.This is only Part 1 of this special crossover episode. To listen to Part 2 head over to Sexy Meat Talks to listen on their Website.And don't forget to like their Facebook too.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

Tâm is the first listener-suggested guest, thanks to regular listener, Brandon Coleman. Tâm is an entertaining and interesting guest that has an in-depth story and many insights to share about life in Saigon, which can be seen by the length of this episode. Born in Texas to Vietnamese refugees, Tâm moved to Saigon after a stint in Singapore. Here in Saigon she worked at an international branding agency but soon started creating Vietnamese-Mexican dishes and hosting dinners out of her apartment, creating a closed-door restaurant named Saigonita. Soon Saigonita appeared in Vice Munchies and was profiled in Saigoneer so she decided to quit her corporate career to pursue her passion in food. Since then, she's been interviewed by publications in Vietnam, Singapore, the US, Italy, France; and has given a TEDx Talk. She is currently getting to more deeply know her roots and explore Vietnam's culinary scene through travels around the country.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

You may have seen Susan Li around town or posting on Fexpats. She is one of of Fexpats original founders and she's been really busy the last 6 years in Saigon!We cover a lot in this episode from the founding of Fexpats, RAD7 and Honey Badger Events to online trolls, dating in Saigon and opening a new bar, The Wreck, with Matt Ryan.Originally born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Susan decided to move abroad to Saigon and has tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit.She also organises weekly wine nights and monthly Network Girl events. When you see her feel free to say hi as she loves meeting new people. -------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

WARNING: If you are small minded and homophobic you can probably skip this episode.Daniel was born and raised in Saigon by conservative Northern parents, with his dad having fought for the North before moving South. Daniel faced the familiar familial pressures that many young people in Saigon face, to study hard and get good grades.Daniel's passions are and always have been music, food and fashion but under those family expectations went on to study Biochemistry in California. He spent six years studying in the US before being pressured to move back home to Saigon by his parents despite wanting to pursue his biggest passion, fashion.We talk about what it was like to come out to his parents as a gay man, and how they have handled that since. And what it is like to be LGBTQ in Saigon compared to other parts of Vietnam. You'll be surprised to learn that he is now married and expecting a baby boy soon.After moving back to Saigon Daniel was admittedly lost, qualifying to become an English Language teacher but never finding a job. He eventually made peace with his families demands on him as a gay man, and followed his other passions, American and  food. He is now a restauranteur, owning American Bistro Hungry Bunny.If you go to Hungry Bunny and tell Daniel you've heard this episode he'll give you 30% off your bill!-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

Lewis Wright is a talented music producer from the UK who now lives in Saigon, working for InQ International producing kids songs for a Vietnamese audience and Vietnamese artists for an international audience. He even composed the popular theme music for Seven Million Bikes.Lewis is originally from the UK and has lived in Vietnam for just over a year, having visited and lived on and off in previous years. He started out as an English teacher but with a degree in Music from the University of Huddersfield he quickly became involved in the local music scene. It wasn't long before he began doing music production work and now works full time as a music producer.This is one of the most entertaining interviews I've had, and when you hear about the rhubarb you'll know why!He is now engaged to Kim Nguyen, our guest from Episode 2, and plans to make Saigon their home. -------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Support the show

Greg has what would be for many a dream job - a freelance football journalist. After moving to Saigon in January Greg planned to stay for only three months, but now going to be staying for the foreseeable future. He was recently featured in The Guardian writing about digital nomads which Greg is currently debating whether that label applies to him.As both avid football fans Greg and I had so much to talk about I've split this episode into two; the main episode on his life as a digital nomad and a BONUS episode with us talking about football, the influence of Asia on the English Premier League and why I became disillusioned with football because of the bigotry and sectarianism in Scotland. There are some interesting stories but if you're not into football this may not be of interest to you so I separated it from the main pod.In the main episode Greg shares how he came to live in Saigon after he started in Italy as a football journalist, and important advice and tips for anyone thinking about being a digital nomad. He shares the realities of being a digital nomad, both the benefits and drawbacks. Greg also talks about life in Saigon and answers the usual questions I ask each guest.In classic Saigon fashion, there is construction above us so at times you may hear some banging in this episode although Biscuit doesn't make an appearance this time!(And yes I called it Seven Million Podcasts near the end!)Celtic v Dunfermline Scottish Cup Final I talked about. I got it wrong, Dunfermline scored after 40 minutes, not 26.Check out the website Greg mentioned Nomad ListHere is Greg's article from The Guardian; The world is my office: why I chose to become a digital nomad worker.Follow Greg on Twitter @GregLeaFootball."Send me a message!"Support the show

“Rome is always Rome. Saigon is never Saigon. It's always changing.”That line from this conversation stopped me in my tracks. I've lived in Saigon for nearly 10 years, and sometimes I forget just how intense, exciting, and different this city feels when you first arrive. Talking with Ebru, who had only been in Vietnam for three months, gave me a fresh perspective on a place I call home.What I really loved about this episode was how honest it was. We didn't sugarcoat things. We talked about the energy, the excitement, but also the challenges of adjusting to life here, especially as a parent. It reminded me of my own early days in Vietnam, when everything felt overwhelming, confusing, and full of possibility all at the same time.Ebru has lived in seven countries across four continents, and hearing her compare Saigon to places like Rome, the US, and Japan helped me better understand why Vietnam feels so unique. This episode was a good pause moment for me. A chance to reflect on why I still love living here and why so many people arrive planning to stay a short time and end up staying much longer.Key Talking Points from This EpisodeWhy Saigon's energy feels different from older, more established citiesThe reality of adjusting everyday habits when you first move to VietnamBanking, cash, and budgeting challenges for newcomersWhat it's really like raising a young child in SaigonThe balance between convenience, cost of living, and lifestyle in VietnamChapters and Timestamps04:00 – First impressions of Saigon09:00 – Why Saigon feels alive and always changing15:00 – Adjusting to daily life and practical challenges22:00 – Money, banking, and budgeting in Vietnam30:00 – Raising a child in Saigon"Send me a message!"Support the show

"All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises—just like not all who wander are lost."Niall Mackay sits down with James Hunt, an American expat in Vietnam known for his restaurant ventures like Brick and Barrel and Big Boss Bistro. However, James's story extends far beyond the world of fried chicken and culinary pursuits. He delves into his passion for wildlife photography, which initially drew him to Vietnam, and how it eventually led him to explore and document some of the country's rarest creatures, including King Cobras and critically endangered species like pangolins.James also shares the challenges and joys of navigating Vietnam's stunning landscapes, from the rich biodiversity of Cat Tien National Park to remote, unexplored regions along the Laos border. Together, Niall and James discuss the growing awareness of conservation in Vietnam, touching on how recent government policies and grassroots efforts are making a difference. It's a conversation about adventure, discovery, and the importance of preserving Vietnam's natural beauty.Takeaways:Unexpected Journey to Vietnam: James recounts how his initial visit to Vietnam as a photography enthusiast led to an unplanned, long-term stay in a country that captured his heart.Vietnam's Hidden Wildlife: Learn about Vietnam's lesser-known wildlife, including the elusive parakeets and flying squirrels that inhabit even the urban areas of Saigon.Conservation Success Stories: James shares how Vietnam's government has made strides in conservation, cracking down on illegal wildlife trade and supporting educational initiatives.Exploring Cat Tien National Park: Insight into the changes and improvements at Cat Tien National Park, and why it's a must-visit for nature lovers looking to experience Vietnam's biodiversity.The Fight Against Wildlife Poaching: Discusses the illegal trade of animal parts like bear bile and pangolin scales, and the role of organizations like ENV and Save Vietnam's Wildlife in combating these issues.Chapters and Timestamps:02:00 - Meeting James Hunt: From Fried Chicken to Photography05:30 - How Vietnam Became Home for James10:15 - Opening Restaurants During COVID: Big Boss Bistro and Brick and Barrel14:20 - The Hidden Wildlife of Vietnam: Snakes, Birds, and More18:15 - Conservation Efforts in Vietnam: A Changing Landscape23:00 - Illegal Wildlife Trade: Challenges and Solutions28:45 - Discovering Cat Tien Nat"Send me a message!"Support the show

Join The CommunityPhuong Truong, "just another lesbian in town", is the owner of Twist coffee bar in Thao Dien, a fun place for everyone and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.We discuss the LQBTQ+ community in Vietnam in the context of religion, region and generational acceptance.We also talk about sex education in Vietnam in light of a recent story in VNExpress with the headline, It's not working: sex education makes teachers and students squirm and another story about a parent finding her 12 year old child had been watching pornography.Phuong herself started watching pornography at only 8 years old.Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFBHost - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvkDesign - Canva https://bit.ly/3oW2S2nSupport - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZWebsite - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU"Send me a message!"Support the show

“I never thought I was going to have kids here… that wouldn't have even crossed my mind.” — Claire SimpsonThis episode with Claire really opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I've never personally experienced but have always been curious about — what it's actually like to be an expat parent here. I've interviewed entrepreneurs, creatives, teachers, founders… but motherhood is a whole different universe.There were parts of this episode that surprised me, like how many expats assume you can't buy diapers or formula here, or the fact that kindergarten can start as early as 6–9 months. And then the nanny story… wow. It's one of the wildest behind-the-scenes expat-life stories I've ever heard on the podcast.But the biggest takeaway for me is this: Vietnam can absolutely be an amazing place to raise a child — as long as you're prepared, informed, and connected.Key Talking PointsWhat maternity care in Vietnam is really like for expats — including costs, translation challenges, medical tests, and choosing the right hospital.How motherhood impacts identity abroad — from postpartum depression to losing parts of yourself to rebuilding routines and confidence.Practical realities of raising a kid in Vietnam — baby supplies, pollution, infrastructure, kindergartens, and accessing play areas.How Vietnamese culture treats children — the warmth, attention, and openness families receive everywhere they go.The truth about hiring a nanny in Vietnam — a raw story about contracts, misunderstandings, emotional conflict, and what expat parents need to know.Episode Chapters & Timestamps02:50 — Awards, Identity & Pregnancy Claire talks about influencer awards, losing parts of her identity, and finding out she was pregnant.06:30 — Navigating Healthcare & Maternity Packages We dive into hospitals, costs, tests, translators, and what the maternity journey looks like in Vietnam.12:50 — Motherhood Without Family Support The emotional and practical challenges of being an expat mum, postpartum depression, and building a “tribe.”17:45 — Raising Kids in Vietnam: Food, Formula, Kindergartens & Safety Diapers, play areas, pollution, sidewalks, cultural attitudes toward children — the full picture.28:30 — The Nanny Story: Contracts, Conflict & Lessons Learned Claire shares the dramatic and eye-opening experience of hiring a nanny and the advice she wishes she had known."Send me a message!"Support the show

Get NordVPN's ultimate security package - 63% off the 2-year plan |Support Independent Podcasts. Join The Seven Million Bikes CommunitySlawpi Đô, his pseudonym, shares why he is dedicated to learning Vietnamese. why he wants to be on Vietnamese TV, and talks about his military background, trying to start a business in Vietnam and learning to enjoy being unproductive. In this episode Niall and Slawpi Đô talk about;what it is really like to be in the US AirforceWhy he is learning Vietnamesethe challenges of living in Vietnamthe difficulty of accepting being unproductiveFollow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on CanvaAudio Engineer Garrett McLeanThese are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web "Send me a message!"Support the show

“The first thing I saw that I just loved so much is that the women here are so fearless.” — Amy WenhamThis conversation with Amy was one of those episodes where I found myself nodding almost the entire time. I've been talking about how badass Vietnamese women are for years, but Amy put language to things I've seen but could never fully articulate.What I loved most is that she didn't just compare Vietnam to the UK — she compared it to Dubai, a place where she saw firsthand how a country can transform itself, empower women, and build an entirely new entrepreneurial ecosystem. And according to her, Vietnam is on that trajectory too — maybe even faster.We also explored identity, expectations, family pressure, and the very real tension between being a modern entrepreneur and living within traditional structures. It's something every foreigner eventually observes here, but Amy broke it down with empathy and clarity.Key Talking PointsWhy Vietnamese women are some of the most fearless, entrepreneurial people Amy has ever met — anywhere in the world.The surprising similarities between Dubai and Vietnam when it comes to empowering female founders.How social media pressures — especially the obsession with going viral — impact women and businesses in Vietnam.The difference between small-town expectations and big-city ambition for Vietnamese women.Why Vietnam feels like a “mother country,” and what that means for its rapid growth and future.Chapters & Timestamps03:00 — Amy's Journey From London to Dubai to VietnamAmy talks about arriving in Dubai, cultural shock, and eventually discovering the same energy in Vietnam.10:00 — Feminine Power, Subservience & Small-Town vs City LifeWe unpack the contrast between modern entrepreneurship and traditional expectations.18:00 — The Pressures on Vietnamese Women: Family, Work, MarriageAmy explains the invisible load women carry and how family structure supports — and pressures — them.27:00 — Social Media Culture & The Myth of ViralityWe talk about TikTok culture, “mukbang,” seeding, and why going viral is usually bad for business.45:00 — Vietnam's Future & Why It's a ‘Mother' CountryWhy Vietnam's growth will be heavily shaped by women — and why the country feels inherently feminine."Send me a message!"Support the show

Join the Seven Million Bikes Community.This episode's guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the award winning podcast: The Vietnamese Boat People. This podcast shares the stories of hope, survival and resilience from the Vietnamese diaspora during 1975-1992.Tracey was so interesting and engaging an interview it went for nearly two hours. It's been edited into two parts with bonus content available to the Seven Million Bikes Community.In Part 2 Tracey shares about the Conversation Starter Kit they've developed to help children of Vietnamese Boat People break down barriers and get their family to comfortable open up about their painful past.Read The Accompanying Blog Post.Follow and Listen to the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast here.Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.Follow us on Facebook.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

“If I really spent $4,000 a month, I'd have a villa and a problem.”Having Markeiz back on Discover Vietnam felt like picking up a conversation we never really finished the first time. When he first joined me back in 2020, I was recording out of my bedroom, praying the iPhone wouldn't ruin the audio. This time, we were sitting in a full podcast studio — lights, cameras, a technician, the whole lot. It made me think about how much this show has grown, and how much life in Vietnam has shaped both of us.This episode wasn't about headlines or clickbait. It was about getting past the noise — especially the noise created after his CNBC video “Living on $4,000 a Month in Vietnam” went viral. That title got people talking, but most of the reactions didn't include the actual context. And nothing drives me madder than a story taken out of context.I wanted to let him tell the full story himself — the chaos that brought him to Vietnam, the visa confusion everyone goes through, the reality behind that $4,000 figure, and why life here works for him. What I loved most is that the conversation wasn't defensive. It was honest. It was grounded. It was two people who love living in Vietnam but also understand the complexities and privilege that come with that.Key Talking Points1. The Real Story Behind the “$4,000 in Vietnam” Headline2. From Military Punishment to a Life Rebuilt Abroad3. Visa Confusion, Missteps, and the Reality of Living Here4. What Life in Vietnam Actually Costs — Not the Myths5. Are Foreigners Really Driving Up Housing Prices?Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Returning Guest, Studio Glow-Up & Podcast Confessions05:00 – Military Punishment & the Spark That Led to Vietnam12:00 – Visa Scams, Emergency Visa Fees & Life's First Curveballs18:00 – The $4,000 Headline: What CNBC Didn't Show26:00 – The Real Cost of Living Here (and Why “Cheap” Is Misleading)36:00 – Are Foreigners Pushing Up Housing Prices? The Myths Unpacked"Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

This episode's guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the Vietnamese Boat People podcast, an award winning podcast which shares the stories of the Vietnamese diaspora, and something that has often been discussed with previous guests on this show. Tracey was born the youngest of seven children, in Nha Trang Vietnam before her family risked their lives to flee Vietnam.Tracey was just three when her family made it to the United States, where there were few Vietnamese people at the time. Growing up in New Orleans and North Virginia, speaking Vietnamese at home as her first language, she went to a public school where she was one of just a few minorities and in an effort to assimilate suppressing her “history and heritage to adapt and assimilate”. Partly due to the trauma of their journey and the will to fit into their new surroundings the family didn't talk about their past.Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/Follow us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/SevenMillionBikesBuy us a coffeehttps://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikesSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission."Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

Donate to Ukraine!I met Anastasia Sokyrka in Government Quarantine in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. You can listen to my episode with her and my wife, Adrie, about our experiences while we were living them.Since then we have become close friends, a silver lining of a tough experience (17 days with no mattress, no air con and no booze!)Finally, after two years of the pandemic Anastasia was able to return to her home of Ukraine and reunite with her family. Despite the fact that Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.In this episode Anastasia shares in detail;* why she made the decision to return home* what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement* how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border* the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her motherAnd how YOU can help support Ukraine.Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.Editing - Descript Host - Buzzsprout Design - Canva Support"Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

Join The Community with Zion!Zion Johnson is a former Transactivist, a writer and Seven Million Bikes superfan. He is the only person in the world to have a Seven Million Bikes tattoo!In this episode we talk about;- Zion's gender journey- his trans-activism in the US- transitioning from a black female to a black man- woke culture- why he decided to leave the U.S and settle in Vietnam- life as a trans person in VietnamOn The Road To ZionZion's Blog.As mentioned by Zion.Follow Seven Million Bikes on Facebook or Instagram.Buy us a coffee.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast.These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.Editing - Descript Host - Buzzsprout Design - Canva Support - Fiverr Website - 10 Web Support the show"Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

The opening guest of Season 7 is Brian Letwin, a New Yorker in Saigon since 2010. Brian is the co-founder and CEO of the Urbanist Network which includes Saigoneer, Urbanist Vietnam and Urbanist Hanoi.Using his 15 years experience working in digital media both on the agency and publisher side Saigoneer has now been running since 2013.Recorded in late August when Saigon was still under strict lockdown we try to keep covid and lockdown chat to a minimum. Fortunately being a digital product Saigoneer and the Urbanist Network is still operating without any loss of staff and is still keeping Bryan busy. Like many people, he is enjoying spending time at home with his young daughter, and feels fortunate to have a full fridge.Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation.and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.Read the Blog PostSeason 6 is sponsored by Eddie's New York Deli & Diner.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.Buy us a coffee or beer!Support the show"Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

“The reason I'm putting on a podcast is because I want to listen. I don't want to read about the hosts - I want you to tell me about you.” — Adrie Mackay Today I'm doing something a little bit different. You're about to hear an episode from my other show, Smarter Podcasting, where my wife Adrie joins me to talk about what she looks for in a podcast  So if you ever thought. I could do that, but I don't know how, then this episode's for you.  If you do wanna start your own podcast, then go and subscribe to Smarter Podcasting as well. In this show I share all my tips and tricks and failures along the way to help you make the best podcast possible.   This episode is easily one of my favorites - not because of the guest (though she is my wife), but because I finally got to hear the raw, honest perspective of a real podcast listener. Adrie isn't in the industry; she doesn't care about gear or metrics. She just loves great stories, good sound, and shows that respect her time.Listening to her describe how she chooses podcasts, where she listens, and what makes her switch off reminded me that every podcaster needs to think more like a listener. This conversation changed the way I look at intros, ads, and even how people interact with Spotify. If you want to know how your audience really experiences your show — this is the episode to listen to.5 Key Talking PointsListeners crave connection. They tune in to people, not just topics.Bad audio kills interest instantly — even more than weak content.The first two minutes decide everything. Get to the point fast.Titles and artwork matter more than show notes. Most people never read them.Podcast habits are personal. Where, when, and how people listen shapes what they love — and what they skip.Chapters and Timestamps00:00 — Why People Listen03:00 — From Talk Radio to True Crime09:00 — What Makes Listeners Switch Off17:00 — Should You Repeat Your Intro Every Episode?25:00 — How Listeners Discover New Podcasts35:00 — Lessons for Podcasters"Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

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:https://theblueexpat.com/ or on wherever you listen to podcasts.Connect with Phuong on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblueexpat/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblueexpat/-------------------Theme music composed by Lewis WrightLogo designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen with support from Devin GrayEpisode Art designed by Niall MackayBuy Seven Million Bikes a beer if you enjoy this content."Send me a message!"Vote now for Discover Vietnam! The full list of winners is here. Support the show

Vote here.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!00:00 Introduction and Apology for the Break00:15 Building a Podcast Business00:45 Health Challenges and Business Growth01:15 Podcast Seasons and Rebranding02:17 Listener Engagement and Feedback02:52 Revisiting Old Episodes04:10 Award Nominations and Voting04:59 Gratitude and Reflection05:56 Conclusion and Future Episodes"Send me a message!"Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today! The full list of winners is here. Support the show