Niall and his frequent guest and friend, Mischa Smith, embark on a  conversation about Mischa's favorite Bloody Mary spots in Saigon. 

Reviews cover the Bloody Marys from Bardo, Malt South, Layla, Ministry of Men, Wkend, and Summer Experiment, culminating with their top pick. 

The episode is part of a broader theme of exploring stories and experiences connected to Vietnam, including insights into brunch cultures, cocktail bars, and the growing craft beer scene. 

Listeners also get a glimpse of their upcoming podcast venture focused on rewatching the series Deadwood.

00:00 Hungover Brunch and Bloody Mary Revelation
01:01 Introduction to the Vietnam Podcast
02:26 Exploring Saigon's Craft Beer and Cocktail Scene
03:38 The Quest for the Perfect Bloody Mary
17:05 The Downside of Free Flow Deals
17:43 Testing the Limits at Malt's House
21:44 Exploring Saigon's Best Cocktail Bars
24:35 Top Bloody Marys in Saigon

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Niall meets up with his friend and personal trainer Thinh to try bánh bèo, a traditional dish from Central Vietnam. They discuss Vietnamese regional cuisines, accents, and Thinh's experience as a personal trainer while enjoying the food at a local restaurant in Saigon.

Key Points:
Discussion of regional differences in Vietnamese cuisine (North, Central, South)
Comparison of Vietnamese and British regional accents
Thinh explains the proper technique for eating bánh bèo
Conversation about Thinh's work as Niall's personal trainer
They learn about the restaurant owner's background and menu expansion
Plans to return to try other dishes like bánh xèo

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Become a Bắp Xào Đâyer on Patreon and you would have gotten this episode ages ago!

In this special bonus episode exclusive to Patreon members, Niall Mackay shares a riveting tale about the intense and surreal experience of acquiring a COVID-19 vaccine during the deep lockdown in Saigon. 

Niall recounts the chaotic situation where his friend, Lewis Wright, tested positive for COVID-19 at a vaccination center, leading to an unexpected journey to deliver essential supplies to Lewis in a government quarantine facility. 

With a gripping narrative, Niall details the eerie, almost apocalyptic atmosphere of the lockdown, the challenges faced, and ultimately the triumph of safely getting supplies to his friend. This story highlights the extreme measures and human resilience experienced during the pandemic in Vietnam.

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In this special episode of 'A Vietnam Podcast,' host Niall Mackay discusses the transformative two-year journey of living through the pandemic in Vietnam with his wife, Adrie. 

From their initial excitement over new jobs, a new dog, and a new apartment, to navigating a stringent lockdown in 2021, they share a candid look at their unique challenges and experiences. 

The episode covers their successful efforts in building a school for underprivileged children, the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, their extreme lockdown experience, the mental health impacts, and the eventual easing of restrictions. 

This episode provides a compelling look at expat life in Vietnam during unprecedented times.

00:00 New Beginnings in Vietnam
01:02 Special Guest Introduction
03:07 Settling Down with Biscuit
10:19 The Onset of the Pandemic
25:42 Navigating COVID-19 in Vietnam
33:29 Facing Uncertainty: Job Challenges and Contract Woes
34:26 Navigating the Pandemic: Shifts in Work and Life
36:38 Building a Business Amidst Chaos
40:25 The Harsh Reality of Lockdown
56:03 Emerging from Lockdown: New Beginnings and Reflections

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Please vote for A Vietnam Podcast here!

I have some crazy, exciting, unbelievable news to share with you. I have just found out that A Vietnam Podcast has been nominated in the Asia Podcast Awards 2024 for the best interview podcast. 

So I am absolutely buzzing right now. 

There are 61 finalists in total that they've whittled down from hundreds of entries.

We are up against 9 podcasts in our category and it's People's Choice SO WE NEED OUR HELP!

Please vote today and make sure to let me know!

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Have you ever wondered how a short vacation can turn into a life-changing adventure? 

Niall Mackay shares the incredible story of how he and his wife Adrie ended up living in Vietnam for over eight years. What started as a brief six-week trip to complete an English teaching certification course turned into a multi-year adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Niall takes listeners on a journey through their initial travels in Southeast Asia, their decision to teach English in Vietnam, and the serendipitous circumstances that led them to put down roots in Saigon. He shares the challenges and joys of their first years teaching, their plans to leave for Oman, and the last-minute job opportunity that changed everything. Throughout the episode, Niall's passion for Vietnam and the impact it has had on his life shines through, offering listeners a glimpse into the transformative power of embracing the unexpected.

Key Takeaways:

• Niall and Adrie initially came to Vietnam for just 6 weeks in 2015
• They decided to do their CELTA certification in Vietnam after a year of saving
• The couple made the decision to stay and teach English at ILA after completing the course
• A last-minute job opportunity as Community Network Manager made them decide to stay longer
• Creating the podcast has changed Niall's life and led to nearly 75,000 downloads

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Comments & Community:
I love hearing from you! Drop a message below and let me know your favorite Vietnamese dishes or any places you recommend I try next. Have you had similar experiences with Vietnamese food? Let's chat!

Subscribe:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow/subscribe for more episodes about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and insightful conversations.

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Podcast: avietnampodcast.com

Support the Podcast:
If you enjoy my content and want to support the podcast, consider becoming a patron on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcas]

More About Me:
I'm Niall Mackay, aka The Podcast Guy, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. I love sharing my passion for podcasting and the incredible stories from Vietnam. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

"Send me a message!"

Make the best podcast possible! Listen to Smarter Podcasting today!

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"You discover everything you want by bike. It's easier."

Niall Mackay sits down with Mihai Constantinescu, a long-time expat and passionate motorbike enthusiast known for his YouTube channel "The Vietnam Rider". With 16 years of experience living in Vietnam and fluency in Vietnamese, Mihai shares invaluable insights into the world of motorbiking in Vietnam.

The conversation covers everything from choosing the right bike and essential safety tips to navigating the bustling city traffic and embarking on epic cross-country journeys. Mihai and Niall discuss the freedom and adventure that comes with exploring Vietnam by motorbike, as well as the cultural experiences and interactions with locals that make such trips unforgettable. They also delve into the practicalities of motorbiking in Vietnam, including licensing laws, bike maintenance, and how to stay safe on the roads.

Key Takeaways:

• Choose a common bike model for easy repairs and parts availability 
• Always wear a properly fitted and securely fastened helmet 
• Stay away from trucks and buses for safety 
• Take smaller, less crowded roads for a better experience 
• Familiarize yourself with your bike before embarking on long trips 

Chapters and Timestamps:
 
01:40 Getting into motorbiking in Vietnam 
04:40 First motorbiking experiences 
09:10 The appeal of motorbiking in Vietnam 
15:40 Choosing the right bike 
22:10 Electric bikes in Vietnam 
29:40 Traffic safety in Vietnam 
35:50 Final tips for motorbiking in Vietnam 
38:20 Where to find Mihai's content

Quotes:

1. "You discover everything you want by bike. It's easier." [09:40]
2. "The ride is the destination." [32:30]
3. "It really annoys me when you see people wearing a helmet and they don't clip it. Do these people go home and have sex with a partner and just hold the condom?" [33:50]
4. "The speed that you're at always seems less dangerous than it actually is." [36:20]
5. "20's plenty." [37:30]

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"Vietnam is 20, 30 years behind most countries. So being here right now, though, and watching it catch up so quickly is just really, really exciting." 

Niall Mackay reconnects with Nhi Mai, a former guest who moved to Vietnam in 2019 to discover her heritage. Nhi, a third-culture kid born to Vietnamese immigrants in Switzerland, shares her experiences of living in Vietnam for three years and her decision to return to Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation explores the stark contrasts between life in Vietnam and Switzerland, from the bustling nightlife and constant changes in Saigon to the structured, slower-paced lifestyle in Switzerland. Nhi reflects on her parents' initial concerns about her move to Vietnam and how her experiences helped bridge the gap between generations. The episode also touches on the challenges of reverse culture shock and the unexpected ways in which Vietnam has modernized compared to some European countries.

Key Takeaways:

• Nhi's motivation for moving to Vietnam and her decision to leave
• The surprising aspects of life in Vietnam compared to preconceptions
• How Nhi's parents' perspective on Vietnam changed through her experiences
• Nhi's process of deciding to move back to Switzerland
• Comparison of social life and pace between Vietnam and Switzerland

Chapters and Timestamps: 
00:02:20 - Nhi's journey to and from Vietnam 
00:05:50 - Third culture kid experiences 
00:09:50 - Surprising aspects of life in Vietnam 
00:15:00 - Parents' changing perspectives 
00:17:40 - The pandemic's impact on Vietnam 
00:21:30 - Decision to return to Switzerland 
00:24:40 - Cultural differences between Vietnam and Switzerland 
00:27:10 - Comparing lifestyles: Vietnam vs Switzerland 
00:29:50 - What Nhi misses most about Vietnam

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