"Vietnam is becoming more open, more expressive, and more accepting. It’s exciting to see."

This was such a fascinating conversation with Phuong Truong, the owner of Twist Coffee Bar, one of Saigon’s best LGBTQ+ friendly spaces. We talked about the evolution of queer spaces in Vietnam, how attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community are shifting, and why sex education in Vietnam still has a long way to go.

One of the things I loved most about this conversation was hearing how Vietnam isn’t necessarily anti-LGBTQ+—it’s just that for many people, it’s still something new. As Phuong put it, many people in rural areas haven’t been exposed to it, so their first reaction isn’t rejection—it’s curiosity. That’s a perspective we don’t often hear.

Key Takeaways

• LGBTQ+ spaces in Saigon are growing, and Twist Coffee Bar is a perfect example of that. 
• Vietnamese society isn’t necessarily anti-LGBTQ+—it’s just that exposure is still limited in rural areas. 
• The shift from a coffee shop to an LGBTQ+ bar was an organic one—and business actually grew. 
• Sex education in Vietnam is still awkward and outdated, leaving young people uninformed. 
• Vietnamese culture leans more toward acceptance than open discrimination. 

Chapters & Timestamps

• 04:00 – How Saigon’s LGBTQ+ Spaces Have Evolved
• 06:00 – Attitudes Toward LGBTQ+ People in Rural Vietnam vs. the Cities
• 10:00 – Why Vietnam Feels More Accepting Than Some Western Countries
• 24:00 – The Awkward Reality of Sex Education in Vietnam
• 30:00 – Religion, Karma, and How They Shape Attitudes Toward Sex

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