"I didn’t know I was Vietnamese or Asian until I looked in the mirror — because I only saw my friends, and I saw my reflection in them." — Phuong Anh

I had a chance to talk to Phương Anh, someone I met at an Overseas Vietnamese networking event here in Saigon. What struck me about Anh right away was the richness of her perspective — having grown up in Berlin after moving there from Saigon at the age of 8, then spending time in the US, and now returning to Vietnam.

This episode is all about identity, belonging, and the culture shocks that come with living between worlds. Anh shares her incredibly candid experiences growing up in Germany, how she reconnected with her Vietnamese heritage, and what it’s like navigating Vietnamese society now with a “German attitude.”

I found this conversation eye-opening, heartfelt, and at times hilarious — especially when we got into German bread vs Vietnamese rice, or Vietnamese CCTV.

5 Key Talking Points

1. Growing up Vietnamese in Berlin
   Anh moved to Germany at age 8 and didn’t realize she was “different” until much later. 
2. The power of cultural contrast
   We compared German directness, Vietnamese community warmth, and American friendliness.
3. Returning to Vietnam and facing reverse culture shock
   Now back in Saigon, Anh shares how her Western mindset sometimes clashes with local norms — especially when working with contractors or navigating gender roles.
4. Navigating multiple languages and identities
   How Anh speaks German, English, and Vietnamese — and thinks in all three.
5. Marriage to an American and global perspective

Chapters & Timestamps

• 09:00 – Life in East Germany post-Berlin Wall
• 16:00 – Growing up without a Vietnamese community
• 22:30 – Returning to Vietnam & being ‘too German’
• 26:00 – Language barriers between German & Vietnamese
• 33:00 – Why she moved back to Vietnam
• 43:00 – Being married to an American

"Send me a message!"

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

Try Descript for free here!

The full list of winners is here. 

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

👉 Book a FREE Discovery Call with me and let’s bring your idea to life!

🎥 Edit Videos Like a Pro with Descript!

👉 I use Descript to create my content—try it for FREE here:

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

✅ Subscribe for More!

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

📸 Follow Me on Instagram 🌐 Visit My Website 🎉 Join Our Community!