“I felt like my Vietnamese froze at the level of a 17-year-old.” – Mai Doan

My guest today is Mai Doan, who left Vietnam at just 17 to study in Oregon, later studied in France, built a career in the U.S., and then made the choice to return home. Her story was full of courage and honesty. She talked about cultural shocks, stereotypes, and the challenges of returning to Vietnam after so many years abroad.

What stood out to me most was how she found meaning in conservation work, even though her background was in business and law. She reminded me that purpose often comes when we step outside the path we thought we should follow.

This episode made me reflect on how identity changes when we live abroad, and how coming home can sometimes feel even harder than leaving. Mai’s journey is a powerful reminder that development and tradition don’t have to be opposites, and that protecting nature is also protecting our culture.

Main Talking Points

• Leaving Vietnam at 17 and the cultural shocks of living in small-town America.
• Struggling with English and adapting through the support of international friendships.
• Becoming an “unofficial ambassador” to correct stereotypes about Vietnam.
• Returning home and facing reverse culture shock, especially around language and gender expectations.
• Finding purpose in conservation, discovering Vietnam’s biodiversity, and balancing development with preservation.

Chapters and Timestamps
02:31 | Cultural shock in Oregon: language struggles, new friendships, and learning resilience.
10:46 | Confronting stereotypes about Vietnam and becoming an “unofficial ambassador.”
17:21 | Returning to Vietnam: reverse culture shock, family expectations, and studying law.
25:51 | From corporate career to conservation: discovering Vietnam’s hidden biodiversity.
35:10 | Vietnam at a crossroads: balancing rapid development with cultural and natural preservation.
44:01 | Reflections on being a bridge between cultures and looking ahead.

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 If you’ve been following the show since the Seven Million Bikes: A Saigon Podcast days, you’ll know this has always been about sharing the stories of the incredible people who make up Vietnam — locals, expats, entrepreneurs, creatives, and everyone in between.

A Vietnam Podcast is now... Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast marking the start of our brand-new chapter.

I share why I decided to update the name, the thought process behind “Discover Vietnam,” and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward. It’s still the same mission: to showcase diverse voices and experiences from across Vietnam — but with a fresh, sharper identity.

If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been listening for a while, thank you for sticking with me — your support has made this journey possible.

As always, thank you for listening. Don’t forget to follow the show on your favorite app, leave a review if you enjoy it, and share it with a friend who might love discovering Vietnam too.

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“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard

If you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again.

Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon.

It’s her birthday, she’s relaxed, and she’s open about it all—from living in Hanoi and blowing out her ACL shortly after moving to Saigon, to discovering the freedom, diversity, and weird quirks of life in Vietnam’s biggest city.

I loved this episode—not just because Adrie nailed her first time as guest host—but because Krista’s story is so familiar to many of us living here. She’s honest, reflective, and quietly hilarious.

Key Talking Points:
From rural Canada to Saigon – Krista’s background and what made her move abroad.
Cultural contrasts – How small-town life compares to the diversity and pace of a mega city.
Overcoming setbacks – Her ACL injury and how it shaped her first year in Saigon.
City life discoveries – Food, activities, and travel opportunities in Saigon.
Lessons from Taipei – Cleanliness, infrastructure, and what Saigon could learn.

Chapters & Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction & Host Debut – Adrie takes over hosting duties and introduces Krista Bernard.
[02:10] Growing Up in Rural Canada – Life in a 500-person village and dairy farming roots.
[05:15] Choosing Life Abroad – Why Krista left Canada and how friends and family reacted.
[07:40] The Move to Saigon & ACL Setback – Injury, recovery, and the struggle to settle in.
[12:05] Discovering Saigon – Food variety, activities, and becoming more mobile.
[15:20] Taipei vs. Saigon – First impressions of Taipei and what Saigon could learn.
[18:45] City Changes & Reflections – Saigon’s growth, Western comforts, and life lessons.

Whether you’ve lived abroad or just dreamed about it, this episode is a reminder of what you gain when you leave—and what you leave behind.

🎙️ Recorded at:

Saigon Podcast Studio – book a session now.

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“You can fly to Vietnam, stay a month, get your teeth done—and still spend less than you would back home.” – Niall Mackay

Annie Vo finally made it on the podcast—and it was well worth the wait. This is Part 2 of our conversation, and in this episode, we dug into something I find really fascinating: what it takes to run a truly modern, ethical dental clinic in Vietnam.

Annie and her husband have built something rare. They’re not just doing dentistry—they’re creating a model for what healthcare in Vietnam can look like when done right. This episode gives an honest look into the challenges they’ve faced and what it means to grow a values-based business in a fast-changing environment.

The episode wasn’t just about teeth—it was about trust, business ethics, raising standards in Vietnam, and Annie’s bigger mission to change the perception of dental care here.

Main Talking Points

• Why they rebranded the family business from Nha Khoa Việt to Premier Dental
• Common concerns about dental care in Vietnam—and how Premier Dental addresses them
• The importance of hygiene, transparency, and staff training
• How Premier Dental avoids over-prescribing and puts patient well-being first
• Vietnam’s untapped potential in dental tourism—and how it’s slowly changing
• The role of communication and ethics in building trust with patients

Chapters & Timestamps

• 03:00 – Rebranding for Impact
• 07:00 – Changing Perceptions of Dentistry in Vietnam
• 10:30 – Hygiene and Ethics Over Profits
• 18:30 – Dental Tourism & Affordability
• 26:00 – Communication is Everything
  
  

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“I can honestly say my expectations of Vietnam were completely blown away.”

This episode is extra special. Not only is it the first recorded in the brand-new Saigon Podcast Studio, but my guest is my very own Uncle George. He and my Aunt Betty just spent two weeks traveling through Vietnam, and we squeezed this conversation in right before they flew home.

George opens up about his first impressions of Vietnam, how his perspective completely changed during the trip, and why he’s now seriously considering retiring here. We talk about everything from navigating Saigon’s “organized chaos” traffic to unforgettable meals, moments on Ha Long Bay, and a surprising bond he formed with a Vietnamese soldier over beers in Hanoi.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• George’s first impressions of Vietnam and his initial safety concerns
• What it’s like to navigate Saigon’s traffic as a first-timer
• How locals welcomed him and Betty in unexpected ways
• The highlights from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, and Hoi An
• Why this trip changed his perspective on travel and retirement

Timestamps:

• 00:03 – Recording our very first episode in the new Saigon Podcast Studio
• 04:50 – George’s initial perception of Vietnam and how it changed
• 09:15 – Talking safety concerns and what family back home think
• 15:30 – Beers in Hanoi and connecting with a Vietnamese soldier
• 20:45 – George’s favorite dishes and the one he’s still dreaming about

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I’ve met a lot of interesting people in Vietnam over the years, but this conversation with Dr. Albert Viet Le really stuck with me—pun intended (and yes, it involves floss). Albert is the Managing Director of Premier Dental and the only US and Australian board-certified periodontist practicing in Vietnam.

We recorded this episode in our brand-new studio—Albert was our very first proper guest—and I couldn’t have asked for a better conversation to kick things off. I loved hearing his story, from growing up in Melbourne to studying in New York and eventually moving to Ho Chi Minh City. He only planned to stay for six months… and that was eight years ago.

We talked about Vietnam’s dental health challenges, the rise of dental tourism, and yes, the importance of flossing. If you’re squeamish about teeth, be warned—but if you’ve ever been curious about why Vietnamese kids drink sugary milk or how dentists are using 3D printing, this one’s for you.

Key Talking Points:

• Why children's teeth in Vietnam are often severely decayed—and how sugar-laced milk plays a role.
• The surprising reasons flossing is more important than you think (hint: it’s linked to Alzheimer’s).
• Why dental tourism in Vietnam is booming and how Premier Dental is leading the charge.
• The cultural and genetic differences in dental health across nationalities.
• How 3D printing and digital scanning are transforming the dental experience.
• Real stories from Albert’s time in Australia, the U.S., and Vietnam—including the worst mouth he’s ever seen.

Chapters and Timestamps

• 10:00 – The state of children's dental health in Vietnam
• 20:30 – Generational habits & lack of awareness
• 25:00 – From Australia to Vietnam: Albert’s journey
• 31:00 – Modern dentistry, 3D printing & Premier Dental
• 39:00 – The truth about flossing (and bad breath)
• 49:00 – Dental tourism: what to know before you go

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With Huynh Nhu from Seven Million Bikes Podcasts!

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"For me, the customer is like my girlfriend. If the customer is happy, I’m happy.” – Nguyen Van Nam

This episode was such a blast to record. Not only was it filmed at the stunning House of Merlin, one of my favorite cocktail bars in Saigon, but I also got to sit down with Nguyen Van Nam, a talented young bartender who represents the next wave of Gen Z hospitality professionals in Vietnam.

What struck me most about Nam is how honest and self-aware he is. He says he’s an introvert—and maybe he is—but you wouldn’t know it from how naturally he connects with people. It’s a beautiful contradiction: someone who claims to be shy yet thrives in a high-contact, high-energy environment like bartending. That’s what this episode is all about: shaking up stereotypes, mixing in some good humor, and serving a double pour of insight.

What we talked about in this episode:

• Why Nam compares happy customers to happy relationships
• The art and storytelling behind signature cocktails at House of Merlin
• Gen Z in Vietnam: lazy but talented?
• Why so many young Vietnamese identify as introverts
• Gender and drinks: is there subtle sexism in how alcohol is served?
• What older generations think of how Gen Z spends money and works

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Meet Nam & intro to House of Merlin
• 04:00 – Mixing live: Signature cocktails, saffron, and Huynh’s priceless reaction
• 10:00 – Gender & drinks: Are Vietnamese bars subtly sexist?
• 11:30 – Behind the bar: The reality of being a bartender vs. the glamor
• 14:00 – Gen Z in Vietnam: Lazy but talented? What Nam really thinks
• 17:00 – Introvert or not? Nam’s personal growth through hospitality

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"There’s a youthful, hungry population here—and you can feel the energy in the streets every day." – Hugo Bosch

I absolutely loved this episode. Hugo was not only a fantastic guest, but also someone who opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I hadn’t properly explored before: the stock market and capital markets. I’ll admit it, even as a long-term expat here, I never really thought much about investing in Vietnam. But after this conversation, I came away with a whole new perspective—not just about stocks and finance, but about the real growth and potential happening in this country every day.

From his insights into Vietnam’s economic boom to rowing through weed-covered patches of the Saigon River, Hugo brought stories, stats, and humour in equal measure. And as always, we kept it real—talking about what it’s like to build a life here, why people stay, and what might make them leave.

Key Talking Points

• Vietnam’s stock market: how it works, how fast it's growing, and why foreign investors should care.
• The "demographic dividend" and how a young, urbanising population is fuelling rapid development.
• The joy (and danger) of motorbikes in Saigon, plus the shift toward electric bikes.
• Rowing on the Saigon River—yes, that’s a thing—and what makes it wildly different from the Thames.
• How foreigners view Vietnam vs. the economic reality on the ground.

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & Hugo’s origin story
• 06:00 – The joy of riding motorbikes (and switching to electric)
• 11:00 – What are capital markets? And how Vietnam’s stock market works
• 16:00 – Vietnam’s growth story and demographic dividend
• 28:00 – Trusting the stock market & investing as a foreigner
• 32:00 – Rowing in Saigon: weeds, tides, and surprises

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“If I don’t speak, I cannot share what I’m thinking.” – Hanh, Haga SmartTech

This quote from Hanh really hit me. Her story isn’t just about fixing phones—it’s about finding your voice, building a life from scratch, and helping others do the same.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Hanh, founder of Haga SmartTech in Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve been a customer for years, but this was the first time I got to really sit down with her and hear her full story—and wow, what a journey. From working in a garment factory at 14 to running one of the most trusted tech repair shops in Saigon, her story is raw, real, and seriously inspiring.

What struck me most is how Hanh leads with heart. She’s built her business with a mix of resilience, hospitality, and social responsibility—something rare and beautiful. Whether you're an expat, a business owner, or just someone who loves a great human story, this episode will move you.

Key Talking Points

• Hanh’s early life in Quảng Nam and working in a factory at age 14
• How she went from minimum-wage labor to CEO of Haga SmartTech
• Her passion for learning English and overcoming dialect barriers
• The truth about tech myths—like putting your phone in rice!
• Giving back: COVID food relief, small business loans for women, and community work
• Language, accents, and the power of communication

Timestamps & Chapters

• 02:30 – Turning it off and on again: tech tips & myths
• 06:45 – Growing up in Quảng Nam: hard work at 14
• 13:00 – Language barriers and regional accents in Vietnam
• 19:00 – Learning English and building confidence
• 25:00 – From hotel jobs to founding Haga SmartTech
• 32:00 – Creating a repair shop that expats can trust
• 35:00 – Giving back: charity, women’s empowerment, and education
• 43:00 – Miscommunication, pronunciation, and body language
• 49:00 – Final thoughts: success, kindness, and staying inspired

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This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.

Discover the potential of a confident and healthy smile with the excellent dental clinic in Ho Chi Minh

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