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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

"Send me a message!"

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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“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

"Send me a message!"

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

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

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"I took my entire severance pay and blew it on a two-month trip to Asia — and that decision changed my life." - Hao Tran

In this episode, I felt a strong sense of kindred spirit with Hao. We both came to Vietnam almost exactly nine years ago and ended up building something rooted in storytelling. I loved Hao's honesty about how Vietcetera started from nothing — no business plan, no roadmap — just curiosity and persistence. What stuck with me most was his idea that podcasting and media aren't just about broadcasting, but about representation: Vietnam telling its own story, from the inside out.

He reminded me of the importance of long-term vision. When people told him they’d run out of stories, he proved that Vietnam is overflowing with them. This is more than media; it’s cultural documentation. And honestly, that’s what I hope the Vietnam Podcast becomes as well.

Top 5 Takeaways
- Hao came to Vietnam with no plans and just $300/month: A leap of faith that would unknowingly launch Vietcetera.
- Vietcetera’s first-ever feature was rejected by its subject: A lesson in humility, editing, and persistence.
- The first paid advertorial turned out to be a voucher, not cash: Business lessons in transparency and expectation-setting.
- There was no business model — it was built on energy, value exchange, and curiosity.
- Mission to “bring Vietnam to the world” is not only alive — it’s overflowing with untold stories.

Chapters & Timestamps
04:30-From Tech Layoff to Vietnam Leap
06:30-Meeting Andrew Frazier & Early Immersions
09:30-The First Vietcetera Blog: Rejection & Rewrite
19:00-Living on $300 a Month in Vietnam
22:00-Language, Culture & Being a Vietnamese-American Boss
24:30- Remote Work, Human Connection & Gen Z Trends
31:00-Youth Identity, Content Influence & the Monoculture
39:00-Mission to Bring Vietnam to the World
41:00-Supporting the Next Generation of Vietnamese Talent

"Send me a message!"

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

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

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

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“I got kicked out of college. That was the moment I had to grow up—not just as a player, but as a man.” – Davon Dillard

When I first saw Davon Dillard playing for the Saigon Heat, I knew I had to talk to him. He stood out immediately—not just because of his athleticism on the court, but because there was something about his presence. He looked focused. Grounded. Professional.

And as it turns out—his story is even more powerful off the court than on it.
Davon opens up about hitting rock bottom after getting dismissed from Oklahoma State, and how that moment became the spark for personal growth, discipline, and a complete lifestyle change. Now, not only is he playing pro basketball in Vietnam, but he’s also a published author, a proud vegetarian for over a decade, and someone who’s using his story to lift others up.

This one’s about more than basketball. It’s about identity, transformation, and how we can all use our lowest points to rise higher than ever before.

Key Talking Points
- What it’s like playing for the Saigon Heat and the basketball culture in Vietnam
- First impressions of Vietnam, and how Davon’s family reacted to the move
- What it’s like being a tall, tattooed, Black athlete in Asia
- How a lifelong aversion to meat turned into 11+ years of vegetarian living
- Thoughts on Vietnamese food (and navigating “healthy” options)
- The power of resilience, community, and building a legacy through writing

Chapters and Timestamps
06:20 – Basketball in Vietnam: Clappers, crowds, and why it’s catching on
10:15 – Standing out in Asia: On being tall, tattooed, and Black in public
15:40 – The turning point: Getting kicked out of college and hitting rock bottom
26:30 – Writing three cookbooks and building purpose beyond basketball
34:00 – Going vegetarian: childhood food aversions, fasting, and discipline
40:00 – Protein & performance: how he fuels his body with mushrooms, eggs & juice

"Send me a message!"

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

Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

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

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

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

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After starting this podcast in 2019 in my living room with one mic I can't believe this is happening...

"Send me a message!"

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

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!

"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!"

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

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:

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👉 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!