Join Adrie and I as we embark on the Hop On Hop Off bus tour in Saigon, taking in the beautiful views of the city at sunset.  We discuss the development of new buildings and infrastructure, and our experiences as both tourists and residents in the vibrant city of Saigon.  Highlights include visits to key landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace, and the bustling Nguyen Hue Walking Street, capturing the essence of Saigon's rapid development and rich history. 00:00 Introduction and Annoyances of City Life 00:21 Exploring Saigon: Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour 02 ..read more

Join me and Adrie for a look at Yunka, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant in Saigon, as we navigate the chaotic rainy season. We speak to manager Huynh Nguyen about the evolution of Saigon's service industry and the passion of young Vietnamese staff who make places like Yunka shine. Amidst personal anecdotes and event planning nightmares, we explore the unique offerings of this cozy spot, its serene ambiance, and its standout drinks like the Passion Fruit Sake and Yunka Sour.  And we answer the most important question... is the Yunka Sour better than the 86 Proof whisky sour? "Send m ..read more

I’m incredibly honored to announce that I’ve won two major awards at the Asia Podcast Awards 2024—Best Interview Podcast for A Vietnam Podcast and Best Audio Producer for my work on all the podcasts created by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts! Since starting my podcast journey in 2019, what began as a passion project has now grown into a full podcast production service. A Vietnam Podcast, produced by Seven Million Bikes Podcasts, has allowed me to showcase diverse voices, explore Vietnam’s rich culture, and share authentic stories with a global audience. Winning Best Interview Podcast is a huge re ..read more

Niall and Adrie celebrate Vietnamese Independence Day with you from the much changed Saigon waterfront.  The couple shares their experiences and observations from the bustling waterfront, offering insights into the city's transformation over their eight years as residents.  They blend historical context with personal anecdotes, creating a vivid picture of Saigon's evolution and the vibrant atmosphere of the holiday celebrations. This was recorded on my new lavalier mics for the first time - please forgive if the sound isn't as good as you're used to. Or it's better than you think ..read more

Before Season 11 starts I wanted to share with you an episode from my podcast about podcasting, Smarter Podcasting! Too many podcasts? In this episode I interview one of the biggest names in podcasting, Jordan Harbinger! We delve into the art of preparing for podcast interviews.  Jordan, whose podcast has millions of downloads, shares his journey from being a Wall Street lawyer to a renowned podcaster. He discusses the importance of extensive preparation, including reading entire books, taking notes, and adjusting interview flow in real-time.  Jordan emphasizes a structured appro ..read more

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 ..read more

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 easin ..read more

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 ch ..read more

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 expans ..read more

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 apocal ..read more