"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

"Send me a message!"

This Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.

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🎙️ 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!

🎥 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.

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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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