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Phuong Truong, "just another lesbian in town", is the owner of Twist coffee bar in Thao Dien, a fun place for everyone and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.

We discuss the LQBTQ+ community in Vietnam in the context of religion, region and generational acceptance.

We also talk about sex education in Vietnam in light of a recent story in VNExpress with the headline, It's not working: sex education makes teachers and students squirm and another story about a parent finding her 12 year old child had been watching pornography.

Phuong herself started watching pornography at only 8 years old.

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Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.
Audio Engineer Luke Digweed.

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Editing - Descript https://bit.ly/3FM3IFB

Host - Buzzsprout https://bit.ly/3cFbQvk

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Support - Fiverr https://bit.ly/3FI7EXZ

Website - 10 Web https://bit.ly/3HNTOoU

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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!

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“I never thought I was going to have kids here… that wouldn’t have even crossed my mind.” — Claire Simpson

This episode with Claire really opened my eyes to a side of Vietnam I’ve never personally experienced but have always been curious about — what it’s actually like to be an expat parent here. I've interviewed entrepreneurs, creatives, teachers, founders… but motherhood is a whole different universe.

There were parts of this episode that surprised me, like how many expats assume you can’t buy diapers or formula here, or the fact that kindergarten can start as early as 6–9 months. And then the nanny story… wow. It’s one of the wildest behind-the-scenes expat-life stories I’ve ever heard on the podcast.

But the biggest takeaway for me is this: Vietnam can absolutely be an amazing place to raise a child — as long as you’re prepared, informed, and connected.

Key Talking Points

1. What maternity care in Vietnam is really like for expats — including costs, translation challenges, medical tests, and choosing the right hospital.
2. How motherhood impacts identity abroad — from postpartum depression to losing parts of yourself to rebuilding routines and confidence.
3. Practical realities of raising a kid in Vietnam — baby supplies, pollution, infrastructure, kindergartens, and accessing play areas.
4. How Vietnamese culture treats children — the warmth, attention, and openness families receive everywhere they go.
5. The truth about hiring a nanny in Vietnam — a raw story about contracts, misunderstandings, emotional conflict, and what expat parents need to know.

Episode Chapters & Timestamps

02:50 — Awards, Identity & Pregnancy
Claire talks about influencer awards, losing parts of her identity, and finding out she was pregnant.

06:30 — Navigating Healthcare & Maternity Packages
We dive into hospitals, costs, tests, translators, and what the maternity journey looks like in Vietnam.

12:50 — Motherhood Without Family Support
The emotional and practical challenges of being an expat mum, postpartum depression, and building a “tribe.”

17:45 — Raising Kids in Vietnam: Food, Formula, Kindergartens & Safety
Diapers, play areas, pollution, sidewalks, cultural attitudes toward children — the full picture.

28:30 — The Nanny Story: Contracts, Conflict & Lessons Learned
Claire shares the dramatic and eye-opening experience of hiring a nanny and the advice she wishes she had known.

"Send me a message!"

Support the show

🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!

👉 www.saigonpodcaststudio.com

🎙️ 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.

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Slawpi Đô, his pseudonym, shares why he is dedicated to learning Vietnamese. why he wants to be on Vietnamese TV, and talks about his military background, trying to start a business in Vietnam and learning to enjoy being unproductive.

In this episode Niall and Slawpi Đô talk about;

• what it is really like to be in the US Airforce
• Why he is learning Vietnamese
• the challenges of living in Vietnam
• the difficulty of accepting being unproductive

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Buy us a coffee.
-------------------
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay on Canva
Audio Engineer Garrett McLean

These are the programs we use to create A Vietnam Podcast. These are affiliate links so they will give us a small commission, only if you sign up , and at no extra cost to you! You'll be directly supporting Seven Million Bikes too.

NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Canva | Fiverr | 10 Web

"Send me a message!"

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!