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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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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.

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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.

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🎙️ Recorded at Saigon Podcast Studio!

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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

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Support the show

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“The first thing I saw that I just loved so much is that the women here are so fearless.” — Amy Wenham

This conversation with Amy was one of those episodes where I found myself nodding almost the entire time. I’ve been talking about how badass Vietnamese women are for years, but Amy put language to things I’ve seen but could never fully articulate.

What I loved most is that she didn’t just compare Vietnam to the UK — she compared it to Dubai, a place where she saw firsthand how a country can transform itself, empower women, and build an entirely new entrepreneurial ecosystem. And according to her, Vietnam is on that trajectory too — maybe even faster.

We also explored identity, expectations, family pressure, and the very real tension between being a modern entrepreneur and living within traditional structures. It’s something every foreigner eventually observes here, but Amy broke it down with empathy and clarity.

Key Talking Points

1. Why Vietnamese women are some of the most fearless, entrepreneurial people Amy has ever met — anywhere in the world.
2. The surprising similarities between Dubai and Vietnam when it comes to empowering female founders.
3. How social media pressures — especially the obsession with going viral — impact women and businesses in Vietnam.
4. The difference between small-town expectations and big-city ambition for Vietnamese women.
5. Why Vietnam feels like a “mother country,” and what that means for its rapid growth and future.

Chapters & Timestamps

03:00 — Amy’s Journey From London to Dubai to Vietnam
Amy talks about arriving in Dubai, cultural shock, and eventually discovering the same energy in Vietnam.

10:00 — Feminine Power, Subservience & Small-Town vs City Life
We unpack the contrast between modern entrepreneurship and traditional expectations.

18:00 — The Pressures on Vietnamese Women: Family, Work, Marriage
Amy explains the invisible load women carry and how family structure supports — and pressures — them.

27:00 — Social Media Culture & The Myth of Virality
We talk about TikTok culture, “mukbang,” seeding, and why going viral is usually bad for business.

45:00 — Vietnam’s Future & Why It’s a ‘Mother’ Country
Why Vietnam’s growth will be heavily shaped by women — and why the country feels inherently feminine.

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Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

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This episode’s guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the award winning podcast: The Vietnamese Boat People. This podcast shares the stories of hope, survival and resilience from the Vietnamese diaspora during 1975-1992.

Tracey was so interesting and engaging an interview it went for nearly two hours. It's been edited into two parts with bonus content available to the Seven Million Bikes Community.

In Part 2 Tracey shares about the Conversation Starter Kit they've developed to help children of Vietnamese Boat People break down barriers and get their family to comfortable open up about their painful past.

Read The Accompanying Blog Post.

Follow and Listen to the Vietnamese Boat People Podcast here.

Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.

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Buy us a coffee.

-------------------
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.

"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.

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“If I really spent $4,000 a month, I’d have a villa and a problem.”

Having Markeiz back on Discover Vietnam felt like picking up a conversation we never really finished the first time. When he first joined me back in 2020, I was recording out of my bedroom, praying the iPhone wouldn’t ruin the audio. This time, we were sitting in a full podcast studio — lights, cameras, a technician, the whole lot. It made me think about how much this show has grown, and how much life in Vietnam has shaped both of us.

This episode wasn’t about headlines or clickbait. It was about getting past the noise — especially the noise created after his CNBC video “Living on $4,000 a Month in Vietnam” went viral. That title got people talking, but most of the reactions didn’t include the actual context. And nothing drives me madder than a story taken out of context.

I wanted to let him tell the full story himself — the chaos that brought him to Vietnam, the visa confusion everyone goes through, the reality behind that $4,000 figure, and why life here works for him. What I loved most is that the conversation wasn’t defensive. It was honest. It was grounded. It was two people who love living in Vietnam but also understand the complexities and privilege that come with that.

Key Talking Points

1. The Real Story Behind the “$4,000 in Vietnam” Headline

2. From Military Punishment to a Life Rebuilt Abroad

3. Visa Confusion, Missteps, and the Reality of Living Here

4. What Life in Vietnam Actually Costs — Not the Myths

5. Are Foreigners Really Driving Up Housing Prices?

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Returning Guest, Studio Glow-Up & Podcast Confessions
• 05:00 – Military Punishment & the Spark That Led to Vietnam
• 12:00 – Visa Scams, Emergency Visa Fees & Life’s First Curveballs
• 18:00 – The $4,000 Headline: What CNBC Didn’t Show
• 26:00 – The Real Cost of Living Here (and Why “Cheap” Is Misleading)
• 36:00 – Are Foreigners Pushing Up Housing Prices? The Myths Unpacked

"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!

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🔒 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.

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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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This episode’s guest, Tracey Nguyen Mang, is the founder and creator of the Vietnamese Boat People podcast, an award winning podcast which shares the stories of the Vietnamese diaspora, and something that has often been discussed with previous guests on this show. Tracey was born the youngest of seven children, in Nha Trang Vietnam before her family risked their lives to flee Vietnam.

Tracey was just three when her family made it to the United States, where there were few Vietnamese people at the time. Growing up in New Orleans and North Virginia, speaking Vietnamese at home as her first language, she went to a public school where she was one of just a few minorities and in an effort to assimilate suppressing her “history and heritage to adapt and assimilate”. Partly due to the trauma of their journey and the will to fit into their new surroundings the family didn’t talk about their past.

Season 7 is sponsored by Blue Dragon's Children's Foundation and Saigon Children's Foundation. Please donate if you are in a position to.
https://www.bluedragon.org/donate/
https://www.saigonchildren.com/engage/covid-19-crisis-2/

Follow us on Facebook
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Buy us a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sevenmillionbikes

Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/AVietnamPodcast

-------------------
Theme music composed by Lewis Wright.
Main Cover Art designed by Niall Mackay and Le Nguyen.
Episode art designed by Niall Mackay, with pictures supplied by guests and used with permission.

"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.

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Donate to Ukraine!

I met Anastasia Sokyrka in Government Quarantine in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. You can listen to my episode with her and my wife, Adrie, about our experiences while we were living them.

Since then we have become close friends, a silver lining of a tough experience (17 days with no mattress, no air con and no booze!)

Finally, after two years of the pandemic Anastasia was able to return to her home of Ukraine and reunite with her family. Despite the fact that Russia was escalating it's forces on the Ukrainian border and the threat of was was real, Anastasia needed to see her family and take that risk.

Unfortunately, 5 days after she arrived she awoke at 5am to the sound of the first rocket attack and her life changed in an instant.

In this episode Anastasia shares in detail;
* why she made the decision to return home
* what it felt like to be under attack and sheltering in her basement
* how her family escaped from Kharkiv and eventually made it to the Polish border
* the reality of being a refugee and having to leave behind your home and family members
* how she was able to return to Vietnam with her mother

And how YOU can help support Ukraine.

Click here for a list of trusted websites to donate to.

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Buy us a coffee.
-------------------
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.

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.

Editing - Descript

Host - Buzzsprout

Design - Canva

Support - Fiverr

Website - 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!