"The dirtier the place, the better the food and that is 100 percent guaranteed."

Niall Mackay takes listeners on a mouthwatering journey through his favorite Vietnamese dishes and where to find them in Ho Chi Minh City. After eight years in Vietnam, Niall shares his insights on the local food scene, from street food to Buddhist vegetarian restaurants.

Niall explores seven of his top places for Vietnamese dishes, including Com Tam, Bun Thit Nuong, and Bun Cha Hanoi - Tran Nao.

Niall also provides detailed descriptions of each dish he loves eating, along with personal recommendations for the best places to try them. Interestingly, Niall reveals that he's not a big fan of pho, Vietnam's most famous soup, and encourages listeners to explore beyond this well-known dish.

Key Takeaways:

1. Vietnamese food can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
2. The dirtier the place, the better the food in Vietnam
3. Adding lime is crucial to enhance the flavors of bun cha Hanoi
4. Com chay (scorched rice) is a delicious and unique Vietnamese dish
5. Pho is not necessarily the best Vietnamese dish, despite its popularity

Bun Thit Nuong

Com Tam

Hu Tieu Chay

Com Nhieu (All over Saigon)

Pho Ga Tron

Com Ga

"Send me a message!"

Save Frustration. And time!
Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!

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"Vietnam is 20, 30 years behind most countries. So being here right now, though, and watching it catch up so quickly is just really, really exciting."

Niall Mackay reconnects with Nhi Mai, a former guest who moved to Vietnam in 2019 to discover her heritage. Nhi, a third-culture kid born to Vietnamese immigrants in Switzerland, shares her experiences of living in Vietnam for three years and her decision to return to Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation explores the stark contrasts between life in Vietnam and Switzerland, from the bustling nightlife and constant changes in Saigon to the structured, slower-paced lifestyle in Switzerland. Nhi reflects on her parents' initial concerns about her move to Vietnam and how her experiences helped bridge the gap between generations. The episode also touches on the challenges of reverse culture shock and the unexpected ways in which Vietnam has modernized compared to some European countries.

Key Takeaways:

• Nhi's motivation for moving to Vietnam and her decision to leave
• The surprising aspects of life in Vietnam compared to preconceptions
• How Nhi's parents' perspective on Vietnam changed through her experiences
• Nhi's process of deciding to move back to Switzerland
• Comparison of social life and pace between Vietnam and Switzerland

Chapters and Timestamps:
00:02:20 - Nhi's journey to and from Vietnam
00:05:50 - Third culture kid experiences
00:09:50 - Surprising aspects of life in Vietnam
00:15:00 - Parents' changing perspectives
00:17:40 - The pandemic's impact on Vietnam
00:21:30 - Decision to return to Switzerland
00:24:40 - Cultural differe

"Send me a message!"

Save Frustration. And time!
Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!

Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.
I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned podcaster, or anyone in between, Fiverr has got you c

Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.

As an affiliate partner it also means that I will get a small commission when you sign up, but at no extra cost to you.

So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me k

Support the Show.

Become a Bắp Xào Đây, join our community on Patreon!

These are the programs the Seven Million Bikes Podcasts uses. 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 Podcasts too.

NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Fiverr |

"Your life like 80 years, 90 years max, you are old sickly if you get to 90. So if you are 30, you are 1 third there. What have you done with that 30?"

Niall Mackay reconnects with Nam Den, a Nigerian YouTuber and content creator based in Vietnam. Nam reflects on his journey since their last conversation, sharing how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped his perspective on life and work-life balance.

Nam discusses the challenges of maintaining his YouTube channel while juggling multiple responsibilities, including running a business, teaching, and participating in various TV productions. He offers insights into the intricacies of creating multilingual content and the technical hurdles of video editing and subtitling. The conversation also touches on the financial aspects of being a YouTuber in Vietnam and the quest for social media verification.

Key Takeaways:

• COVID-19 taught Nam to appreciate life more and prioritize self-care [05:50]
• Creating multilingual content presents unique challenges in editing and subtitling [17:10]
• YouTube revenue in Vietnam is significantly lower compared to Western countries [20:40]
• Nam balances his YouTube channel with other professional commitments [14:30]
• The importance of consistency in content creation and maintaining audience engagement [11:00]

"Send me a message!"

Save Frustration. And time!
Let my team and I save you the time and frustration it takes to edit a podcast. From start to finish, we can help you share your story with the world with minimum fuss and cost. – Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy
Audio Episodes Edited for ONLY $27! Save $127!!

Need a stunning new logo for your brand? Or maybe a short animation?
Whatever you need, you can find it on Fiverr.
I’ve been using Fiverr for years for everything from ordering YouTube thumbnails, translation services, keyword research, writing SEO articles to Canva designs and more!
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned podcaster, or anyone in between, Fiverr has got you c

Get 68% off and three months free when you join NordVPN today with Seven Million Bikes.

As an affiliate partner it also means that I will get a small commission when you sign up, but at no extra cost to you.

So not only will you be getting a great deal through Seven Million Bikes, you get a great VPN and you'll be supporting Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. Stay safe online and enjoy the shows you love. Any questions, just let me k

Support the Show.

Become a Bắp Xào Đây, join our community on Patreon!

These are the programs the Seven Million Bikes Podcasts uses. 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 Podcasts too.

NordVPN | Descript | Buzzsprout | Fiverr |