In this special extra episode of A Vietnam Podcast, I take you through a day filled with various adventures.

Starting with a cold sunrise bike ride where the stunning beauty of the dawn was well worth the early wake-up.

Then, I recount our challenging yet exhilarating hike to a waterfall, where we navigated through icy waters and tricky paths.

Along the way, I share some interesting local quirks, such as the abundance of weed shops and Friday laundry closures.

We opted to skip a wild tubing event due to our 'mature' age and instead enjoyed a fun, albeit slightly murky, poolside hangout.

Join us on this journey and get a glimpse of the highs and lows of our travels.

00:00 Introduction to the Extra Episode
00:26 Exploring the Pool and Surroundings
01:07 Sunrise Adventure
03:54 Waterfall Hike Challenges
08:14 Poolside Relaxation and Tipsy Tubing
09:48 Sunset Bar and Local Discoveries
11:36 Reflections on Pai
13:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

"Send me a message!"

7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

Rabbit Hole Irish Sports Bar - Check out their new location on Tran Nao with the best views in the city over Landmark 81!

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"I planned to do six months. I planned to do like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, that kind of bit of Southeast Asia and never left Vietnam.... It's so unlike any other place I've ever been." - Craig Haggart

This episode was a long time coming, and it was more than worth the wait. I've been trying to get Craig on the show for over six months, and sitting down with someone who not only shares my hometown but also so many formative experiences was something truly special. As two Glaswegians in Saigon, the nostalgia and humor flowed naturally—and maybe a bit too much football chat!

What struck me most was Craig’s vulnerability and openness. From his journey as a gay man in Glasgow to finding community in Vietnam, and navigating love, culture, and identity—he told it all with humility and a cracking sense of humor. I know listeners will take something valuable from this episode, whether it’s a laugh, a moment of reflection, or simply a reminder of how far we can come when we step into the unknown.

Key Takeaways:
The chaotic beauty of Vietnam – “It’s so unlike any other place… the smells, the lights, the busyness—it’s sensory overload.”

Coming out in Glasgow at 14 – Craig candidly shares what it was like to come out young and navigate high school as a gay teen.

Vietnamese culture and family acceptance – Insight into being part of a liberal Vietnamese family and his relationship with his Northern-born boyfriend.

Scottish identity and sectarianism abroad – A raw discussion on how football-related sectarianism follows Scots globally, and how i

"Send me a message!"

7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

Rabbit Hole Irish Sports Bar - Check out their new location on Tran Nao with the best views in the city over Landmark 81!

The Podcast Launch Lab

The Podcast Makeover

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Support the show

🎙️ Start Your Podcast Today!

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💬 Comments & Community:

I love hearing from you! Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts on this episode.

✅ Subscribe for More!

If you enjoy content about life in Vietnam, food adventures, and great conversations, hit that subscribe button.

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"My mouth is on fire. My tongue is totally burned, but I want another one… ’cause it’s so good."

This episode was such a wild mix of adventure, confusion, and food. It’s one of those travel days where you don’t really know what’s going to happen next, and I loved every second of it.

From riding a half-broken bike through the hills of Northern Thailand to accidentally sitting in duck poo and stumbling upon a garden full of phallic statues, this day had it all. Pai totally surprised me—it was way more lively and international than I expected, and the street food scene was on another level.

This episode is all about leaning into the chaos of travel, trying weird and wonderful things, and laughing along the way.

Key Talking Points:

• The wild road trip from Chiang Mai to Pai – 762 turns and a lemon of a bike.
• The Erotic Garden – a totally unexpected and hilarious stop filled with art, innuendo, and surprise wisdom.
• Hopping on a bike - Riding experience in Thailand was different from that of Vietnam
• Eating everything – from gyoza and halal dumplings to coconut pancakes, and even lasagna made with macaroni.
• First impressions of Pai – hippie vibes, Gen Z fashion, TikTok-famous “banh mi,” and a whole lot of fun.

Chapters and Timestamps

• 01:30 – First stop: a totally unexpected Erotic Garden
• 06:00 – Waterfalls, steep hills, and a near-death motorbike experience
• 17:30 – Finally in Pai: weird fashion, hippie energy, and international food
• 22:00 – The wild night market: Gen Z, food, and weed shops
• 26:00 – More food: stuffed peppers, halal dumplings, and fake banh mi
• 32:00 – A lasagna bar in Thailand (yes, really)
• 34:30 – Pesto’s not the best, but the spinach-mac

"Send me a message!"

7 Bridges Brewing Co. - An award winning Vietnamese craft brewery from Da Nang, with breweries across Vietnam!

Rabbit Hole Irish Sports Bar - Check out their new location on Tran Nao with the best views in the city over Landmark 81!

Try Descript for free here!

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:

🎨 Need a New Logo or Animation?

👉 Fiverr is my go-to platform for YouTube thumbnails, translations, SEO articles, and more. Whatever you need, Fiverr has you covered!

🔒 Protect Your Privacy with NordVPN!

👉 Get 70% OFF their 2-year plan and enjoy a secure, ad-free internet!

📈 Boost Your YouTube Channel!

Get the tools I use to grow my channel and improve my videos with VidIQ!

👉 https://vidiq.com/refer

These are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

💬 Comments & Community:

I love hearing from you! Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts on this episode.

✅ 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 ...