If you’ve been following the show since the Seven Million Bikes: A Saigon Podcast days, you’ll know this has always been about sharing the stories of the incredible people who make up Vietnam — locals, expats, entrepreneurs, creatives, and everyone in between.

A Vietnam Podcast is now... Discover Vietnam: A Vietnam Podcast marking the start of our brand-new chapter.

I share why I decided to update the name, the thought process behind “Discover Vietnam,” and what you can expect from the podcast moving forward. It’s still the same mission: to showcase diverse voices and experiences from across Vietnam — but with a fresh, sharper identity.

If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been listening for a while, thank you for sticking with me — your support has made this journey possible.

As always, thank you for listening. Don’t forget to follow the show on your favorite app, leave a review if you enjoy it, and share it with a friend who might love discovering Vietnam too.

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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

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“People at home always ask, ‘When are you moving back?’ But honestly, I’m not sure I could.” – Krista Bernard

If you grew up in a small town—or in Krista’s case, a village with 500 people including cows—you’ll know the feeling of leaving and never quite seeing it the same again.

Adrie Lopez Mackay (yep, my amazing wife) takes over the mic to speak with our good friend Krista Bernard, who traded dairy farms and long Canadian winters for the chaos and charm of Saigon.

It’s her birthday, she’s relaxed, and she’s open about it all—from living in Hanoi and blowing out her ACL shortly after moving to Saigon, to discovering the freedom, diversity, and weird quirks of life in Vietnam’s biggest city.

I loved this episode—not just because Adrie nailed her first time as guest host—but because Krista’s story is so familiar to many of us living here. She’s honest, reflective, and quietly hilarious.

Key Talking Points:
From rural Canada to Saigon – Krista’s background and what made her move abroad.
Cultural contrasts – How small-town life compares to the diversity and pace of a mega city.
Overcoming setbacks – Her ACL injury and how it shaped her first year in Saigon.
City life discoveries – Food, activities, and travel opportunities in Saigon.
Lessons from Taipei – Cleanliness, infrastructure, and what Saigon could learn.

Chapters & Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction & Host Debut – Adrie takes over hosting duties and introduces Krista Bernard.
[02:10] Growing Up in Rural Canada – Life in a 500-person village and dairy farming roots.
[05:15] Choosing Life Abroad – Why Krista left Canada and how friends and family reacted.
[07:40] The Move to Saigon & ACL Setback – Injury, recovery, and the struggle to settle in.
[12:05] Discovering Saigon – Food variety, activities, and becoming more mobile.
[15:20] Taipei vs. Saigon – First impressions of Taipei and what Saigon could learn.
[18:45] City Changes & Reflections – Saigon’s growth, Western comforts, and life lessons.

Whether you’ve lived abroad or just dreamed about it, this episode is a reminder of what you gain when you leave—and what you leave behind.

🎙️ Recorded at:

Saigon Podcast Studio – book a session now.

"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:

🔒 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!

“You can fly to Vietnam, stay a month, get your teeth done—and still spend less than you would back home.” – Niall Mackay

Annie Vo finally made it on the podcast—and it was well worth the wait. This is Part 2 of our conversation, and in this episode, we dug into something I find really fascinating: what it takes to run a truly modern, ethical dental clinic in Vietnam.

Annie and her husband have built something rare. They’re not just doing dentistry—they’re creating a model for what healthcare in Vietnam can look like when done right. This episode gives an honest look into the challenges they’ve faced and what it means to grow a values-based business in a fast-changing environment.

The episode wasn’t just about teeth—it was about trust, business ethics, raising standards in Vietnam, and Annie’s bigger mission to change the perception of dental care here.

Main Talking Points

• Why they rebranded the family business from Nha Khoa Việt to Premier Dental
• Common concerns about dental care in Vietnam—and how Premier Dental addresses them
• The importance of hygiene, transparency, and staff training
• How Premier Dental avoids over-prescribing and puts patient well-being first
• Vietnam’s untapped potential in dental tourism—and how it’s slowly changing
• The role of communication and ethics in building trust with patients

Chapters & Timestamps

• 03:00 – Rebranding for Impact
• 07:00 – Changing Perceptions of Dentistry in Vietnam
• 10:30 – Hygiene and Ethics Over Profits
• 18:30 – Dental Tourism & Affordability
• 26:00 – Communication is Everything
  
  

"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:

🔒 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!