GiangSinh Pham - Vietnamese millennial raised and absorbed in Western & Vietnamese culture | S2 Ep 5

GiangSinh is named due to her birth date of December 24th, being Vietnamese for Christmas, which she still went by until recently.

Her Vietnamese mother and father met in Indonesia where GiangSinh was born and lived there for the first 5 years of her life. After moving back to Saigon she has lived in Nha Trang, Singapore, LA and now back to Saigon again where she feels her heart belongs. 

She has worked in Hospitality and FMCG most of her adult life, starting out at the prestigious Six Senses resort.

Currently, she is Head of Sales for Bira91; a beer imagined in India, brewed in Belgium, sold worldwide and currently making inroads into the crowded Vietnamese market.

We talk about her parents tumultuous relationship, owing to their different backgrounds and family pressures, and how that affected her growing up; living in different places around the world and the experiences gleaned from that and of course... alcohol. From the mass consumption of beer in Vietnam to the plethora of new cocktail bars opening in Saigon and our favourite types of whisky. 

She also believes that dogs are better than humans! Biscuit agrees.

Bira 91

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Transcript

spk_1:   0:10
welcome to another episode of seven million Bakes a Saigon podcast. My name's New Mukai and thanks for listening now my guest today. It was actually born in Indonesia and moved to Saigon when she was five years old. No, she works for a beer company that came out of India, called Bureau 91 which is no moving into the Vietnamese market. But she's actually travelled all over and we're gonna talk a lot about that. And now she has an educational foundation as well. That's helping disadvantaged Children in Vietnam, which is obviously an unbelievable thing to do. So my guest today is Yang Soon, fam and thank you very much for joining me.

spk_0:   0:47
Thank you for having me.

spk_1:   0:49
You were born in Indonesia, but your parents were Vietnamese. Is that right?

spk_0:   0:53
Yes. My parents moved Teo Indonesia. Long time ago work. That's it. And that's how they met. That's how did I was born? My mom originally formed Mekong and she already has two Children before my dad and my dad, just people you know, call it. He's a playboy from Northern Family, that well educated family. But then she fell in love with my mom. So says a bit dramatic in my family.

spk_1:   1:27
So what was the follow from that?

spk_0:   1:29
Of course that the family, for my thoughts I didn't have didn't really encourage them to move together. But then I think that that was really cool. He stood up for my mom and yeah, I think is beautiful love. Sorry. And he's a great my motto for me. What

spk_1:   1:50
was it like being five years old? Moving to Saigon

spk_0:   1:55
well is we're a tough time for me. You know, that I had fun a lot of in in Indonesia and then moved back to Vietnam that I have no friends and because we mentioned that is drama off. My parents love Storey, so it costs me a lot of apples in my family because like, they didn't really except me and my mom. Yes, but over time my mom proof that she's a wonderful woman. So everyone loves her Now

spk_1:   2:27
tell me a bit more about that because we've talked a lot. I've talked with Vietnamese people on this year when we talked about family and we've talked about Vietnamese culture. Can you explain a bit more about that? Like, what did the family do to know. Except you like, how did that make you feel? How did that make your mom feel?

spk_0:   2:42
Um, you've been here in Vietnam and in the north, right? I'm sure that you notice I've been

spk_1:   2:48
in the North very briefly, but you're actually three of the four guests so far on this season. Okay, being from the north originally, and it's something we've talked about about the kind of culture and the North is being quite different to the South.

spk_0:   3:02
Yes. So my background, my family's background, actually that my parents, you know, in brought in rep in French and English even before they did it in Vietnamese. So well educated family and my mom totally opposite. She didn't really have, like, proper education. And also because she already married once and with two kids. So that my, my my parents love Storey. It was really hard to be accepted in a family,

spk_1:   3:40
I imagine. And from conversations I've had with Vietnamese friends, that situation would still be massively difficult in almost taboo, like today in 2019. We're talking

spk_0:   3:51
about what,

spk_1:   3:51
2020 odd years ago That this happened years

spk_0:   3:55
ago, so I can't

spk_1:   3:56
imagine the difficulty years ago to fit in with society. Is is that Was that part of the problem? Yes.

spk_0:   4:05
I grew up remembering my mom crying a lot. Yeah. Um, you know, what just happened is it's how it horse it is, how it is today. So that's what I really That's what? That's something that I don't really like about Vietnamese culture. I love it on, but it's, you know, it's always lie side effect. Yeah. So it took us years and years, you know, just blend in with family culture. And yeah, it is me five years old that my parents usually like They were off to work. So I have to say, with my doctor family back then and it didn't like me. No, it's but right now I think I'm positive about it. That's

spk_1:   4:54
so sad, though.

spk_0:   4:55
Yes, I know. And

spk_1:   4:57
as a child, you could feel that

spk_0:   4:59
totally, totally. I think that you know, kids usually this really smart. If you're nice to them, they know it immediately right away. But if you batted him, you can sense that they were

spk_1:   5:08
being bad for sure, for sure.

spk_0:   5:13
I see the distance between me and my family. What is a big

spk_1:   5:19
What was it you can see? Like they would just give more love and attention to your cousins. Yeah,

spk_0:   5:23
my cousins.

spk_1:   5:25
You like the last to eat and things like that. Kind of right. And

spk_0:   5:29
then But you know what is? My mom always encouraged me to I be generous, to be nice, to be kind to everyone, no matter how bad. It didn't mean my mom. She's one of a woman. So that's what she told me. That I need to get best education. Be confident, independent, be whatever I want to be. But because anything I remember in my entire life that make me who I am today. I'm so grateful.

spk_1:   6:01
Fantastic. On what was that? What do you feel? Was the turning point then? With you with dad's family?

spk_0:   6:06
Yes. So we have to move Teo l. A. In $2000. 2014. So an impact. And before that, they actually put my parents divorce. They put a lot of pressure on my both my parents, the poor soul the process off mean my dad go to L. A is much faster. I didn't know how that happened, but yeah, it did And then when? When we moved to L. A. And I told you that I felt completely lost. In that way, I didn't belong to the country or the city. So I say there almost a year travelling, working. And then I decided to move back to Vietnam, and and that was a turning point. So and my family had to look at the situation is getting and they somehow to understand that is no longer, um my problem. I have my eyes showed off my own life. So then encouragement the interfere lots of my parents life. So they offer they offer. I hate the work they offer my mom to think about Reconsider to move to l. A with my dad. But, you know, my mom is very typical Vietnamese woman. She just accepted. She didn't care, She wouldn't think much. Uh, what happened? People that

spk_1:   7:41
did they get the votes?

spk_0:   7:43
They got divorced just

spk_1:   7:45
legally. Yes,

spk_0:   7:46
legally. And then my dad came back to them because I moved back to him and he was leaving along in l A not alone alone with the old big family. But, you know, because I'm the only child to my doc. So then I talked to my dad. So what, You think I am not gonna leave with you? I'm sorry, but I have my life here. Yeah, I think that he would have thought that he decided to move to activate talk to my mom. And then they got married again on most of them now, living it in l. A. And I'm going to see them in two weeks. Oh, cool. I had to fight a lot for my own freedom, So, yeah, I'm so happy here

spk_1:   8:37
to tell me, what was it like growing up in Saigon? Because I can only imagine was a very different place. The water is no,

spk_0:   8:44
um, you know, side artists like crazy racing place is nothing like any seated I have ever been to. It's so fast moving so fast and somehow that I maybe because of the industry that I'm working in, I feel like if you skip a week or two, people don't see you, and you will be left behind. Yes. You know, working in this industry after B especially like alcohol that need to be seen in order to do business, people must know you. So it's all about relationships is a good thing because I am good at, you know, managing relationship with my customers. But at the same time, I think that this is no life work, life balance. So is a challenge. I love challenge, but I always feel like I need to get away from Saigon once in a while, like one or two months.

spk_1:   9:37
I think that's a common thing I know, especially for expats. It's interesting the year from I mean, I guess you're almost an ex pat. You're a born hero. But, you know, I think it's a common thing that people want to get out of the city. Yeah, I mean, it's just It's so busy. It's crazy. I have a tonne of friends about this lately, you know, like carry your key on the street Food Stall was going by my window with two in the morning show on Bob's Out, eh? Um, traffic all times of the day and night, and it's it's confronting, and it's overwhelming to the senses. And it is interesting to you because it's not just like any act that certainly understand he's too crazy. Like I know that local people feel the same as well, right? Yeah.

spk_0:   10:21
I think that's what I miss when I'm away. So I need just, like, remind myself that is Saigon. So you have to get use it. But it's funny because us agonies you have enemies. But you seal Teo, get you or adapt to that environment. You know, um, sometime, I think is so familiar. I love it so much, but sometimes I feel so strange. I don't feel like I belong to the city. Yeah,

spk_1:   10:48
she grew up here. You did your university here,

spk_0:   10:51
actually, that I went tio one Vietnamese university and the other one is a Singaporean university. Okay,

spk_1:   10:59
what was the difference? Like those?

spk_0:   11:02
I mean, Singaporean University gives me a different angle. Different vision off what I want to do in life. I really enjoy it. Especially the electric. That's that's how that I met the very first foreign friends and Brian lecturers. Um, yes. So So that's why that I think is changed me a lot, You know, in terms of my set and perspective in life. So I see things differently. So that's why at the same time, I since then I don't feel like original Vietnamese side unease Because what I see, what I like is usually is not what the majority fitting these people gonna like or no interesting, too. That's a big difference.

spk_1:   11:54
Do you have a fuel like an outside job? You do fuel Vietnamese in. And other times you feel like I'm an outsider because

spk_0:   12:01
yes, Assam mentioned earlier that you know, whenever I'm with expat friends that they see me just normal people just like them. But when I'm with my Vietnamese, they think I'm weird. You know what this feeling that I'm. For example, when I'm off your friends, we usually talk about my family marriage and how to care for your baby. That's none of them are my interests. I care more about the career path that I'm going to grow in like a person or a professional life and how it can give back to society. That's that's why that's the reason why I came back to Villa. That's why Joe Vitt them over and over again. Do you

spk_1:   12:49
consider yourself via cue?

spk_0:   12:52
No, I don't. I'm Vietnamese. I'm second ease

spk_1:   12:54
and walk me to identify with that.

spk_0:   12:59
Um well, when you say Vic kill meanings, that is a gap in your life that you are not connected. Teo Country. That's not true. This list. I'm leaving he in there a lot, but I always feel connected to this country and people. And that's how my foundation I was born. That's That's where I put my heart in two.

spk_1:   13:26
Awesome. The reason I ask is I talked about this on the previous episode I read. This was many just not long after I arrived in Vietnam that via cues can kind of be looked upon in a different way because Vietnamese people think via cues, settle in them not enough reality. But that's the perception. So

spk_0:   13:48
even though you

spk_1:   13:49
don't think of yourself as we cue the fact that you have been educated overseas, you were born in another country. Have you felt that people can look at you in a different way? Yes,

spk_0:   13:59
they definitely obviously that See me as somebody like outside, you know that I don't like feeling, but it doesn't really matter how I learned over years that it's not important how people look at you, how he identify yourself, and it took me years and years to understand it. That's him. I am. I'm a bit off in a western culture, and I have my very, very Vietnamese culture in me. So I'm brown it.

spk_1:   14:29
Give me an example. What's one thing thatyou identifies Western? One thing. You identify a Vietnamese really into yourself?

spk_0:   14:36
Yeah. Okay. It's just really funny thing that I don't use chopsticks very well. What? I know and I don't actually at all zero, I think have allergy with Julie and anything spicy.

spk_1:   14:47
Okay, that's definitely western. Then you sound like an English best in

spk_0:   14:51
my dad. Give me a fork and knife when it was when it was so little. And yeah, e I know. I know people. People usually ask me that I don't have a licence. You know, I cannot drive very well, so I must get

spk_1:   15:07
such funny looked when you go into a place and you ask for a knife for yes.

spk_0:   15:12
Yes. And you know, one time me and an honour. English guy. We went Teo Vietnamese restaurant, and he actually as for the job sick and asked for a fork. And he made people look at me. You shouldn't. You have enemies. Excuse me. Okay. This'll

spk_1:   15:32
do me. Recently, though, I sat down somewhere just near here in Union. Ana the woman. She was so lovely into a nice I was about to eat my soup and she came over with, like a spoon and orchid thing is well known as the chopsticks in my hand. Okay, I've got this, you know, you know, like

spk_0:   15:47
the enemy's people usually eating rice off the bowl and used chopsticks. And I have to use

spk_1:   15:54
a spoon. I'm no good. That's why I come. Nobody, right? But we were having food last week on the street as well. And there's this group of kind of older Vietnamese guys. Next is old drinking beer and eaten. And you seemed really impressed with me. At first I was using chopsticks was kind of like point, and he's giving me the thumbs up. But then he started making fun of me because I was holding my chopsticks or Lord down on

spk_0:   16:14
Guy forgot.

spk_1:   16:15
That's a thing. Do you know this that apparently you can tell how long the West has lived my whole law? The hold was holding mainly grate at the bottom so I could pick up, and he's pointing at me like you're holding it down the bottom. All right, to put my hands. I can do it the other way, but it is easier. So then after university, what did you do after that?

spk_0:   16:36
Well, my first job was I was working as a butler in six Senses. Ninh van By back then in 2011 it was one ofthe very feel. My Super Deluxe resorts in six

spk_1:   16:52
inches is like the pinnacle of luxury, right? Yes, it was in

spk_0:   16:56
a new island, actually. Is that an island is a peninsula?

spk_1:   17:02
One of my sister and long and my brother in law both got this day of the Sixth Sense. He's a couple of years ago and she got an email before they went there, asking What type of pillow did she want? Yes. And they had about 14 different types of pillow that you could choose from, like hypo allergenic soft, medium lemon. I don't I can't. I can't even remember. She showed me the email before. Yes, that's holy Juries. Israel. Yes,

spk_0:   17:26
and even you can pick your pillow, Miss. You know the thing that you yuppie load So you makes you sleep better and you can show your muffler. You

spk_1:   17:35
can choose your butler. Yes, too. If you had someone you used before you can

spk_0:   17:39
go to, you know, keep adviser and you write some common, right? I got a repressed off, like two gay couple of a gay couple from you cases and remember the repressive me even before they met me.

spk_1:   17:54
What was that like when it's six senses, that must have been an interesting means.

spk_0:   17:58
Yes. So it was my first time living away from my parents. You know, I'm very typical Asian or Vietnamese growing up in a big city. And now that I have to move to get a very small rural cities that I owned so it wass in leaving in the island. So meaning that I stay in the island, Uh, three weeks in one time and there's no way that you can go to the mainland. But this people, I wouldn't motivate over the staff, so yeah, it's totally different. No entertainment, nothing. The only thing you can get is some tiger beer. Baba Baba Bir Host Bar. So did you

spk_1:   18:47
tend to any celebrities?

spk_0:   18:49
A lot, actually,

spk_1:   18:51
you know,

spk_0:   18:51
named most of them Vietnamese celebrities. But is one time that we met a guy from F one my way. Keep it very like low profile for them

spk_1:   19:07
way Do have Vietnamese listeners who tell us the name. Drop the Vietnamese. So every most most

spk_0:   19:12
of tomatoes. I'm not familiar with the Vietnamese seller police. I I'm a lot of others and I don't know, but

spk_1:   19:23
yeah, I don't know the names. I thought that recently I was kind of opening night and I think that may have been a couple of celebrities there. I don't know any of them. So wonder. Like how the celebrity acts when someone is like, no idea who you are I wonder, is there kind of like, Oh, she doesn't know who I happen to me

spk_0:   19:42
That happened to me a lot, but I know some, like King Bow, some very famous actor, but not with the

spk_1:   19:51
ever kind of act like that. Like what you're doing. A lot of some is really

spk_0:   19:56
nice lighting chi. They get us really well and even, you know, you don't earn a lot from, like solid, like base salary basis. But you will get a lot some tips, you know, You know, back then when it was only 23 Norris I'm sorry, 21 after university, and then I couldn't order from $1000 to 1.5. That was a big thing.

spk_1:   20:23
Just give you that at the end of the trip.

spk_0:   20:24
Yes, some people just say, for we are too nice, but end of the trip they give you, like 102 $100. That's

spk_1:   20:35
what's the craziest thing that happened to you then in the Sixth Sense. He's

spk_0:   20:39
well, you know, because they're really high profile and professional people. So I don't have I think, that I don't have a lot of like crazy requests. But at one time that I remember they were my guests. So they stay in their villa because there's no room is a villa, so I really see them leaving the villa. But whenever we came to visit them, you have to go to see your your gastric, to say hello. Ask if they need anything. So there's so many times that not only me but the order a resort staff went to the room, and every single time you will see them naked. I don't care. And even

spk_1:   21:22
in the door, yes,

spk_0:   21:23
and especially the lady she was lying in the sun. Back and room service came in and he was so shy, just like standing at the door. And she was just, like, coming. Don't worry. Come here. And she 100% naked And her partner were just likes spending Nixon and he didn't care.

spk_1:   21:45
He wasn't making,

spk_0:   21:46
like, almost, like, 80%. Hey, just had a little like Beacon E. It's almost like like girls, like, almost like that. The bottom, you know? Oh, is so embarrassing. But yeah. And what

spk_1:   22:00
did you do when you went up? And they were like, I wish shotmaking intense eye contact. I'm not looking anywhere. I was I'm looking at your eyes. Nothing else

spk_0:   22:08
because I'm a girl, so I'm not attracted to guard. So I'm like, But I found so weird. So string. And, you know, I mean, I think it must be really cold in the country. So when I moved here, I didn't stay for two weeks. Yes. Oh, my God. I think I just, like, wanted to say that they saw them with my full blows. Did they come to

spk_1:   22:32
dinner or just always eating in the room? Like most of

spk_0:   22:35
us, most of the time in the villa. But, you know, even when they went to the restaurants with less clothes that you you could expect

spk_1:   22:47
Ra Let's move on, then, from the six senses. So well, the jiggle after the Sixth Sense. Even your first job out of university. That's good job.

spk_0:   22:54
Yes, it was really fun. And it makes a lot of friends. I know how life works. Outside of Saigon, I was thinking seal like, earlier city Guard that how, like you put a label on me. Um, And then I started working for G. I Joe, you know, the biggest liquor comedy, Um, in my life, Ganja locked Since then.

spk_1:   23:19
Where then, did you work with me as you? But you came back to Saigon?

spk_0:   23:23
Yes. It was in Mito off 2012 after the Six senses. Um, well, you know, I went back to second because I found there was no room for me to leave a lot. My knowledge and my skill set. So And it was boring for me after a while, you know, living in the island. And I moved back to Saigon living with my dad, and then it was really I didn't I didn't think about life staying in Saigon along I wish. Checking for more butter fnb opting out of seedy side dinette. Millions didn't visit friends, even my colleagues. When I was an intern in Saigon, he offer it was working as a run of the centre. Um, and he was am Do you want to work a work? A liquor was weaker. I don't think a lot isn't a broad. And who was that? No, you don't have. You don't have to drink next time when somebody offer you a job working in a beer or liquor comedies and they say that you don't have to drink, don't dress them. I

spk_1:   24:37
was just about I feel like that's something that's like, You know, like, you know, you don't need to drink a lot. But, you know, you do

spk_0:   24:43
know you said at

spk_1:   24:44
the beginning, like you're part of your job is you have to be out there meeting. People think that as I mentioned, you know, Misha Smith was recommended. You fought for this show and the show is a good friend. And you see him. He is the face of pastor, you know, online and in person. He's out there promoting it, thinking it, you know? And I joked with him at the time, remember? It was on the podcast after the podcast, and I was like, You do do what? Right? And he's like, Yeah, of course. I was like, I'm not gonna post a picture of myself doing a spread. She you know, your post picture off until having appeal, you

spk_0:   25:18
know?

spk_1:   25:18
And I know I went like, next week when you post a picture of you doing a spread, she even if it's got a beer and I want to see that you do some what? He never did it also. Misha, if you're listening, I want to see that spreadsheet.

spk_0:   25:30
Well, actually, that to be fair, I have to say that people working in F beak, they have to sacrifice really give up a lot of their personal life. You know, you don't have a normal delivery team going to work from 95 or 96. I do go to work around night. Did you

spk_1:   25:49
contradicted? Yeah, but not on Ly died. You

spk_0:   25:54
know, I start my day usually 9 10 but I always end up going home at midnight like 12 1 AM just like yesterday. I went home to a lot. I think

spk_1:   26:08
it must be I don't know this, but I don't work in the industry. But I feel like your social life and your your business life must kind of blend right. Because of those, your social life wouldn't would involve going out to bars and drinking anyway. And then that your job than just kind of convinced together, right?

spk_0:   26:26
Yes. Um, it's funny that when I when I started working for you know, this industry, that I got a lot of five omens from my friend that I don't see you anymore. You know, if you want to see me, just go to a bar and always there, you have to

spk_1:   26:43
come to me. Yes, yes.

spk_0:   26:45
So it doesn't That's a tough part, you know that. But I think that I prefer it that way, doesn't park me. And that's a part of the cycle of life. And also I are from Monday to Friday and I'm fully relaxed on the weekend.

spk_1:   27:02
I'm laughing because you just said, you know, it's not a normal job. You don't work. Monday Friday 9 to 5. But I started at nine and then I won't come. I know money. Nobody's

spk_0:   27:15
gonna believe you.

spk_1:   27:17
So what attracted you towards the food and beverage industry? Why? Do you like that?

spk_0:   27:22
Um I think because my nature is 1/2 is very extrovert and the order size Really introvert. So I say in the office, like we four hours, I try, too. And the audit time that I'm going out, seeing my customers talking to people, not on ly business was also at the personal level. That's how I read men all. I manage my relations, So I think that what I'm good at and also it's my job to make people drink

spk_1:   27:55
towards your favourite drink.

spk_0:   27:57
I do love whiskey. I know what I'm working for A comedy now, but if I had a choice that I got golf or a single malt whisky No.

spk_1:   28:06
So I'm from Scotland. You know what?

spk_0:   28:08
Tell me about

spk_1:   28:09
what? Your favourite single, mom. My top

spk_0:   28:11
off my whiskey is Talisker.

spk_1:   28:16
I'm not a big fan of Jalisco is. It's like a PT one, right? Is Smokey. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of this movie,

spk_0:   28:22
okay? I love always queues for my sake.

spk_1:   28:26
I'm no fan of whiskeys is the one that's the ones that don't like. Everyone's different. Yes,

spk_0:   28:32
yes, Talisker or leg?

spk_1:   28:36
Yeah, see, that's the ones I'm a shy away from. Everyone's different, right? Like I find it really interesting. Last one of the times I was back home recently, we went on a big whiskey to him or me, and my family and friends were like five different disabilities. And what's really interesting is whiskey is a really personal thing. One of the guys on the tour who was giving us a tour of the disability we're seeing, you know, everyone goes on about other 18 year old of this and that, like it means nothing. It's what you like is like if you get I blended whiskey and you have an 18 year old single malt whiskey and you don't like it. But the other ones, like $3000 a bottle because it's an 18 year old, he's like, That's fine people, just by that of a status. Almost, the change is completely upto you like,

spk_0:   29:20
Yeah, I agree something. For example, I think that a blended whiskey is a bit not just a bit a lot under underrated but personally I think I do love the Johnnie Walker. Yes, yes, I'm a big finish. But I think you know a Zager Vietnamese girl, you know, like maybe until, like, 10 15 years ago that I only started love. Rosa, I think I moved my dot Like people will blame my dad for that because when I was growing up, you know, when it was 14 instead of life taking me to book sore, you know, Barbie shop my dad took me to. Now you call social. You know, Irish Bar. Oh, man, That's my mom. I was really mad at him. He took me to y shop and he met me. Like is this kind of Vietnamese cocktail? But he met lodgers in rum.

spk_1:   30:26
It was Oh, ranges and run.

spk_0:   30:28
Oh, man is lovely. I like it a lot, but I was only 14. Hates it's a discotheque and showing me how good he was. Intense with the ladies.

spk_1:   30:41
With autumn was home. Well, least you're there, so you know, gonna do anything wrong. You know? You know you're gonna go tell Mom, right? That's good. He's not reinforcing gender stereotype by giving you a Barbie doll and getting you into whiskey. And, you know,

spk_0:   30:57
I think that I got influence for my dad a lot. So I'm just what? I always tell people that I'm just another life copy of him.

spk_1:   31:04
19

spk_0:   31:05
99% s o a bit dominance, You know that My mom didn't really interfere in how my dad educate me. S o. I was growing up as almost a tomboy, and my dad literally thought I was a lesbian. But he didn't care. He was so cool with that. I think he was happy with that. Turns a

spk_1:   31:29
good man,

spk_0:   31:31
my best friend drinking mate.

spk_1:   31:33
I get that. Well, my favourite not moving on my favourite B I enjoy is Jamison's,

spk_0:   31:40
which

spk_1:   31:40
again Kenya has a cheap reputation. Almost because it is, you know, so ubiquitous. You can find it everywhere. But my wife and I, we went to island a couple of years ago. We did a tour of the Jamison's what they didn't actually make the Jameson zebras like the Jameson's factory again. Just so interesting that the skill and the love and the killer was into making this whiskey, which you just think is like just Jamison's and blah, blah, blah. But you know, there's so much art goes into making it what it is and that I'll always remember this. And it's kind of change that we would be whiskey. The guy was like, Don't shoot, don't shoot a whiskey. He's like it. It makes my blood boil when you see you like people. Yeah, let's have a show on whisky Because even a blending one like Jameson's takes so long like 12 years old, 18 years process to make this one whiskey and you just knock it back in a second. So ever since then, know that I ever really used to shoot whiskey by If someone was to give me a whiskey and be like, Yeah, it's too short to Billy. No, no, no. We're gonna sit this. We're gonna enjoy it. Case Jamison's does taste really good. Like it's a really smooth I agree.

spk_0:   32:48
You know, if you know how people make whiskey or any tie off drinks that you will appreciate it much more. It's all about education. Yeah, and that's what we like off here in Saigon.

spk_1:   33:02
Yeah, well, I think all over, probably people don't realise the love and the killing goes into well, just want Teo. That's the angle, right? Yeah.

spk_0:   33:12
I just remind me off the period in 2012 we started. You know, back then, about seven years ago, years ago, people had no idea off like, what is a good hotel and how we d agile people indicates that this market video his market, uh, about golf town.

spk_1:   33:32
I was going to see you Tell me, how do you think the Vietnamese drinking culture has changed? Beat now is one of the largest consumers of beer in the world. And we know

spk_0:   33:41
now 90% alcohol and something is

spk_1:   33:45
Teo, and it's crazy. I mean, I remember I lived in D four and I was going to the gym, and it's like, 10 in the morning with a bunch of guys. I was sitting and saying I wanted to double take way. The table is, like, full of fields and thinking about 10 11. I don't see that too often to be, to be honest, but I did see it, and it's big. Consumers appear, but cocktails like, I mean Vietnam a loon. Sorry, Saigon alone. Cocktail bars of just exploding like they used to know. Really, I've been here just over three years. It was maybe a couple when I got here. But now, like so many and so many good ones, right?

spk_0:   34:20
They open one every month, but then

spk_1:   34:23
one closes every two months. Well,

spk_0:   34:26
actually, you know s O now, Cocktail is really something fancy, but you know, I'll tell is I think it is. It shouldn't be seen that way on DH. Also, because why I say that Because you don't see a lot of like good cocktail bars in Saigon with good quality, but affordable some some culture bar, I think. Conceptually nice. The atmosphere is really nice and excellent service, but a cocktail is not that good to charge. I'm not going to say names,

spk_1:   34:57
but there's a couple of Coke. Two balls have been to whether they were ridiculously expensive with a name after on I was like, This is rubbish is a terrible drink. They don't taste of anything like this is so pretentious. You're charging like 250 for a cocktail and it's terrible. They're my favourite new, please. Have you been to the street cocktail on high by junk?

spk_0:   35:18
It's new, right? Yes. So it's

spk_1:   35:20
street cocktails, So Vietnamese Where is it? You know,

spk_0:   35:23
with the

spk_1:   35:24
fabric market is on the high bar junk. Okay, you know, with the big

spk_0:   35:27
pink churches.

spk_1:   35:28
D'oh! So just up from that, once all the fabrics, those clothes they bring in a plastic classic little plastic Vietnamese who's set up like a Coke deal, Bob. And it's like 70 80,000 cop, too. They are amazing. Come with a sugar canes. Thicken it. We went last week. I've been a couple of times recently and just looked on. Everyone just ignoring on this. You go, OK, but the car could get the cocktails are unbelievable. About 80,000 tequila based whiskey based everything. But the only problem is right in this classic Vietnam. Great idea. Let's set up a cocktail bar on the street. Everyone sits on the street having called news, No toilets. So after about one drink music, So where's the bathroom? Jazz hands like No bad thing to have your guy. That's not too bad, because yes, this review one which is not the best thing a guy can go around, find a bush. The girls, it's like

spk_0:   36:27
that makes me a surprise. You know, sometimes I seal so surprised at how easy it is for everyone to start their own business.

spk_1:   36:36
It's a great thing about me. And I was very entrepreneurial. And you can do that. Remember when I first came here on vacation, like, four years ago and my brother in law, Ali was taking us around Hanoi and he's like, Yeah, I mean, look, this guy just got a bucket of beers on the street. A couple of stools. He's selling beer on the street. That's really yeah, Sylvia, But also Soviet at the same time that there's no toilets, we'll gonna say alcohol is gonna make you wanna piss? But you can't go anywhere. Like So, what do you do this white guys pee all over the place and inside going right? Yeah. No. Yeah. That's one of the nasty about this. I going right? Yeah. So what's your favourite,

spk_0:   37:15
my friend? Cocktail is a smoky martini. Mick was love for 10. It's what antacid.

spk_1:   37:24
So what's your favourite cocktail above it?

spk_0:   37:26
What was that? Easy, you know. Ah, this is tough, but I think that I will always do the Ellie. You know, the owner off the l. A is a friend of my own. So my colleague Joe, he has a note of our name. The

spk_1:   37:45
all the TM that cool. Yes, I feel like that doesn't come up for many people's read all like I never see advertised on forever and ever you mentioned by Bean before for anyone. If you want a cool date night, you'll impress somebody or you want to go out with a partner, go to the PM It's right next to rehab station and literally looks like an ATM, right? Yes,

spk_0:   38:09
People got confused that a lot.

spk_1:   38:11
Yeah, we went now to go to the place on my wife is the one that had found out about it, and we walked up and was like, Where is it? Because the doors like hidden and it looks like an E T M. And that's an amazing Bob. That's what you walking me like. I can't believe I'm inside. Go on

spk_0:   38:24
it, just like another bar in essential off Europe. I love it so much.

spk_1:   38:32
This is on this. Is that what I think is what's changing so fast about Saigon and what's the misconception? And we've talked about this before. I think, you know, people think of Saigon is almost like maybe 1/3 world country. I'll think of it as you know, destitute. And obviously there is poverty here and it's massively unequal. But it is Modernising very quickly, and it is becoming more you think like Bankole Co Hong Kong, things like that. It does all these really nice places to go now that we're even here, you know, 3456 10 years ago. But now it's like coming out of a destination for cocktail bars and food and things like that. Skybar sky above.

spk_0:   39:09
Yes, everyone.

spk_1:   39:11
Yeah. I always bring people Teo, be 60 when they come to visit.

spk_0:   39:17
Okay. Why?

spk_1:   39:18
What do you mean, no?

spk_0:   39:21
Well, it's just not really my type, but I think it's really nice for someone. People's

spk_1:   39:24
good for sunset.

spk_0:   39:26
Well, my private spot for sunset is M. Guillory. So So love is what? Yeah,

spk_1:   39:33
Yeah, top

spk_0:   39:34
up Hillary hotel. Yeah,

spk_1:   39:36
that's caffeine. Yes, Doesn't want So then you sent to me, Elliot. So after the as you then you went to work. FBI, which does Budweiser

spk_0:   39:46
and Corona girl Cole Garden. Let Fei backs. That's a lot.

spk_1:   39:54
I always find it interesting when you start to learn more about the food and beverage industry. It's like lifting back the cart and then seeing you think of all these different brands of beer. But there are different and they're all unique. And then you're like, Oh, owned by one company like theology owns like everything, right? Yes,

spk_0:   40:11
they have a huge range of liquors, the actual and same with the FBI. I think that I have now more than 200 friends all over the world just go around, you know, buying friends. I think

spk_1:   40:24
the media you think it's all different and then it's all by, like seeing 23 So you went to work for the FBI, then picture cool Century. Mexico

spk_0:   40:32
is a joint venture. Centauri Lakes and

spk_1:   40:34
Wei don't dio

spk_0:   40:37
liquor in Vietnam. Ali.

spk_1:   40:43
Then you mentioned you started your own company. I

spk_0:   40:45
laugh Central Mexico. In March 2018 I started having my own business. I had a glow thing lying. I had a tea house is funny because I was working for all liquor and beers. And now that I had a tea house in library and tea house, yes,

spk_1:   41:04
in a different direction, totally different

spk_0:   41:07
on DH, then by the end of the year 2018. I saw completely working. I started travelling the world.

spk_1:   41:17
And yes, sir, you mentioned to me before we recorded. You can fell a bit.

spk_0:   41:22
Yes, I did feel it.

spk_1:   41:24
Yeah. I think everyone gets to that stage you said you were gonna go having like, almost like 1/4 life crazes.

spk_0:   41:30
Yes. I don't know. I don't know if everyone I'm just wondering if I hope that everyone has it, because that I don't feel like something that only means I can

spk_1:   41:40
Definitely. Really? Yeah. I'm sure most people can, really, but, you know, as a

spk_0:   41:43
Vietnamese, a person you we don't have a culture of sharing are talking about, like, the deepest fear. Ah, so I didn't talk. I didn't reach out to my family and my friends to talk more about it. Quite like you know, you have a mental health problem. And then yes, I was I'm So I was living in Vienna. Malone psych on alone. I broke up. My business was so much within show. But I felt like I couldn't carry any longer. I felt so exacted completely lonely. I didn't know. I think I lost my vision. Everything I imagined didn't really work out the way that I want. Well, I wanted it to be so I stop. I saw everything so travelled to Europe. To Australia, to Sri Lanka or seven months. Bye. I'm

spk_1:   42:45
What was that? Like your pre Love you?

spk_0:   42:48
Yes. I think that I can relate it to that a lot. You know, I went to Bali alone for eight days. Stay in one villa. I didn't talk to anyone. I didn't make friends with anyone. I finished the

spk_1:   43:03
booth. Christian like it literally wasn't movement. He went to Bali, live the load, read the book. I brought great love.

spk_0:   43:14
I brought the monk who saw his Very Yeah, and

spk_1:   43:19
then But I was that after that one,

spk_0:   43:22
Um, I got a bit slightly better, but it wasn't enough. But I kept rolling, Really? Seeing people. I remember one time when I was in Paris alone. Um oly Jerry really cold alone. I was working along seeing river, and I I was frying knows that you are in the media off life city in Europe. But you don't have somebody to share with, not because that's you don't have anyone but somebody that really understands you and accept you accept your major. I think that I didn't have it. So it was It was really interesting. And really, I think it was a good experience for me.

spk_1:   44:09
Yes, it's interesting. You see this, right? So first of all, I think of not alone at all and going through that. And it's an unfortunate thing in Vietnam. I think in most cultures, not everyone speaks up enough about having mental health issues. So I know what here it can be even more difficult. I think it's probably the same in most countries, and maybe people getting better opening up more. So I just did a gig last week. Um, when I talked about my time, I used to live in New York for a short time. No, when I talk about my time in New York, so if you serve, I have to have all these storeys and it sounds so fun. And it sounds so amazing and cool and different. Probably it was the most horrible time of my life, like living through it was like the lowest ebb off my entire short life. I was eating onion and let's sandwich because I had no money. A girl broke up with me that I've been in a relationship with a long time. I couldn't get a job. Can make friends like horrible, horrible time living through it day today. But that was, like 12 years ago. And no one I talk about it, talk about it like it was the best time of my life. I agree.

spk_0:   45:14
Totally agree. Yeah. Looking back, I'm like, Oh, my God. If I didn't go through that period, I wouldn't be here way Anti delay come lately Happily Perfectly happy.

spk_1:   45:26
Yeah, just anyone is listening, going through that it's Ah, it's a normal thing. And that's why I had a job in history. I did for about four years, and after that I was completely bump like my wife. Contrary, I was bummed out. I don't want to talk to Animal, and I don't want to do anything, as you can tell from doing a podcast that do comedy and bite an outgoing person. But at this point, I did like a temp job, just detail entry, because that's all I wanted to do. It just didn't want to anything you know. Then you get a little things change. And also, I mean, everyone has these points, in the phrase to what change them for you travelling? Because I think that's a common thing as well, right? Everyone has this kind of breakdown or has this tough time. And the solution for a lot of people is I'm gonna go travelling, right? And I think it's a good thing. So how did that help you?

spk_0:   46:15
Um I think the turning point for me it was when I went to Sri Lanka. It was a very remarkable events happening in my life. By the end of the trip, so she linger was my last destination. I went there along again. So I joy Isa. You know Isaac, right? I'll explain later, but I got in juice to light some shooting and young people so they help me. They have me to show me around this slimy things, the culture and even they brought me home, Uh, you know, to have dinner with the whole family. They invited me to say it their home Treat me like one of their family members, I think because I have been living alone for so long that I always had a dissonant with my family. I didn't have that. I don't have family dinners. I don't have family lunch at all. It's been so long now that I have it. So I felt all the women I know so like love and happy and on solved. By that time in April, if you remember, there was a bombing attack happening of prosecuting tree in Sri Lanka. I was completely alone, my friend. Words were not with me. You revealed during

spk_1:   47:36
that? Yes, on

spk_0:   47:37
ly two or three days after I lend it. Yes. So I was travelling down from Colombo. Uh, and then one morning that it was I was on the bus to a CD and my friend took me there. Where are you? I'm like, uh, I'm gonna bust. So what's what's happening? Stay where you are. Bombing happening right here in the city. And my friend almost got killed. And I didn't know what Teo was so along. It was very firing. And, you know, there was a cuff tee off that you cannot leave out after 6 p.m. It was no restaurant. No sir. Nothing open after that. And I didn't know so everything was shit down. Um, no tour. So I book a field trips, but and eventually they have to have to cancel it. Um, so I didn't know what to do. I was alone. Nobody. I didn't dare to tell my parents because I don't want them to worry about it. So it was. It was about, like, three or four days like that same hotel do nothing. So I started thinking about the life, the thing that I lost. So because events. So I started to think about my life that I wanted to go in by five or 10 years. So, you know, I spent because you spend so much time alone and you have to face your problem. You cannot run away from it anymore. So yeah, I think this start from that. And also because the relationship I see I think that I lost faith and trust in people here. And I think that I don't like people here that I don't like it. Miss people, I don't want my country anymore because of some farrier in business and relationship. But when it was in your feeling that I was no, not because of some very small events happening in your life that you will be. You should be negative. So And also because you know, you you feel like you're so close to death. And on Lee at that boy that that's you. You want to leave so much you want to see your parents, your friends again? You want to do so much thing in life. So, yeah, I think that I changed my life and also that I on meat. But I dont admit anymore so. So many things. It was chaos. Now. So many thing happened to me in a very third shocked I'm like 34 days. So remarkable.

spk_1:   50:17
Yeah. I mean, that would be a life changing without a shadow of the dough. And so how did how did you then get out of Shaolin Car? Like how? When did it start? When did things start to come down? You know, four days in a hotel room? Yeah. What happened after that?

spk_0:   50:32
Um so I was so scared. I thought about my ticket to go back to Vienna immediately, but in a friend of mine told me I should say in a country of more for things to come out, But you know the next day that I was thinking, like, reschedule my flight and a lot of bombs around the F home in You don't know how it felt. Yeah. I'm like, Oh, man, what do I do here? I cannot go see my friends. That kind of go home. I don't know if I can see my parents again. You know, Not not too much, not to extra. But that's a feeling. S o. I was no Well, it is what it is you. If you die, you die. Nothing. You can do nothing. You can change. So I was started travelling again after that 34 days in the hotel. So I go up north Teo Highland cities Really small and everything was still speaks for lovely. Very nice limit. So I met a lot of my friends. Just like me. Less solo travellers expired people. So things got better off. Then

spk_1:   51:44
go on with your countries. Did you go to after that?

spk_0:   51:47
I went back to Vietnam. So that

spk_1:   51:49
was your last? Yes,

spk_0:   51:50
and I Sorry, Tio, to look for a new apartments indeed to where I am leaving now. Um, my life again.

spk_1:   51:59
You mentioned Elliot. You've travelled all over. You lived in the States for a while because you've got family there. You were talking to me before we started recording what made you choose, then cycle. And we talked about the craziness of Saigon. Why did you choose to make this your home?

spk_0:   52:14
Um, I don't know. To be honest, I don't know is a feeling you know, on Ly hue your heart tell you where you feel almost you where you feel connected to So my heart chilled Saigon. I think that I owe so on something. So that's the reason why don't I just chew it over and over again? I even, like, give up some relationship because of Tiger. Because I don't want to leave here. I don't want to leave my country, my people. And so I think that this year to make I am I think that I call myself an idealist and I wanted to make a change to make Saigon is better because I see the potential. And especially when I have nieces and nephews. They have 15 18 years old now, so I want to make a small impact to make the society better so they can grow up in a better environment. I

spk_1:   53:10
completely agree. I mean, we're talking about the development of Saigon and things are changing. But I think now is almost like the prime time to make things better for the future. Whether that the environment or what not like know when things are changing. We need to make sure things are set up. Now with that in 10 or 20 years when it really developed a more developed whatever stage of development, it's apt Those things are already in place. We need to start now. No, like 2030 years. You've got an educational foundations hotel, that Is that Your purpose then, is out. Part of what brought you back here?

spk_0:   53:42
Yes, something that want to s o desperation. I call it Mom too is very Vietnamese name. And I love it. It sounds so loving. Understand? Enemies, Mum to inflation. That's what makes me wanna wake up every morning. I found my purpose after the drift after the bombing sec Tak, I want to you know, because when I see Children because I have this is an air feel. When I see the kid young, I see young people I see the future. So you know, there's no way because I believe in education. There's nothing going to stop you from getting a proper education that's gonna change your life a lot. Well, makes your life Yeah, family a life much better S o. Because I think I always feel like I'm sure I have to breathe a little life now. I'm so lucky. I always find myself a lucky person that I have a lot. So that's why that's why that I want to share that with everyone. I want to give a new brave little Children living in rural cities or even some districts in Saigon. It where you will see a lot of by homeless kiss. Yeah, we purposes. We want to sponsor them to go to school. That's a very simple because a very simple philosophy that if they can take care of themselves, they would take care of the family and more over they would take care of the society if symbol with that, I mean education. Everything.

spk_1:   55:15
I always remember when I worked for charity back ministerial on and we tell a storey about think it was kids in Sudan who would break into a school to read books. You know, our because they didn't have the money for the education so they would break into re boot. Where is in the West? You have a lot of kids. You bloody go to schools to break windows just for funds. You don't understand the lucky the altar of that, You know that's awesome. So how's that been going? How many kids have you sponsor?

spk_0:   55:49
We just started a few months back. So we're developing the website. So we are literally actually Children. Teo, sponsor Really good star. And we have a list of, like, tenant anymore. So we are going to see them talk to them in their bodies. Storey is all about sorry. Where you feel by connected where you feel empathy with the storey.

spk_1:   56:12
In what district are you focusing on? What cities?

spk_0:   56:15
Not any specific districts anywhere. I see that way. Currently, it's one former on May and the other two in number nine. Yeah, a bit by far, by 30 40 kilometres and you'll visit with

spk_1:   56:31
them appearance. You see the situation and how What's the reaction being them when you've been able to fund education?

spk_0:   56:40
You know, they just skipped today's it's So your vessel. I don't know how to say it, but when I hear the Storey that I'll, uh um suffering the family make believing and how much they want to get education You want to go to class, learn how to speak English and stuff. Oh my God. Just, you know, it just melts your heart. There's so similar and growing up like people talk to you a lot to be a very alive to scale and to be sceptical with auto people relationship live I'm like, is going on No, live Shouldn't be that, you know, negative. It should be Hold, I think is on ly a message that I wanted to give to the cure in Escalon Trying hard to work hard It's always people out there think you right there by your side. I want to be You know, that support, uh, or the cure and because I think the reason what I'm doing what I'm doing now is because I didn't have that support from the family. I I don't want to study business at all. I always love art history. My hair's always want me to become a doctor and lawyer in South. Very typical Ray and, uh, turns out I am okay with my career, but I wish that I had more freedom to go or art history. It

spk_1:   58:16
does make me a little bit sad, being of being an English teacher in the past and in here for so long. There is that pressure, and that's very kind of like Asian stereotype. But I think it's one of those ones based in reality, to become an accountant daughter. Something like that doesn't seem to be as much kind of acceptance of the arts. Or, you know, something different other than those like prescribed kind of, um, jobs. And if someone doesn't do it, then I guess it's like disappointment really want, which is a shame, because there's obviously so much more,

spk_0:   58:51
you know, I have so one ofthe minuses. She's now 16 and she asked to think about what you do in life. So she asked me that winter can be a interior designer or a doctor. I'm like, No, you don't have to do all those things if you don't want to, Not because of your parents, which is my brother. I ask you to do do whatever you want as slow as you and be responsible for your life. Enough leaving if you're not gonna depend on your errands. That's okay. I'm happy to see you being honest, uh, sitting on a street venting. If that makes you happy, Go for it. Yeah. So that's how that now I support. Oh, my.

spk_1:   59:37
Do you think that with a generational change in Vietnam D think that starting Teo change away from the You have to be a lawyer. You have to be a doctor, like have to be an accountant. Is that starting to be different?

spk_0:   59:48
Um, to be honest, I don't think they've changed a lot. But, you know, I think young people and the generation now it is so small cable going racing in life, you don't have someone to guide them. So I see that with enjoying them, that I want to be that person for them. So I always have people ask me that what I'm good at. I always tell people that, you know, seeing good thing and people is my great today.

spk_1:   1:0:24
Like it's lovely. Well, let's go back to the So that's a beautiful thing. That's amazing thing as well. Um, let's go back to you ended up back in the food and beverage and this again again

spk_0:   1:0:39
so many times I told my head hunter that I am so done with alcohol. So please don't send me any job requirement to say late in the market on the street. But I enough one time it's funny. One time the girl she was so nice you were just talking a lot about the guy who was my boss right now is his Indian. But it's not like typical Indian, but I want to. But because you're talking a lot about him, so okay, I'll go see him. But enough we is. It was not a regular interview, so we end up talking for two hours straight about business. The venom market I have working

spk_1:   1:1:21
tells. Who is it you're working full? No. Then

spk_0:   1:1:24
you're on 91.

spk_1:   1:1:26
Tell us about that.

spk_0:   1:1:27
I's a great company, you know. It is not owned by the biggest guy Abyan methods. I know

spk_1:   1:1:37
you know. Everyone's

spk_0:   1:1:38
got,

spk_1:   1:1:39
but hope is not

spk_0:   1:1:40
lost. Really. We call it flavorful because we offer a lot of flavours. Second is enable everything under 5% of alcohol with low business that Asian people prefer having something life and fresh so they can say all night, like five hours kicking a case off. 20 for maybe two cases. So and the losses affordable. We believe in the good quality and a good price. People enjoy a good year,

spk_1:   1:2:17
which is a big point of difference, right? Because so many players in the craft beer market now. And I love that I love my hoppy, bitter Beals. Strong ones are difficult because, you know, some things I don't want to You wasted. I just want to have a light beer. And I'm no started recently gravitating away from the strong dop 7.5% because I just wanna have a labia. Yeah, and you know no people who tested after one beer. So I guess that and then an appealing to the Vietnamese market who are maybe no into the strong Hopi appeals. How is it going to father? It sounds like is what

spk_0:   1:2:51
we the products on lee here for, like, one month and 1/2. We have really positive consumer loved Brendan with, you know, with a monkey of A's very flavorful funky, uh, you know, always I go out ofthe norms Regular normal. Oh, yeah. I think it's gonna be really potential in the next 1 to 2 years.

spk_1:   1:3:17
So we're actually gonna give away a six pack of beer in 91 right?

spk_0:   1:3:20
Yes, with three flavours. Number one is lager. We call it some of blanc sama Larder to Isa Witz Bir. We caught whites and the other one is A is not a strong hoppy with healthy alcohol. I'd be that you usually have no in the market by local rap ears, But it's gonna be really again lights, low alcohol fashion. You can drink a lot, so yes.

spk_1:   1:3:47
So if you're listening and you want to win a six pack of being goaded the Facebook page seven million Bay Saigon lever of you, tell me what you think about the podcast. Whether it's good, bad or terrible. I want to hear from you. Tell us what you think of this episode on DH will put you into a draw. And the winner will get a six pack from here in 91.

spk_0:   1:4:07
Yes, And it's not only the beers this expect, and I will give away the T shirt with very nice monkey hat and blamed Cart. Very nice design. And maybe one opener. You need a hoping he's going to give

spk_1:   1:4:23
you a whole package. So going to Facebook lever of you, that would be amazing. And you can win, which is good. But I tried it recently at the beer festival in Yeah, Another bill to try. So we're gonna move on to the final questions. I asked everyone at the end of seven million bakes season to the 1st 1 is what they do. You drive. And how do you do with a contract

spk_0:   1:4:47
again? I don't think that I'm very typical Vietnamese because I don't drive. I do have a bike. Is a vision Um blue? Yes, I do have a bike, but I don't drive a lot first because I don't have a licence. Sorry. Does anyone have,

spk_1:   1:5:04
you know, I actually do, but I think most people don't. I don't think

spk_0:   1:5:07
all of us has Well, because most people will have a life and it's so easy to get, but like people lazy like me. So how

spk_1:   1:5:17
do you get about

spk_0:   1:5:19
So I always a big customers off, you know, like B grab Grove it. Whatever. Over before that, um, you know, I don't want Teo suffer a lot of, like noise. Graphics and hits off Saigon is so hot outside. So and also is you know,

spk_1:   1:5:43
you are you a drab, carpal Sonora. Grab a

spk_0:   1:5:46
both. You know, in the morning, I don't want to spend like, half an hour to go to work, which is only take me 10 or 15 minutes, max on a bike. So I usually hop on a bike in the morning and I after a date so tired that I would take the car So is so much relaxed, Easier reworked for you after a long day

spk_1:   1:6:06
drinking beer od jinking. And what's the oddest thing you've seen on Obey?

spk_0:   1:6:15
To be honest, as a Vietnamese, there's nothing and surprise us anymore.

spk_1:   1:6:19
But no. What? No more surprise. What's the oddest thing? And if you've lived years into a five years old, I'm sure you must have seen very on a bike. Maybe put on your western glasses for this and imagine from a Western point of view,

spk_0:   1:6:32
not advice. But I remember I saw a bicycle sharing in the back of a bike. That's a with this thing, man. Yeah, Yeah, by school.

spk_1:   1:6:45
Come

spk_0:   1:6:46
back. How does it happen? Hasn't even possible. And one bite, You know I can a house up to sick persons. 66 People like to parents and fork. It's

spk_1:   1:6:58
That was a question I thought about asking is, What's that? Once the most amount of people you've seen on, If you've no lived here than people wouldn't understand what we're talking about. You

spk_0:   1:7:08
amaze me somehow some

spk_1:   1:7:10
way.

spk_0:   1:7:10
It's, I think, the

spk_1:   1:7:11
most I've seen maybe six or seven,

spk_0:   1:7:15
even seven.

spk_1:   1:7:15
Maybe. Remember my hee

spk_0:   1:7:19
soo? Half a photo. I can send it to you later.

spk_1:   1:7:22
There's Web sites. There's Web sites out there with just things that you see on the back of bakes and funny and 24 hours off. You don't need to go into work. You don't need to answer any e mails. You get a day off in Saigon. Tell me about your idea. 24 hours off inside. Go on. What do you do?

spk_0:   1:7:38
Interesting. Um, if I have 24 hours come lately off, I think that I will wake up early in the morning. Seven

spk_1:   1:7:49
from seven in the morning. That's leaf of you know, everyone's up its six is really early. E I always go

spk_0:   1:7:56
home and talk like two

spk_1:   1:7:58
AM

spk_0:   1:8:00
Um, so I will get up at seven. Started day with a cup of tea and then I will out atT one of my favourite runs, like stocks in Saigon, which is open, you know, Pat right on. And then, you know, I love being a tourist in the city in my own city. So and I love writing people running most car and its people. So I think after after breakers that I will go to the boss ofthe city, Bossoffice, and buy some postcards bring people. And And I was just a long winded Where are don't streets and then our house of museums. I love music. I love art, but it is not a lot of options. Here are, uh, any exhibition art galleries wondering around I will get another coffee.

spk_1:   1:8:52
Which one of your favourite coffees bought you and go to

spk_0:   1:8:54
my coffee is a very small coffee place inside on So small A nap, actually, in Vietnamese people say no, but you know, But in English now really small, where you can get a decent coffee from the north. Yes,

spk_1:   1:9:15
We're boat. Is that

spk_0:   1:9:16
it? Just it just right here, I think, is indeed one. No, no one at Saigon.

spk_1:   1:9:23
Move

spk_0:   1:9:25
and maybe.

spk_1:   1:9:27
All right, so then you have your coffee. Still in the morning,

spk_0:   1:9:31
I will sit at a coffee shop and greeting the books. Oh, my, my all the time. Ah, bereavement otters. He's Simon's Any, uh, stuck with Why if if you know of

spk_1:   1:9:44
the famous YouTube video about a star with wires and

spk_0:   1:9:47
millennia and ask how I changed my life a lot How I see things in business and copper environments How? How to a life form and chef my leadership style. But right now my current book I'm reading now is a bowl from Barrack Obama. Our dreams for my father. I just finished the book from his wife, Michelle Obama. Becoming is fantastic. I love books. I used to have a library in tea shop.

spk_1:   1:10:19
Yeah,

spk_0:   1:10:20
I grew up with book because I am the only child to my dad. I wasn't allowed to go out, hang out with my friends, so I just stay home and read books. So I love books. I think I would say there for, like, a couple of hours, like, two or three hours ordering some things. And then I will again, just along, um uh, the river second driver. Maybe take a bath to an out of David spot. I invite some ofthe referring to join me here up

spk_1:   1:10:50
till lunchtime. Knows where. Where would you go for

spk_0:   1:10:52
lunch? I think I'll go back to two. So right now I love closing the way you want to be seen where you want to see people in the same time. But I love Reva Cottage. Indeed. So if you know, is a very hidden hidden place in Saigon. Um, River Cup it by the river. So quiet. It's a whole new hope. Say they offer seven grooms on Lee is the home state is a restaurant is also a bar. Quiet. Yeah. Yeah, And I think I was enough the same again. The time for the l A. For a cartel? Yep. Re lastly, Nothing I don't want to talk to

spk_1:   1:11:39
except

spk_0:   1:11:40
the bartender. And this good thing that you don't need to look at the menu to order a drink. You always can tell the bartender what tile maker that you want to go. That's a base and the flavours you want, like sour sweet Peter something. And they will make it accordingly. So that when they remember the first time

spk_1:   1:11:59
that happened to me was like, Wait, what do you mean what? I don't like to tell the liquor well and then have to give you the I was like, What do you mean flee even? And they give you the exam? Was like, Okay, I can to get us. So now you've got a week off, right? You get a week to explore Vietnam. Where would you go?

spk_0:   1:12:17
I think I got you. And enough not talking off the Sabbath. And so I went there one time directing job. But I didn't say long enough. We explored the whole town for you. And if I have ever had a week, I could go there saying one. Feel again. Get the book, like two or three. Yeah. Making friends, local evil that I don't want. Teo, I've been travelling a lot and doing a lot of things.

spk_1:   1:12:46
Easy eyes

spk_0:   1:12:47
important to re energise yourselves. Now,

spk_1:   1:12:52
the last question on I hope you have a good answer for this because you're in the freedom beverage industry somewhere. I guess that we've no mentioned already mentioned a t m. Which my question is, do you have a hidden gem that you can share with people? I would say the is probably one of the best hidden gems have already mentioned it to something else.

spk_0:   1:13:10
Okay, The hidden gem. I think that two places um Bopper Barbara Tsai gone. Do you know that I've

spk_1:   1:13:19
had all that haven't seen a bit about That

spk_0:   1:13:21
is a barber shop in on second floor. But now sear colour light Looked like a basement, but is on the ground floor is the bar is, um it's a little bit like similar concept with the team, but the only half like six it's speaking. Yes, we have very nice, decent hotel again. Quiet. You know, they just I beg I am a big fan of Johnson wass Classic music.

spk_1:   1:13:54
Last one of a previous guest is adjusting. And you know l a. Beth. She was a finalist on the Vietnamese voice, suggesting So she does a lot of gigs on time doing jazz. Yeah,

spk_0:   1:14:05
If I lose, I'm strong. Francine Isha Lunatic. Oh, and I'm a big, huge fan calling. I even have a list, like with more than 200 songs on little ones. And I never meant for my dream way. Just

spk_1:   1:14:21
taking hidden gem.

spk_0:   1:14:24
Um, I think I mentioned it earlier. River Copy

spk_1:   1:14:30
until the ground. Once when forced the links to these places in the show, people can look them up showing a go. Thank you very much. This has been an awesome conversation. Thank you for the price. You just remember, if you want to win, tell us what a listener can win.

spk_0:   1:14:45
A six pack with six model with three flavours and a little bit extra gifts. Like the T shirt. Some key chain with a really good is I I'm sure know, Brendan. So you will like you're absolutely happy to carry it around some blame car even you're not a fan ofthe bureau now. Do you want a beer? You can always carry around, so I don't want to be Brennan.

spk_1:   1:15:09
Thank you so much for offering. That's going to the feast Cupid lever of you tell us that you've watched this episode on will choose one winner tto win there. So what's happening? Mixed with beer on 91 of you got any big plans.

spk_0:   1:15:21
Um, so next year is gonna be really busy with us. So we're blending Teo win the market. But it's not like a massive commercial princess. You will see, But it's gonna be really way offer really cool things we give. What what is different between, like Vera and the other brands is because we offer a lot of flavours with within one friend and is for the young generation, low outer alcohol, low bitterness and also freedom with funky a style. And, you know, it's gonna be really fit for going somewhere. Vietnamese consumer here

spk_1:   1:16:04
and where can you find it? And right

spk_0:   1:16:05
now you can go to one be graph grew in being a brilliant, brilliant yes,

spk_1:   1:16:11
them some some local

spk_0:   1:16:13
Vietnamese local crop ear like the colour them. But it's a long list. I can I can I can share later.

spk_1:   1:16:24
Yeah. All right. We'll have a beer, and I know I'm ready for one. No, thank you so much. There's been awesome Has been amazing having you on on, guys. Thanks for listening. And have a great day. Cheers. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to leave a review on Facebook. If you want to be in with a chance to win some beyond 91 mention days and a six pack of Beal's thank you very much. The Yanks in for giving that a surprise, thanks to Horace Wail for an amazing interview today. Great to hear her storeys and a background in life in a romantic love storey of how our mom and dad overcame adversity. Thank you to Louis, right? For composing the theme music and to lay in wind for helping design the cover. Our thanks to everyone for listening. Don't forget to subscribe Believer of you if you can on have a great day.