You Don't Know Vietnam

A gap in the market looks like an opportunity. But what if your potential customers don’t understand what you’re selling? Hannah Tuong-Jefferys started making cider in her Saigon apartment after spotting a shortage of her favourite drink. Today, Saigon Cider is reaching supermarket shelves across Vietnam and customers overseas. Getting people to understand it, try it and pay for it, however, has been a much bigger job than she expected.

Hannah joins Ian Paynton to unpack:

What does contemporary art in Vietnam look like today? And where should you start as a newbie? 

As Vietnam approaches the end of its debut national pavilion at the Venice Biennale, curator and Artistic Director at VCCA Tuong Linh Do joins Ian Paynton for a quick look into a scene that's more vibrant, diverse and open than many people realise. 

From the experimental artists of 1990s Hanoi to today’s generation working across video, sound, performance, installation and traditional lacquer, Linh maps a scene shaped by history, rapid change and a growing confidence to tell its...

How do you get a Vietnamese fragrance into the top 10 men’s fragrances on Shopee in your first year... while both founders still have full-time jobs? 

Enter Vy Nguyen and Ngu Phan (Peter), Co-Founders of Lenoir. They join Ian Paynton to share how they built a perfume brand around Vietnam’s students. From testing scents with friends and packing orders after work to discovering why customers kept buying samples, this is a story of trial, error and paying attention.

We explore how gifting changed their business, why small freebies and personal touches matter, and what it ta...

Before Ian Paynton co-founded WCC, and before journalist David Stout went on to report from Myanmar, Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Balkans and Saudi Arabia, the pair spent their days making a print magazine about Hanoi. Fifteen years later, they reunite to remember what David calls “the best days of analogue Vietnam”. They revisit some of their favourite editorial assignments, from the 103-year-old woman living with four generations of her family to Ha Giang before mass tourism and the overlooked importance of Vietnamese tea. They also reflect on the extraordinary pace of Vietnam’s transformation, what Hanoi may have lost a...

What does Vietnam look like through the eyes of someone arriving at one of the most ambitious moments in its recent history? Ten months into his posting, Singapore’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Rajpal Singh, joins Ian Paynton to reflect on what he has learned so far — from the country’s infectious energy and optimism to its pace of change, its openness to outsiders and the ever-growing relationship between Vietnam and Singapore.

In this episode:

Vietnam's young people have more opportunity than any generation before them. They are globally connected, ambitious, educated, and growing up in one of the world's fastest-changing countries. But beneath the optimism lies something else: pressure to constantly improve, build impressive careers, gain new qualifications, make their families proud, have a side-hustle, and somehow still figure out who they are along the way.

In this episode, Ian speaks with youth development advocate Ha Pham about the hidden pressures facing Vietnam's younger generation — from self-improvement culture and social media to family expectations, identity, ambition, and the fear of being or...

In this 70th episode, former US ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius shares a rare, first-hand view of Vietnam’s transformation; from post-war recovery to one of the most dynamic economies in the world today. We get into the long arc of Vietnam’s growth, the mindset driving its progress, and the optimism that continues to define it. And why, despite any challenges, Ted is still betting on Vietnam as a place to live, raise his family, and do business. 

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E-commerce in Vietnam is big, but it's about to get A LOT bigger. Right now, it’s sitting at around 12–15% of total retail. But it’s growing at 2–3x the speed of offline, and the way people buy in Vietnam is changing fast. In this episode, Ian Paynton sits down with Ryan Molloy, CEO of Redfern Digital, to break down what’s actually happening on the ground. 

We get into:

You know the score! Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world right now. But most global audiences and brands still don’t understand how it actually works. Sure, they see the headlines, but it's a difficult place to immediately understand from the outside. How to actually understand life on the ground? In this episode, Ian Paynton is joined by Huy Nguyen, CEO of Pencil Group, a network of cultural marketing agencies that looks at Vietnam through a different lens: not as a market, but as a set of communities, values, and behaviours that shape everything from de...

Triathlon participation in Vietnam has grown nearly 30x in a decade. And Danang is about to host its first full-distance Ironman. In this episode, Ian Paynton speaks to Rob Zamacona, the General Manager of Sunrise Events Vietnam, about what it really takes to build an event of that scale here. We unpack what Ironman's growth reveals about modern Vietnam: the power of community, how nothing important happens overnight, and why “reading the room” might be the most valuable business skill you can develop for getting things done in Vietnam.

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In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton is joined by Gauthier D'haenens, a Vietnamese-born Belgian adoptee who returned to Vietnam as an adult searching for his biological parents — and instead found a very different sense of belonging.

Gauthier shares his deeply personal journey of growing up feeling like an outsider in Europe, returning to Vietnam to reconnect with his roots, and ultimately choosing to build a life here despite never fully fitting into one box or another. Together, Ian and Gauthier explore what it means to live between cultures, how Vietnam can...

Vietnam is no longer just a fast-growing economy or a low-cost manufacturing hub. It is entering what many local leaders now call an era of rising — defined not only by economic momentum, but by diplomatic agility, cultural confidence, and a new generation reshaping the country’s future. In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton speaks with Hang Vu, Managing Partner at RSI Consulting, about what Vietnam’s rise really looks like on the ground — beyond GDP headlines and investor hype. Drawing on her experience as a corporate leader turned market-entry advisor, we unpack

Tết has always been Vietnam’s most important moment of the year — culturally, emotionally, and commercially. For some categories, it can account for up to 40–45% of annual sales. But something feels different now.

In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton sits down with Cimigo's Richard Burrage, a long-time Vietnam resident and one of the country’s most experienced consumer insight leaders, to unpack how Tết is changing — and why many brands and marketers haven’t caught up.

Drawing on nationwide consumer research and focus groups, Richard explains why Vietnam is spe...

Michaela Baur is the Country Director of GIZ Vietnam, a German development agency with more than 30 years of experience working in Vietnam. Today, Ian asks the question on the tip of everyone's tongue: Can Vietnam really become a high-income country by 2045 AND reach its net zero target by 2050? Michaela explains why Vietnam is choosing to pursue economic growth and emissions reduction in parallel, not sequentially, and why, while it's very ambitious, it's also very smart. She breaks down Vietnam’s four major reform thrusts for the next decade and why they’re being tackled together rather than in silos. Draw...

Vietnam is changing shape fast — but its soul hasn’t moved an inch. In this episode, Ian sits down with Vinamilk creative director Chieu Pham to unpack the cultural codes that remain constant beneath the country’s rapid transformation. From ancestor worship and family rituals to emotion-driven storytelling and Vietnam’s unique sense of humour, Chieu explains why global brands so often misread the market — and what they must understand to get it right. She shares 15 years of insight across ad agencies and national brands, and why authenticity beats polished cleverness every time. She also dives into gender dynamics inside Vie...

Vietnam’s economy is booming. Foreign factories are multiplying, GDP is surging, and global investors are calling it the next Asian powerhouse. But who’s really benefitting from this rapid growth? In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton speaks with journalist Lam Le, known for going beyond the headlines to tell the human-centred stories behind Vietnam’s economic rise. She explains what life looks like for the factory workers assembling products such as AirPods and MacBooks, and for gig-economy drivers caught in relentless algorithmic cycles. From ageing out of factory work at thirty-five to the quiet am...

Many foreign leaders arrive in Vietnam full of confidence — armed with a leadership style that’s worked everywhere else. But within weeks, frustration sets in. Teams seem hesitant, feedback is quiet, and quick wins are nowhere to be found. In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, cross-cultural leadership expert Julie Sivan joins Ian Paynton to unpack why leadership styles often don’t translate — and what you can do to make sure yours does. 

Julie explains the key mindset shift every foreign leader needs to make: trust comes before performance in Vietnam. She breaks down how hi...

"That grey area or that almost darkness within a conversation can be life and death. And if you don’t have the trust to be able to have an honest conversation, you can meet an impasse and never move forward," says CBRE's Lawrence Lennon, in this episode of You Don't Know Vietnam. Lawrence, who is Director of Capital Markets Services at CBRE, tells Ian Paynton about the forces driving Vietnam’s next economic leap. From record-breaking FDI and infrastructure spend to the surge in tourism and manufacturing, He explains why Vietnam’s growth story is one of the most compel...

What makes Vietnamese dining culture so unique—and why do so many global F&B brands stumble here? In this episode, Ian Paynton speaks with Loan Vu, hospitality expert and co-founder of SNL’s Diner in Hanoi. Loan shares how she’s adapted an American menu to fit Vietnamese tastes, from portion sizes to introducing turkey dinners, and why communal dining changes everything. We dive into the challenges of hiring and keeping staff in Vietnam’s high-turnover F&B sector, the importance of kindness and culture in retention, and why slow, brand-led marketing beats chasing quick trends. Loan also explains...

If you're on LinkedIn and interested in Vietnam, you've probably already heard of Benji Lamb. He's the founder and CEO of Asia Circles, a company that partners with global brands to help them break into Vietnam’s retail market. And one thing's for sure: he knows his stuff when it comes to e-commerce. We dive into his first-hand experience living through Shanghai’s e-commerce revolution and the striking parallels—and differences—he sees in Vietnam today. Benji breaks down modern trade vs. general trade and shelf commerce vs. push commerce, making sense of how brands really win in Vietnam’s fast-cha...

What’s really going on in Vietnam’s advertising scene? In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, we sit down with creative director Espin Hoan to unpack the fast, loud, and ever-changing world of Vietnamese advertising. We explore why copywriting rhythm matters in a tonal language like Vietnamese, why audio ads are having a golden moment, and what brands can learn from two very different campaigns — one that built genuine brand love, and another that left audiences feeling used (yes, we’re talking about that drone show). From Gen Z’s guerrilla-style brand activations to the need for more hea...

In this episode of You Don’t Know Vietnam, Ian Paynton travels (virtually) to Hai Phong — Vietnam’s third-largest city and rising industrial powerhouse — to speak with Koen Soenens, the Sales & Marketing Director of DEEP C, the European-managed industrial zone developer that’s been helping the shape economic growth in the region for nearly 30 years. Koen shares why Hai Phong is being compared to Shanghai, how Vietnam became a “safe bet” for global business, and what it really takes to succeed here: long-term commitment, local understanding, and community engagement. From bamboo diplomacy to air quality challenges, this episode is packed with gr...

In Vietnam’s fast-paced F&B landscape, where trends explode and vanish overnight, kombucha entrepreneur Faya Nguyen chose a different path — and it’s working. In this episode, Faya shares how she grew her brand Cultra Brewery from her parents’ garage into a premium kombucha supplier trusted by top hotels, restaurants, and wellness-minded consumers across Vietnam. We explore how slowing down helped her build long-term partnerships, why trust and transparency matter in Vietnam’s evolving business culture, and what other founders can learn from resisting the urge to scale fast. If you’ve ever wondered whether patience, craft, and care still h...

Meet Ankita Ghosh, a creative director and stand up comedian who is based in Ho Chi Minh City and runs Saigon International Comedy. In this episode of You Don't Know Vietnam, she talks about the state of stand up comedy in Vietnam right now, what you can joke about and what you can't, and how the comedy scene changes from north to south. She explains what it was like moving from Bangladesh to Vietnam as a creative director in advertising, and talks through her role on the Durex Vietnam account, which became famous nationwide for its hilarious always-on social...

Vietnam’s Gen Z may get all the attention but there’s another demographic with deep pockets and untapped potential. In this episode, Ian Paynton speaks with Lai Tien Manh, Managing Director of market research and branding agency MiBrand to uncover what global brands often miss when entering Vietnam. From the rise of local brands and the north–south cultural divide to the boom in digital payments and livestream commerce, Manh explains what’s changing fast — and what brands need to do to keep up. He also reveals why Vietnam’s over-60s, shaped by decades of war and quiet invest...

Thomas Binh Do is the Director for Global Business and Cooperation at VINASA, the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association. Using his experience working with more than 600 of Vietnam's tech companies, Thomas explains why Vietnam is so well positioned to become a tech and innovation hub in the region, and the country's vision to redefine the meaning of "Made in Vietnam". He describes the new mindset of Vietnam's young tech start up founders, and describes the sectors experiencing the most exciting innovations. He also shares his top tips for doing business in Vietnam and explains what you need to...

On the 50th episode of You Don't Know Vietnam, we talk to PR expert Minh Duc, who shares why 2025 is such a big year for Vietnam's PR and media sector. He reveals what you need to know about Vietnamese patriotism as a global brand and how you can avoid a big, ugly PR scandal. He also talks about how "social seeding" can be used to shift the online narrative in Vietnam (maybe more than you might expect!) and how you can build a good relationship with Vietnamese media professionals. He gives tips for global brands entering the market who...

Ho Thuy Tien and Thue Quist Thomassen from market research agency Decision Lab return to You Don’t Know Vietnam to break down their latest Connected Consumer Report — and what it means for brands. We dive into why Threads is exploding among Gen Z, how brands should approach audio platforms and live commerce, and why Vietnam’s ride-hailing and digital finance sectors are evolving fast. From the rise of Xanh SM to the blurring lines between e-wallets and banking apps, this episode is full of insights for anyone looking to stay ahead in Vietnam’s fast-moving digital landscape.

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Tammy Thi Phan is a Chief Digital Marketing Officer who spent most of her professional life overseas working for some of the biggest global brands. She spent eight years working at Google in Singapore—first as Head of Strategic Partnerships for Southeast Asia, and later as the Country Head of Marketing for Vietnam. She's now Chief Digital Marketing Officer at one of Vietnam's largest FMCG-retail conglomerates and is based out of Ho Chi Minh City. Today, Tammy shares what's wowed her most about her return to Vietnam. We talk about the importance of relationship building, and Vietnam's quickly changing co...

Cris D. Tran is a leading voice in Vietnam's blockchain space. He's the Regional General Manager Web3 (SEA) and Head of Growth (VN) at The Sandbox, a community-driven application that connects brands with gamers in the metaverse. Previously, he held leadership roles at Sovico Holdings, Infinity Blockchain Holding, and Frost & Sullivan, shaping the digital transformation landscape in Vietnam and beyond. Today, Cris tells us why Vietnam is so well positioned to become a blockchain powerhouse in the region and some of the challenges it faces along the way. He shares some of his favourite Vietnam-made blockchain projects to date...

Vietnam's market readiness signals are everywhere. And they are strong. GDP growth is solid YoY with no signs of slowing down, and Foreign Direct Investment is at record highs. But what should CEOs be doing to get beneath the headlines and avoid getting their market entry wrong? Jenny Nguyen, a market entry consultant at Incorp Vietnam has the answers. She helps global businesses and brands with all things compliance when it comes to entering the Vietnam market. In other words, she's got your ass covered! Today, Jenny shares what businesses need to do before jumping into Vietnam, and gives 6...

Quang Dung is the Chef Patron of Chapter Dining and Grill and Tales Saigon, which are two restaurants helping to raise the bar and push the boundaries in Vietnam's rapidly changing F&B scene. While Chapter in Hanoi takes its guests on a journey through Vietnam's northern mountains with an EPIC tasting menu and drinks pairing, Tales Saigon is Vietnam's first plant-based and zero waste restaurant, which opened its doors just weeks ago. Today, Dung shares why now is the most exciting time ever for Vietnam's hospitality sector. He describes the difference between building business trust in Vietnam's cities...

TK Nguyen is as high energy as the industry he's working in: Esports. As the CEO of GAM Entertainment, TK leads Vietnam's most successful Esports League of Legends team as they continue to represent Vietnam on the world stage. Today, TK tells me about the explosive growth of Esports in Vietnam, and how it's become a legitimate sport and career for Vietnam's young people. He tells me why Esports could be THE thing to put Vietnam on the global entertainment map, and what needs to happen to make this a reality. He breaks down what League of Legends is...

In this episode of #YouDontKnowVietnam, we speak to HR expert Hanh Ngo, who recruits teams for new hotels for the Intercontinental Hotel Group in Southeast Asia and Korea. With 15 years in HR, Hanh has a lot of insight to share with global brands or business owners who are looking to enter Vietnam to build a team. 

She explains the difference between a good workplace and bad workplace in Vietnam, and covers that all important topic at this time of the year: the Tet bonus. 

Is it REALLY compulsory? Why is it SO important? Do staff ex...

If your company is looking for a piece of the action in Vietnam this year, this episode is for you. In this instalment of You Don't Know Vietnam, Ian talks to Jerome Buzenet, a business lawyer with 20 years of experience in Vietnam.

As Partner at DFDL Vietnam, Jerome helps businesses enter and navigate the Vietnamese market, shedding light on the complexity and fast-paced nature of Vietnam's business landscape. 

Today, Ian and Jerome discuss key milestones that have shaped Jerome's understanding of doing business in Vietnam, including the influx of investment bankers in the early 2000s a...

If anyone knows about Vietnam's foodies it's Dao Chi Anh, the Director of Corporate Brand & Marketing at Golden Gate Restaurant Group. In her role, Chi Anh is across a massive 500 restaurants from 50 brands, from hotpot concepts such as Manwah to BBQ joints like Go Gi, plus steak houses, western restaurants and Vietnamese outlets, too. Today, Chi Anh tells me about her 14-year F&B journey in Vietnam, from a food blogger and entrepreneur and her recent return to the world of corporate. She explores the trends in Vietnam's F&B scene right now, how restaurant brands are adapting, and...

Angélique Masse Nguyen and Duong Phan founded NOI, an agency that helps brands understand and communicate better with Vietnamese women. In this episode, they explain how Vietnamese women hold most of the purchasing power in Vietnam but still feel underrepresented in Vietnam's advertising and media landscape. They give insight about women's spending behaviours and share tips on how brands and marketers can authentically connect to the head of the family firm. They explore what brands are doing right, what they are doing wrong, and discuss the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs here. 

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On this episode of You Don't Know Vietnam, we have the pleasure of talking to Michael Brosowski, the Founder and Strategic Director of Blue Dragon - a children's foundation that's been doing some of the most important and awe-inspiring work in Vietnam. To date, Blue Dragon has rescued almost 1,700 people from human trafficking. They've helped send 6,400 kids to school, placed almost 500 teens in jobs, and was instrumental in rescue efforts during the recent Typhoon Yagi and the subsequent landslides that ravaged through communities in northern Vietnam. Today, Michael talks about the darker sides of Vietnam's rapid economic development and...

Meet artist, DJ and producer Dan Nguyen, or Demonslayer. From archiving and reviving Californian V-wave from the 80s to DJing the Hollywood premiere of HBO's The Sympathizer, Dan has been representing Vietnamese creativity for as long as we can remember. Today, he tells us why Vietnam is finally getting the global recognition it deserves, what it was like growing up in a Vietnamese household in L.A, and what shocks him most when he returns. 

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Diep Hoang is a content creator and mother and baby influencer on the channel Love At First Shine. She also has a podcast with her husband where they talk openly about the challenges faced by couples in the modern Vietnamese family. On this episode of You Don't Know Vietnam Diep tells us about the pressures faced by young mums in Vietnam and how she juggles traditional Vietnamese values with modern parenting. She also shares how the Vietnamese family is changing, how Vietnamese women have all the purchasing power, and what brands should consider when attempting to market their products...