“Living in South Korea… my eyes were bugging out of my head on vacation in Saigon.”

Mischa Smith was one of the first guests on A Vietnam Podcast in 2019!

Niall and Mischa revisit the dramatic changes in Saigon over the past eight years, highlighting the city's evolution from swamps to modern buildings.

Mischa, a long-term resident of Saigon and former sales director of Pasteur Street Brewing Company, the episode delves into their shared experiences and how both the city and their careers have developed.

Mischa shares nostalgic stories about the emerging craft beer scene in Saigon, comparing it to his time in South Korea.

They discuss the constantly changing landscape of Saigon’s food and beverage industry, touching on the growing presence of international brands and the resilient local culture.

The episode also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and joys of being part of Saigon’s vibrant community while offering insights into the podcast's growth and future plans.

Key Takeaways:

1.Saigon’s Transformation: Saigon has changed drastically over the years, with modern developments continuously bumping up against the city’s old, traditional elements .

2.Craft Beer Scene Growth: The craft beer scene in Saigon was nonexistent when Mischa arrived, but it has since exploded, starting with pioneers like Pasteur Street Brewing Company .

3.Comparison of Korea and Vietnam: Mischa contrasts his experience in Korea, where the foreigner population was mostly ESL teachers and U.S. military, with Saigon, where he encountered people from various backgrounds and industries .

4.Career Shifts: Mischa’s transition from teaching ESL to becoming a sales director for Pasteur Street Brewing was influenced by his passion for craft beer and the opportunity to help grow the industry in Vietnam .

5.Challenges in the Spirits Industry: Mischa discussed the challenges of working in the spirits industry versus beer, noting that small brands face significant competition from large corporations with massive budgets.

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Episode Sponsors:

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

Tenzing Pacific - I highly recommend them for their professional advice related to personal, family, and business insurance.

The full list of winners is here. 

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