WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COME TO VIETNAM/HCMC (IF VIETNAMESE)?
My wife and I came here on vacation in 2015. We are like most people who fell in love with this wonderful place. We came back to get our teaching certificate as part of a year-long trip, intended to stay for 6 weeks, and now we’re in our sixth year!
LIVED IN THAO DIEN FOR…?
2 years
ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THAO DIEN
Eat, drink and walk! We’ve lived all over Saigon, and we love being able to walk around the neighborhoods. And we love the community feel here, and that we’ll nearly always bump into someone we know and have a chat.
FAVORITE FOOD
Com tam!
FAVORITE COLOR
Blue
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU
I moved to America, Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam with the intention of staying less than a year. Each of them I ended up living there for a minimum of 4 years!
I am the founder & host of Seven Million Bikes, a Vietnam Podcast, and a comedian.
I’ve been a fan of comedy my whole life and Podcasts since they pretty much started. Both of these started as a hobby but were both going really well to the point where I was considering making it my full-time business. When my contract wasn’t renewed at the end of 2020 due to covid cuts, it was a massive sign that it was the right time to pursue Seven Million Bikes full time.
In the morning, I wake up just like everyone else, then I normally check social media and make a post. After that, often most of the morning is taken up promoting and organizing the next event we have on, then I’ll normally be editing a podcast or updating the website. We have quiz night every Tuesday, so normally most of that day is spent making and preparing the quiz. In the evenings, if I have an event on, I’ll perform and host that. We can have events on any night of the week, so I’m often working from morning until night, seven days a week.
Like most people who start a business, I work more now than I ever have for less financial reward and stability. But I love what I’m doing, so it is worth it, especially when you see people enjoying your event or a message from someone about how much a difference the podcast has made to them.
Thao Dien is a ward located in District 2, near Ho Chi Minh City’s central district.
Thao Dien is bordered by the panoramic Saigon River and the Xa Lo Ha Noi highway. The shape of Thao Dien sheds light as to why it’s often referred to as “the bubble”.
It’s that “bubble” that gives Thao Dien a distinct village feel, a close community within a city.
With less traffic and more tree-lined streets the air is fresher and the surroundings more peaceful.
At roughly 3.5km2 Thao Dien is home to many expats, attracted by the large number of international schools, fine dining, shops and more . East meets West here, in a friendly blend of cultural diversity.
Thao Dien boasts a plethora of entertaining social activities, conveniently located in one place. The main streets and every road or “Hem” in between is thriving with a diversification of vibrant shops, restaurants, street food, cafes, bars, and much more.
The cuisine on offer is extremely varied making Thao Dien a great place to eat, drink, and be merry with family and friends.
