Escaping Saigon: Our Glamping Adventure Just an Hour Away | On The Road with Niall and Adrie #15
"Everything we do in Saigon, we're like, 'We don't do this enough.'" - Niall
This episode perfectly captures why I love living in Vietnam — the spontaneity, the constant surprises, and how quickly you can go from urban chaos to countryside magic. What started as a simple glamping trip turned into one of our most memorable adventures yet.
Driving on that unfinished highway felt like discovering a secret part of Vietnam that most people will never experience. The workers painting the lines just smiled and waved at us — classic Vietnam hospitality. And then watching those fishermen launch their boats at full speed onto the road? I've never seen anything like it.
But honestly, the whole day reminded me why we're still not "done" with Saigon after all these years. There's always something new to discover, always another ferry to catch or countryside road to explore. Even Biscuit seemed to love every minute of it.
Key Moments:
Ferry crossing for 20 cents with trucks and motorbikes
My ongoing frustration with espresso machines replacing traditional Vietnamese coffee
Stumbling onto an unopened highway and just... driving on it
Meeting friendly locals who weren't fazed by foreigners on their construction site
Watching boats literally drive up onto the road at sunset
Injuring myself four different ways at a water park (peak Niall behavior)
Chapters and Time-stamps:
00:00 - Setting Off: Cat Lai Ferry & Escaping Saigon Chaos
03:00 - Breakfast Hunt: When Everything's Sold Out by 9 AM
06:00 - Ferry Crossing: Old School Saigon Transport
10:00 - Food Discovery: Why Random Places Have the Best Meals
13:00 - Coffee Crisis: The Death of Traditional Vietnamese Coffee
18:00 - Timeout Glamping: Dog-Friendly Countryside Escape
20:00 - Rice Paddies & Water Buffalo Hunt
27:00 - The Unfinished Highway Discovery
30:00 - Sunset & Boat Launching Madness
35:00 - Golden Scorpion Water Park Injuries
42:00 - Bu Resort: A More Upmarket Hidden Gem
47:00 - Highway Redux: Google Maps Hasn't Caught Up
50:00 - Sugar Cane Juice & Ferry HomeThis Season is sponsored by Premier Dental.
The full list of winners is here.
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Vietnam Podcast: Culture, Community & Conversations
Host Niall Mackay takes you on a journey through the vibrant and diverse culture of modern Vietnam.
Niall focuses on personal stories and experiences of both himself and guests, sharing insights into the everyday life of people connected to Vietnam.
From artists and entrepreneurs, locals and Viet Kieu, expats and Vietnamese worldwide and members of the LGBTQ community, this podcast offers a unique perspective on this rapidly developing country.
With engaging discussions and thought-provoking insights, A Vietnam Podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in exploring the rich culture of modern Vietnam.
- No. of episodes: 355
- Latest episode: 2025-06-11
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