
E65: What GDP headlines don’t tell you about Vietnam’s 'era of rising'
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 diplo...
27 Tammi 33min

E64: Let’s talk about Tết, baby — has Vietnam’s biggest holiday changed forever?
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 d...
12 Tammi 30min

E63: Reduce emissions AND grow economically? Why Vietnam can do both
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...
8 Joulu 202545min

E62: Keeping soul, changing shape: Vietnam’s evolving identity
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 ...
17 Marras 202533min

E61: Factory towns, gig work, and the untold side of Vietnam’s economic boom
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 ...
3 Marras 202532min

E60: Why foreign leadership styles fail in Vietnam (and how to fix yours!)
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, ...
20 Loka 202534min

E59: Navigating the grey area that can decide life or death for business in Vietnam
"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 f...
7 Loka 202530min

E58: Eat alone? Not in Vietnam — the F&B localisation playbook
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 ...
22 Syys 202536min




















