Whilst they’re on hiatus, What’s Your Story focuses on the journey of one of the pioneers of Saigon and Vietnam’s expat indie/rock scene — Coastal Connection — and their progress over the decade so far.

Bottles of Tiger beer are ordered. Fans wearing dark T-shirts, silver necklaces, and large boots stand ready near the stage. An attention-grabbing bass guitar reverberates around the room, the drums kick in, and deep vocals pierce through the microphone. It’s a classic, old-school live rock gig in Vietnam; a welcome escape from drum-and-bass-inspired VinaHouse and quintessential karaoke, often (horrifically) bellowed through microphones on Saturday nights in Saigonese alleys.

The audience gathers in an intimate space to savour a traditional indie/rock set by an original artist. Coastal Connection are on stage, about to deliver.

Their presence in the Saigon music scene has been one of consistency and evolution. Since their formation, they’ve built a legacy that includes nationwide and international tours (Cambodia), a record deal, and two studio albums — all while navigating a completely different cultural environment thousands of miles from their respective homes. Their story is one that deserves exploration.

One of the most challenging things somebody can do in their young life is move country — particularly from the Western world to Vietnam here in Southeast Asia. Whilst beautiful, liberating, and rich with opportunities for personal growth and self-exploration, it’s still a remarkably different culture and undoubtedly has its tough points. When asked how to survive and thrive abroad, many expats describe the importance of finding a hobby; something purposeful to focus on. Without that anchor, loneliness and isolation can become paramount.

The members of Coastal Connection had all been involved in music from a young age, playing a variety of instruments and pursuing everything from guitar and bass to drums and choir. Family members, too, seemed to share musical backgrounds. Music was in their blood. After several auditions, the foundations were laid and the band was formed.

Why the name Coastal Connection? Coasts was the initial idea — but it was taken by a UK band with an established online presence. A pivot was required. “Coastal Connection” was plucked instead. It stuck and it stayed.

From coming together in late 2019, the four (sometimes five)-piece act have been regular fixtures on the expat music scene ever since. Their early days were spent getting gigs around their home of Ho Chi Minh City, playing numerous acoustic and rock shows, building their following, establishing rhythm, and gaining traction.

They often played in places like Yoko Café D1, 3 Monkeys in Bình Thạnh, and Soma in Thảo Điền, covering classic rock tracks such as Oasis’ Supersonic and Green Day’s Holiday. There were collaborations with other local artists too, including Umbrella Man and Anesthetic Youth. They were making themselves known in local music circles and proving they were here to stay.

The band first appeared on the ComebaCK podcast Cold Ones With Conor in April 2021 — the first of several appearances on the platform. Throughout these hour-long conversations, fuelled by the cracking of cans, quirky questions, and general camaraderie, the band updated listeners on upcoming plans: where they were heading and what they hoped to do. Their aim was to ultimately play a whole set of original Coastal Connection songs rather than rely on covers, and they planned on writing much more material.

Soon after the first interview’s release, the pandemic took over Vietnam. Saigon faced a strict lockdown, and the summer of 2021 was spent staring at the same four walls for those inside the city. Gigs were paused. During the break, the band experimented with music and plotted their future direction for when restrictions eased.

Once normality resumed, television called. They made their debut on the Rock Việt TV show, reaching the national Top 20. They continued releasing songs such as ‘Can You Read My Mind’, ‘Trash Mountain’, and ‘Peace of Mind’. These blended rock with reflection and proved popular with the crowds summoned at their shows. Attendances rose quickly, and gigs came thick and fast.

Continuing in Saigon and across the country, with shows in Districts 1 and 2 — popular expat enclaves — they kept exploring their sound. The fan base grew, enjoying their high-energy performances and commitment to the craft. A community formed at their shows: familiar faces mingling and friendships forming.

Assembling a band is no mean feat, particularly amid an expat experience that can feel transient. So, despite several lineup changes, they persevered, and their presence remained prevalent.

It’s not all rock and roll in the life of a rock band either. There’s a heap of unseen challenges audiences never witness.

It’s easy to look at world-renowned rock groups like Green Day or Blink-182 and assume that’s the setup for all. It’s a very different story for millions of bands lower down the ladder — without an international following, an agent, or a manager.

Not only are there performances and rehearsals while aligning everyone’s schedules, there’s everything else: ticket sales, venue hunting, logistics, carrying the equipment around, social media marketing, networking, arranging collaborations, and more. Everything falls on the band’s shoulders alongside the music. It’s not all glamour.

Other bands might have quit in the face of these stumbling blocks. Coastal Connection continued regardless of the challenges.

In 2022, their hard work was rewarded when they signed with MMusic, a Vietnamese-based distribution label. It gave them space to develop their discography further.

Their first album, Lost in Saigon, was released in 2023 to critical acclaim, drawing a new legion of fans from across the country. At their album show in December 2023, a local Vietnamese supporter politely requested autographs while singing along to every single lyric from the record. Another — perhaps the author of this article — won a signed poster.

Their most-played Spotify track, The Highway, stands out as a classic rock track, perhaps a homage to crossing the Thảo Điền Bridge in Saigon. Hey Momma touches on loss and grief. Peace of Mindexplores its song title. Their portfolio was growing.

2024 continued with a series of shows; however, no longer confined to the Saigon scene, the band headed north to Hanoi, playing for another expat crowd and broadening their appeal. Never content to settle, they also went international, performing in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap during a Cambodia tour in the summer of 2024 — stretching beyond their comfort zone little by little.

In late 2025, their second album arrived — a batch of songs capturing where the band stood in its odyssey. There’s the punchy, bombastic ‘Know It Now’. There’s the mellow, reflective ‘Expectations’, looking back at leaving hometowns and questioning what they were once “meant” to do. And there’s ‘Same Old Habits’ (perhaps an ode to James Clear’s bestseller), reflecting on blind spots which we all carry. Overall, the record explores self-growth and moving forward into the next chapter of their young lives.

In many ways, it’s a fitting point for a pre-hiatus pause. Documenting their journey through the Cold Ones With Conor – ComebaCK episodes felt cathartic — like watching a coming-of-age story unfold in real time.

Their concerts blended rock-loving expats with curious local fans, all compelled to personally explore the rock scene. Sold-out venues, shoulder to shoulder, rib to rib, supporting a band that cultivated an inclusive atmosphere. With a diverse catalogue and refined stage presence from years of practice, their shows combined energy and enthusiasm.

A lot of people secretly harbour musical ambitions — to sing, dance, write songs, express themselves. Yet through lack of belief, confidence, fear of judgment, or logistical frustration, nothing ever happens and the dream dies.

What Coastal Connection represents is evidence of what’s possible. Regardless of conditions, the music can live on. Their story so far offers a template for aspiring musicians — expats and locals alike — in Saigon, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Perhaps one day they will ComebaCK (pun fully intended). But for now, while they’re on hiatus, it feels right to commemorate and reflect on their impact to date while wishing them well in their current and future endeavours.

To listen to their work and archives 👇

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2H8CvWr48vwlGvUFI4yw7z?si=LUi37854TWak3pHiRv4spg

Albums:

Lost In Saigon: https://open.spotify.com/album/2KAGZjHVt6ljZsn3blIFPY?si=rWZ_t7PLSyaunIloKaEF0A

MIND PALACE: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Djez7HgIZXVGJsoNfQSmN?si=nx5tQ96KTJuGdNNTf_PPAQ

ComebaCK Podcast: Cold Ones With Conor - Coastal Connection Archives

#1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/02Hg1gTYv8lQCUIIUbC35V?si=2Pdq1hrNRwipx4EYUgLN3Q

#2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mc59xBJc8r76ukmvYDMHp?si=R7w1Jfm-RbGsXcXVJheNCw

#3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/28CUsnhZkY7ndXUFJnbdch?si=eQR3XdrDQjS5GmvcM3zxTw

#4: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kYeNnAKGP9fOo2Z2qRuiW?si=Z6L03ZsMQJ6IrPeVqEL3dQ

#5: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1WfVdlTQjR5nXm6iLe0cXL?si=jXoKUHjeSsmMbh9EZdaT5Q