Wrapping up the Vietnam trip
I have been in Vietnam for about seven weeks now, and we will be wrapping up our stay next week.
Recently, I have been spending some time reflecting on how I have experienced and felt Vietnam so far. Usually, every new country comes with a sense of wonder, excitement, and, inevitably, some judgmental assumptions about the culture and the people.
I would like to keep as much distance as possible from the judgmental part of that process. But we are human, not angels.
What is Vietnam to me
I found Vietnam to be a relaxed country. In general, People do not seem to look stressed. They do not earn that much in life, but they are happy with earning less but having less stressful jobs.
I found Vietnam to be a relaxed country. In general, people do not seem overly stressed. They may not earn as much as people in some other countries, but many seem content earning less while having less stressful jobs.
This country is too hot, at least too hot for me. Since early April, depending on where I have been, temperatures have fluctuated between 32 and 40 degrees Celsius, and of course it often feels even hotter.
I sometimes wonder whether the climate influences the pace of life here.
On the other hand, the Japanese who are working here seem to have kept their work habits. We are currently living in the Kim Ma area of Hanoi, and I believe many Japanese companies are concentrated in this neighborhood.
I frequently visit a Japanese grocery store near our apartment, Tomibun, and often see Japanese employees there picking up their dinners after work (around 9 PM). They do not look particularly happy. Their faces seem tired and downcast.
Of course, I have no idea what is actually going on in their lives, and perhaps I am completely wrong. My only observation is that the weather alone does not necessarily change people's behaviour!
It is true that Gab has been working full-time throughout our stay, so we have not spent much time doing tourist activities. We have mostly stayed in our apartment, going out in the evenings and on weekends. Still, I feel I have spent enough time outside to form a general impression of the country.
Sense of Mystery
In Thailand, I felt a stronger sense of wonder than I do in Vietnam. I am not exactly sure why.
In Thailand, I sensed a certain mystery in the temples, the rocky hills, the buildings, and even the people. I hope it is not simply because my excitement-sensing muscles are slowly getting atrophied…
Language
I am amazed by the way Vietnamese developed as a language. It is remarkable how so many subtle sounds can be used to convey different meanings between words that sound almost identical to my ears.
For me, distinguishing Vietnamese words is extremely difficult, and It makes me appreciate how effortlessly native speakers navigate all those nuances.
What I will bring home
What I am taking away from this séjour in Vietnam is a greater respect for differences in language and worldview. I can clearly see that the Vietnamese way of seeing the world differs from that of a typical North American.
Perhaps we take life more seriously than necessary. Thinking of that, I am reminded of a saying by Alan Watts:
“Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun”
March 31st, 2026
Hoian, Vietnam