Mundane in Vietnam, double-take by expat

Speaking to VnExpress, he expressed his astonishment at this. “It is strange that they take the time to stop just out of curiosity,” the 29-year-old Englishman, who lived in Thu Duc City, says.

The teacher an international school has witnessed similar scenes dozens of times in the five years since.

During the first few months in Vietnam he had a habit of riding his motorbike around the city’s central streets. Once he saw a car-motorbike collision in District 5 that drew a crowd. Initially two or three people gathered and then seven or eight motorbikes stopped to observe while waiting for the police.

They chatted, expressed concern for the victims, and some tried to take photos. This happened with all unusual events such as arguments, fights and even fires, he says.

This habit also often frustrates him since it means he has to wade through the crowd, which also blocks traffic, while in a hurry.

“But when I looked back from a different perspective, I realised they didn’t stop just to be spectators but were always willing to help strangers in trouble,” he says. “Few people would give up their personal time like that.”

He admires this cultural trait of the Vietnamese after witnessing many people stopping to help accident victims, move them to safety, monitor their condition, and call the authorities.

People gather on Vo Van Kiet Street in District 5, HCMC, to watch a fire in April 2024. Photo by VnExpress/ Ngoc Ngan

Charles, 31, recalls the first photo he took after moving to HCMC in 2019 and sent to friends. It showed people stretched out on massage chairs in a bustling shopping centre.

He says: “The noise coming from the children’s play area did not stop them from relaxing.”

This impression was reinforced when he lived in Tan Phu District and saw people napping in cafes despite loud music. He even saw workers lying on sidewalks amidst the noise of traffic and passers-by.

People also invited him to sing karaoke to relax, a virtually indispensable aspect of Vietnamese parties, even if the singing sometimes made it hard to hear each other.

Having travelled to 15 countries, the Englishman finds this the most curious aspect. “I’m fascinated by the Vietnamese ability to rest and relax amidst noise. This seems to be a society with high trust, where people feel comfortable sleeping around strangers.”

Locals exercise along the Han River in Da Nang in May 2024. Photo by VnExpress/ Nguyen Dong

Charles and Josh are among the 60% of foreigners who experience culture shock when living in Vietnam, according to a survey by recruitment group Navigos.

The common reasons include the language barrier, differences between expectations and reality and a lack of understanding of the community. Most foreigners admit they were unprepared mentally before coming here.

Nevertheless, Vietnam remains one of the most desired destinations for international migrants in Southeast Asia, with 30% wanting to work here, followed by Singapore at 24% and Thailand at 17%.

Some 50% wish to live in Vietnam due to interest in its culture and working environment, according to Navigos.

In 2024 Vietnam had the lowest cost of living for expatriates, according to InterNations.

Baro Mohamed in Ho Chi Minh City, June 2024. Photo courtesy of Baro Mohamed

This welcoming environment and unique lifestyle are why Egyptian Mohamed Baro, 48, has never felt bored in Vietnam during his six years here.

He recounts how, during a vacation in Ben Tre, he woke up to pray at 4 a.m., and was surprised to see from the hotel balcony many people walking along a riverbank. He had counted around 50-60 people divided into several groups. “I panicked, thinking something serious was happening.”

But a few minutes later he realised they were just exercising, something he had never seen in Egypt. “Vietnamese people like to wake up early.” In his country, adults usually get up at 7 a.m., do their ablutions, have breakfast, and head to work by 9 a.m.

Children start school at around 8 a.m. and so do not need to wake up before 6 a.m.

But it is different in Vietnam, after the shock in Ben Tre, he learns that it’s normal for Vietnamese to wake up before dawn.

He notices that his neighbours, especially older people, often wake up early to work out. The areas around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and the beaches in Da Nang are always crowded with joggers in the morning, full of energy and ready to start the day.

In June a video shared on the social media platform of Digital Nomads showing people exercising in Vietnam at 5 a.m., got four million views.

Baro says he saw it and found it very exciting. “This habit makes them healthier and happier.”