Liam (30, British) was formerly a software engineer in London, while Sarah (30, Canadian), his girlfriend, studied psychology with plans to become a teacher.

The couple met online during the COVID-19 outbreak, and later began to look for a suitable place to live.

In 2023, the couple came to Vietnam with a plan to stay for one year so Sarah could experience teaching. They knew Vietnam had many beautiful landscapes, attractive food, and friendly people, but they did not expect to "adapt to local life so quickly."

Every day, the young couple is surprised by finding street meals that are "better than a restaurant" and learning simple Vietnamese words to connect with people.

Instead of feeling like strangers in a new land, Liam and Sarah have felt closer to the country. Vietnam "meets every criterion" they set when looking for a destination to live long-term, they said.

Not only is the cost reasonable, but it also has incredibly diverse scenery, from mountains, rivers, and seas to modern cities and a unique culture. "We feel happier living here. Each day starts with joy, excitement, and positive energy.”

The couple says they will never forget their first time celebrating Lunar New Year in Vietnam. In Sa Pa (Lao Cai), a kind family invited Liam and Sarah into their home to celebrate Tet.

"We were invited to participate in all activities during the holiday, gathered with the family on a mat, enjoyed local meals, drank plenty of home-infused rice wine, received lucky money, and had the opportunity to learn deeper about Vietnamese traditions. We were immersed in the warm affection of the local people, enjoying happy days in a peaceful and beautiful land," the couple shared.

The experience made them feel "very welcome", and that Vietnam was not a "strange place." Finally, instead of staying for one year, the couple decided to commit long-term.

An unexpected new job

About six months after moving to Vietnam, the couple began recording their daily life and posting stories on TikTok and Instagram. Initially, they did this just to update friends and family on "what life in Vietnam is actually like."

However, from shares made "for fun," their content quickly attracted the attention of viewers around the world.

Currently, Liam and Sarah's platforms attract more than 300,000 followers, generating tens of millions of views each month. The couple said that every day, they answer a large volume of messages about travel and experiences in Vietnam. 

"We have become busy but full of excitement.”

This prompted them to shift toward becoming travel content creators. They want to spread the happiness they felt coming to Vietnam to as many people as possible.

In their exploring of Vietnam, Ha Giang (now part of Tuyen Quang province) and Da Lat (Lam Dong) are the two destinations that have left the deepest impression on Liam and Sarah.

Like many other international guests, the couple was overwhelmed when witnessing the spectacular scenery of Ha Giang with their own eyes, from winding mountain passes to stretching terraced fields and remote yet poetic villages. They loved it so much that they have returned 5-6 times and are planning further exploration.

"Unlike Ha Giang, Da Lat is an 'underrated' destination in the eyes of international guests. But when coming here, we were conquered by the cool, fresh climate, lush green pine hills, waterfalls, and peaceful space," the couple shared.

They are also "infatuated with the rich coffee" in Da Lat and consider it one of their favorite flavors in their journey through Vietnam.

Over the past years, Liam and Sarah have traveled through many provinces and cities, enjoying cuisine across all three regions. They said that in Vietnam, there are many delicious eateries "hidden" in small alleys. 

For example, in the heart of bustling Da Nang, they found a small, simple Bun Bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup) shop where the flavor was "not inferior to high-end restaurants."

“The meat was stewed so tender that it almost fell off the bone. The broth was rich and fragrant,” Sarah shared.

Khanh Linh - Linh Trang