After exploring Southeast Asia, a Finnish traveler chose to spend seven months living in Nha Trang and is now considering a permanent move.
A short stop in Vietnam during a broader journey across Southeast Asia turned into a life-changing experience for Kristians, better known as Kris, a 33-year-old traveler from Finland. What was meant to be a brief visit eventually led him to spend seven months living in Nha Trang, one of Vietnam's most popular coastal cities.
A destination that won him over with scenery, food and people
"The moment I arrived in Vietnam, I felt there was something special here that I hadn't found in other places I had visited," Kris said.
"I love the positive atmosphere and the balanced pace of life. Nha Trang is an ideal place for foreigners because it offers beautiful beaches, a pleasant climate, modern conveniences and easy transportation."
For Kris, the seven months he spent in Nha Trang, located in Khanh Hoa Province, were filled with excitement and happiness. Working in the field of social sciences, he found Vietnam's culture particularly fascinating and was eager to learn more about it.
In November 2025, Kris rented a home in northern Nha Trang and settled into daily life. Alongside his work, he spent time at the gym, visited coffee shops, walked along the beach and documented everyday moments through photos and videos.
"Vietnam's coffee culture is unique. Cafés are not simply places to drink coffee. They are part of everyday life, where people meet, talk and share emotions. I enjoy observing that rhythm of life, and it's also a great way for me to practice basic Vietnamese," he said.
Kris quickly fell in love with Nha Trang's natural beauty, food and welcoming residents.
Kris fell in love with Nha Trang because of its scenery, food and friendly people.
Although he initially experienced culture shock and needed time to adjust, the openness and friendliness of local people helped him feel at home.
"Nha Trang is the place where I have lived the longest outside Europe. At first, my family and friends were surprised by my decision. But when they saw how happy I was and how enthusiastically I talked about Vietnam, they became fully supportive," he said.
The city's food scene also became one of his favorite aspects of life in Vietnam.
During his stay, Kris tried fresh squid, a wide variety of shellfish and local specialties such as tom mam nhi, a dish made with fresh shrimp and premium fish sauce.
Tom mam nhi is a signature seafood specialty of Vietnam's south-central coast. Fresh shrimp are peeled, cleaned and lightly cured with lime juice or mustard to preserve their freshness and texture. The sauce is prepared using pure anchovy fish sauce from Nha Trang, combined with garlic and chili to create a rich, spicy flavor.
When Kris posted a video showing himself skillfully mixing and eating the dish with chopsticks, many Vietnamese social media users expressed surprise. Some commented that even many locals hesitate to try the specialty, while he seemed to enjoy it with ease.
Street foods such as banh can and nem nuong also became favorites. Kris even bought several small red plastic stools and placed them on his apartment balcony so he could enjoy pho and coffee in the same style as many locals.
Speaking with VietNamNet, Kris said he returned to Europe in early June to visit family and plans to come back to Vietnam around October.
"Good people are everywhere"
Street foods such as banh can and nem nuong became some of his favorite dishes during his stay.
Kris celebrated Tet in Da Lat with a Vietnamese family, an experience he describes as one of the highlights of his time in Vietnam. Photos: Courtesy of the subject
One of Kris's most memorable experiences was the severe flooding that hit Nha Trang in November 2025.
Although his home was not directly affected, many parts of the city were heavily flooded and transportation was disrupted.
"I was shocked because I had never seen flooding like that before," he recalled. "But what impressed me most was how people supported one another. Donation points and community relief efforts appeared everywhere. That spirit of solidarity is something I deeply admire about Vietnamese people."
During his time in Vietnam, Kris also traveled extensively, visiting Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku and Da Lat. Earlier journeys had taken him to Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho.
Among those experiences, spending Tet in Da Lat in early 2026 remains one of his most cherished memories.
Invited by a Vietnamese friend, Kris celebrated Lunar New Year with the family. He wore an ao dai, exchanged New Year greetings, received lucky money and enjoyed banh chung and traditional family meals.
"Tet reminds me of Christmas in Europe because both holidays bring families together," he said. "But Tet has its own unique cultural identity. What impressed me most was the strong family bond and connection between generations. Everyone cooks together, visits relatives and takes part in religious and cultural traditions."
Kris believes life in Nha Trang has brought positive changes to both his physical and mental well-being.
He has also created a TikTok account that serves as a personal diary where he shares his experiences and observations about life in Vietnam.
"Nha Trang will always hold a special place in my heart. I have friends there and so many wonderful memories," he said. "I'm trying to learn Vietnamese and I'm seriously considering making Vietnam my long-term home."
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