Annika, known as Anni (born in 1995), is a pharmacist from Kassel, Germany. A passionate traveler, she has visited 50 countries, but Vietnam remains the destination that left the strongest impression on her.

“I first came to Vietnam in December 2022. After only three days of exploring, I knew my heart belonged here,” Anni said.

She returned to Vietnam in July 2023, leaving her job in Germany behind and spending an entire year in the country. When her visa expired, she had no choice but to return home, carrying with her an overwhelming sense of longing for the S-shaped nation.

Back in Germany for five months, Anni cooked Vietnamese food every day to ease her homesickness. She studied Vietnamese and obtained a certificate to teach English so she could find work and settle in Vietnam when the opportunity came.

“I knew I had to come back because my heart told me so. I wanted to be ready for everything,” she said.

At the end of 2024, guided once again by her heart, Anni returned to Vietnam. This time, she traveled to the Mekong Delta, eager to experience life in the river region.

During that journey, she unexpectedly met the man who would become her life partner - Khanh Tuong (born in 1993), from Ca Mau.

They crossed paths at a coffee shop in Rach Gia, in what was then Kien Giang Province. Curious to hear a foreign woman ordering drinks fluently in Vietnamese, Tuong struck up a conversation. What began as a brief chat quickly developed into a friendship.

“His smile was beautiful. It left a special impression on me,” Anni recalled.

During her week in the region, Tuong took her to visit several places, especially Can Tho. Both were drawn to the city's peaceful pace of life and lush green surroundings. Feelings gradually grew between them, though neither was ready to say anything.

“When I took a coach to Ho Chi Minh City to catch my flight back to Germany for Christmas, Tuong followed me on his motorbike without me knowing. Only after arriving in the city did he call and ask if he could accompany me to the airport. At that moment, I knew he truly cared about me and that we would meet again,” Anni said.

Crossing 9,000km to be together

Although she had planned to stay in Germany for a while, meeting Tuong changed everything. Just three weeks after saying goodbye at the airport, Anni traveled more than 9,000km from Germany back to Can Tho, where Tuong was living and working.

Even after reuniting, neither of them knew exactly how their future would unfold. But the strength of their feelings gave them the courage to overcome every obstacle.

“Our dream was simple - a normal life, a family, and a place where we could share cultures and languages together. Being together meant leaving our old lives behind and starting a completely new chapter. It was a difficult decision, but also an incredibly happy one,” Anni said.

With the support of both families, the couple married and settled in Can Tho, a city they had both come to love.

Far from her family, Anni worked hard to adapt to a new culture, learn a new language and build an independent life in Vietnam. While she loved the country, adjusting to a permanent life here required patience and determination.

In July 2025, Anni became pregnant with their first child. She decided to give birth in Vietnam so the young family could remain together. The experience, however, was not easy, especially without her parents by her side.

“We took care of our baby together. Throughout that time, Tuong was always there to love, support and protect me. His parents in Ca Mau frequently called to check on me and make sure I was doing well. They have always treated me with great kindness and affection,” she said.

Today, the family lives and works in Can Tho. They rent a spacious house with a garden and are planning to open a small café in the future.

They hope the space will become a meeting point for locals and international visitors - somewhere people can comfortably share languages, cultures and experiences. Above all, they want their daughter to enjoy a happy childhood in the peaceful environment they have found there.

Anni says she is living a joyful life with her husband and daughter, embracing everything she loves about Vietnam - the country she hopes to call home for many years to come.

She enjoys fresh tropical fruit, loves the sour soup her husband cooks, and often visits temples for quiet moments of reflection. She also treasures the warmth of everyday life in Vietnam and the genuine curiosity of those around her.

People often ask questions such as: “How did you learn Vietnamese?” or “Why do you like living in Vietnam?”

Surrounded by such warmth and kindness, Anni says every day feels meaningful.

Thanh Minh