Yuko (born 1995, from Osaka, Japan) has spent several years living and working in HCMC. For her, Vietnam is not just a place to explore or chase dreams, but a source of inspiration and a reason to live.

Yuko shared that she had dreamed of becoming an architect since childhood. During high school, she worked tirelessly toward that goal.

At 18, she passed the entrance exam to enter the major she wished for, and moved to a new city to begin her independent life. However, the intense academic pressure and heavy workload left her physically and mentally exhausted. 

Eventually, she dropped out, giving up what had once been her dream. To her, it wasn’t just a failure, but the most painful period of her life.

Hoping to lift her spirits and help rediscover joy, Yuko’s father took her on a trip to Vietnam. Their destination: HCM City.

“That trip changed my direction, and my life,” Yuko recalled.

Arriving in HCMC, Yuko was overwhelmed by the city’s vibrant energy. What struck her most was the genuine happiness she saw on people’s faces, whether it was a parking attendant, a woman singing karaoke on the sidewalk, office workers clinking beer glasses after working hours, or students grabbing street food from vendors. Regardless of age or occupation, they all seemed joyful.

“I love the open, friendly lifestyle of Vietnamese people. Homes with doors wide open create a sense of connection between inside and outside. It feels like there are no walls between people,” she said.

But what touched her heart most is the Vietnamese language.

“The sound of it was like music to me. Listening to people speak made me feel like I was hearing a melody. Right then, all I wanted was to learn to speak Vietnamese. For someone like me, who had lost her way after giving up her biggest dream, discovering the Vietnamese language felt like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.”

After returning to Japan, Yuko found herself thinking about Vietnam every day. Six months later, she passed the entrance exam to a new university and began studying Vietnamese, nurturing the dream of returning to live in Vietnam.

In 2017, that dream came true. Yuko became an international student at a university in HCMC, and decided to stay long-term.

Becoming a daughter-in-law in Da Nang

Yuko’s bond with Vietnam deepened even further when she met Huynh Quoc Vinh (born 1995, from Quang Nam, now living in Da Nang), who would later become her husband.

The couple met in June 2023 at a gym. Captivated by Yuko from the first sight, Vinh pursued her.

“From the very beginning, he cared deeply about my well-being. Even with a busy schedule, he would bring food to my house. He’s not the type to say sweet things, but through his actions, I could see he’s mature and trustworthy. I wanted to build a family with him,” Yuko shared.

In 2024, they held their wedding with blessings from both families. On her wedding day, the Japanese bride wore a furisode, a traditional kimono for unmarried women.

“That furisode was a gift from my parents when I turned 20. Our wedding day was the last time I could ever wear it,” she said.

While her family was surprised by how large Vietnamese weddings can be, with guests often bringing their entire families, Yuko felt incredibly happy. Around 600 guests attended the wedding, all offering heartfelt congratulations.

Now, Yuko and her husband live and work in HCMC. Although she doesn’t live with her in-laws, Yuko says she feels deeply loved by her Vietnamese family. Her mother-in-law often calls to check on her, and every time she visits, she is warmly welcomed with delicious homemade meals.

After giving birth, Yuko received tremendous support from her mother-in-law in caring for the baby. Watching her care for her grandchild with such love and dedication made Yuko feel truly grateful.

Of course, living in a foreign country hasn’t been without challenges. At first, taking the bus or crossing the street in Vietnam was intimidating for Yuko. She was also surprised by how openly people asked about personal matters, such as her age, address, salary, or marital status.

Ha Nguyen