Dillon Thomson, 34, is an Australian tourist who frequently shares his love for Vietnam on a TikTok channel. Moving to Vietnam is his plan in five years. He is now learning Vietnamese and cooking Vietnamese food every day.

Ten years ago, Dillon first fell in love with Vietnamese banh mi after enjoying it at a small, crowded shop in Australia. The crispy banh mi packed with roasted pork, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a flavorful chili sauce fascinated him so much that he once bought 40 loaves to treat his colleagues.

That dish sparked his curiosity about Vietnam and inspired him to visit the country.

At the end of 2024, Dillon traveled to Asia for the first time, with Vietnam being the destination he looked forward to most. He quickly became fascinated by the lively pace of life, positive energy and friendliness of local people. Walking through Vietnamese streets, he always felt free and comfortable.

"My life in Australia was quite full of rules and surrounded by pressure. The job was stable, but the immense pressure caused me to fall into a state of prolonged stress.

“I was searching for a different kind of life, and I think I found it in Vietnam. It is difficult to describe, but Vietnam is not only about beautiful landscapes and delicious food. There is also an amazing, vibrant atmosphere that completely captivates me,” he said.

During the trip, Dillon visited HCMC, Hanoi and the former Pleiku City area in Gia Lai, a destination not widely known among international tourists. He traveled to the Central Highlands region following recommendations from friends who suggested he try authentic Vietnamese coffee.

For the first time, Dillon learned about Vietnam’s coffee-growing regions, the local climate, how coffee trees look and the harvesting, processing and preservation methods.

"Coffee in Pleiku has a flavor entirely different from any varieties I have ever had before. Since trying Vietnamese coffee, I almost don't want to drink any other type anymore. Iced milk coffee, coconut coffee, or salt coffee are all delicious,” Dillon shared.

Apart from coffee, he is also “addicted” to crispy, golden Banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling crepes) eaten alongside raw vegetables and a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. He was impressed by a small eatery that was always packed with customers, where the owner and staff worked at lightning speed yet still cheerfully chatted.

Loving the flavor of the dish, Dillon returned the next day, but by 9am, the shop was already sold out. Sensing the guest's disappointment, the owner happily gifted him a whole bag of tea to take home.

The coolness, freshness, and tranquility of Pleiku gave Dillon a sense of being "healed" and finding his motivation back in life. He particularly loved Minh Thanh Pagoda, which features architecture that harmoniously blends Vietnamese, Japanese, and Taiwanese (China) influences. The lush green, serene space coupled with miniature landscapes, stone statues, and delicately carved wooden details left a deep impression on him.

Why Vietnam?

Coming to Vietnam, Dillon felt as though he had "lost himself in a breakfast food paradise" with beef Pho, beef rice noodles, broken rice, and grilled pork rice noodles. He loved the feeling of sitting on plastic stools to savor those appealing flavors.

Dillon was also surprised by grooming and care services such as haircuts, hair washing, and dental checkups, which are both high-quality and inexpensive. "This is truly my dream paradise.”

Returning to Australia, Dillon introduced Vietnam to his relatives and friends, and whenever he meets anyone, he "invites" them to travel to the beautiful country.

"Fresh summer rolls (goi cuon) have become my signature dish. I order rice paper and fresh herbs, make boiled pork and boiled shrimp myself, and mix the sweet-and-sour fish sauce. Many Vietnamese friends praise my roll-wrapping ability as being 'as artistic as a Vietnamese local,'" Dillon said.

At the beginning of 2026, Dillon's family took a 3-week vacation in Vietnam. During this return, the experience that delighted him most was taking his relatives to get their ao dai tailored.

“In many other places, you buy an item and then leave. But in Vietnam, you can become friends with the tailor. The outfit will be adjusted multiple times until it is absolutely perfect,” he shared.

Linh Trang