Living the Vietnamese Way: Patriotism. Peoplehood. Peace.
Updated: 3 hours ago
"Travel is the most intense mode of learning" ~ Kevin Kelly
When I planned to travel solo to Vietnam for 10 days, I didn't know what to expect. All I had was a round ticket, a backpack and a curious mind. Everything I witnessed and experienced in those 10 days was pure bliss.
It would take an entire book to capture all my experiences, but in this blog, I’m sharing a few moments that truly stood out; the ones that felt uniquely Vietnamese and left a lasting impression on me.
Patriotism:
We’ve long known the word freedom and grown up hearing stories of India’s struggle for it ; but the passion I saw in the Vietnamese people for Ho Chi Minh felt truly different. It wasn’t just respect that comes from history or education; it was a kind of reverence rooted in pure love - genuine, emotional, and deeply personal.
I visited the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi to learn more about Vietnam’s history, and to my surprise, the place was filled with locals rather than tourists. What struck me even more was seeing so many families with children; parents pausing at every photo and poster to explain the stories behind them, while the kids listened with genuine curiosity and fascination. There was one particular area that was especially crowded, so I went to see what was happening. It turned out to be a statue of Ho Chi Minh, and both children and adults were eagerly waiting for their turn to take pictures with him. I was happily surprised.
Ho Chi Minh led Vietnam for about 24 years, but he was and still is affectionately known among Vietnamese as “Bác Hồ”, meaning “Uncle Ho”. I don't think in political history of any country, anyone will be able to say that their leader was 'deeply loved' by the countrymen, especially even 56 later after his passing.
There are over 2,000 documents and artefacts in the museum which tell stories of rich history of Vietnamese independence movement and Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary leadership, but what caught my eye the most was one very interesting section in the museum, it has preserved all the small things used by Ho Chi Minh in his daily life, even his glasses and pencil, in his loving memory.
I also visited Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh city, which are an extensive underground network built by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. Stretching over 200 kilometers, these tunnels served as living quarters, supply routes, and hideouts — a powerful symbol of Vietnam’s resilience, ingenuity, and determination in the face of hardship.
Most of the visitors there were Vietnamese families with their children, eager to teach them about the history and ingenuity behind the Cu Chi Tunnels. And this was on an ordinary weekday, which made me realize just how many locals must visit regularly. The level of curiosity and detail with which they explored every aspect of the tunnels was incredible. I had never witnessed such deep passion among people to understand and remember their country’s wartime history, even decades after the war had ended.
You can watch my video here from Cu Chi tunnels!
Peoplehood:
I can use many words to describe what Vietnam felt like, but most of all, it felt like Home.
I landed in Hanoi, Vietnam’s timeless capital. After spending few days in Hanoi, I took a bus ride to Sapa which is a mountain town in northern Vietnam, known for its cool air, rice fields, and ethnic hill tribes. From Sapa I went to Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling modern city of Vietnam. All 3 places had very different kind of natural beauty and places to explore, but one thing remained constant in all these places, and that was the people of Vietnam.
I met some of the kindest and warmest people I have ever met in my life, and I have travelled to lot of places. There have been many places where travelers are treated with lot of love and care, and it feels really good, but something about Vietnamese people was even more unique than that. Those people didn't even make me feel like a traveler there. The picture above is from an unforgettable night in Sapa, when I met a group of strangers who quickly felt like old childhood friends. We spent hours chatting, playing games, and sipping cocktails in a cozy local pub, it was the kind of night that reminds you why travel is so magical.
Peace:
Whenever I travel, I avoid going to more touristy places as they are usually very crowded, I prefer exploring lesser known places where you can just go and relax or have a new experience. And Vietnam was full of such places.
When I was in Hanoi, I went to Lotte, a stunning skyscraper in Ba Đình, which offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Hanoi city. I went up there and spent hours just soaking in the view, watching the sun set over Hanoi in the most beautiful shades imaginable.
I took a bus from Hanoi to Sapa, expecting a noisy and tiring journey since it was packed with families and small kids. But to my surprise, it was one of the most peaceful rides I’ve ever had. The quiet conversations between the children, and the calm demeanor of everyone on board created an almost soothing atmosphere. As we drove through winding mountain roads and lush green landscapes, I watched children peacefully gazing out the window, families sharing snacks, and the occasional laughter filling the air; it all felt so serene, almost like a shared moment of quiet appreciation for the journey itself.
No matter where I went, there was a deep sense of peace among the people. I often saw locals sitting on benches along the footpaths reading, quietly relaxing, or simply closing their eyes and breathing in the fresh air. What struck me most was that many of them were young adults, choosing calm and stillness over the usual rush of city life.
It came as a surprise to me, but in spite of the Hussle culture of Vietnam and the extremely energetic Vietnamese people, they seem to deeply believe in 'Dolce far niente' it is an Italian phrase that translates to 'the sweetness of doing nothing'.
The photo above is of me with Angela, another solo traveler from Australia I met in Sapa, and John, the owner of the homestay where I stayed. John took us on the famous rice field bike rides, followed by a short hike through the hills. We ended up sitting there for hours, surrounded by stunning views, sharing stories about our lives and the journeys that brought us there.
It was only later that I realized how much that moment resembled the iconic scene from Dil Chahta Hai - three friends sitting for hours, lost in conversation, simply watching the world go by.
That evening in Sapa reminded me why I love traveling, because somewhere between strangers, sunsets, and shared stories, you end up finding a little more of yourself. There was a rare sense of peace in that moment, the kind that comes not just from silence around you, but from feeling completely content with where you are, who you’re with, and how far you’ve come.
Vietnam, you have all my heart, always and forever!
Very nicely written!, I can feel the emotions that you experienced. I also feel like going to Vietnam now!!