Nhi Mai, A Third Culture Kid’s Journey and Experience In Vietnam

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My guest in the conversation that day was Nhi Mai. She is a Vietnamese expat who moved to Vietnam in 2019 to explore her roots and ended up staying for three years. Born and raised in Switzerland to immigrant parents, Nhi Mai found herself drawn to Vietnam to discover her cultural heritage. 

In the episode, she shared her experiences of living in both Switzerland and Vietnam, highlighting the differences in lifestyle and culture that have impacted her journey.

Third-culture Kid – The Desire to Find The Roots

The concept of third-culture kids (TCKs) has always fascinated me, especially since my own life has been rooted in a single cultural framework. 

Nhi explained that, although she isn’t entirely certain about the formal definition, her understanding stems from her personal journey. Her parents immigrated from Vietnam to Switzerland, where she was born and raised. This meant she grew up balancing two distinct cultures: the Vietnamese culture at home and the Swiss culture in her social environment. This duality fueled her desire to explore her roots and better understand the cultural heritage she inherited from her parents.

One of the most memorable anecdotes Nhi shared was about her school lunches. While her Swiss peers typically had more familiar European meals, Nhi’s lunch often included “bánh bao,” a traditional Vietnamese steamed bun. This difference sometimes led to curious or even bewildered reactions from other children, with one even remarking that it looked like she was eating a brain. Despite these moments of cultural clash, Nhi cherished her unique culinary heritage, which set her apart and connected her to her Vietnamese roots.

We talked about how Nhi’s parents felt when she decided to go back to Vietnam. Although Nhi’s parents appreciated her desire to explore her roots, they were concerned. They were mainly worried because life in Vietnam is so different from how she grew up and how the work environment is in Switzerland. However, Nhi felt motivated to show them that everything was fine and that she was really enjoying herself.

Exploring Vietnam –  Exploring The Misconception 

Nhi Mai’s parents, immigrants from Vietnam, shared stories of their homeland, which shaped Nhi’s early perceptions. As she navigated the Swiss culture outside her home and the Vietnamese traditions within, Nhi found herself yearning to connect more deeply with her heritage.

When I spoke with Nhi, she shared that her understanding of Vietnam was mostly shaped by her family, who often described it as a place fraught with dangers. Despite these warnings, Nhi’s curiosity about her roots only grew stronger. She had visited Vietnam on holidays, but those visits were limited to her grandmother’s garden—a safe, familiar place that didn’t reflect the country’s broader reality. This narrow view was all she knew until she decided to move there and discover it for herself.

I shared a little bit about my own experience living in Vietnam. What I’ve noticed is that people often have stereotypical views, imagining only buffaloes, rice paddies, and lanterns. However, for many children of Vietnamese immigrants, like Nhi, their parents often believed Vietnam was dangerous, a place full of constant threats. But when you come to Saigon, it’s a completely different story. From my experience, Saigon felt incredibly safe, although I’m aware there are risky areas as in any city.

In my recent podcast episodes, I’ve been trying to convey this reality. I’ve talked about the vibrant cocktail bars, the booming craft beer scene, and the amazing variety of food. I also wanted to highlight that there’s so much more to Vietnam than the typical perceptions. 

Back to Nhi’s experience, she had some surprises in Vietnam, too. She mentioned that, just like I had observed, the nightlife in Vietnam was incredibly different from what she was used to in Switzerland. The sheer variety of options amazed her. We could find everything from street food to fancy cuisine from all over the world, which she found incredibly versatile and exciting.

Nhi was also surprised at how much easier it had become to imagine life in Vietnam thanks to social media. Platforms like Instagram constantly showed her new places and experiences, making it easier to get a sense of what was out there. This was a big change from when she relied solely on her parents’ stories to understand Vietnam. She missed the speakeasy bars and diverse restaurants and noted how quickly things changed. Some places didn’t last, but many new ones kept popping up, making the scene vibrant and ever-changing.

Coming Back To Switzerland 

I was curious about why she decided to go back to Switzerland in 2020, the height of COVID-19. We recalled a bit about that time.

In 2020, when the pandemic began, the whole world seemed to be on fire, but Vietnam managed it remarkably well. They shut the borders immediately and had a great system in place. Nhi shared that at the start of the pandemic, when Vietnam was still relatively unaffected, she enjoyed it. They could still go out and travel within the country, while her friends in Europe were already in lockdown. But then, when the lockdown here became stricter, she found a certain calmness in it. The city, usually so busy, suddenly had clear air and a slower pace. It was a nice change.

When mentioning about the decision to leave, Nhi said that the fresh air during the lockdown was great, but she had already been planning to move back to Switzerland for a while. One big reason was the vaccine—she couldn’t get vaccinated here. So, she thought it might be time to go home. She didn’t know it would be for good then, but it eventually turned into that. It wasn’t a sudden decision; it happened gradually.

Nhi explained it was a mix of feelings. When she got to Switzerland, she was struck by how organized everything was. She could sign up for her vaccine the same day, and having her family and friends close was comforting. She said she was a very visual person, and like when she moved to Vietnam, she needed to be there to take it all in. Moving back to Switzerland was spontaneous and flexible, just like when she initially moved to Vietnam.

Vietnam and Switzerland – What Are The Difference

When I asked Nhi about life back in Switzerland compared to Vietnam, she described it as very slow and calm. It was quite a contrast to her time in Saigon. There, almost every night was filled with activities. From Monday to Friday, there was always something to do—dinners, drinks, ladies’ nights, happy hours. They’d often go out for street food, and she had a big group of friends who were always up for something. Many of her friends weren’t locals; she had local friends too, but it was different hanging out with them compared to other Vietnamese expats and foreigners.

I once heard someone describe Saigon as a big college town for expats and travelers, and Nhi agreed that it was a spot-on description. People there were more open to doing things because they had to create their own community. They didn’t have their parents around to visit, so it created a unique dynamic. Now, back in Switzerland, life was more about enjoying the quiet. People worked until 6 p.m., and while they might go out for a drink after work, it wasn’t as spontaneous. Plans had to be made in advance. Nhi talked about scheduling dinners with friends three weeks ahead since everyone was so busy, despite the slower pace of life. It was unexpectedly hectic, but she liked the structure it provided.

Nhi’s reflections offered valuable insights into the complexities of cultural identity and the impact of life-changing experiences on personal growth.

In reflecting on Nhi’s time in Saigon, she shared what she misses the most about Vietnam. For her, it’s the food that she misses above all. The vibrant and diverse street food culture left a lasting impression. Beyond the culinary delights, she also misses the carefree lifestyle of Saigon. There was an energy and openness to new experiences that she found invigorating.

Conclusion

As she adapted to different cultures and learned more about herself, Nhi’s experience highlighted the powerful effects of stepping into new environments and celebrating different cultures. Her story is a lasting reminder of the beauty and difficulties of exploring new places, accepting change, and understanding one’s own identity and sense of belonging.

As Nhi looked back fondly on her time in Saigon, she expressed a hope to return soon. When she does come back, it’ll be exciting to see both the changes and the familiar aspects of the city. And of course, there’s a promise to enjoy some street food, hit up a Happy Hour, and explore those hidden cocktail bars that made her time in Saigon so memorable.

Nhi Mai

Niall: Welcome to another episode of a Vietnam podcast I’m your [00:00:20] host Niall Mackay. I came to Vietnam in 2015 for a vacation, fell in love with the place, went back to New Zealand, Couldn’t stop eating Vietnamese [00:00:30] food. Vietnamese coffee, and nearly even bought a baba bath for nine New Zealand dollars. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it ’cause it’s such a terrible beer. my wife and I decided we were gonna come [00:00:40] back to Vietnam and we did that in 2016.

We were only gonna be here for six weeks and eight years later we are. still here, which shows you how much we love the [00:00:50] place. I started this podcast in 2019 as a hobby, and I met some incredible people along the way. I wanted to share stories of people connected to Vietnam. [00:01:00] Now in this episode, I’m going to be talking to somebody that I met.

Back in 2021, they were on season five of a Vietnam podcast. [00:01:10] They moved to Vietnam in 2019 and they came back to Vietnam to discover their roots and then left Vietnam mid pandemic in [00:01:20] 2021. And I’m excited to hear. How life has been since then. So welcome back to a Vietnam podcast, Ni Mai.

Nhi: Hello. Thank you [00:01:30] so much for the very nice introduction. I’m very happy to be back on your podcast. It’s crazy how fast [00:01:40] time

Niall: right? And I forgot to mention, I was also on your channel. So you had your own channel now on Ni and it’s just reminded me that we had a whole big discussion, which we’re [00:01:50] not going to discuss again about how to say your name, but now on Ni, Then you interviewed me on your channel, the Now On You channel in the Old Ladies Drinkery, which is R.

I. P., which is [00:02:00] another location that didn’t survive COVID like many businesses, obviously many people as well, and lots of people left Vietnam as well.

 so we last spoke on a [00:02:10] Vietnam podcast in March 2021 and then you left not long after that. So tell me a little bit about why you left.

[00:02:20] Tell me very briefly, remind me, why did you come to Vietnam again and why did you leave?

Nhi: So I came to Vietnam as a tourist. Um, I [00:02:30] think a bit similar as to your story. Um, I didn’t really plan on staying there, working there and [00:02:40] really, you know, live life in Vietnam. Um, I was, uh, back then I quit my job in Switzerland and I kind of traveled around Southeast Asia, [00:02:50] came to Vietnam and just had this brilliant idea of, hmm, like, what about, or how, how would it be if I would like really [00:03:00] live here?

Um, and I had like many questions in regards of, you know, what, Like, how would my life be if I would have been, [00:03:10] you know, if I was born in Vietnam and all these kind of questions. So I think one thing led to another. And then, um, once I found a job, [00:03:20] um, I, basically decided, to just take the chance and maybe, stay there for two [00:03:30] years for some experience for, you know, Just to experience life there, not only career wise, but also, you know, life and meeting people [00:03:40] and, um, just in general, very curious about, what’s going to happen next. And then, so I gave myself like two years, but then ended up staying [00:03:50] three years. Um, I think the pandemic, made my stay in Vietnam a little longer than expected, um, because it was like really uncertain. [00:04:00] Also Switzerland back then was not really clear, like how, Um, it’s gonna be, in the future, uh, and all these kind of uncertainty. [00:04:10] So, um, yeah, it made me stay in Vietnam a bit longer, but then eventually I decided to move back because, um, one, [00:04:20] like my, contract, ran out in Vietnam. So I decided, okay, it’s a good time to, to come back.

But also, um, I never really intended to [00:04:30] stay. very long. So I think it was, it was good timing. Um, yeah, I think that’s the main [00:04:40] reason.

Niall: And we talked about it before and I found it so interesting because I talked to many people about it on the podcast about being either like a third [00:04:50] culture kid, but did you describe yourself as that?

Nhi: I would say so. Yes.

Niall: And remind me what is a third culture kid?

Nhi: Well, I, [00:05:00] I’m not sure about like the correct, um, description or the definition of it, but I would say that someone my parents are [00:05:10] immigrants. I was born and I grew up in a foreign country, um, meaning, uh, not in Vietnam. [00:05:20] So, um, I guess I grew up with different cultures, um, one at home, which was Vietnamese, and one outside of [00:05:30] home, in school. my surrounding, my social surrounding, um, was very Swiss on the other hand. So I think, [00:05:40] um, that was also like a reason why I wanted to discover my roots. Um, and, uh, yeah.

Niall: I remember I found it just so [00:05:50] interesting, as I mentioned, talking about something that’s so different to my life. I’m from Scotland, my family’s from Scotland. I only know one culture. And then I found it [00:06:00] really, really interesting talking to people like yourself who have experienced just such a different, uh, experience growing up.

I remember you talking about your lunch bag being packed with, [00:06:10] uh, maybe was it Bun Bao or

Nhi: It was bambao,

Niall: it was Bun Bao. Yeah. That’s a pretty good memory after three years. Your lunch bag being packed with Bun Bao and then the other kids finding that weird, like, why do you have this [00:06:20] different food?

Nhi:

a brain, someone said. Like, are you eating a brain? Like, no.

Niall: Let’s be honest, inside of a bumbo does kind of look like a

Nhi: It

does [00:06:30] kind of. Yes.

Niall: So you wanted to come back to Vietnam essentially to discover your roots, right? Was your first reason to come back? did you [00:06:40] feel that you did that?

Nhi: I think I did to a certain point. Um, I mean, I knew the culture before I was in [00:06:50] Vietnam before. Um, I’ve been there for like, you know, on holidays with my mom. I have extended family there. So I did know Vietnam to [00:07:00] a certain extent, but, um, I didn’t really know, like, like a big part of it. Um, and I realized it while I [00:07:10] was there because in the beginning I thought, Oh my God, I’m like the only crazy person that is kind of going back to their parents country. [00:07:20] Um, you know, like also had some guilt feelings, um, in regards of, you know, my parents left the country. for a [00:07:30] reason. And, um, I’m so privileged in Switzerland. I have all these kinds of things and all these opportunities. Why, like, why am I moving [00:07:40] back? And I think a lot of, um, also local friends, um, had the same, you know, like question. [00:07:50] Um, yeah, I think I did connect with the country. Actually, I traveled a lot in Vietnam. [00:08:00] Um, I saw many different cities and food, uh, which I wouldn’t have the chance to in Switzerland. Um, but also I have to say, like, I [00:08:10] discovered this bubble as well, um, you know, of Viet Kieu such as myself, um, also [00:08:20] how, like, young people are living in Vietnam. their interests are, um, music, pop culture, like all these kind of things. I [00:08:30] think I did, um, yeah, discover a lot of things that, I wouldn’t have known if I would have stayed in Switzerland.

Niall: Well, I know you’d been here [00:08:40] on holiday before, like you mentioned, but what perceptions did you have of Vietnam before you came and how many of them were confirmed and how [00:08:50] many of them didn’t turn out to be true?

Nhi: So, um, I mean, the only information that I got about Vietnam [00:09:00] is through my parents and my family. So mostly it’s dangerous. I mean, I didn’t really know about the [00:09:10] nightlife, the district one and district three and district twos and whatnot.

so my perception was really like, it went to the, How to say, my grandma had a garden, a big [00:09:20] garden, or still has a big garden, and so that was my area that I knew, of Vietnam, and that’s how I imagined Vietnam to be, [00:09:30] but, it wasn’t that at all, so I think, many people were concerned, like my mom included, obviously, that I would make this step, but, I was and I am still very [00:09:40] stubborn and I want to try things against all odds.

And I just want to find out. So yeah, I’m glad I did.

Niall: And so what [00:09:50] was some of the things that surprised you when you moved here? that’s really interesting that you say that because I’m doing a series of podcasts right now on my own, which I’ve never done [00:10:00] before in the whole of a Vietnam podcast and trying to share a bit more of my perspective because I realized.

Even over 10 seasons now, if you listen to every episode, you get to [00:10:10] know me a bit, obviously, but I do really make a conscious effort to try and give, like, I mean, to put a number on it, like 75 percent time to the guest. Cause I want to hear what they have to say, [00:10:20] and I think nobody wants to listen to me. Now I’ve been here for so long, which when I wasn’t here that long, when I started the podcast. Now, I want to share a bit more about [00:10:30] what life is actually like here for me, especially being here for eight years. And what I’ve been talking about recently is similar to what you’re saying, that people have a perception of Vietnam.

So what I see is, and I’m being a bit, [00:10:40] um, you know, stereotypical, but I say people have a perception of buffaloes, rice patties and lanterns, right? And then, but for you, and I’ve heard this from other children of immigrants [00:10:50] who left Vietnam, that their parents thought it was dangerous, that you can’t go back, that there’s trouble on every corner. And then you come here, you know, Saigon [00:11:00] anyways, it’s super safe as far as I can see. I’m sure there’s obviously pockets of danger and things like that, but generally very, very safe. But what I’m trying to get across in these podcasts that I’ve been doing is [00:11:10] talking about the cocktail bars that we go to, the craft beer.

I’m going to talk about the different food places because I want to do something a little bit different. Everyone does about street food and I’m going to do an [00:11:20] episode soon about my favorite street foods just because I have them. But What I want to show to people is there is a perception of Vietnam from some people who have left Vietnam that when you [00:11:30] come here, it’s really, really not true.

And I guess for you, your perception was, I’m going to stay in this little garden and be safe. So what were the biggest surprises that when you [00:11:40] got here and you left that garden and you actually started to explore Vietnam? And then I also want to know, what did your parents say when you told them?

Nhi: So it’s interesting, as you [00:11:50] said, like the, the bar culture or, Club culture, night out is super [00:12:00] different than what I have like here in Switzerland. But, um, I mean, that surprised me a lot that, um, the options, [00:12:10] just the options and you can have whatever, as you said, you can have street food if you want, you can have fancy food from all kinds of cuisines. Um, so it’s very, [00:12:20] um, I mean, versatile. And, um, it’s something there for everyone. Um, and I think [00:12:30] that surprised me as well. Uh, but now I feel like with Instagram, with all the social media, with all the reels, I get like recommendations [00:12:40] every day on Instagram, I’m like, Oh, this is new, you know, like, so I think, um, nowadays it’s maybe easier to imagine, [00:12:50] how life in Vietnam could be. Um, whereas before when, I mean, there was no Instagram, I just grew up like knowing what my parents told me. [00:13:00] So that was it. But now I think you can really do your own research. And that’s super nice. Um, I really, I still miss like all [00:13:10] those speakeasy bars and, and, um, all these restaurants. Um, yeah.

So, yeah. of them now.

Yes, even more, but also a lot of [00:13:20] changes, changes so fast. as you mentioned in the beginning, some didn’t make it, but also a lot of them, you know, a lot of new ones are coming. So it’s [00:13:30] always very exciting and it’s never the same. So,

Niall: Definitely think Vietnam has to be one of the most exciting countries to be in, in the world. So, uh, for [00:13:40] many reasons, obviously the UK, US, Australia have their own problems, cost of living crisis, inflation, not just those countries, other countries, Japan has like an aging [00:13:50] population, they don’t have enough young people and every country has different issues.

Obviously Vietnam has issues as well, but being here right now, I feel really lucky. It just feels like a really exciting time. [00:14:00] Every day there’s a new restaurant and I’ve been seeing that for years now. Every day there’s a new coffee shop, there’s a new restaurant. It’s really exciting. There’s a new bar, there’s a new bridge.

Like today I was driving along the canal, [00:14:10] hadn’t been that way in a long time. And there was a new footbridge over the canal. That seems so lame, but like you get excited about things like this in Vietnam. I remember they built a [00:14:20] sidewalk near where we lived in Thao Dien and my wife and I were like, Oh my God, they built a sidewalk.

Let’s go for a walk. And we were like, this is ridiculous. We are excited about a sidewalk, but [00:14:30] Vietnam. Obviously had a war, but that was a long time ago, but it did affect and it had a knock on effect and the economic policies had a long term effect. So it [00:14:40] is 20, 30 years behind most countries. So being here right now, though, and watching it catch up so quickly is just really, really exciting.

So going [00:14:50] back to my original question, what did your parents say when you came here and then you were like, Oh, it’s not violent at all. It’s super fun. Those nightclubs, those bars, those restaurants, there’s all these things. Like, well, what did [00:15:00] you tell them? And what did they say?

Nhi: I mean, at first they weren’t happy at all. they weren’t unhappy about it. I [00:15:10] think, uh, they were glad that I want to know more, but I think they were more [00:15:20] worried, um, because it’s very different from how I grew up and how, um, the work environment is here. And, [00:15:30] um, I mean, language wise, it’s. very okay for me, but still, like, if you have to, um, [00:15:40] live in a country that is, you know, like, it’s just Vietnamese and you have to deal with it, then, I mean, they had like their worries, but I kind of had [00:15:50] to prove to them, um, it was my motivation to prove to them that, um, everything’s all right, I’m having a lot of fun, um, [00:16:00] always, you know, updating. Um, them with pictures, with all the nice restaurants and the new friends that I made, And, uh, like, friends [00:16:10] that are from Germany and France, and like, don’t worry about it, I’m not the only one out here, Um, I found a community, um, [00:16:20] so I think these kind of things, and um, I mean eventually they, they, eventually.

I had to accept it. And now it’s like, my mom comes to me for, [00:16:30] you know, recommendations like, Oh, like next week I’m going to Vietnam. Like what area should I, you know, like visit what’s there to see. And then, um, [00:16:40] I think through me, especially my mom realized that, uh, okay, it’s not the Saigon that I knew.

It’s like really different, um, like how Ni is [00:16:50] experiencing it. So, um, I think maybe that’s. that also motivates her to, to explore her own city in a way, um, more. [00:17:00] Yes.

Niall: That’s really cool. That’s awesome. So talk me through then the decision to leave Vietnam, because it was really at the height of the [00:17:10] pandemic here in Vietnam. So 2020, the pandemic started, the world. Went on fire, but then Vietnam was really insulated, closed the borders right [00:17:20] away, had an amazing system.

And so for 2020, I remember living in Paradise. It was, I felt guilty. I remember going on holiday. To basically a five star resort because it was [00:17:30] cheap enough that you could go. I mean, you’d never be able to afford to go there normally. I mean, you could, it’s not that expensive, but it was on a massive discount. So we went to five star resort and I [00:17:40] didn’t post one picture on social media because I knew back in the U S things were going really, really badly. The UK was really bad. And I was like, I don’t want to post pictures of me going out to like this [00:17:50] five star beautiful resort when all my friends and family around the world are having a terrible, terrible time. Then fast forward, 2021 came, we had the Omicron [00:18:00] variant, Vietnam hadn’t got the vaccine yet, for various reasons, and then that just spread like wildfire. And then by 2021, in like June, late [00:18:10] June, late May, early June, we started going into our own lockdown, which we’d never really had a lockdown. We did a really small ones, but never really had a big one.

But we started going [00:18:20] into a stricter and stricter lockdown, uh, up until I think the end of August, beginning of September, or the end of September, beginning of October. I can’t remember right now. [00:18:30] Um, so life in Vietnam got really, really difficult in 2021. So. How did that affect you? And how did that affect your decision to leave and go home?

Nhi: [00:18:40] I had the same feeling about, you know, beginning of pandemic when Vietnam was still okay ish. Um, me too, like I was, we were going out, [00:18:50] you know, like we were able to travel within the country and, um, doing all these kind of things. and my friends in Europe were already in lockdown. So, [00:19:00] um, definitely enjoyed that time.

And then also lockdown came and really, I kind of liked it, you know, [00:19:10] like to have this calmness for once in such a busy city. And also the air was so clear. Um, I don’t know if you have [00:19:20] realized it, but, you know, like things started to change and slow down a bit. And I kind of like that.

Niall: enjoy it because we couldn’t leave the house. I

remember just

looking out the

window being [00:19:30] like, look at those blue skies. I I’m excited to tell you the air quality lately has been incredible. Like yesterday morning, I looked up, it was green.

We were just talking [00:19:40] about, I don’t know if more people using electric bikes, like we got an electric bike, there’s more electric cars on the road. Maybe construction has slowed down because. They’ve built a lot of things already. I don’t know. [00:19:50] I’m just speculating, but for the last, like, few months now, I can remember mostly every day is really, really nice out.

Like I look, our window looks out quite far and I’m like, I [00:20:00] can see D7 from here. This is incredible. When normally it’s like super polluted. So we do have bad pollution days sometimes, but it does seem to have gotten better, but sorry to interrupt. So go back [00:20:10] to a lockdown, fresh air.

Nhi: Lockdown, fresh air, all good. But I, uh, I was planning to move back to Switzerland for [00:20:20] a longer period already. So as I said, like this whole COVID situation kind of extended, uh, this decision. And, um, at one point [00:20:30] also, you know, the vaccine that you have mentioned, I was not able to get vaccinated. And, um, so that was also a reason why [00:20:40] I thought, okay, maybe it’s time to go home.

Um, I didn’t know then that it’s going to be like, go back home for [00:20:50] good, but, um, yeah, it was, so I came back and I thought, okay, maybe, um, it’s time to, to, [00:21:00] to move back and to kind of settle down back. in Switzerland. So that was an ongoing process. It was not really like a day where they said, okay, now I want to move back. [00:21:10] Let’s pack everything and go. But it kind of slowly, you know, in the process, um, kind of turned into moving back for [00:21:20] good.

Niall: And how did that feel then? Or you thought, this isn’t the end, I might be back?

Nhi: [00:21:30] I don’t really know. I think there were a lot of different factors. I think I realized when I arrived in Switzerland. I was like, Oh, everything is so [00:21:40] organized. Like I can just sign up for my vaccine, like same day and, you know, having my family close and, and also my [00:21:50] friends and just, I’m a very visual person.

So whenever I, same as when I moved to Vietnam. I didn’t plan it. I was [00:22:00] just, I had to be there and kind of take it in for a minute. And then I was like, okay, let’s try. And so it’s the same as for when I moved back [00:22:10] to Switzerland. So everything is very spontaneous and, um, very flexible. So, yeah.

 Culture shock

Niall: Well, culture shock is obviously a massive thing, [00:22:20] especially coming to Vietnam. One of the biggest culture shocks that you can get when you come here, because it is so, uh, energetic, to put it in a [00:22:30] positive, a positive spin, it’s just a very energetic place, lots of things going on. Frenetic is another good word. So did you have reverse culture shock then [00:22:40] going back to Switzerland?

Nhi: not really. no, I don’t think I’ve been away. for long enough to really [00:22:50] get a reverse culture shock. Um, just, I mean, the difference was big and I had to adjust back to [00:23:00] this life. So I think maybe that was a little difficult at first, but I mean, it’s nothing new. So I [00:23:10] knew all of this before. Um, so it worked quite well.

Niall: Well, I just,

Nhi: enjoy the, yeah, the silence sometimes. Like, oh, it’s so [00:23:20] nice. Everything is so, cause, you know, like so slow. Like, there are like five coffee shops that I really like, and they’ve been there for like, I [00:23:30] don’t know how many years. Nothing changed. So, um, sometimes that’s, that’s good too.

Niall: I love the silence as well. When I go back to Scotland, go back to my parents [00:23:40] house and at nighttime and it’s just, it’s so nice. yeah, I just saw an Instagram reel this week about how in Germany, apparently [00:23:50] it’s still really like paper based.

Like it’s, there’s a really funny girl. I don’t actually, I’ll need to find out her name. She’s Vietnamese, but she lives in Germany with her German partner and [00:24:00] she makes these really funny reels about adjusting to life in Germany as a Vietnamese person. and so all these things that I guess if you’ve been to Germany, I know you’re not from Germany, but you’re, you’re very [00:24:10] close. location wise and share a language. You speak German As well,

don’t you? So this reel just made me laugh because I didn’t realize, so Germany, is this true? And [00:24:20] is it true for Switzerland? I don’t know, but like they don’t even have apps for things and everything’s paper based and making appointments can be such a nightmare.

And I was like, wait, I thought Germany was like [00:24:30] one of the countries leading the pack in the world, like really ahead of times. And then you realize like Vietnam is behind on a lot of things, but then you’re like, Oh no, Vietnam’s actually like far ahead. [00:24:40]

Nhi: I think I know what really you’re talking about. I think I saw it too. Um, I follow this girl as well, it’s really funny, um,[00:24:50]

Niall: Let

Nhi: think to

us,

Niall: What’s the name

Nhi: right?

Niall: girl? Do you know it?

Nhi: I think it’s Thuy, Thuy Min Sun?

 the Viennese girl [00:25:00] that lives in Germany. The Reels that you watch. Oh, Euine. Euine? Euine something.

Nhi: Ah, Uyen, yes, Uyen,

Niall: I’m going to pretend that I [00:25:10] remembered. yeah, it’s Euine something, right?

Nhi: right,

Niall: I’ll put a link maybe in the show notes. Go check her out. But she’s really, really funny.

Nhi: so she’s really [00:25:20] funny, and I think it’s true to a certain extent. I mean, I remember when I lived in [00:25:30] Vietnam, I had a mailbox, but it was always empty. Like, except for like some electricity bill, maybe once [00:25:40] in a while, um, that was it. Like, I never really, you know, like looked at my mailbox, but now it’s, you have to check your [00:25:50] mailbox every day because like, you know, like some information is incoming. Um, some invoices. I mean, like, it’s, it’s a lot of paper, [00:26:00] um, advertisement, magazines, everything is like, you know, um, so you really have to empty your mailbox on a regular basis, which is, uh, [00:26:10] new. I mean, not new, but like very different from what I had in, in Vietnam. And, um, I mean, there are apps for things.

[00:26:20] Obviously, we do have online banking and, you know, like, um, um, cashless payment and all these things. I [00:26:30] think it depends on the person. You can definitely get into it. But I know many people, like some friends included, they just don’t want to. They feel like, Oh, I [00:26:40] want to do it. You know, I need it on paper as proof.

I need to put it in a folder and you know, I need to, I don’t know what, but, um, it’s all, it’s really more [00:26:50] paper. Um, and also taxes and all these kinds of things. So you get a, you get a letter for everything. Yeah, that’s true.[00:27:00]

Compare Switzerland and Vietnam

Niall: So tell me, what is life like back in Switzerland compared to Vietnam?

Nhi: It’s very slow. It’s very [00:27:10] calm. Um, it’s not like I remember. when I lived in Saigon. So almost every night we would do something. [00:27:20] There’s an activity, you know, from Monday to Friday, you go out for dinner, for drinks, ladies night, um, happy hour and whatnot. You go for street, like [00:27:30] you meet many, you have a big group of friends and everyone is like up to, you know, doing something. Um, and maybe it’s because the [00:27:40] friends that I had were also not, um, you know, uh, first of all, not locals. I had local friends, but [00:27:50] it’s like very different with, with local friends and very different with like, friends, like I am like VQs and expats.

Niall: I got described once to me that, [00:28:00] uh, Saigon was like a big college town

for for expats and travelers. And I

Nhi: yes,

Niall: a hundred percent accurate.

Nhi: yes. So, um, [00:28:10] I think. People there were more open to do things because we, [00:28:20] I don’t know how to describe it, but like the friends that I knew there are, are people that I have. I mean, that’s it. So we have to [00:28:30] kind of, you know, we don’t have our parents there. We cannot go visit them. Um, and it’s like a very different dynamic.

And now, um, it’s more like. [00:28:40] You enjoy your silence. You go to work and you work until 6 p. m. And then it’s like, Oh, let’s go for after work. Maybe, maybe not. And also you have to schedule everything. I mean, I [00:28:50] have schedules for like three weeks ahead with a friend for a dinner, you know, like everyone is just so busy, even though it’s such a [00:29:00] slow life.

It’s, it’s quite, everyone’s quite busy. Um, surprisingly. And, uh, but I enjoy it because it’s much more [00:29:10] structured.

Niall: Good. Nice. Good to hear. Well, Ni, it has been amazing catching up with you. It was, uh, so nice when you were here in Saigon. Before we [00:29:20] finish, I just want to hear, what do you miss the most about Saigon and Vietnam?

Nhi: I miss the food the most. [00:29:30] And then I miss, um, I don’t know how to really say it, but the lifestyle of being so [00:29:40] kind of carefree, um, and, um, being just active and open to new things.

Niall: [00:29:50] Awesome. Well, I hope you come back soon when you do. Uh, you’ll see how much has changed and how much is still the same as well. And we’ll definitely get some street food and we’ll go to, uh, [00:30:00] Happy Hour and we’ll go to one of those hidden cocktail bars as well.

Nhi: Yes, I would love to do that.

Niall: Awesome. Thank you so much, Niall.

Nhi: Thank you!

 [00:30:10]

448 thoughts on “Nhi Mai, A Third Culture Kid’s Journey and Experience In Vietnam”

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