This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Travis Carrasquillo, 37, a content creator living in Da Nang, Vietnam. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I’ve been living in Vietnam for six years now.
Before moving here, I was based in Hawaii, working as a behavior analyst supporting children from military families with autism. It was an incredibly stressful job, and I knew I’d have to find a different path eventually because I couldn’t keep that up forever.
I’d always loved traveling, and after visiting the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam over three consecutive years, I absolutely loved Asia.
Travis Carrasquillo.
In early 2019, I received a message from a retired military doctor who had moved to Hanoi. He and his Vietnamese wife had a son diagnosed with autism and were looking for someone to help teach and care for him.
The timing was great: The offer came two months after I had visited Vietnam for a holiday. I thought, “This is a sign. It’s time to go.”
Hawaii never quite felt like home. The cost of living was high, and as much as I loved the landscape, I always knew it wasn’t going to be a long-term place for me.
I moved to Hanoi six months later.
I worked with the family for four years, teaching their son after school and helping him develop communication and social skills.
Learning Vietnamese was a priority from the day I arrived. That way, I could interact with and teach the boy in both languages, especially since he was growing up in a bilingual environment.
I took lessons for about a year and a half to reach a decent level. My girlfriend, who’s a Vietnamese teacher, helps me keep improving.
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When the work came to a natural close, I decided to stay in Vietnam and moved to Da Nang, a laid-back beach city in central Vietnam.
Travis Carrasquillo.
Hanoi is a nice city, full of history and culture, but the pollution is bad. When I moved to Da Nang two years ago, it was still very much an up-and-coming place. Hardly anyone was talking about it yet, but I knew it had a beautiful beach and good weather, so I decided to go.
It’s the perfect balance: It has nice coffee shops, good gyms, great food, and everything you’d want, but it’s not too busy or overwhelming like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
I live on the city side of Da Nang rather than the beach side because it’s cheaper, and it’s only about a 10-minute drive to the beach.
These days, my budget is about $1,500 a month.
That covers rent, food, my gym membership — even the occasional weekend trip. It’s enough for me to do pretty much anything I want.
People back home know Vietnam is affordable, but they often assume “cheap” means poor quality. That’s not the case at all.
Vietnamese food is incredibly fresh, healthy, and delicious. When I lived in the US, eating out was a rare treat. Now, I can get an amazing meal for about $1.50.
I still cook because I enjoy it, but eating out here feels effortless and communal.
Travis Carrasquillo.
People are warm, friendly, and there’s a real sense of community.
For almost my entire time in Vietnam, I’ve lived in local neighborhoods. No matter what street you’re on, most evenings you’ll see families setting up tables right outside their homes in the alley and eating together.
People here spend time just sitting around, going to coffee shops, and hanging out with friends. There’s a strong sense of community and connection that’s missing in much of the US.
Travis Carrasquillo.
When I visited my parents in the Chicago suburb where I grew up this summer, everything felt very different.
The streets were quiet, the houses sealed up, and everyone was driving from one place to the next, so it felt like a ghost town. I liked the peace, but missed the feeling of simply seeing people out and about.
There are small things I miss — mostly Chicago pizza and my family. If it weren’t for them, I probably wouldn’t go back.
I love Vietnam, but I’ve heard of people who’ve packed up their lives and moved here, only to realize it wasn’t what they expected.
Travis Carrasquillo.
It’s important to have realistic expectations before making such a big move.
My advice: Don’t decide to move here without visiting first. Come experience it for yourself, spend some time, and see if it’s truly the right fit for you.
Do you have a story to share about relocating to a new city? Contact this reporter at [email protected].
