Broadcasting from Ho Chi Minh City. Tips for a couple enjoying life in Vietnam, and what's ahead for us

Since the 2010s, I left Kanagawa Prefecture and moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Ever since I started living here, every day has been a series of small discoveries.   Basically, everyday life and travel information from a Japanese perspective is shared by Sushio, who is Japanese, while sightseeing information from a Japanese woman's point of view—like "What souvenirs are good?" or "Which spa do you recommend?"—for those planning a trip to Vietnam is written on the blog by Pho Wife, who is Vietnamese. About us, the Japan-Vietnam family

Sushi husband (a Japanese husband) and Pho wife (a Vietnamese wife). Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we travel all over the country, from Hanoi in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south. For work, I'm self-employed in IT. Since all I need is a laptop and I have no fixed workplace — a so-called "nomad worker" — the advantage is that I can work while traveling around the country. We'll share the charms of Vietnam while weaving in everyday life as an international couple and real episodes from our life abroad (though this is mainly focused on travel and sightseeing information). What this blog will share

In this blog, my wife and I will share our thoughts and discoveries as we travel around Vietnam, based in Ho Chi Minh City, all from our own perspective as a couple. We plan to write about a variety of themes so that you can feel the "real Vietnam" that's hard to convey through travel guidebooks or social media. To start, we'll begin with travel diaries from popular tourist cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. Centering on the places we actually visited, I'll be writing down real, local, on-the-ground information — the atmosphere of the town, recommended ways to spend your time there, little mishaps we ran into, and moments of connection with local people. I'm keeping in mind the goal of writing "articles that people planning a trip can use as a direct reference.

Next, restaurant, café, and spa information. In Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, charming spots are popping up every day — from local street food stalls to stylish hidden-gem restaurants and authentic spas. We'll introduce places we actually visited and loved, complete with photos — popular spots that only locals know about, as well as little shops you won't find in tourist guidebooks. "What should I eat in Vietnam?I want to share information that answers the question, "Which spa would you recommend?" Another theme is local Vietnamese culture and everyday wisdom. I'll be sharing "handy real-life tips" that I only discovered by actually living here — things like how to shop smartly at the market, tricks for getting around on local transportation, and ways to communicate well with local people. It's also content that people who want to try living in Vietnam, or who are interested in local experiences, can enjoy.

We'll also introduce lovely souvenirs we discovered along the way. With regional specialties, handmade crafts, and cute sweets that differ from place to place, Vietnam is truly a "souvenir paradise." From stylish, tasteful gifts to little items perfect for handing out to lots of people, we carefully select and introduce only the ones we've actually picked up and loved. We'd be delighted if this gives some hints to those wondering, "What kind of souvenir should I buy on my next trip?" Our Goal

Our goal is to uncover many still-unknown charms from the north to the south of Vietnam.

On my future travels, I want to cherish not only introducing sightseeing spots, but also "encounters with people" and "the local atmosphere." Even in the same place, the scenery you see and the way you feel about it can differ depending on the season or timing of your visit. By capturing these "moments of travel" through photos and words, I hope to create a blog that makes readers feel as if they are traveling right alongside me. Also, in my life as an immigrant in Ho Chi Minh City, I keep making new discoveries every day. I'd like to share Vietnam from a slightly different perspective than travel — the everyday “resident's eye view” — covering things like the range of products at the supermarket, the energy of the local markets, café culture, and what living in an apartment is really like. For those who wonder, “What kind of life would I have if I moved here?” or “Is actually living here really tough?”, I hope to bring you real, down-to-earth information.

This blog is a place where my spouse and I share the warmth we've felt in Vietnam and the small everyday joys we've discovered together. The comments and personal stories shared by everyone who reads this are sure to lead to new discoveries as well. We'll be adding new posts little by little from now on, so we'd be truly happy if you followed along and enjoyed the feeling of "traveling through Vietnam" together with us.