When I first arrived in Hanoi, I was struck by how familiar it felt. The bustling streets, endless stream of motorbikes, sidewalk cafes, and organized chaos reminded me so much of my hometown of Kathmandu. What I did not realize then was that the similarities extended far beyond the city itself. Throughout my month in Vietnam, I felt the same warmth, hospitality, and sense of community that I have always associated with home.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend a month in Vietnam through the GHAC program. While I came to experience a new healthcare system through my rotation at VinMec Hospital, I left with something more meaningful: a collection of relationships and memories shaped by the people I met along the way.
My first week was unsurprisingly lonely. Surrounded by friends throughout medical school and always connected to family back home, I had forgotten what it felt like to spend extended time entirely on my own. I explored cafes, wandered through new neighborhoods, and did sightseeing by myself. Although the solitude was initially uncomfortable, it reminded me of something I had nearly forgotten, I genuinely enjoy my own company.
Yet Vietnam did not let me stay alone for long.
I met several students from Canada who were also rotating at VinMec Hospital. Their friendship transformed my experience in the city. Together, we navigated Hanoi’s streets, discovered hidden dessert spots, and sampled local food recommendations that soon became my own favorites. Some of my happiest memories from Vietnam involve wandering through the city with them, shopping, sharing meals and stories after shifts at the hospital.
One afternoon, after climbing the 500 steps to the top of Hang Mua, I was admiring the view when another solo female traveler asked if I could take her photo. I happily agreed. What began as a simple favor quickly turned into hours of conversation and adventure. We spent the remainder of the hike together and eventually the entire evening exploring the town.
While these friendships enriched my trip, it was the kindness of local people that left the deepest impression on me.
One of my favorite memories took place on a boat ride through the Trang An River in Ninh Binh. I was seated with two Vietnamese uncles, neither of whom spoke English. We communicated entirely through Google Translate, exchanging stories about where we were from and where we planned to travel next.
At one point, our boat stopped at a small temple with shops nestled among the limestone cliffs. While the others explored, I sat quietly on a bench, taking in the scenery and watching people pass by. A few minutes later, the two uncles returned carrying packaged ice creams: one for each of them and one for me.
It was such a small gesture, but one that I will never forget.
At that moment, they reminded me of my own family. It felt exactly like something my uncles or brothers would have done if they had been there with me. Despite the language barrier and the fact that we had met only an hour earlier, they made me feel cared for. What could have been a brief interaction between strangers instead became one of my most cherished memories from Vietnam.
Experiences like this happened again and again throughout my month abroad. Whether it was the generosity of strangers, the hospitality of locals, or the friendships formed unexpectedly, I was continually reminded that kindness transcends language, nationality, and culture.
Of course, many of these connections were formed over food and coffee. Coffee quickly became a daily ritual, and I eagerly tried every variation I could find, from salt coffee and coconut coffee to the famous egg coffee. Evenings often ended at a small local restaurant near my Airbnb, where I would enjoy a warm bowl of pho followed by a glass of sugarcane juice. These simple routines became comforting anchors in a new country and often served as opportunities to connect with the people around me.
When I think back on my month in Vietnam, I remember far more than the places I visited. I remember the people who welcomed me, the friendships that formed unexpectedly, and the small acts of kindness that made a foreign country feel familiar. What began as a journey to learn about healthcare and experience a new culture became a lesson in human connection.
Vietnam reminded me that home is not always a place. Sometimes, it is a feeling created by the people who make you feel welcome. For me, that feeling was everywhere I went. I cannot wait to return.
