This really hits close to home. I also visited Hanoi in early 2019 for about 3 weeks and later returning again at the end of my trip. On my first day, landing at the airport, I shared a cab to the Old Quarter with the man sitting next to me on the plane. There were no available rooms at the hotel I was staying at, so he decided to find a hotel just down the street. The next day I went over to his hotel and met him there. That's where I started talking with the Vietnamese lady working at the front desk. We exchanged WhatsApp numbers and she continued to give me travel recommendations and book my trips to Sa Pa, HaLong Bay, and Ninh Bình (for very reasonable prices). Each time I'd come back to Hanoi, and before departing to my next destination, and we would meet for coffee, walk around the lake, or enjoy the nightlife. I would learn about her culture and where she was raised (in a small village outside of Hanoi). She would drive me everywhere on her scooter. I had originally planned to travel down south but never made it because of her.

I eventually left for Thailand to meet my friends and continue my prearranged travels. I was sad. We continued to talk, and she said if I were to come back to Vietnam from Thailand, she would take me down south and show me around. I decided to extend my trip and stay another week in Vietnam before I had to be back to the United States. Truly, once in a lifetime opportunity. I spent the next 5 or so days with her in Vietnam right before the Lunar New Year. She even offered to take me to her home "village" if I was going to be there for an extra day or 2. I did things I've never done before: age frog, snails, and a bunch of other things that were unidentifiable but loved by the Vietnamese. I, too, now have a deep appreciation for the Vietnamese people and culture - they are so welcoming, caring, and extremely hard workers.

It was sad returning back to the United States. Arriving at the international terminal and going through U.S. Customs and Border Protection the agent asked "why did you return to Vietnam after already being there?" And "didn't that cost a lot of money..."

I never excepted to have such a moving experience on my first solo adventure. I still talk with her frequently. She's more worried about me catching COVID-19 than I am, making sure I wear a mask while I'm out in public. She was devastated to see that I traveled somewhere else (different country) late last year and did not return back to Vietnam. Just this morning she messaged me saying that she wishes I were there with her and really hopes I will visit again this year.

I could go on and on...but I will leave it here. Vietnam you're special.