American writer and photographer Chris Wallace, who first came to Vietnam 15 years ago, returned in 2024 to rediscover the nation that shaped his youth. “Spending my youth in Vietnam is the thing I’m most proud of in my life,” Wallace said.
He recalled the charm of Hội An’s yellow bougainvillea, glowing riverside lights, and morning markets that “feel as if time has stood still.” Yet, in Ho Chi Minh City, he was struck by how the skyline had transformed, French colonial mansions replaced by vast shopping malls and apartment towers.
![The magnificent beauty atop the 'Roof of Indochina' – Fansipan Peak](https://images2.thanhnien.vn/thumb_w/640/528068263637045248/2025/10/8/anh-5-du-khach-quoc-te-17599328266761199372126.jpg "The magnificent beauty atop the "Roof of Indochina" – Fansipan Peak. Photo: Bùi Văn Hải")
For Barry Peacock, a seasoned traveler who arrived on Phú Quốc Island in 2020 during the pandemic, Vietnam became a second home. When borders closed, he chose to stay, later calling it “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
He praised the locals’ generosity and community spirit: “In Phú Quốc, there’s no divide between residents and foreigners. Everyone helps each other without expecting anything in return.”
Dr. Giannina Warren, a Canadian academic formerly based in London, also found belonging in Vietnam. After years of visiting for research and teaching collaborations, she moved to Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 to join an international university.
“Vietnam is special, young, dynamic, globally connected, yet deeply rooted in culture and community,” she said. “It has not only changed my career but also the way I see the world.”
American content creator Grace echoed that sentiment, saying she left behind her U.S. life to “feel alive again” in Vietnam. “The American dream is no longer my dream,” she said.
Veteran Australian journalist Ronan O’Connell, who has visited Vietnam 19 times over 18 years, described the country as “the best travel destination in Asia” and credited it for shaping his life, from his first solo trip to family milestones. He praised Vietnam’s “optimism, safety, diverse landscapes, and world-class cuisine.”
Beyond personal stories, celebrity visits have amplified Vietnam’s image worldwide. In late 2022, American pop icon Christina Aguilera celebrated her birthday with a helicopter tour over Hạ Long Bay and a cruise afterward, sharing the experience with her millions of followers.
In early 2024, world-renowned DJ Martin Garrix explored Sơn Đoòng Cave, posting breathtaking photos to his 15.6 million Instagram fans, each image boosting Vietnam’s global tourism profile.
Tourism expert Trương Đức Hải, Chairman of Hòn Ngọc Viễn Đông Travel Company, said such visits serve as powerful “free promotions” for Vietnam.
“Once recognition is established, promoting tourism products becomes much easier,” he noted, emphasizing that celebrity-driven exposure offers invaluable visibility for the country.
Vietnam among Asia’s most peaceful and livable destinations
According to the Global Peace Index, Vietnam ranks 38th globally and seventh in Asia-Pacific among the most peaceful nations, alongside New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, a City Pulse 2025 survey by the Gensler Research Institute places Ho Chi Minh City second worldwide for cities best at retaining residents, surpassing Singapore and Sydney, with 61% of respondents saying they are unlikely to leave.
With its stability, hospitality, and rich cultural energy, Vietnam continues to redefine itself not only as a top tourist destination but also as a home for those seeking meaning, renewal, and connection.
(Source: TNO)
