why viet nam?
It is the number one question that I am asked and quite possibly the most difficult to answer. I hope that by reading Alone in Viet Nam the reasons become clearer to you, but until that time, I will give you the short versions.
The easiest reason to explain my coming to Viet Nam is from the standpoint of business, cost of living, and career goals. I acquired a degree in Asian studies from Rice University and do not want the work and dedication that I put into my studies to go to waste. I studied abroad twice with The School for International Training – first in Ho Chi Minh City (2004) and then in Can Tho (2005) – and continue to entertain the idea of going to graduate school or law school.
For the last three years I have built a strong reputation as a web developer and it was in Houston, Texas that I realized I no longer needed to live in the United States in order to thrive. With the power of technology, I have been able to relocate to Viet Nam and not suffer any setbacks in terms of income. Clients have ready access to me, even with the time zone difference, and the low cost of living and elimination of recurring bills in the United States have all worked in my favor in Viet Nam.
I also need time to focus on travel and writing. Business is stellar, but it is only piece of the puzzle. I grew stagnant and bored in Houston and realized that if I am going to achieve the goals that I have created for myself, then I needed to leave and explore the world a little bit more.
It is entirely too difficult to give all of my personal reasons for coming to Viet Nam, but in short, it is where I belong at the moment. I’m happy here.
I eat well, have close friends and family members, and feel at peace in Viet Nam. I do not worry about crime, have a million and one opportunities to take cool photos, and I meet other travelers and have great chats with them every single day. I feel like I am a more interesting human being in Viet Nam and I feel like I have a story to tell about my life here.
There is of course more to write about my reasons for living in Viet Nam, but for those stories you will have to stay tuned to Alone in Viet Nam.