My First Week In Ho Chi Minh City | Vietcetera
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Apr 02, 2025
LifeAway From Home

My First Week In Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a place that quickly immerses you in its culture. The warmth of the local people and the city’s fast-paced yet inviting nature.
My First Week In Ho Chi Minh City

Source: Leandra Farren Patrick.

A Birthday To Remember

My birthday fell at the end of my first week, and I had planned for a quiet celebration with a few friends at a rooftop bar. What started as an intimate gathering quickly turned into something much bigger. People at that bar started joining in on the celebration as the night went on.

This moment revealed the city's lively nightlife and friendly atmosphere to me. Because of my love of adventure, moving to Ho Chi Minh City was both exciting and daunting. At that moment, surrounded by my friends, it hit me. This wasn’t just a passing experience; this was home for the next six months.

As a nightlife photographer, I’ve always loved how no two nights are ever the same. But experiencing the nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City was something else entirely. The way people celebrated here was different from what I was used to. They were louder, more energetic, yet welcoming.

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Source: Leandra Farren Patrick.

Finding Comfort In New Friendships

Another unforgettable experience was sharing a meal with a couple of my classmates; classmates that I had only briefly spoken with before became close friends. I had discovered a new sort of family in a place so distant from home. That night, I realised Ho Chi Minh City has a way of transforming strangers into friends.

​​Embracing The Change

Moving to a new country always comes with challenges, from language barriers to cultural differences. However, Ho Chi Minh City is a place that quickly immerses you in its culture. The warmth of the local people and the city’s fast-paced yet inviting nature make it an exciting place to call home.

For those considering a move, the best advice is to embrace every experience, remain open to learning, and step outside of comfort zones. The unexpected moments, whether it’s mastering traffic navigation or discovering a hidden food stall, often become the most memorable parts of the journey.

Source: Leandra Farren Patrick.

Why Did You Choose Vietcetera?

As a film student, storytelling has always been my passion, but my curiosity extends beyond the creative process. I’ve always been intrigued by the business side of media, how content finds its audience and how brands craft their identity.

This curiosity led me to Vietcetera. Their vision of connecting Vietnam to the world resonated deeply with me, offering an opportunity to explore the intersection of media, culture, and global engagement.