Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam as a Black Person | What No One Tells You

Comments · 154

• VI

  @VirtualTravelBrian · 7 months ago · pinned

  Vietnam gets marketed as affordable, safe, and welcoming, but living here as a Black person can be all of that and quietly exhausting at the same time. That’s not hate, and it’s not praise, it’s reality. Some people feel freer here than they ever did back home, while others struggle with being constantly noticed, questioned, or “othered” in ways that add up over time. If you’ve lived in Vietnam or anywhere abroad as a Black person, what part of the experience surprised you the most: the peace, the pressure, or the things no one talks about? Drop your honest perspective below. This is a space for real discussion, not travel brochure answers.

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• FI

  @Fittover50-Calisthenics · 7 months ago

  As FBA I find that a lot of the stereotypes still follow us. I’m living in Vietnam now after two years in Thailand. I’ve met people when I arrived to Thailand that asked me where I was from and I replied America. Some said , I thought all Black people were from Africa. That really surprised me. In Thailand I’ve been treated sometimes differently than my white friends. It’s due to the colonization and I know Thailand hasn’t been colonized physically. They still are colonized mentally, just look at all the lightning skin cream in the stores all over the country. In Vietnam I’ve experienced it somewhat but I’m kinda use to it but I do over tip thinking it will help the next FBA that comes after me. I’ve came to the decision that I can’t change people perception of FBA, my job is to be good to the locals, be good to my fellow foreigner and just try to enjoy my life the best way I can. This is still better than being in America being on guard at all times. In closing I feel much safer, happier and at peace living in Southeast Asia. No place is Utopia and life is what we make it. I don’t over react to every uncomfortable situation, I just let it go and move on. I still go where I’m appreciated and not tolerated.

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• TU

  @tuannguyenthanh6149 · 7 months ago

  Là một người Việt Nam sống tại Saigon. Gần nhà tôi có một nhóm người châu phi vừa đến làm việc theo hợp đồng. Họ đen hơn người Mỹ da đen, da màu và chúng tôi, tôi và những người sinh sống ở khu vực tôi xem họ như những người hàng xóm, chúng tôi luôn giúp đỡ họ. Chúng tôi bán cho họ không giảm giá, vì chúng tôi xem họ bình đẳng với người bản địa.<br>Chúng tôi không xét đoán màu da.<br>Bạn là người Mỹ ư? Họ chỉ xem bạn là một người ngoại quốc như bất kỳ người ngoại quốc nào đến Việt Nam. Vấn đề vẫn nằm ở bạn.❤

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• JO

  @johnnymurray6275 · 7 months ago

  Dude!!! You said “ how many choices were made to avoid harm instead of seeking joy” or something like that! That hits hard!

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• SU

  @SupplySergeantDeliverySystemsL · 7 months ago

  I am a black American man living in Vietnam for a little over 2 years now. I absolutely have observed pros and cons living here, but nothing particularly stands out compared to other southeast Asian countries that I have lived in. Identify your purpose and stand firm on it. &nbsp;If you accept that you may be hated and/or loved for standing firm, then nothing should surprise you.

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• DA

  @Damionlouiseverywhere · 7 months ago

  This was a really well-done video. I was on an extended vacation, and I felt some stares, and at first I was like, &quot;What??&quot; But then I remembered others saying it was more curiosity than malice. I did have many conversations with the locals. My xanh SM driver spoke great English and asked many questions, mainly because he admitted they don&apos;t see many black Americans except on TV...we know what that representation is like. So, I leaned into every interaction, waving and smiling back at adults and children who stopped in their tracks to watch me. I had to laugh at some of the kids; they were really funny. I even made contacts that, months later, I still connect with on WhatsApp. &nbsp;Your video explains much of this very honestly and frankly.

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• BO

  @bobgoodi-jd4dx · 6 months ago

  Would be interesting if you made a video with the title &quot;living in Africa as a African American &quot; trust me you will be doing so many people a huge favor now you see. Thanks for sharing cuz

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• ST

  @starslight100 · 7 months ago

  Welcome to Vietnam ✌️🫰🇻🇳❤️<br><br>Vietnam is a small, independent, sovereign nation with a distinct culture that has existed in the region for thousands of years. Vietnamese people do not have a concept of racial discrimination, but age and individual behavior are important factors. Similarly, there is no concept of one place being safer or another less safe within the country, but there is a clear distinction between urban and rural areas.<br><br><br>Thanks for sharing.

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• AB

  @abeck0856 · 7 months ago

  I absolutely love your content, although I initially was a bit skeptical. &nbsp;Very detailed and informative. &nbsp;I&apos;ve been visiting vietnam for the past 4 years and now looking to become a 90 day expat.

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• AG

  @AG-qc8ek · 4 weeks ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcah8RJpmhs&amp;t=1698">28:18</a> &quot;when you&apos;re running errands but become a conversation &quot; this is really tough 🥴 🥶

• DU

  @duanethompson9848 · 1 month ago (edited)

  I live in Vietnam 🇻🇳 &nbsp;As black America men 🇺🇸. Da Nang I experience racist encounter at a local food shop was evening called the N-word also felt not welcomed in her store. But other then that I ❤ Vietnam 🇻🇳. &nbsp;Racism colorism discrimination is world wide 🌎 being Dark skin brown 🤔 we face these things. &nbsp;But I still love my skin color. &nbsp;This is my experience. I still love Vietnam 🇻🇳

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• RO

  @robertdais7569 · 7 months ago

  This is an amazing video. Detailed, thoughtful &amp; nuanced. I wish you gave actual prices of food and apt rentals but love your content!❤

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