What It's Like Returning to the US After 7 Years in Vietnam

In this vlog, I discuss the positives and negatives of returning to the US after living abroad in Vietnam for seven years, and an idea I refer to as “Reverse Culture Shock”.

This video is filmed in Riverside and Manhattan Beach, California.

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#cultureshock #expat #vietnam

[xdgsz]

You must be back in Vietnam already 😊 … I’ve been back to Vietnam 5 times already on 3-4 week trips and whenever I return to the USA, I’ve noticed something Vietnam has that the USA lacks is the sense of community and friendliness of people around you, less anxiety and road rage, and less boredom in Vietnam….In Vietnam especially the cities, there’s always something happening around the corner, the streets are smaller and there’s shops on every corner or alleyway….every day is like an adventure…here in the USA everyone keeps to themselves, there’s less community among the people, more anxiety and road rage 😢

[Alan-fxjw]

As a Vietnamese American, born in Vietnam and raised in America. I feel blessed to be able to go back and forth whenever I feel like it ❤❤❤

[rb]

I'm an American living in Vietnam 20 years. I'm not looking forward to going back next month. I realized the culture shock decades ago when I was visiting.

[bolthype]

Something that jumped out to me about your video: you walked all around town and I didn't see a single person outside of a car; I wonder if that contributes to that sense of isolation and anxiety you described. Great perspective and observations, thanks for sharing.

[markpaxton]

Did you notice the life on the street as you walked was almost non-existent except moving traffic. In Vietnam real people street life/activity is constant and communal. Huge difference👋

[tmugtop]

Love living in Vietnam! When in the states, we lived in the mountains near Santa Cruz CA. Now we live in the mountains near Da Lat Vietnam. Had a beautiful life in CA. Now have a beautiful life in VN. Big difference about living here is a sense of freedom that is only touted in the US.

[BDO]

Returned to the U.S. for a month long family visit after living several years in Thailand. I literally could not wait to get back on the plane back to Thailand! Back home in Hua Hin now and won’t be taking anymore trips to the U.S. anytime soon. I never really saw how stressed out people were there before. It’s actually sad given the wealth the country has. People in Thailand only have a fraction of what an average American has but they are happy! Yeah $35 for a haircut there for me. $3.00 in Thailand.

[joeyezee]

This is spot on. I can validate everything he is saying. For me, I am born and raised in San Francisco. I went to Vietnam two times. 10 days in November 2023 and 3 weeks in March 2024. I traveled to Saigon and Phan Thiet to visit my wife. The parking lot story he was saying at the post office right. Over here in SF road rage if you honk your horn. Over in Phan Thiet if you honk your horn it common courtesy. And yes in SF I do feel people around here is much more stressed than over in Vietnam. In the US we make more money but stressed. In Vietnam they are poorer but they are more happy with a simpler lifestyle. Once thing he did not cover is the food tastes much better than in the US because all of the food over there is cooked fresh vs here in US the food is frozen.

[martypoll]

The thing about a sense of safety in the US is that it depends on where you are. There are no go zones. Here in Thailand, city or country, I can walk anywhere anytime and not fear for my safety.

[damienlee]

I lived in Saigon for 5 years from 2016-2021 amd had to return to South Sacramento, CA due to the covid lockdowns. Words can't truly express how pessimistic and just generally unhappy i felt being back in California

[sharonlahaye]

I lived 15 years in Paris, France. One of the most important things I had to adjust to when returning to the US was the overstimulation. The constant billboards, the traffic, the loud conversations in restaurants, the colors and bright lighting of supermarkets and stores, and even the harsh sound of the English language. All of this causes a rise in stress levels that’s rarely relieved.

And there was also the “under-stimulation.” The complete lack of interest in hearing about life in another country was shocking. No one asked even the simplest of questions or were curious about how things are done outside of the States. It was my frame of reference, but I was hesitant to talk about any aspect of my life in France for fear of “showing off” or being unrelatable. In France it is common to have long, animated discussions over a meal “remaking the world, ” with everyone contributing their life experiences and observations as reference.

[SpontaneousSojourns]

Thanks for the video brother.

Vietnam a special place especially Da Nang, I'm from Scotland and stayed there almost 3 months on a tourist visa.

Most underrated country in South East Asia.

[fadplastic]

Moved to Saigon in 2011. Spent a glorious 7 1/2 years there before moving to Japan, and then eventually China. My girlfriend is Vietnamese. Look forward to going back every chance I get. I plan to move there permanently. My favorite country, favorite cuisine, people. Reverse culture shock is intense. I moved back to North America for 2 years. Man things are intense, regardless of your politics, it's so heated. Grateful to be back in Asia.

[sweetgurl]

thank you for loving my native Country Vietnam, and may God bless you well, friend. I hope someday I meet you either in Orange County or Vietnam ( Saigon).

[gustavohernandez]

One of the most shocking aspects of living in most of the US cities is the lack of people walking on the sidewalks. In many places, sidewalks are basically empty, like in this video. The only think you see around are cars, the neighborhoods are practically ghost towns because you don't see people around. Many hosues are behind security gates and tall walls, you cannot see them from the sidewalks. This fact makes you feel isolated, with no sense of community whatsoever, no human touch. No wonder people in these cities are more stressed, lonely, depressed, unsecured and unhappy in general.

[cypherpunk]

Shout out from Vietnam and Saigon!!!
Thanks Bentley for speaking good words about my home country
7 years is definitely something, it's long enough to develop serious bond for Saigon and Vietnam

Wish you the best for your journey ahead!!!

[matthewfusaro]

That's one of the perks of living in Vietnam. There's a barber shop on every street corner. It's about $2 and they rarely expect tips.

[Warzonegaming]

Living in America is now a nightmare. No one is actually happy here, everyone keeps to themselves. The vibes suck these days.

[vancouvertravels]

I have been in Vietnam in 1994. I stayed in Hue for 1 week, and Saigon 1 week. I will go back there when I have time. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. In my opinion, Vietnam is safer and more fun than Canada. It's very cold and there is so much rain 🌧 in Vancouver in the winter. It makes me feel so bored here. Thanks for sharing again. Hope you have a great day 👍👍👍😮

[clifforddang]

Yup, when I was in VN this april, yes there was honking but none of it seem malicious or full of anger!