To survive in Vietnam takes immense skill and critical thinking. With challenging obstacles everyday, being in Vietnam can be considered quite an ordeal. However, the struggles of being a visitor is completely worth it with the reward of the unforgettable experiences and memories you’ll create. For the duration of my 2 week trip, I learned if you can not only survive but truly enjoy Vietnam with your partner it’s meant to be. I say this because Vietnam is not for the weak, with the constant humidity and heat you’ll be sure to melt. And if there’s one thing I noticed about my family and friends it’s that heat brings out a whole different side of a person. Partnering the weather you have language barriers to overcome, and if you’re ever visiting a new country learning the language is a must! Expecting locals and natives to the land to know English is not only rude but incredibly entitled. On to the next skill, problem solving. The absolute worst thing when traveling is when someone doesn’t know what to do in a situation or has no effort in trying to solve the situation. The South of Vietnam is incredibly tropical with bad weather and rain to follow. Because of this plans may alter and things might not be exactly as expected. That’s where problem solving and flexibility comes in. Even in bad weather you’re in Vietnam! In Vietnam, it’s very common to tắm mưa (rain shower). This is the epitome of Vietnamese spirit. You make the most of it, and soak it all in (literally). Closing in we have our last and most important skill. You must absolutely, undoubtedly, most indisputably be a foodie. To truly love Vietnam is to love the food Vietnam has to offer. Besides the people, food is the heart and soul of Vietnam. Imagine ordering chicken tenders and fries in “Saigon”, one of the biggest food capitals in Vietnam. The culmination of these skills add up to the perfect travel buddy, so if you can find this person with all four of these cherish and hold them for they are a true gem that you could live life with. Vietnam brings out a side of you, that you don’t even know existed and if you come out together not exhausted of each other that’s how you know you’ve found the one.
