New book by expats in Vietnam tells it like it is

For those considering Vietnam for their next home from home, there’s a newly-published book which tells the personal triumphs and tragedies of 21 expat residents. ‘

'Stories of Expats in Vietnam’ gathers together the feelings, experiences and troubles of 21 expats, all of whom tell of everything from their initial difficulties to their growing love and attachment to the Southeast Asian country. All have diverse occupations and arrived from diverse countries including Russia, France, Japan and Mexico. They came to work, teach, write, learn about Vietnam’s troubled history or just enjoy a much-needed vacation in a unique destination. All the authors fell in love with Vietnam and stayed.

According to the book’s publisher and distributor Nguyen Thanh Tung, the tales tell of the expat writers’ positive thinking, enthusiasm and humour. They describe interesting encounters with Vietnamese nationals, share their difficulties in adapting to a totally different culture and their joy when they realised they’d found love as well as a forever home in the country. One author focuses on Vietnam’s young people and their vitality, desire to discover the entire world and devotion to the ideal of making a change in their land.

Vietnam is now becoming ever more popular as a retirement destination for expatriates at present living in other Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. Its culture is independent from adjoining states, and there’s a determination to improve the country’s position both economically and as a leading SEA nation. At present, the cost of living is very low, and accommodation to suit all budgets is easily available. One problem common to all SEA countries is air pollution, caused not only by city traffic but also by the traditional burning of rice fields and other agricultural sites.

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