Family is the solid pillar in one’s life, no matter how far away siblings and relatives might be. As an immigrant who has lived in America for the past twelve years of my life, I have met many people, but my family has always been what I return to. As a youthful pre-teen, I did not quite know the full value of family. I had hesitated when my mom suggested she and I visit Vietnam for a month in order to spend quality time with her relatives. I had always been detached from my siblings from her side, so at the time, I did not see the importance in visiting. However, by the end of the trip, I had gained a glowing love for the family that I have in Vietnam.
When my mother and I arrived in Vietnam, her family was already waiting for us in Saigon’s airport. Amongst the hectic crowds of people being herded from one stop to another, I heard the familiar voices I had once been used to as a child. I was immediately embraced by one of my aunts, overwhelmed by the warmth of her hug as she kissed my forehead with tenderness. I did not know how to react, but to hug her in return, for I instantly felt at home. My mother and I were whisked away into a nearby taxi that drove steadily and calmly, navigating its way through the insanely dense traffic of the Vietnamese roads. The streets were different than what I had imagined them to be like. People on motorbikes congested the roads, all heading to some destination that was important to them. Saigon was busy, with buzzing energy permeating the air as if it were the electricity of street lamps. The parks that we passed by were filled with vendors, all sitting in their designated spots, calling out to travelers, hoping for someone hungry to stop for a plate of food. The casual atmosphere of these parks was juxtaposed with the fast pace of the rest of the city, each balancing out the other.
As the taxi van approached my grandmother’s home, I could not help but notice how much it had aged since the last time I had seen it in a few glossy photos that were mailed to my mom. Stepping into the home was similar to entering another time period. The black and white tiled floors stood out against the pale blue of the walls, inviting me into the main living room where my grandmother was waiting. She recognized me almost instantly, and began to cry as though I were a newborn again, brought into her world by a kind act of fate. At the moment she took me into her arms, I was home again.
After the first few moments spent in the living room, whatever unfamiliarity was left melted away, and I began to view the place as my home. For the rest of my time spent in Vietnam, I learned of Vietnamese tradition and culture with my family, and found myself more immersed in my heritage than I had ever been before. I explored the city with my cousins and saw the people of my culture celebrating their lives together, laughing, eating, and loving.
I experienced the early morning walks with my mom amidst the empty town streets as we made our way to her childhood church for a visit. I discovered the Vietnamese delicacies that were being sold simply from small plastic containers or wide weaved baskets. The streets were the markets, and the markets were a part of the people. I will always have imprinted within me the sights of the townspeople bargaining for their daily groceries, making humorous conversation with the vendors in hopes of for a discounted price. I was able to be a part of all of this with my family in Vietnam, and I will always be grateful for those days when I wandered with my siblings for hours on end amongst the scents and sights of the streets. Through experiencing the colorful life of Vietnam with my family, I was able to appreciate each relative’s presence uniquely and unforgettably.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “A Home Across the Ocean”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Looking for a summer vacation that will keep the whole family entertained? Check out the list of 51 great family summer vacation ideas in this blog. Whether you’re looking for something outdoorsy, historical, or just a relaxing getaway, this blog has covered. From beach trips to amusement park adventures also there’s something for families vacation in Klamath. So whether you’re planning your dream vacation or just dreaming it up, be sure to check out this blog.
Hello, I enjiy eading alll of your artkcle post. I waanted tto write
a little comment too support you.
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this site is very user genial! .
Congratulations on the content. Interesting..
Interesting and something new for me. Thanks for travel inspirations! 🙂
Awesome. I’m getting ready for my next trip, so I’m looking forward to more posts about places like whis. 😀 Thanks! 🙂
It sounds like Barcelona would be a great destination to study Spanish, even if Madrid or another town had more native speakers. Thanks for sharing the info, will look into this school for our teens.
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for posting. “He who seizes the right moment is the right man.” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Great web site yoou have here.. It’s difcicult to find high quakity wrriting like yours these days.I seriously apreciate people like
you! Taake care!!
You are so cool! I don’t think I have read through something like that before.
So wonderful to find someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web,
someone with a bit of originality!
Top ,.. top top … post! Keep the good work on !
your article is so unique and very good
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Very informative post. Really Great.
Thanks for the blog article.Really thank you!
That was a nice write-up.The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting.
also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article and thank You for Providing Such a Unique and valuable information on
also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore<
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. Also, you could look Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, you can also have a look on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
well- articulated ! Thanks for sharing, Also, you may visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Excellent blog post, thanks for giving such informative articles. You might also check
Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in depth
information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Great Blog post. Thanks for sharing, also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us. you can also check on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
such a helpful and interesting blog, Thanks for the post. you can also visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
That was a nice write-up. The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting. you can also check onTours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
The greatest time to travel to Alaskan was during summer because the days are longer and the weather is warmer.
Relax on your spacious terrace as your opulent cruise liner passes creaky blue-white glaciers and verdant forests.
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!
Excellent blog post. I definitely love this site. Thanks!
Excellent brief and this article helped me alot. Say thank you I looking
for your information.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Your information is of great quality, thanks for sharing.
I have noted these ideas and will follow them this summer vacation. cause last time have enjoyed https://www.goldenbustours.com/new-york-to-niagara-falls-bus-tours/ and that was cool experince for me.
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!