This video features a conversation between the video creator and Luna, a young woman who recently moved from Vancouver, Canada, to Vietnam. The main purpose is to explore Luna's reasons for making this significant life change, focusing on cultural differences, identity, and personal experiences in both countries.
Luna describes experiencing a sense of not fully belonging in either Vietnamese or Canadian communities. In Vietnam, she was sometimes seen as the "white girl" and felt like she wasn't considered fully Vietnamese. In Canada, she didn't fully identify as white, noting that she felt too Asian to be fully accepted as a white Canadian. She also mentions her brother experienced stones being thrown at him by a young girl in Asia, suggesting instances of prejudice. She notes that her frequent moves throughout childhood lessened the impact of cultural shock. However, moving to Canada at age 12 was more challenging because it was meant to be a permanent move and less of a temporary adjustment.
The transcript doesn't explicitly detail specific Vietnamese cultural practices Luna connects with more strongly than Canadian ones, but it implies a preference for the overall cultural atmosphere and social interactions in Vietnam. She contrasts the friendliness and willingness to help she finds in Vietnam with the perceived coldness and superficiality of interactions in Vancouver. The descriptions of her family's disciplinary methods (though harsh) and the close, physical expressions of affection (like sniffing) suggest a connection to more traditional Vietnamese family customs. However, a direct comparison of specific cultural elements is not explicitly provided.
Luna's decision to move to Vietnam stemmed from a combination of factors. After graduating with a degree in business and human resources, she worked for a few months. However, she felt she was losing her Vietnamese language skills due to limited use at home in Canada and the extended period (since 2019) she hadn't been back to Vietnam due to COVID-19. She desired to reconnect with her Vietnamese roots and culture. Her mother supported her decision, and her whole family even visited her in Vietnam for a month before returning to Canada, leaving Luna to live in Vietnam independently.
Luna directly compares the cost of living and work-life balance in Vietnam versus Vancouver. She mentions that a one-way ticket to Asia from Vietnam was significantly cheaper than a comparable trip within Canada. Regarding work-life balance, she describes Vancouver as a "9-to-5 grind," implying a less fulfilling work experience compared to Vietnam. She states that in Vietnam, she feels like she's "living" and "experiencing life," rather than just working to live as she felt in Vancouver. The implication is that Vietnam offers a more affordable and enjoyable lifestyle that better suits her preferences.
