Even after leaving Vietnam, Robert Berg, a 28-year-old traveler from Sweden, vividly remembers an unfamiliar local woman in Ho Chi Minh City who gave him a motorbike ride to buy fresh coffee and paid for the cup. It became the fondest memory of his journey.
Berg uploaded a video documenting the encounter in late August, drawing more than 3.2 million views. Many international viewers commended the woman for her kindness and hospitality.
While walking along Pham The Hien Street in Chanh Hung Ward, Berg stopped by a small drink stall hoping to buy an unsweetened iced black coffee. However, all beverages were pre-mixed. He had previously searched the neighborhood but found few coffee spots.
Noticing his disappointed look and limited Vietnamese, a local woman approached him in English. Berg initially thought she was only helping him order. Unexpectedly, she offered to ride him to a nearby cafe.
The Swedish traveler was surprised by the gesture. Sensing her sincerity, he hopped onto the back of her motorbike. The ride spanned just a few hundred meters, providing enough time for a friendly conversation in English.
The local resident used her motorbike to ferry the Swedish traveler to a neighborhood cafe. Photo: Robert Berg
A Spontaneous Act of Everyday Kindness
Upon arriving at the shop, the woman taught Berg how to pronounce “cà phê không đường” (black coffee without sugar) in Vietnamese. She paid for the drink, smiled, said, “Welcome to Vietnam,” and quickly departed without leaving any contact information.
“In Sweden, people tend to keep to themselves. I am not used to receiving help from someone I just met, as people rarely spend their time on strangers,” Berg shared. “I told my friends back home that for just 17,000 VND (about 70 US cents), she proved that Vietnamese people are truly as kind as travelers say.”
Throughout his two-week trip, Berg focused on exploring Ho Chi Minh City to understand its culture. He walked through traditional open-air markets, toured famous architectural landmarks, and wandered down small residential alleys.
Having traveled extensively across major Asian metropolises, Berg found Ho Chi Minh City uniquely distinct. The city moves with dynamic energy without feeling rushed, allowing residents to enjoy their own daily routines. Modern, tourist-heavy quarters sit alongside quiet residential quarters. Berg felt this contrast gave the city its charm.
The traveler explored districts across Ho Chi Minh City and plans to return on his next trip to Vietnam. Photo: Robert Berg
Cuisine formed an essential part of his itinerary. The Swedish traveler sampled crispy pancakes (bánh xèo), broken rice (cơm tấm), Hue-style spicy beef noodles (bún bò Huế), and steamed rolled rice sheets (bánh cuốn). He enjoyed most dishes, naming bánh xèo and cơm tấm his favorites. He also praised Vietnamese coffee for its deep, memorable aroma.
Above all else, the warmth of the people made Berg eager to return. He shared fond memories of interactions with total strangers. Cyclo riders or ride-hailing motorbike drivers waiting at red lights readily struck up casual conversations with him.
“On my next journey to Vietnam, I will visit Hanoi to see how it compares with Ho Chi Minh City,” Berg said.
Growing Inbound Tourism and Local Goodwill
Berg is not alone in receiving spontaneous warmth from Vietnamese locals. In July, Joe Brady, a 28-year-old traveler from Britain, was touched when a female scrap collector in Ho Chi Minh City went out of her way to retrieve a pair of shoes he had accidentally left behind, firmly refusing any monetary reward.
In May, staff at Dac Kim Bun Cha in Hanoi attended to a foreign guest showing signs of heat exhaustion, providing temple massages and medicated oil until she recovered.
International visitors gathered at Ben Thanh Market in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.
Berg’s experience unfolds amid a steady expansion in international arrivals across Vietnam.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, international visitors to the city over the first nine months of the year reached an estimated 8.5 million visits. This marks a 34.5% year-on-year increase, achieving 77.4% of the municipal target. Domestic traveler volume reached an estimated 39.5 million visits, fulfilling 79.1% of the annual projection.
Total tourism receipts reached an estimated 282.696 trillion VND, climbing 43.4% year-on-year and completing 85.7% of the annual goal. The city targets 11 million international visitors, 50 million domestic travelers, and 330 trillion VND in total tourism revenues in 2026.
(Source: zingnews.vn)
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