HO CHI MINH CITY — When Markeiz Ryan, a 36-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran, first landed in Vietnam on his birthday in 2016, nothing went as planned. His visa caused delays at immigration, a taxi driver sped off with his phone, and he wandered the streets of Hanoi for hours before finding help.
But just a week later, as he sat on a tiny plastic stool by the sidewalk, watching motorbikes stream past and tasting street food for the first time, something inside him shifted.
“After years of living with depression, I felt peace for the first time,” Ryan said. “I knew I had to live in this country.”
From Maryland to the Military — and Into Darkness
Born and raised in Maryland, Ryan came from a working-class family of four siblings. The 2008 financial crisis plunged his family into debt, forcing him to drop out of college and enlist in the U.S. Air Force at age 20.
He served in Germany, South Korea, and several African countries, moving every two years. But in 2016, while stationed in Korea, he violated curfew and was demoted from staff sergeant to senior airman — a devastating blow that triggered severe depression.
“I lost everything I had worked for,” he said. “I was ashamed, and people treated me differently.”
Therapy and medication helped stabilize him, but when a friend invited him to visit Hanoi, Ryan accepted — not knowing it would change the course of his life.
Vietnam: A Place of Acceptance and Connection
Before arriving, Ryan worried that Vietnamese people might still harbor resentment toward Americans — or prejudice against a Black foreigner. Instead, he was welcomed with warmth and humor.
Local children called him “ông chú socola” (Uncle Chocolate). Strangers invited him for karaoke and street snacks. “In Vietnam, you can sit down anywhere, talk to anyone, and you’re part of the group,” he said. “People don’t care about status — only about kindness.”
Every vacation afterward, Ryan returned — to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and beyond. By 2019, after leaving the military due to spinal and hearing injuries and lingering mental health issues, he made the leap.
He sold his car, gave away his possessions, and bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam.
Building a Sustainable Life in Saigon
Today, Ryan lives in Bình Thạnh District, far from the expat-heavy area of Thảo Điền. “I didn’t come here to live in a bubble,” he said. “I wanted real life — with street food vendors yelling ‘bắp xào đây!’ (fried corn here!) every evening.”
Between his veterans’ pension, English teaching, and voice-over work, Ryan earns around US$4,000 a month, spending roughly half of that on living expenses.
“When financial pressure eases, you start focusing on things that actually make you happy,” he said.
His days begin with coffee at a street stall, surrounded by locals chatting before work — a rhythm of life he calls “antidote to burnout.”
“In America, everyone rushes with Starbucks in hand,” he said. “Here, people pause — even for 20 minutes of rest at noon. They work hard but still enjoy life. I’ve learned that balance.”
Finding Purpose Through Giving Back
Ryan’s path to healing deepened after visiting Thiên Phước Shelter in District 12, home to children affected by Agent Orange. “I played games with them and saw their smiles,” he said. “That day I realized — your worst day might be someone else’s best.”
Now, he volunteers three times a month with Vietnam Hearts, a local NGO supporting street children and performers. He teaches English, donates supplies, and mentors kids.
“Helping others healed me more than therapy ever did,” Ryan said. “Making someone else happy makes me happy.”
According to Việt Nguyễn, founder of Vietnam Hearts, Ryan’s commitment has inspired other expats to join local community work. “He’s not just a teacher — he’s a bridge between cultures,” Việt said.
A New Chapter — and No Looking Back
Today, Ryan wakes up excited for each day in Ho Chi Minh City — creating content for his YouTube channel RyanDenVlogs, where he shares stories about Vietnamese culture and everyday life.
“I haven’t had a boring day since I moved here,” he smiled. “This country gave me a new life — and a new reason to live.”
