Brian Jeffrey
In 2015, Pim moved from Belgium to Thailand to visit his younger brother but ended up falling in love with Da Nang, Vietnam.
“Da Nang has beautiful mountains, beaches, tasty food, and welcoming people,” Pim Nguyen, his adopted name, shared.
To settle into life in Vietnam, he dedicated time to learning Vietnamese from locals. After six months of exploring Da Nang and other parts of the country, he began teaching English and French.
With the exception of a two-year stint back in Belgium during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pim has resided in Vietnam for almost seven years and has developed a good command of the Vietnamese language. He has also gained fame on TikTok, amassing 200,000 followers.
“Vietnamese grammar is relatively straightforward, but mastering the pronunciation can be challenging,” he noted, recalling initial difficulties with the accents that often led to misunderstandings. “The vocabulary is extensive, with numerous words conveying similar meanings.”
Pim relished the advantage of daily interactions with Vietnamese speakers, often receiving praise for his language skills. In his early days, even simple sentences earned him compliments.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how generous Vietnamese people are with their compliments,” he added.
During his time in Vietnam, Pim has traveled to Hanoi twice and has a fond appreciation for various Vietnamese dishes, though he admits pho hasn’t won him over.
“Perhaps I just haven’t found the right place, but I prefer bun bo (beef noodle soup), bun cha (rice noodles with grilled pork), and mi Quang (Quang-style noodles),” he explained.
Like many foreigners, Pim has remarked on the chaotic traffic in Vietnam, which shocked him at first. “It feels like an endless stream of vehicles with many reckless drivers,” he observed.
He described many drivers as “stubborn,” noting they often do not apologize for their mistakes despite driving carelessly. “Nonetheless, apart from this, Vietnamese people have been very kind to me,” he reflected.
Pim compared the two cultures, stating that while Belgian people are friendly, they tend to be more reserved when interacting with strangers. “During the cold winters in Belgium, people often stay indoors rather than socialize,” he explained.
While many strive for opportunities in Europe, Pim prefers the natural beauty Vietnam offers. He enjoys its mountains, forests, rivers, and the favorable climate in Da Nang.
For the past three years, he has embraced a vegetarian lifestyle, appreciating the variety of vegetables and fruits available in Vietnam. “There are many vegetarian-friendly restaurants that cater to my taste,” he added.
As a popular TikTok creator, Pim shares entertaining videos of himself cooking dishes like bun cha, canh chua (sour soup), and com tam (broken rice), showcasing his knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine.
Pim married his long-term Vietnamese girlfriend in 2022 after navigating various cultural and lifestyle differences together.
Initially, they had disagreements about marriage; in Belgium, many couples live together and have children before tying the knot, whereas in Vietnam, marriage is generally prioritized.
After extensive conversations, his girlfriend came to understand that marriage wasn’t obligatory. They eventually wed when she turned 33.
Their relationship continues to thrive as they embrace their differences and learn from each other.
