An’s Journey: From Russia to Vietnam

An relocated from Russia to Vietnam at the age of six, embracing his father’s heritage and mastering the Vietnamese language like a native speaker.

The attractive young man possesses a blend of ‘western’ features, which he views as a benefit in garnering interest and attracting viewers to his online content.

In his videos, An communicates fluently in Vietnamese, captivating audiences with insights into Vietnamese habits, interests, and cultural traits.

Although he is capable of speaking Russian, he primarily uses Vietnamese in his content, even when interacting with international friends during video creation.

He enjoys explaining Vietnamese culture and etiquette to his foreign acquaintances, demonstrating how to navigate the Vietnamese way of life.

While An has been a content creator for some time, he gained significant recognition in the past year.

Before making content creation his full-time pursuit, he worked at a fashion firm. Inspired by colleagues who livestreamed product promotions, he found it appealing.

He eventually left the fashion industry to venture into online sales, initially focusing on clothing due to his passion for fashion. Over time, he expanded his offerings to include a variety of products, becoming a prominent seller for numerous brands on social media.

Despite dedicating time to livestreaming and e-commerce, video production remains a priority for An, and he envisions it as a long-term career.

“I wasn’t certain about my path before, but now I have clarity,” he shared.

However, he often feels disheartened by people’s reactions to his role as a salesman.

In contrast to other prominent foreign figures in Vietnam who have pursued various career paths, such as entering the entertainment industry or teaching English, An has embraced both selling and content creation as his niche.

His distinct ‘western’ looks certainly help in attracting an audience, though he sometimes finds the public attention overwhelming. Nonetheless, he is gradually acclimating to it.

A common remark he hears when out and about is, “Oh, you speak Vietnamese? You speak it very well!”

Once, while visiting a local tea shop, he requested a drink in a dialect that astonished the shop owner, demonstrating his fluency in the language.

His foreign appearance can present challenges, particularly when shopping, as vendors often inflate prices for tourists. An is diligent in bargaining, though he chuckles at times when he realizes he may still be paying more than necessary.

“I sometimes think I’ve succeeded in negotiations, only to find out later that I was overcharged,” he remarked with amusement.

An also encounters amusing moments in Vietnam; he once advised an African motorcyclist to stay in his lane, only to discover that the driver also spoke fluent Vietnamese, leading to an unexpected friendship between them.