– Life is so unpredictable. There are unexpected turning points that might change one’s life completely. She’s at a major juncture. Scary.
– A domino effect can start with the fall of just one small piece.
– Let pray. The Higher Powers will guide you through.
– In her fear, she prays for love, forgiveness, health, safety, and enlightenment…. She does this every day.
– In the darkest moments of misery and fear, she realized she’s not alone. She’s received more love & care than she could have ever expected.
– Being nice and being kind are different.
– I love and miss you, Grandma. So much! I wish to see you in my dreams.
– Mom, I love you! I’m so lucky and happy to be your daughter. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. My most peaceful nights are those when I was with you, holding you as I slept. My life felt abundant, carefree and protected when I was with you.
– Sis, your care and protection have touched my heart. I’m so grateful.
– She doesn’t want to be weak but she’s cried. Oh shit, she needs to love herself. No fucking one has the right to steal her joy.
While looking for something to do to beat boredom, my friend suggested we watch the Quintessence of Tonkin show, and I immediately agreed. We were picked up at 5:30 PM and spent 45 minutes on the bus to get there.
The venue has two main areas: the performance space, which was closed until the show started, and an open market area called “Chợ Quê,” resembling a traditional market with stalls selling Vietnamese foods and snacks. There, we were treated to a complimentary traditional Vietnamese family meal, which included boiled water spinach, clear soup (water from boiling the spinach), fried tilapia fish, and fermented eggplants. Had I known about this market, I might have skipped this free meal, which wasn’t entirely free as it required a minimum purchase of four tickets. The market used with coupons instead of cash. I bought five coupons, each worth 20,000 VND, but later realized it would have been better to buy coupons of different values since you don’t get change for cheaper items. I bought steamed sweet potatoes, garlic butter bread, and green tea. The sweet potatoes were good, but the bread was disappointing—dry and made with margarine instead of butter. The meal area also had a stage where artists performed traditional singing, dancing, and acting, showcasing typical Vietnamese culture.
When the show was about to start, we lined up for check-in.
The show offers three types of tickets: Platinum, Gold, and Regular. Platinum tickets are the most expensive and come with separate, premium seating at the back, which is covered and equipped with fans. Gold and Regular tickets have access to the same unnumbered seating area; the only advantage of Gold tickets is a closer entrance, giving holders a better chance to choose their seats first. We chose seats at the back, just behind the Platinum area, where we benefited from the breeze from the Platinum area’s fans, which was great on that hot, humid night.
As the name suggests, the show introduces core aspects of Vietnamese culture, specifically those of the Red River Delta, through scenes of daily life, music, paintings, and celebrations. It also illustrates the examination process for students, highlighting the celebration of the top scholar, and emphasizing the respect and significance of academic traditions. The show highlights Vietnamese cultural, spiritual, and religious elements, such as lotus flowers, Buddhism, the Female Goddess Worshipping (Đạo Mẫu), and puppetry. A notable feature of the show is the participation of a large number of performers, including local farmers and professional artists, performing on a large water stage set against the natural backdrop of Thầy Mountain and surrounded by bamboo trees. The stage creates a peaceful village scenery, harmoniously blending with the performance. Artistic lighting, music, and traditional instruments add excitement to the show.
Through the show, audiences gain an understanding of how closely Vietnamese culture is tied to agricultural activities like rice planting and fishing. Real buffaloes, boats, and traditional farming tools on stage vividly represent the daily work of farmers. The show also offers insight into Vietnamese art through folk songs, traditional musical instruments, and Đông Hồ paintings – folk art known for their handcrafted prints, created using carved wooden blocks.
While I found the show interesting, it didn’t leave a deep impression because it was hard to identify standout moments. The show lasts only 45 minutes, making it difficult to explore each aspect in depth. As a Vietnamese, I found it challenging to fully grasp the aspects presented, so it might be even more confusing for foreigners, especially since the show is entirely in Vietnamese, except for a brief introduction on a projector. While the show aims to convey a sense of peace and simplicity, I personally found it rather sad. The depiction of a life with few comforts and limited entertainment made me reflect more on past struggles than on the intended tranquility and artistic beauty. The performers’ costumes in muted colors, the dark night setting with glimpses of light, folk songs, traditional music, and the lack of modern elements evoked a nostalgic and somewhat melancholic feeling about past hardships. The buffaloes brought on the stage, however, looked so healthy and well-fed that they seemed to be living a good life – an amusing contrast to the humble farmers.
Another downside was the weather. It was extremely hot and humid, making it uncomfortable, especially for someone like me who sweats easily. We sweated a lot during dinner, so I recommend checking the weather and choosing a cooler day to attend the show. Also, it’s better to use the transportation included in the ticket price instead of going on your own. The food there is typical Vietnamese, including noodle soups and Vietnamese crepes, but you might want to bring your own food if you prefer Western options.
In general, the show was an interesting experience, but it left me feeling sad about people’s harsh and dull life back then, rather than the peacefulness and relaxation the shows aims to convey. Or it might be that because I was feeling unhappy, it was hard for me to see the show in a more positive light.
Before the trip to Sam Son Beach, I had a rough week with my mind busy with the IVF cycle. I was worried about my future, feeling trapped and unable to focus on anything else. It felt like I was wasting my life, stuck in a rut where each day passed futilely. I wanted to change but felt so demotivated. Fortunately, making a to-do list helped; it gave me something to look forward to.
Thinking about how enthusiastic my mom was for the vacation, I decided to buy her a new bathing suit and scarf. She loves being photographed, and the scarf would be a versatile accessory for different looks and poses. My sister had intended to take Mom shopping for clothes because she was worried about finding the right fit without trying them on. However, my mom wasn’t up for it, thinking it wasn’t necessary since she hardly ever goes to the beach and could just use her old one. I still wanted to surprise her. I went to a shop and quickly picked out a V-neck bathing suit in a rich reddish-brown and a floral scarf. The suit comes to about mid-thigh and features modern patterns. Unlike me, my sister is very picky when it comes to selecting clothes. She can try on 10 or more items and still not find anything she likes, while I’m quite unfussy. I can quickly choose the pieces I like and adjust them if needed. I believe any problem can be solved. Additionally, shopping is easier for me because my style is different from hers. I prefer loose, comfortable clothes that don’t require strict measurements. I also know which styles, patterns, prints, materials, and forms suit me well.
My mom was very pleased with the new set, especially the scarf, after I showed her different ways to style it. Initially, she thought the scarf was too big and wasn’t sure how to use it. A few hours before we set off, my mom still walked to the market looking for a top to match her skirt and sunglasses to hide her eye wrinkles, but she didn’t have any luck. It’s wonderful that at 70, she still looks attractive and maintains her appearance so well. I’m not sure I want to see the photos of myself when I’m older as I doubt I’ll look as vibrant as she does at her age, even well before I reach that age.
One day before the trip, I visited a Chinese horoscope reader with a friend. Although I’d heard about her a while ago, I hadn’t thought much about it until my IVF concerns drove me to seek some insight. The visit was disappointing. I couldn’t provide an exact birth time, only an estimated range between the Tiger and Cat hours, but she immediately concluded I was born in the Tiger hour. I hoped she would have used both potential birth hours to offer more accurate insights. She asked several yes-or-no questions to validate her readings. I then told her I wanted insights into my motherhood and marriage. It was no surprise when she quickly highlighted the problems she assumed I was having. Well, it’s not unusual for some psychics to magnify problems to make clients feel vulnerable and reliant on their guidance, but, I didn’t realize that during the visit. She emphasized I might face a divorce, and to prevent this, I needed to prepare for a ritual involving both a symbolic divorce and remarriage. She also pointed out that my bedroom was located above the kitchen, which was bad; I should move to a room on the same floor but across from the kitchen. For fertility, she instructed me to put a totem of a buffalo with a child riding it on the headboard; obtain a piece of a nail and a strand of hair from a child in a family with several children, and put them in seven gourd-shaped bottles (Hồ Lô). Moreover, she advised using various types of crystals somewhere in the room. Finally, she guided me to have my mom place red roses and some stuff on the altar and pray to the female goddess for support.
What she said seemed odd, but as someone seeking insights, I listened quietly. She then handed me a bag for the items. Without questioning whether I really wanted them, I just asked the price and paid her, though, very soon after, I had a gut feeling something was off. I tend to respond slowly when caught off guard. If she’d asked, “Do you want them?” I might’ve said no. Instead, she acted like she was giving me instructions I had to follow. At that time, I didn’t realized she was selling me Feng Shui items. I had never expected to encounter that at a psychic reading. How naive or silly I was!
Upon leaving the psychic’s house, my friend pointed at a fancy house across the street and mentioned that it also belonged to her. She explained that the psychic still works in the old, rundown house since it’s brought her good luck with money, and she wants to maintain that fortune. This experience made it clear to me how lucrative this type of business can be. Within half an hour, the psychic could earn much more than a high-paid medical professor or academic. Well, it’s difficult to compare earnings across different fields, I just don’t feel that her knowledge, values, or experience justify the amount of money she charged. It seems that she’s more skilled in business than in psychic work. Though the reading isn’t a pleasant experience, but it has taught me a lesson to always consider carefully before making a decision.
Later, I stopped at a restaurant for meatball noodle soup (Bún Mọc) and lemon tea. The soup was good, and the tea was perfect. I liked its bold tea flavor, unlike the other experience I had before, which tasted like lemonade. Next, I went for a walk to exercise on the way to LoBi cafe. I had never gone to this place but its spacious and inviting appearance captured my attention.
I ordered “Nâu nóng” (Vietnamese traditional hot coffee with condensed milk), as usual, and enjoyed my “me time” there. Half an hour later, a group of young guys came in and sat at a table next to me. They did a tarot reading. The man doing the reading seemed like a perfect match for the job. His manner, voice and tone reflect a flexible gender, which reminded me of fortune tellers or ritual hosts I saw in Vietnamese movies. Watching him inspired me to ask him for one myself. I thought this coincidence might have been the Universe’s way of answering my nightly questions. He agreed to the reading, and though it was fun, it didn’t provide much insight. I gave him a small amount of money to thank him for his time and left the cafe, buying a cup of tiramisu and a brownie for my mom, and a fried sticky rice ball for my dad. I also bought crispy roast pork but didn’t eat it as I had planned for dinner and a movie with my cousin.
She picked me up, and we went to Vincom Plaza. It was quiet, with only a few restaurants open. We had dinner at Alfredo; I had pumpkin and Tom Yum Thai soups, and she had deep-fried chicken and a platter of appetizers.
The soups helped with my jittery feeling from earlier coffee. We browsed the plaza and stopped by Annam Gourmet, a premium store known for its high-quality imported and local products. We picked up dried kumquat and rose apples (called “Mận” in the South or “Roi” in the North.)
They are naturally sweet and retain their true flavors but might be too sugary for some. We watched “Despicable Me 4,” an animated movie about Gru and his family. Gru’s old rival, Maxime Le Mal, seeks revenge and plans to kidnap Gru’s son. To protect his family, Gru relocates them to Mayflower under new identities. The movie centers on Gru’s battle with Maxime, with the help of whimsical and super-powered Mega Minions. It was fun, full of humor and clever antics that kept us laughing and feeling young. It provided a delightful and relaxing escape.
Overall, though I still couldn’t find answers for my concerns through psychic readings, I felt blessed by the experiences of the day.
There were arguments, frustrations and anger…Intense anxiety and raw fears…
I woke up, felt relieved, realizing that it was all just a dream. But a moment later, I sadly realized how often these fears (…) are present. But I’m not trying to fight them. What I can and should do well is to go inward and pray, which helps me stay aware of my fears without being overwhelmed.
…
No matter what happens, this journey will eventually end, and something new will start. Whether it turns out to be better or worse, it will be different. And a change is what I’m really after.
Saturday July 20th, 2024, we were on the way to Sam Son beach. It’s a popular destination for local tourists, mostly from nearby northern and central provinces. It’s about a three-hour drive from Hanoi.
My sister sponsored this trip. My mom was very excited about it because she loves to be photographed. From the day we planned it, she looked through her wardrobe everyday to pick out items that she could mix and match. I love how she does things, even the smallest tasks, with such diligence and without stress or intensity. I’m the opposite; I prefer to pack as little as possible that fits in my backpack. However, her enthusiasm made me want to prepare more myself. So, I packed nice clothes, skin care and make-up products, etc in case I wanted to look good in photos; all of them fit in my medium-sized suitcase. However, ironically, it’d been almost three days since I got there, I hadn’t worn any nice clothes. I was in shorts, tank tops and T-shirts, and wore flip-flops the whole time. It just takes too much energy to pull everything together for a good look: nice clothes, make-up, hair style, matching shoes and accessories. So, I decided not to bother and just focused on having a good time. I also hadn’t gone into the water because I had a procedure just over a week before. I wanted to avoid potential infections. Plus, the beach was super crowded, especially on the weekends, which made it less appealing to swim or relax there.
Despite not swimming, I still enjoyed the trip. I’m a big fan of seafood and interested in trying local dishes. The seafood there was so fresh. We ate crabs, clams, calamari, oysters, fish and mantis shrimp cooked in different ways. The mantis shrimp (“Bề bề” or “Tôm tít” in Vietnamese) was amazing and crawfish doesn’t even compare. This shrimp has much more meat, is easy to peel, and has a juicy texture. I think it’s always delicious, whether it’s cooked in any way or served on its own or with other foods. If this shrimp is marketed seriously, it could become even more popular than crawfish.
One evening, we stopped at a food stand famous for sweet soups, drinks and street foods. You can find all different types of sweet soups from all over Vietnam here. The soups are typically sweet and creamy, with various toppings such as tapioca pearls, jelly, nuts, fruits and other ingredients, depending on which soup you order. About street foods, they serve “Bánh xèo” (Vietnamese crepe). It’s loaded with a variety of ingredients, including shrimp, bean sprouts, carrots, onions and more. The crepes are cut into small pieces, ready to be wrapped in rice paper together with veggies and herbs. While I don’t know all their names, there are plenty, such as lettuce, mustard greens, cucumbers, and some exotic ones like ming aralia (đinh lăng), lolot (lá lốt), and skunk vine leaves (lá mơ). I love eating rolls though it takes a bit of time to make them ready. “Bánh xèo” is dipped in fish sauce, mixed to be sour, sweet, and spicy. I was amazed how delicious the food was the first time I tried it here, so I was really excited to go back. However, the second experience wasn’t as good as the first. “Bánh xèo” didn’t meet my expectations this time. It seemed like they’ve changed ingredients; I didn’t like the green beans and sweet potatoes that they added. Interestingly, while we were eating, it started raining hard. Since the place didn’t have a roof, we had to stand shoulder to shoulder at the covered counter and wait for the owner to set one up. The rain then lightened up and the roof was ready, we’d hoped to continue our meal. But soon, the rain intensified again. With the wind blowing it from the sides, the roof couldn’t keep all the rain out. To make matters worse, the electricity went out. I got a little wet, and we had to cut our dinner short and planned to head back to the hotel. But when we left, the rain stopped, so we went to AHA coffee shop instead to enjoy the rest of our evening.
We wanted to find a local cafe with some unique character instead of a chain like AHA, but the choices here are pretty limited. Just like 99% of the time when I visit a coffee shop in VN, I ordered “Nâu nóng”, a traditional hot coffee with condensed milk, rather than choosing other drinks. I love its aroma and sweet, bitter taste. Sipping it while chatting or just enjoying my time alone is a favorite activity of mine. However, due to a miscommunication, the order taker brought me an iced coffee. I told him about the mistake. He took the cup away reluctantly and returned with a different one. I was disappointed when the new coffee arrived because it looked different from the usual coffee I get at this chain – the color, texture, and even the cup.
I tried to stay positive, thinking maybe this is how they prepare condensed milk coffee at that specific place. I took a sip, but it was disappointing; the coffee wasn’t thick or rich, and the flavor was light. It seemed like hot water had been added to the original cup, or they just removed the ice, rather than making a fresh cup for me. I called another waiter and told him it was the worst coffee I had ever had at AHA. He took my cup away and returned with the correct one. Finally, I could enjoy the coffee, but I couldn’t drink much, especially Vietnamese coffee as it contains a lot of caffeine, which I should limit during my IVF treatment.
During our time there, we visited Sunworld water park, a temple and planned to see a water show, but it was canceled because the country’s leader had just passed away. So no public events were held during that period. We felt a bit disappointed as we were very excited for our parents to see the show, which I have never seen either. We also went to a play area at Hai Tien beach, around a 1-hr drive from Sam Son beach at night, but again it was closed. On the way there, we checked out several places to try local foods such as eel noodle soup, fried eel noodles and chicken salad. My sister even looked for grilled eggs but she wasn’t lucky. I’d tried them before in Saigon. The liquid inside an egg is extracted, mixed with salt, garlic, and pepper, and then injected back into the egg.
On the way back to Hanoi, we had lunch at Ba Cửa Restaurant in Ninh Binh, where we enjoyed goat meat.
I loved citrus-cured goat salad, grilled goat meat, and goat sausage. Well, too much protein throughout the vacation. We then drove back to Hanoi in the rain; it wasn’t as bad as we’d feared. We were expecting worse because of the storm forecast. It rained everyday while we were there, but whenever we needed to go out, it magically stopped. Overall, the trip was great, but there were a few things I didn’t like, such as a power outage at our hotel from the afternoon until 1 a.m., water hygiene concerns where we stayed, and a foul smell in some areas near the beach after the heavy rain. But above all, I truly cherish the time with my family, which is more precious than anything else I’ve experienced on the trip. I’m not sure when I’ll have another gathering like that. It reminds me of how important these moments are and how grateful I am for the chance to have shared them with my family.
In the morning, I attended two online classes back-to-back; staying focused for 3 hours straight with just a few minutes of break was challenging. Then, I had a simple breakfast of leftover fried rice made by my mom before taking meds. Was pretty unproductive after that.
In the afternoon, I booked a Grab motorbike to go to the hospital for acupuncture. The gloomy weather made me feel hesitant at first to go out, but still managed the trip. Booked another Grab ride to return home, enjoying some awesome discounts on my trip through the app.
For dinner, we enjoyed a special dish prepared by my dad, who takes great pride in his cooking skills, especially when it comes to traditional Vietnamese cuisine. His specialty tonight is called “Giả cầy”, a kind of stewed pork. The main ingredient is pork, preferably from parts like the feet, legs, or shoulders, which have a good amount of fat alongside lean meat. The fat from these cuts doesn’t taste greasy. The pork is marinated with various minced herbs, including a unique one with a distinct flavor, called galangal root. Additionally, the dish features a sour element called “mẻ”, a fermented product of cooked rice, providing a pleasant acidic flavor. Another key flavor comes from “mắm tôm”, or fermented fish paste. The combination of these three main stuff gives the dish its distinctiveness and makes it stand out from other stewed pork dishes. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the pork skin is fire- roasted before stew. Traditionally and, still in rural areas, it is roasted with rice straw, giving it a smoky aroma. However, in cities, I guess people use a liquefied gas torch, which still guarantees the dish is cooked to perfection.
We typically pair this dish with a special herb called “lá mơ” (cheese leaves or skunk vine leaves), creating a wonderful mix of flavors. Today, we ate “Giả cầy” with rice noodles instead of rice. My whole family loved the meal and raved about how delicious it was.
After dinner, I went for a walk and encountered a group of preschool kids playing together. They greeted me, and when one little girl addressed me as “bác!”, it hit me: “Uhm..I already look old.” In Vietnam, we rely on age to address each other in social relationships. A female can call herself or be called either “em”, “chị”, “cô”, “bác”, or “bà” in various situations. If she is called “bác”, it means she is only younger than “bà”, but older than the rest. While using age-related terms shows respect, it can accidentally draw attention to age, especially for older women. In contrast, simply using “I” and “You” in communication in the US greatly helps avoid emphasizing age. One reason I still see myself as young there as the majority of people in my neighborhood and my social circles are older. My best American friends are seniors. But most importantly, in American culture, people don’t experience social pressure growing old.
P/S: In friendships, if someone is called “Bà”, it doesn’t mean she is very old; it’s simply a friendly form of address.
My productivity is a bit better than yesterday. In the morning, I attended an online Math class, which was interesting. Then, spent some time searching for information about my upcoming procedure – ovarian PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections. This technique is aimed at hopefully improving overall ovarian health, specifically the quality and quantity of eggs. Given my age and several IVF failures, it’s becoming obvious that I have bad eggs. This truth is so devastating. When I first started this journey, everything seemed so promising and I was so naive to believe that. However, the deeper I go into this journey, the more I realize how perilous it can be like a monster pulling its “victims” into the abyss of fear and distress.
In the afternoon, I went to get acupuncture as usual. I’ve been completing 28 sessions so far. The acupuncturist advised me to continue sessions weekdays. I also receive red light therapy. The treatments are reasonable. However, the Grab taxi expenses add up to the total cost since I don’t want to deal with chaotic traffic in VN for a long transportation. I’d rather spend money to save my peace.
Afterward, I headed home, took pills, and then went for a walk in the park near my parents’ house. Taking walks allow me to reflect deeply on various aspects of my life, including my strengths, weaknesses, and current situations. It uplifts my spirits and brings peace.
Later in the day, I watched a science lecture video. There are many more videos on my watchlist; hopefully I’ll be more productive tomorrow. I couldn’t focus during the lecture because of mosquito bites, which were really annoying. It feels like I am their only target everyday. I always have to keep some cream nearby to soothe the itchiness and stop myself from scratching the bite spots.
I also shared a photo of Tiết canh (raw blood soup) with MK, intending to “scare” her. Surprisingly, she replied enthusiastically, “yum!” Actually, blood soup is a popular dish in Vietnam, made from the blood of goats or ducks. Pig blood soup is very common too but we don’t eat it as it can be deadly due to potential contamination with S.suis. I personally enjoy this specialty a lot. It’s a mixture of ground meat and finely chopped cartilage covered in blood. Not sure of all the ingredients used, but it’s really delicious, with the addition of herbs and peanuts, providing a crunchy texture and flavorful taste.
That’s all for today. It’s bedtime now.
P/S: Sometimes, I just want to throw my phone away.
No shower, no face wash, not even brushing my teeth since I rolled out of bed. Spent all morning glued to my phone screen, trying to dig up info to deal with the anxiety and fear on my IVF journey. How ashamed! Should’ve been doing something productive to lift my spirits, but ended up procrastinating instead. Can’t seem to find energy, motivation, or positivity to keep pushing myself forward. This journey’s been a real drain—emotionally and physically. I’m on the verge of throwing in the towel, but deep down, I know this time is my last chance considering my age. Even though the odds are extremely slim, I’m still hanging in there. Still giving it my all, even though I can feel the toll it’s taking on my body and mind. Set a limit for myself—two more cycles, but right now, it feels like I’m just dragging myself through each day, counting down to the end. I’m doing it without much hope, just trying to avoid future regrets. Feels like it’s sucking the life out of me…
I’m feeling lost, I’m losing the purpose in life. Everything I’ve tried, everything I’m about to do, they just don’t seem to hold any meaning any more. I haven’t given up yet but I know I can’t keep going like this much longer. I’m terribly worn out. My life, my strength, determination, emotions, and hope have all been devastatingly crushed.
I feel powerless in everything…
No idea what’s waiting for me back in the States once this journey’s over. Don’t know if things will stay the same or take a turn for the worse. Probably worse.
Last week has been the worst I’ve ever experienced in my life. I felt utterly powerless and drained; overwhelmed by intense fear and distress about what lies ahead. I finally cried. Oh, I just felt so great when tears flowed freely, flushing away the heavy currents of pent-up emotions. In tears, I thought about my mom, family and friends and felt profoundly thankful for having them with me, giving me generous support, strength, encouragement and wisdom. However, deep down, I was ashamed as I realized I have never been as strong as I thought I had become. I’m still the old version of myself from years ago, plagued by anxiety and vulnerability. I was fully aware that what will happen will happen. Sometimes the best course of action is to accept the situation and focus on what is within our control. And with time, wounds will heal. However, in reality, I did exactly the opposite. I became impatient and restless. I spent hours and hours searching for answers to the possible scenarios I might encounter. I was trapped in the dark hole of despair and fear. But as I said, I am so fortunate to have all the support I need. Right now, I’m with my mom, sharing the bed with her. She is the beacon of light, illuminating the darkness, guiding me peacefully through the turbulent nights.
While waiting for a doctor visit in the evening, we went to a store selling genuine leather products. This place is the flagship store owned by “Leather and Shoes Research Institute” on Hoang Hoa Tham Street.
The store, with two floors, showcases a variety of distinguished leather products – belts, wallets, handbags, shoes, sandals and more. The first floor has items for men, while the second floor features products for women. The materials are sourced from the skin of ostriches, crocodiles to cows, highlighting the craftsmanship behind each piece.
S browsed through wallets, intending to buy some as gifts. The staff showed him some models. Though he liked all of them, he preferred the ones with matte finishes, instead of glossy ones. We ended up buying eight wallets.
A manager came up to us and started a friendly conversation. She was very pleasant, sharing some insights about the products. She mentioned that the company has its own farms for materials and emphasized that all the products are crafted in Vietnam. There was a sense of pride in her voice, and she was really thankful for customers like us who genuinely appreciate the company’s creations. She even surprised us by wishing a Happy Thanksgiving. She said her daughter was currently studying in the US, which explains why she is aware of the event. It was also particularly thoughtful when she reminded the staff to choose nice boxes for our buys because she knew we bought them as gifts.
A small disappointment was that S couldn’t find sandals in hissize because the company doesn’t make them for larger sizes. They were soft, light, and appeared exceptionally comfortable. S wanted them so bad that he even joked about cutting his toes to fit into those.
Next, S looked for belts. Despite having other alternatives, he’s been loyal to the belt I bought him nine years ago, even as it shows signs of wear. This time, since he has a special interest in the company’s leather products, I encouraged him to get new belts, so he got two: one crafted from crocodile skin priced at around $120 and the other from cowhide for $18. With the two new belts, I still doubt if he is going to use them anytime soon, given his strong attachment to his current worn belt.
We left the store without checking the second floor, which houses female products. S encouraged me to get a new purse because he noticed the zipper on my current one isn’t working well. Oh well, I admit I’m like S in that if we like something, we don’t have an intention to change it for a long time. However, the difference between us is that I have more tolerance for small defects as long as something is still beautiful. Like my pretty purse, I just need to be a bit patient to make the zipper work well. But this won’t happen to S; convenience must be his top priority.
Content with our purchases, we left the store and continued walking, hoping to find a taxi. However, it was a mistake as getting a taxi during peak hours on this street wasn’t easy. It was incredibly crowded, jam-packed with vehicles; the sidewalk was filled with various items for sale, making us difficult to find a spot to wait. The noise and dust added the overall discomfort.
Eventually, we managed to secure a taxi, and the driver drove us to Quán An Ngon, a popular spot for both locals and tourists to experience Vietnamese cuisine.
Upon entering through the main gate, the enticing aroma of delicious food captivated me. The arrangement of stalls, resembling a traditional village market showcasing various food in the yard, around the restaurant drew me in. The peaceful and nostalgic atmosphere of such markets remains vivid in my memory, which made me feel automatically connected to the restaurant.
We ordered quite a bunch of food. We had spring rolls, eel soup, sautéed diced beef (Bò lúc lắc) with French fries, clams in tamarind and butter sauce and grilled shrimp. “Bò lúc lắc” is commonly known as “shaking beef” because “lúc lắc” means “shaking”, likely referring to the pan-frying method over flames, involving shaking the pan, making the beef cubes to shake. However, I find its other English name, “sauteed diced beef” more convincing. The word “lúc lắc” resembles the action and sound of shaking dice, and the beef is cut into cubes that look like dice.
For drinks, I ordered guava juice and S opted for salted lemonade. As they didn’t have a typical salted lemonade, they put salt and sugar aside for him to make it himself. I finished the meal with my favorite sweet soup as dessert. It was so delicious with coconut milk, jellies and water chestnut stuffed tapioca pearls. The drink service was a bit slow, and the staff brought us broccoli instead of chayote buds (Ngọn su su) due to his misunderstanding; however, the overall dining experience was still very delightful. The whole cost was reasonable, $46 for both.
The next day, I brought S to Aeon Mall, a Japanese-run shopping destination that many people favor. Since it was Black Friday, there were a lot of items on sale. We eyed suitcases as we had purchased quite a lot, and he was concerned that our current ones might not be big enough.
There were a bunch of plastic suitcases, but we preferred fabric ones. S said plastic holds onto odors longer while fabric absorbs smells better. I found fabric suitcases more appealing for its adjustable space. Another advantage was its lightweight nature. We came across one that caught our interest but I suggested checking out other stores before making a final decision. I didn’t want to miss out on better finds or deals. After a quick tour of suitcase exploration, we circled back to the first store and purchased that one. No discount, but we were both into it, and the black color perfectly matches our existing suitcases.
We left the suitcase there, as we didn’t want to drag it around to other shops, and to the third floor, where the food court was for lunch. On the way, I stopped by a massage chair and inserted around 70 cents for a quick 10 minute massage. So pleasant.
In the food court, we found a diverse selection of food from different local regions and countries. Hot pot seemed to be the most popular dish there. It’s intriguing that Americans aren’t a fan of hot pot because of “too much work”, heat and food sharing nature instead of individual portions. We spotted Alfredo, an Italian restaurant, my favorite and the allure of grilled meat from Korean restaurants appealed to us. But, we finally settled on Nét Huế, a Vietnamese restaurant, serving cuisine from the imperial city of Hue.
When I looked at the menu, I just wanted to order all of them because they all looked delicious. Honestly, Hue cuisine is my favorite due to its spiciness and rich flavors. We ordered grilled pork for S and “Cơm hến”, a bowl with a mix of rice, baby clams, herbs, and pickles for me. Additionally, we tried Ram. I think “Ram”, “Nem rán”, and “Chả giò” are all spring rolls, each known by different names depending on the region – “Ram” in the Central area, “Nem rán” in the North and “Chả giò” in the South.
The grilled pork was so good that S couldn’t stop eating it all though he should have saved room for dinner. My Dad would cook us special grilled pork using his secret recipe, reserved for special occasions. Knowing my Dad’s excitement to introduce this to his son-in-law, I had hoped S would have a light lunch, then he would enthusiastically eat my Dad’s food and make him happy. But that mission was too difficult for him. Not only did he eat a lot but also loaded up on sugary drinks. During the meal, he got one salted lemonade and two “Chanh tuyết” (snow lemonade smoothies). Then, he continued with two fresh bubble teas and one bottled bubble tea after leaving the restaurant. Oh, S, he was both satisfied but guilty at the same time.
Though S overindulged but I was happy I chose the right restaurant. Honestly, I rarely go wrong with my eating-out choices. However, S is the opposite. Whenever I let him decide where to eat, the experience is often just meh. It’s understandable since he’s not the type to pay attention to reviews or care much before selecting a restaurant.
The night before S left Vietnam, our family went to a restaurant for its buffet, called Maison Sen.
Since we went there during the Christmas season, the facade of the restaurant was adorned with numerous Christmas-themed decorations—red balls, silver leaves, and sparkling strings of warm white lights. It looked fancy, and my niece was in awe when she saw the place.
The buffet at this chain has never disappointed me; it was fantastic. Everything there was delightful. There were so many options that I couldn’t possibly try them all, so I had to prioritize. I have a liking for seafood, especially shellfish, sashimi, and sweet soup. Those were my main focus. I indulged in a lot of snails and clams, both steamed and grilled, and they were exquisite—juicy, fresh, and naturally sweet. The flavor was exceptional. As for sashimi, I enjoyed salmon as always but was truly impressed with another type of fish. I can’t recall its name, but what stood out was the very firm texture of the fish.
One of the big attractions for me each time I return to VN is savoring delicious and flavorful food while immersing myself in a carefree atmosphere. When we were in Aeon’s food court, S threw in a funny idea that he would make room in his belly by inducing vomit, so he could stay there all day and try all the food. We can’t find such a vibe and the abundance of fresh, authentic food in where we live.
Begin life at forty 