Why we chose to stay in Vietnam instead of moving to America

Both our son and daughter had gone to the U.S. for their studies and decided to settle there.

I spent many evenings reminiscing through old photos and connecting with them over video calls, trying to bridge the distance with familiar conversations.

Our friends often suggested, "Why not move to the U.S. and live with your children? You'd feel happier and more at ease." This planted a seed of curiosity in us, and soon my husband and I found ourselves seriously contemplating the idea.

After months of discussing and sleepless nights, we spoke to our children about visiting for a few months to see if we could adapt, before deciding whether to sell or rent our house in Vietnam and move to America permanently.

However, the reality of life in America was different from what we'd imagined. Although we had visited America before as tourists, living there felt completely different.

The American flag waves outside a house in the U.S. Photo by Pexels/Brett Sayles

After a month, the novelty wore off, and my husband and I felt an undeniable sense of boredom and longing for home. The spacious houses and quiet streets made us miss the lively conversations with our neighbors in Vietnam.

Language was a challenge, too. Despite learning some English before our visit, the fast-paced speech and unfamiliar expressions made simple activities like grocery shopping or doctor visits difficult. We constantly relied on our children’s help and soon felt like burdens.

We felt out of place in a world that belonged to a younger, more adaptable generation. Our children had their own busy lives, work commitments, and social circles.

When it came time to return to Vietnam, our children suggested making long-term plans for us to stay. We appreciated their thoughtfulness but declined, saying, "If we were 20 years younger, we might have considered it. But now, we’re old and content in Vietnam."

Since then, our children have visited Vietnam occasionally, and we stay connected through regular video calls. We encouraged them to live where they felt fulfilled.

For now, and likely always, home for us will be in Vietnam.