Have you ever heard of the term “living slowly”? I hadn’t either, not until my trip to Vietnam, which completely shifted my perspective on life. Like most people, I’d been caught in the whirlwind of chasing life—a better position, more education, more work, more achievements. It was the norm, right? But what I didn’t realize was that this constant race was making me forget how to just live. Then, everything changed when I traveled to Vietnam.
Expectations vs. Reality
Before I arrived in Vietnam, I had a very different picture in my head. I imagined an industrial country, full of fast-paced workers hustling through long days, just like many of the big cities I’d been to. I expected a city like Ho Chi Minh to be buzzing with workaholics, constantly on the go, trying to achieve bigger and better things.
But boy, was I wrong. What I saw was something completely opposite. The moment I stepped out into the streets, I saw a culture that was not about overworking, but about enjoying the present, connecting with others, and savoring life.
The Culture of “Living Slowly”
One of the most surprising things was how chilled the vibe was. I kept seeing people sitting on the side of the road, sipping on fresh coconut drinks, chatting, laughing, or just doing nothing—and they were totally content with that. I thought I was in the wrong place at first. I mean, where were the office workers? The stressed faces running from one meeting to the next?
Then, I observed something even more eye-opening: I saw people running small businesses, like locals selling pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup. But here’s the kicker, they didn’t keep working all day just to make more money. They stopped selling when they made enough to survive, and then… they relaxed. They didn’t chase more customers or aim for profit maximization; they just lived. Once their goal was met, they put their work away and enjoyed life.
It wasn’t just about working hard, it was about working just enough and leaving room for relaxation, socializing, and living fully. This wasn’t a culture of constant striving. It was a culture of balance.
The Vietnamese Way: Living and Enjoying Together
What really struck me was the sense of community. People didn’t eat alone, they ate together. Whether it was a small food stand or a family dinner at home, there was this constant shared experience. People weren’t just working for their own success; they were working together and living together. It was refreshing, to say the least.
And this wasn’t something that stopped when the sun went down. Life didn’t end at 5 p.m. like it does in so many places. People were still hanging out, chatting, eating, enjoying the evening, and just being present. The streets were alive late into the night, but not with a rush or hustle—just with the joy of being.
Time Traveling to a New Reality
When I experienced this, I felt like I had time-traveled. I felt like I was in another reality, where the hustle culture didn’t define people’s worth, and work wasn’t the only thing that mattered. It was an entirely different approach to life, and it felt liberating. I felt free, free from the pressure of constantly needing more, of always having to go faster, of never being satisfied.
This wasn’t just a vacation; it was a life-changing moment. I realized that the concept of living slowly wasn’t about being lazy or unproductive. It was about taking your time, appreciating the small moments, and finding satisfaction in the everyday. It’s about knowing that you are enough, just as you are, and that life doesn’t have to be a race.
A Life-Changing Experience
I traveled to Vietnam as part of an exchange program during my master’s degree, so, yes, I did have educational visits and learning opportunities during the day. But honestly? I felt like the best part of the trip wasn’t in the classroom. It was in the way people lived, the way they embraced simplicity, and the way they found joy in the everyday.
I came back to Lebanon with a heavy heart, because I didn’t want to leave that experience behind. I didn’t want to leave the calm, the peacefulness, the slowness of life. I actually cried on my way back, because I realized how much I needed to carry this back into my own life.
So, What Does “Living Slowly” Mean?
Living slowly isn’t about doing less or avoiding hard work, it’s about making room for life beyond the grind. It’s about savoring moments, embracing the people around you, and not rushing through life just to get to the next thing. It’s about being present, whether you’re enjoying a coconut drink on the side of the road or sitting down to a meal with friends.
We live in a world where we’re constantly told that we need to chase, achieve, and hustle. But Vietnam taught me that there’s another way to live, a way that is just as fulfilling, if not more. So next time you’re running around trying to get to the next big thing, ask yourself: Am I living, or just chasing life?
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