Jordy shared that he used to dislike crowded and noisy holidays. Everything changed since the male tourist came to Vietnam.

During Tet 2020, for the first time, Jordy witnessed the whole city filled with red and yellow, with flowers blooming everywhere, people wearing Ao Dai taking pictures in front of shops, parks, and restaurants. Countless delicious red dishes, lanterns, and lucky money envelopes were sold on the streets. “Everyone was cheerful, happy, even a bit excited. I was drawn into that atmosphere. It made me feel like a child celebrating Christmas for the first time. I wanted to immerse myself in it,” Jordy recalled.

He wandered around the city looking for and buying small, pretty decorations for his apartment. “My small apartment is decorated in Tet style all year round with lanterns, flashing lights, and red decorations,” said Mr. Tay with pork fat.

Jordy’s second Lunar New Year in Vietnam was a memorable one. It was right after the city was locked down due to Covid-19, and many shops were closed. To help Jordy look “the best for Tet,” Thu Dien, a neighbor and close friend of Jordy, personally cut his hair and shaved his beard. This friend also shared many Vietnamese habits and customs with Jordy.

“That year, Thu could not return home for Tet. She stayed in Ho Chi Minh City and took me to see flowers. After the lockdown due to the pandemic, Tet was like a time for everyone to revive. I took up to 200 photos in just one Tet outing. Vietnamese people love taking photos and so do I,” the American man said.

Last year, Jordy was living and working in Bangkok. He felt “heartbroken” when his friends eagerly celebrated Tet. “This year I am back. I will buy lots of new decorations, try many traditional cakes. I will also visit more temples and pagodas to see the sights,” Jordy expressed his plan.

Jordy now regularly films videos about life in Vietnam and shares them on social media, hoping to introduce this beautiful country to the world. Each month, his videos attract more than 2 million views.

Besides pork rinds, Jordy’s favorite dishes are Hu Tieu, Banh Xeo, Bun Thit Nuong, Grilled Chicken Feet, Grilled Beef Rolls in Betel Leaves… Jordy loves Vietnamese coffee. He believes that no other place has such delicious coffee and such a wide variety of coffee.

“I have to show off Vietnam to many international friends. This is a great place to travel and bond,” the American man commented.

In 2024, Jordy plans to go to Hanoi and the northern provinces to visit and learn about the ancient temples and pagodas here that are hundreds of years old.