November has been one of those months that reminds you why expat life in Vietnam is so rich, so intense, and so endlessly surprising. A month where work, health, family, food, and the discovery of new places all blended together into a very real — and very human — slice of life.

🌇 Starting the Month on a High — Literally: Landmark 81 SkyView

We kicked off November with a stunning weekend visit to Landmark 81 SkyView, Vietnam’s tallest building and one of the most impressive in Southeast Asia. Standing up there with the sweeping view over Ho Chi Minh City and the Saigon River, you cannot help but pause.

From above, the scale becomes real.

The complexity of this mega-city feels almost orchestral.

The green spaces suddenly make sense.

It was the perfect reminder that, even after months here, HCMC still has the power to surprise.

🐟 Union Jack’s Fish & Chips — A British Classic in Vietnam

I cannot continue this update without honouring what is possibly the best Fish & Chips I have ever had — found, of all places, in Ho Chi Minh City.

A family lunch at Union Jack’s Fish & Chips turned into a full moment of nostalgia:

Crispy fish with perfect texture Chips that were actually good (a rare achievement) Sauces that felt just right And yes… I couldn’t resist an apple crumble with English custard.

One of those meals that warms more than the stomach.

🍽️ A La Main Café — Comfort After a Tough Week

A week later, life decided to throw everything at us.

Work deliverables, deadlines, and then… poor Woody dislocated his knee.

Medication, rest, diet, potential physiotherapy in District 2 — a full canine care plan.

And for dramatic effect, let’s add a typhoon warning as background noise. 🌧️

Needless to say, by the end of that week, a cosy dinner was well deserved.

A La Main Café delivered exactly what we needed:

Soft lights, comforting food, a relaxed ambiance, and all just walking distance from home.

A great spot for simple, genuine moments. Highly recommended — the photos will speak for themselves.

🍕 A Month with 4P’s — Shared Moments Over Exceptional Pizza

November also brought us back — more than once — to one of Vietnam’s most beloved culinary institutions: Pizza 4P’s. Every visit there feels like a small celebration. Their philosophy of “from farm to table, and from our hearts to your plate” is more than a slogan; you taste it in the details. The homemade cheeses, the subtle fusion flavours, the freshness of the ingredients — it all comes together with a kind of care that makes each meal comforting and memorable.

We went a couple of times this month, both with family and with colleagues, and every experience was as warm and enjoyable as the previous one. Whether it was sharing a classic Burrata pizza or debating which flavours to pick for a team lunch, 4P’s has this unique ability to turn a simple meal into a relaxed and joyful moment. Good food, good company, and that unmistakable 4P’s atmosphere — it has definitely earned its place in our monthly highlights.

🏥 Health Update — Crutches, Hospitals, and… 7kg Less?

As if one family member with orthopedic issues wasn’t enough, I joined the club.

I managed to damage the ligaments in my right foot, which led to:

3 hospital visits 10 days on crutches Flashbacks to my stroke rehab days (see Chapter 69).

But on 30 November, I finally got the green light to drop the crutches.

Freedom!

The surprising part?

I realised I had lost 7 kilograms in three months.

Not a mystery, of course — when you manage your sugar levels, balance your fat intake, walk more, and adopt healthier meals, the results eventually follow. Still… seven!

🎉 RMIT Carnival — A Campus Full of Life

One of the bright highlights of the month was the RMIT Carnival.

A beautifully organised event bringing together:

Students Staff Families Friends

Singing, dancing, food, games, performances — a complete celebration of community and creativity. It was wonderful to see how much effort went into making sure everyone, regardless of age or background, found something to enjoy.

🌴 A Taste of Danang — InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort

I’ll soon publish a full article dedicated to our weekend at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, but for now, here’s a little teaser:

A breathtaking setting A landscape where nature and design coexist beautifully A rare moment of calm Pure joy

And of course, while we were enjoying the serenity of Danang, our beloved Woody was having the time of his life at Camp Canine Saigon — proving once and for all that a Basset Hound can swim and loves being pampered.

🤝 Building Connections — Expat Community Growing

One of the lovely developments this month is seeing Isabelle connecting with other RMIT spouses, slowly building a support network for families joining the university. Expat life becomes much richer when shared, and it’s great to see these social circles forming naturally.

💼 Work Life — Learning, Adapting, Growing

Professionally, I am still navigating the learning curve:

Budgets, year-end processes, appraisals — all quite different from what I was used to in my previous work life. It’s challenging, yes, but also incredibly stimulating.

It’s refreshing — and humbling — to face new systems and expectations at this stage of a career. It forces you to think differently, reflect, adjust, and grow.

And that, ultimately, is one of the gifts of starting a new chapter abroad.

🌟 Conclusion — A Month of Contrasts, Challenges, and Beautiful Moments

November brought:

High viewpoints and low-impact meals,

Injuries and recoveries,

Cosy dinners and big campus celebrations,

Professional growth and personal connections,

A luxurious escape and a swimming Basset Hound.

Expat life in Vietnam continues to be a full experience — vibrant, surprising, demanding, and rewarding. And as always, I’m grateful to live it, observe it, and share it.