December started on a high note, setting the tone for what would become a dense, emotional, and memorable end of year. Living abroad often blurs the line between routine and exception, and this month was a perfect illustration of that constant contrast.

A Night Away… at Home

We kicked off the month with one night at Hôtel des Arts Saigon – MGallery, an experience I already shared in a dedicated article on SdB-Plus. As we had a full planning day scheduled the next day, I decided to turn it into a small family moment and brought Isabelle and my mum along.

Booking a hotel in the very city you live in always feels slightly strange, yet it turned out to be a refreshing break from the usual rhythm. A change of scenery, even a familiar one, can do wonders—and Hôtel des Arts delivered exactly that: elegance, calm, and a welcome pause.

When Woody Goes Vietnamese 🐶

Expat life also means adapting… even for our four-legged family members. One of the month’s highlights (and a fun one) was seeing #Woody becoming Vietnamese during his stay at the dog sitter.

The picture says it all: fully settled, relaxed, and clearly embracing his local lifestyle. Proof that integration can happen faster than expected.

The Convenience Factor: LUCA Pizza 🍕

Closer to home, we discovered (or rather fully adopted) LUCA Pizza, located just two minutes away. Whether dining in or grabbing a takeaway, it quickly became a convenient option on busy days.

Despite some mixed comments online, we genuinely enjoyed it and ended up going back several times this month. It may not try to reinvent pizza—but sometimes reliability, proximity, and consistency are exactly what you need.

Three Weeks with Yael – Time Well Spent ❤️

One of the biggest milestones of December was having Yael with us for three full weeks. Before heading to Thailand, we spent two weeks together in Vietnam, giving him the chance to revisit places we had already explored—and adding new experiences to enrich his stay.

It was about sharing daily life, rediscovering places through fresh eyes, and building memories that go beyond sightseeing.

Before leaving Vietnam, we also celebrated #Woody’s second birthday 🎂—another small but meaningful moment that perfectly fits into the rhythm of expat family life.

Bangkok: Family Reunion & Waiting in Style 🇹🇭

Then came the flight to Bangkok, where we waited for Thomas and Yullia to arrive from London. This reunion marked a special chapter, one I’ll cover in detail in a dedicated article, including the services we used along the way.

We stayed at the Conrad Bangkok for a full week—mainly because we needed 4 to 5 working days to get my mum’s e-visa to return to Vietnam. I must say, there are clearly worse places to wait for a visa.

It was a rare and precious opportunity for the family to be reunited, even if just for a few days. Bangkok itself has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, offering all of us the chance to discover a city that feels both familiar and completely new.

💡 Practical hint: If you are flying out of HCMC International Airport, I strongly recommend using the VIP service at immigration. It easily saves you up to two hours queuing—and once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back.

Already Missing Them…

Saying goodbye is never easy. We already miss them a lot and are looking forward to being back in Europe to reunite again in 2026. Expat life teaches you one thing very quickly: distance makes moments rarer—and therefore more valuable.

On the Professional Front 🚀

Professionally, December marked the end of the year—and a major success. We closed our most critical project exactly as planned, something I am incredibly proud of.

The organisation delivered, the team stepped up, and looking back at what we accomplished in just four months gives real confidence for what lies ahead. It opens the door to challenging and exciting options for 2026.

Looking Back at 2025… and Ahead

If I take a step back and look at 2025 as a whole, one thing is certain: never a dull moment. Anyone who has followed my articles this year will have noticed it was a real roller-coaster—personally, professionally, and emotionally.

The hope for 2026? A quieter, more eventless year… although experience tells me that life, geopolitics, and global dynamics often have their own plans. Who knows what lies ahead, both on a personal level and on a broader stage that may drive some radical decisions.

One thing is sure: the journey continues.