Monthly reflections on life, food, work and discoveries while living as an expatriate in Vietnam.

After a busy start to the year, February brought a pleasant mix of discoveries, routines, and a welcome Tết break. Life as an expat in Vietnam often oscillates between exploring new places, building routines that quickly become habits, and dealing with the occasional unexpected moment that reminds us that life abroad is never entirely predictable.

This month captured that balance perfectly.

A Belgian touch in Saigon – Belgo Brewery

We started February with a visit that felt particularly meaningful for a Belgian living abroad: Belgo Belgian Craft Beer Brewery.

Belgo has built a strong reputation in Ho Chi Minh City for celebrating Belgian beer culture. The concept is appealing: craft beers brewed on site paired with classic Belgian comfort food. The atmosphere combines the industrial charm of brewing tanks with the warmth of a casual restaurant setting, creating a lively yet welcoming environment.

What impressed us most was the authenticity of the experience. The beers reflect genuine Belgian brewing traditions, and the food menu offers dishes designed to complement them perfectly. It was the kind of experience that reminds you of home while still embracing the vibrant energy of Saigon.

In fact, we enjoyed the visit so much that we returned shortly afterwards. The combination of freshly brewed beers, solid food and a relaxed atmosphere makes Belgo an easy recommendation for anyone looking to experience a slice of Belgium in Vietnam.

A small scare with Woody

February also included a moment of stress in our household when our dog Woody developed a stomach issue that required an overnight stay at the veterinary hospital.

Fortunately, everything turned out fine and he recovered quickly. Anyone with pets knows how worrying these moments can be, especially when living abroad. Seeing him back home and back to his energetic self was a real relief for all of us.

Discovering pickleball

One of the unexpected highlights of the month was discovering Pickleball.

Introduced to us by colleagues, Isabelle and I decided to give it a try without really knowing what to expect. The sport blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, played on a smaller court with paddles rather than rackets. It is easy to learn but surprisingly engaging.

After only a few sessions we were hooked. What started as a casual experiment has quickly become a weekly routine. We even bought our own rackets and balls, which probably says everything about how much we enjoy it.

Beyond the sport itself, the social aspect is what makes it particularly enjoyable. Playing with colleagues creates a great atmosphere and it is a perfect way to combine exercise, laughter and friendship.

Post-pickleball discovery – RAUM

After one of those pickleball sessions we discovered RAUM, located in District 7.

RAUM offers a stylish yet relaxed environment that makes it perfect for unwinding after some physical activity. It quickly became one of those places that naturally fits into a weekly routine. Isabelle—and even my mum when she is in town—have also started visiting regularly.

It is always satisfying to find venues that feel comfortable enough to become part of everyday life rather than simply being occasional destinations.

A holiday for Woody – Camp Canine Saigon

Originally we had planned to travel abroad during the Tết break, which meant arranging accommodation for Woody. We decided to try Camp Canine Saigon, a dog boarding facility that came highly recommended.

In the end, the experience may have been even more enjoyable for Woody than for us. The facility offers plenty of space, attentive care and activities for dogs. From all appearances he had a fantastic time.

In fact, he will already be returning there again in March—which is probably the best endorsement possible.

Isabelle’s birthday dinner – El Gaucho

February also included Isabelle’s birthday, which gave us the perfect excuse to return to El Gaucho Steakhouse Vietnam, as she had been craving a good steak.

El Gaucho remains one of the well-known destinations for steak lovers in Ho Chi Minh City. The quality of the meat is consistently good, and the overall dining experience remains enjoyable. It is clearly positioned as a premium steakhouse, and the prices reflect that positioning.

The service can sometimes feel slightly approximate—friendly and welcoming, but occasionally lacking the precision one might expect at that price level. Still, when the steak arrives perfectly cooked, most of those small imperfections are easily forgiven.

Walking through Saigon during Tết

With friends visiting and Woody away during Tết, we took the opportunity to rediscover Ho Chi Minh City at a slower pace.

We enjoyed walking through some of the city’s most iconic locations: the Saigon Central Post Office, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, the festive Nguyen Hue Flower Street, and the elegant Ho Chi Minh City Hall.

During Tết these areas are beautifully decorated with flowers, lights and installations that celebrate the Lunar New Year. Even for residents who know the city well, it is always a pleasure to experience these places during Vietnam’s most important holiday.

Tết lunch at the Strand – Hilton Saigon

After that walk we stopped for a Tết set lunch at the The Strand Restaurant located in the Hilton Saigon.

The Strand offers a refined dining environment overlooking the Saigon River. The special holiday menu provided a festive interpretation of Tết, and the setting created a calm and elegant atmosphere away from the busy streets outside.

It was a lovely way to celebrate the holiday while enjoying a relaxed moment in the city.

A French culinary surprise – La Fontaine

Another very pleasant discovery this month was La Fontaine French Bistrot in District 2.

Finding authentic French cuisine abroad can sometimes be hit or miss, but La Fontaine delivered a truly enjoyable experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, reminiscent of a traditional French neighborhood bistrot.

The dishes were carefully prepared and full of flavor, showing a genuine respect for classic French culinary traditions. It made for a wonderful family dinner and confirmed once again that Ho Chi Minh City’s food scene remains impressively diverse.

Work reflections and upcoming challenges

From a professional perspective, February also brought the emergence of new challenges.

For obvious reasons I cannot disclose details, but March will definitely be a pivotal month in terms of achieving some important objectives. Like many professionals, this meant spending a few hours working during the Tết break—but hopefully for the greater good.

At the same time, the quieter moments during the holiday allowed me to spend time developing a new article exploring an interesting professional topic: Program Management versus Project Management.

Taking time to reflect and write about these themes always provides a useful step back from day-to-day operational activities.

Looking ahead

Looking back, February perfectly illustrates what expatriate life in Vietnam often feels like: a blend of discovery, routines, great food, unexpected moments and professional challenges.

From Belgian craft beer to French cuisine, from pickleball sessions to Tết celebrations, the month offered a little bit of everything.

And with March already promising some pivotal moments professionally, the next chapter of this Vietnamese adventure is just beginning.