In 2023, Liam Gordon (30, from the UK) and Sarah (25, from Canada) planned to live in Hanoi for one year. However, the hospitality of the local people has kept them here ever since, transforming them into "online guides" through their self-built information channel, Two Peas Abroad.

The channel was established approximately six months after the couple arrived in Vietnam. Initially, they posted spontaneously on Instagram to share updates with family and friends. However, upon receiving numerous messages from strangers inquiring about itineraries and safety, they realized that existing social media travel content was often filled with advertisements and lacked verification. The couple then aimed to become "locals" and assist upcoming visitors to Vietnam in having the best possible experiences.

"When people come to Vietnam, they will realize that all their previous concerns were unfounded," Liam stated, adding that Vietnam is a safe, hospitable place offering diverse experiences for all travel preferences.

Liam enjoys a meal at a local banh xeo eatery. *Photo: Provided*

The channel's popularity is closely linked to their "40:1 rule," a principle they developed to find delicious eateries in any province or city. "If a restaurant is packed with locals, with a ratio of about 40 Vietnamese diners to just one Westerner, it's definitely a great spot. Locals won't return if the food is bad," Liam explained.

The couple frequently walks through deep alleys to verify this rule. They discovered a long-standing family-run bun bo Hue restaurant always full of customers in Da Nang, and a "go-to" eatery in Cau Giay, Hanoi, where the owner knows them so well that she always asks, "What would you like to eat tomorrow so I can prepare?"

According to Liam and Sarah, Vietnamese cuisine stands out for its freshness, balanced flavors, and regional diversity. Tourists applying the 40:1 rule rarely worry about choosing the wrong restaurant.

The appeal of their real-life experience videos led to an overwhelming influx of messages. On average, the channel receives approximately 8,600 requests for advice each week. To manage this, Liam, a former programmer, developed a message classification tool to quickly identify common tourist inquiries.

Liam also developed a "Find Video Info" feature. Viewers simply paste their video link onto the website, and the system automatically displays detailed itineraries, map locations, and supporting links. Beyond this, Liam and Sarah manually create free, comprehensive itineraries for many tourists. "We don't portray Vietnam in an overly glamorous way or chase algorithms for trending videos," Sarah said, explaining that they genuinely want to help tourists fall in love with Vietnam as she has.

Liam and Sarah during their trip to the Mekong Delta. *Photo: Provided*

Liam's three-week trip in 2017 first brought him to Vietnam, which eventually led him and Sarah here. After years as a programmer in the UK, Liam was captivated by life in Vietnam, from the aroma of fresh herbs and grilled food on Hanoi's streets to the friendly energy everywhere. The scenery of the northern mountains also left him awestruck, making him wish he could stay.

However, they couldn't move to Vietnam immediately. Liam had his own career in his home country and didn't meet Sarah until 2020. The lockdown months during the Covid pandemic brought them closer, leading to their decision to move to Vietnam in 2023, initially planning to stay in Hanoi for one year before returning to the UK or Canada.

Life in Vietnam was initially more complex than they anticipated due to the language barrier, difficulties with renting accommodation, and banking procedures. The different pace of life and bustling traffic also caused culture shock. Despite these challenges, the warmth of the Vietnamese people prevented them from ever considering giving up.

Sarah recounted a turning point when their motorbike broke down in heavy rain amidst flooded streets in Hanoi. As the two foreigners felt stressed due to the language barrier and being late, a Vietnamese man braved the rain to help push their bike to a repair shop, using his phone to translate and assist them. "The strong community spirit here completely changed all our plans. We no longer wanted to return to our old routines back home," Sarah expressed.

A thank-you message they received. *Photo: Provided*

Their dedication is reciprocated by happy feedback messages from tourists sent to their inbox after their trips. "Thanks to your small tips, our trip to Vietnam became unforgettable. Thank you for always kindly answering all my questions!" one person responded.

"We receive thank-you messages every day, and that's the best reward. Once you connect with the people here, you'll understand why so many fall in love with this country and keep returning," Sarah said.

Hoai Anh