American family pays $3,000 each to wash dishes, catch fish in Vietnam

For 22-year-old Jack, wading waist-deep into a fish pond with a casting net in hand was a first.

Nearby, his 19-year-old sister Sunny struggled to shake excess water from a basket of freshly washed vegetables without scattering them across the yard.

Both burst into laughter as they repeated the tasks again and again, missing their net throws and spilling vegetables along the way.

In the United States, most of their time is devoted to academic pursuits.

Their parents are both lawyers, while Jack and Sunny are students at Harvard University.

“In the U.S., we focus almost entirely on studying. We had never cooked a full meal by ourselves,” Jack said.

“In Vietnam, we not only learned to cook, but to do it over a wood-fired stove. 

"We discovered small, unusual tricks that turned out to be surprisingly effective."

The family’s private guide, Vu Ngoc Son, a 35-year-old resident of Hanoi, who accompanied them through Hanoi and the northern province of Phu Tho, described them as VIP clients.

Travelers in this category typically spend around $3,000 per person for an immersive experience lasting up to nearly two weeks.

Despite the significant price tag, the American family sought out simplicity rather than extravagance, he said.

“They were fascinated by the peaceful scenery and daily routines rooted in local identity,” Son said.

“They preferred authentic settings and avoided crowded destinations.”

In Phu Tho Province, instead of opting for high-end services often included in premium tours, the family embarked on a 14-kilometer mountain trek.

Along the way, Sunny paused frequently to stroke the animals she encountered such as buffalo, chickens, and even wild pigs.

The unhurried pace of rural life left the family in constant admiration.

The itinerary also included stays with local households that maintain traditional lifestyles: cooking with firewood, tending vegetable gardens, and catching fish in backyard ponds.

Welcomed as members of the family, the visitors were encouraged to participate fully in daily chores.

“If you want to eat, you have to work,” Son joked, sending Jack to the pond to catch fish and Sunny to the garden to harvest vegetables.

Jack did not hesitate to remove his shirt and jump into the pond, successfully hauling in his first catch.

Sunny learned how to light a wood stove, slice lemongrass, and prepare broth for a hotpot.

She laughed and swayed to music playing in the background while cooking.

“This is one of the most interesting experiences of my life,” Jack.

After the meal, the siblings divided the dishwashing duties – one scrubbing, the other rinsing.

The sight of a tall foreigner perched on a small wooden stool, carefully washing each bowl, embodied the saying ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do.’

Son shared that such exchanges bring joy to both international visitors and hosts.

Many of his clients from developed countries expressed surprise at the modesty and cohesion of Vietnamese family life.

Meanwhile, locals rarely refuse when foreign guests express a desire to share in their routines.

“Some travelers tell me they feel like they have become a small part of Vietnam after living and working alongside local people,” Son said.