British-Canadian couple spends 3 hours daily answering thousands of Vietnam travel inquiries for free

Liam said he “immediately fell in love with the landscapes, food, and especially the people” during his first trip to Vietnam in 2017.

In 2023, the Briton returned with his girlfriend, initially planning to stay for one year.

Within just a few months, the couple realized how special daily life in Vietnam really was, drawn by the food, the kindness of locals, the strong sense of community, and the country’s stunning variety of landscapes.

“Vietnam stood out to us for its incredible diversity within one country: dramatic mountains, beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, lush highlands, and peaceful countryside, all with a warmth and energy that feels unique,” Liam told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Their connection with Vietnam eventually grew beyond travel.

When the couple began thinking about where to build a life together, Vietnam checked every box, offering strong teaching opportunities for Sarah, affordability, safety, and a special community spirit that made it feel like home much faster than other places they considered in Asia, the two revealed.

With their growing affection for Vietnam, the couple has continued exploring provinces and cities across the country while launching Two Peas Abroad across social media platforms and a dedicated website.

Through short travel videos, practical guides, and street food maps based on first-hand experiences, they aim to offer practical and reliable recommendations rooted in real journeys.

“By sharing our honest experiences (especially the non-touristy parts), we hope to help more people discover the real Vietnam and have wonderful trips here,” they said.

“It also feels meaningful to give back to a country that has given us so much.”

The pair divide responsibilities based on their individual strengths, with Sarah handling video editing as well as story and visual creation.

Liam, who worked as a software developer for ten years before moving to Vietnam, manages the technical side: building and maintaining the website, newsletter, and backend systems.

About two months after launching the platform, they began receiving a growing number of travel inquiries.

The couple said they now personally respond to between 1,000 and 2,000 messages a day, helping travelers plan their trips to Vietnam.

“We typically spend about three hours each per day responding to messages,” they said.

“It’s genuinely one of the most rewarding parts of what we do, helping people have a great time in Vietnam feels very meaningful."

Seeing people fall in love with Vietnam the way we did is incredibly rewarding for us.

Two Peas Abroad

The two said tracking these numbers helps them spot the most common questions and create helpful content for people.

Repeated inquiries are often turned into detailed articles and engaging videos that can reach far more people than individual replies.

Outside the major hotspots, local food spots are one of the things people ask about the most, they revealed.

“We also get lots of questions about lesser-known spots, transport tips, and how to experience Vietnam more like locals do,” they said, adding that their audience loves a ‘less touristy’ alternative to a major hotspot.

“We hope to show that Vietnam is far more diverse and welcoming than many people expect,” the couple shared. 

“Beyond the famous spots, there’s a real depth to the culture, nature, and people.

“We want to encourage travelers to explore with an open mind, try local experiences, connect with people, and see the country beyond the typical tourist path.

“If we can help even a few more people fall in love with Vietnam the way we did, that feels meaningful.”

Finding a second home in Vietnam

Having traveled across all three regions of Vietnam, the pair said their favorite experience remains riding motorbikes along Ha Giang’s winding and dramatic mountain roads, a destination they have returned to at least five times and plan to revisit this summer.

“The landscapes are breathtaking, but what keeps bringing us back are the remote villages, the chance to connect with locals, and how every trip feels slightly different,” they said.

Their first Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) celebration in Vietnam also remains one of their most memorable experiences.

“We stayed in a small family-run homestay in Sa Pa as their only guests,” they recalled.

“They immediately welcomed us into their family celebrations, we ate meals together on the floor, joined the children in the lucky money tradition, and drank far too much homemade wine.

“It was such a genuine, warm experience and perfectly reflected the kindness and community spirit we’ve felt throughout our time here."

The couple also loves spending summers in Da Lat, where the cooler highland weather, incredible coffee culture, pine forests, and adventure activities like ziplining and canyoning offer what they call a “refreshing escape from the heat.”

When it comes to food, the couple said they have completely fallen for bun bo Hue (Hue-style spicy beef noodles), with their favorite version coming from a tiny family-run stall tucked away in the back alleys of Da Nang City, central Vietnam.

“The broth is incredibly rich and flavorful after hours of simmering, and the meat is so tender it falls off the bone,” they commented.

“It’s the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and fresh. The fact that this level of quality comes from a humble alley spot that makes everything fresh every morning is what makes Vietnamese food so special to us.”

Liam and Sarah said they hope to continue building a long-term future in Vietnam and are currently exploring options that would allow them to stay longer, including some of the new visa pathways that are opening up.

As time passes, they said their appreciation for the country only continues to grow, from its people and food to its diverse landscapes, adding that Vietnam has increasingly come to feel like a second home.

Alongside that growing connection, the two are also learning Vietnamese, though Sarah has become noticeably better at it.

During nearly two years teaching English in Hanoi, she regularly practiced speaking Vietnamese with her students, helping her improve significantly.

“We both really enjoy practicing every day with locals, even just simple daily conversations,” they said.

“What stands out most to us is how patient and encouraging Vietnamese people are when we try.

“Even our basic attempts usually get big smiles and help us connect with people on a much deeper level.”