“Even though it was a difficult time globally, Vietnam became a very meaningful place for me,” Darling told Tuoi Tre News.

“When everything was uncertain, I experienced so much care here, like farmers bringing vegetables to people during social distancing so everyone could have food."

As a foreigner, she felt “very safe, supported, and protected” during that time, the 33-year-old recalled.

An English teacher by profession, she worked at a language center in Vietnam after borders reopened.

When her contract ended, she returned to Russia for a period but found herself constantly missing the Southeast Asian country she had grown attached to.

“I kept coming back to visit my friends and the places that had become important to me,” she said.

This year, she returned to Vietnam once again, this time with a long-term plan.

She is currently taking a break from teaching to study Vietnamese through a university language program, hoping to build a future in Vietnam and truly connect with the culture and people here.

'My name is Viên'

Darling currently has more than 106,000 followers on Facebook, where many follow her journey of gradually embracing Vietnamese culture.

She now snacks on banh trang cuon like a local, wears pajamas outside, rides a motorbike while fully covered in sun-protective clothing like many Vietnamese women, effortlessly masters the Asian squat, and casually chats with locals, small habits that reflect how deeply she has settled into life in Vietnam.

Her everyday moments resonate not only with Vietnamese viewers, but also with foreigners living in Vietnam and those who dream of visiting one day.

“I think many Vietnamese viewers connect with my content because they are genuinely curious about how a foreigner experiences daily life in Vietnam,” she said.

“They enjoy seeing how I adapt to the culture, learn the language, and react to everyday situations that feel normal to locals but are new to me.”

Meanwhile, foreign audiences also found encouragement in watching Darling create content in Vietnamese language.

“Since I started posting videos in Vietnamese and sharing my journey of learning the language, many people have messaged me saying that it encouraged them to learn Vietnamese as well,” she said.

“That really makes me happy.”

For her, learning Vietnamese was never just about language.

“It completely changed the way I experience Vietnam,” she explained.

“Once I could communicate even a little, people became much more open, and I was able to understand not only words, but also humor, emotions, and the way Vietnamese people express care in everyday life.”

Darling described Vietnamese as a “very deep and emotional language,” adding that “it feels really nice to be able to express certain feelings and emotions in Vietnamese.”

“Learning Vietnamese has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey in Vietnam,” she said.

Those who follow her on social media know her Vietnamese name as “Viên.”

“One day, one of my Vietnamese followers sent me a message and said, ‘I think I found the perfect Vietnamese name for you’,” she recalled.

The follower said the name represented happiness, fulfillment, and someone who enjoys life in a positive way.

“I immediately loved it, especially because it also starts with the same letter as my real name, Valerie. Since then, Viên has naturally become my Vietnamese name,” she said.

The simplicity of life in Vietnam that changed her

Darling said Vietnam has changed her a lot in a very positive way.

“Before, I was always rushing, always thinking about work, achievements, and what I needed to do next,” she explained.

“When I first came to Vietnam, I didn’t understand why people spent so much time sitting in coffee shops, talking, relaxing, and simply enjoying the moment.

“But after living here for several years, I slowly realized that this is actually one of the most beautiful parts of life: learning how to slow down and appreciate simple everyday moments.”

She said living in Vietnam also reshaped her understanding of happiness.

“Before, I thought happiness was connected to big goals or material things. But here, I learned to enjoy very small moments: drinking coffee, talking to people, riding around the city, or simply having a conversation with a stranger who treats me warmly,” she said.

“The simplicity of life here also makes me very happy.

“I can walk outside in flip-flops, sit on small plastic chairs in coffee shops, and just be myself without feeling judged. That feeling is very freeing and comforting.”

At first, she was surprised by how many personal questions people asked her as a foreigner, as such conversations can feel quite direct in Russian culture.

Over time, however, she came to realize that the questions often stemmed from care rather than curiosity.

“Vietnamese people often ask questions to make sure you are doing well and feeling happy in a foreign country,” she explained.

“They are genuinely interested, welcoming, and want others to feel comfortable and included.”

'Vietnam is like one big family'

Another aspect she grew to appreciate was Vietnam’s strong sense of community.

“Since learning Vietnamese, I feel even more connected to people. The way everyone calls each other ‘older sister,’ ‘younger brother,’ or ‘auntie’ creates such a warm feeling, like society is one big family,” she said.

“Even though my real family is in Russia, I rarely feel lonely here.”

For her, it is often the small interactions that mean the most.

“I’m especially inspired by how warm and open Vietnamese people are in daily life,” she said.

“Vietnamese people often talk to each other as if they’ve known each other for a long time, even if it’s the first time they’ve met. It’s hard to describe in words, but I truly feel that Vietnam is like one big family.”

Many moments in Vietnam have left a deep impression on her, especially small acts of kindness from strangers.

She recalled one birthday when a Grab driver bought her a coffee after learning it was her special day.

Another memorable moment came during a trip to Ha Giang, where she was traveling with a group of foreigners when their motorbike suddenly broke down in the rain.

Local people immediately stopped to help without hesitation and stayed with the group until the bike was fixed.

The Russian content creator said some of her strongest memories in Vietnam also came during major national moments that gave her a strong sense of community.

She recalled celebrating Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup victory and described the atmosphere as unforgettable, filled with love, excitement, and togetherness.

She also attended the opening of Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line, waiting nearly four hours in the heat for the inaugural ride. Watching the city grow and reach such a milestone made her feel proud, she said.

Another memorable experience was spending the night with her Vietnamese friend’s family and strangers while waiting for a Reunification Day parade last year.

“We ended up sleeping on the ground together with strangers, but everyone was so kind,” she recalled.

“We shared food, laughed, and spent the night together in a very warm and human atmosphere. It was truly unforgettable.”

For Darling, these kinds of experiences gave her a very strong feeling of community in Vietnam, and she really loves sharing them.

“Through my content, I’m trying to share my personal experiences of Vietnamese culture, the mindset of Vietnamese people, and many small, lovely everyday moments,” she said.

“I’m also trying to share my personal experience about the culture so that people can learn about it and better understand and respect Vietnamese culture when they come to travel in Vietnam.”