Richard Munt is an architect from New Zealand who has lived in District 4, HCMC for almost 5 years. He had always wanted to travel to Vietnam, but it wasn't until 2018 that he had the chance due to a position with a Vietnamese architectural firm. He first came to know Vietnam during the Vietnam War, when he was a young student and worried his brother would be required to participate in the war.

Richard Munt (New Zealand)

He has had the opportunity to visit museums and learn about the tumultuous history of Vietnam, and he feels very sad after studying and witnessing the devastation and consequences of the war on the Vietnamese people.

"I have lived in Ho Chi Minh City for almost 5 years now. I have had the opportunity to visit museums and read, learn, talk to people to understand the tumultuous history of Vietnam. After studying and witnessing the devastation and consequences of the war on the Vietnamese people, I feel very sad," said Richard Munt

Despite the tragic wars, Richard said that this period of Vietnamese history also shows the resilience of the Vietnamese people and how they stood up fight at all costs to get peace and independence. The people and culture of Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, have left a lasting impression on Richard.

He is impressed with the young people in the area, who lead highly modern lifestyles and integrate themselves into all kinds of cultures. He believes that the city can be improved by making more efforts to enhance traffic and finish unfinished development works.

However, he praises the city for its tree-lined avenues, an abundance of night lights, and structures that make it appealing and distinctive for inhabitants and tourists. He also encourages residents to travel to the city's center at night to sit and talk, eat, and drink at sidewalk cafes, and to stroll the streets. He wants the metropolis to maintain a very Vietnamese, deserving character love of the metropolis.

"I enjoy the custom of Ho Chi Minh City residents travelling to the city's center at night to sit and talk, eat, and drink at sidewalk cafes, and to stroll the streets. Instead of aiming to be an entirely contemporary metropolis, I want you to maintain a very Vietnamese, deserving character love of the metropolis," stated Richard Munt.

Tony David Smith is an Australian expat who currently resides in District 7, Vietnam. He grew up in Australia but had a passion for Southeast Asia and chose Vietnam.

"I came back to Vietnam after that trip. I grew up in Australia but have always had a passion for Southeast Asia, I chose Vietnam. My wife is Vietnamese, we met 14 years ago and outside together since then," said Tony David Smith.

He describes Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic, alluring metropolis with contemporary beauty. While sad occurrences include the earlier conflicts in Vietnam, which caused much suffering and death, he senses that the young people of Vietnam are looking forward and taking new steps to improve their life now that the war has ended.

He believes that when significant infrastructure projects, like the most recent metro line deployment, are finished, Ho Chi Minh City will be quite advanced.

Johnson Mark Nicholas (the UK)

Johnson Mark Nicholas is a British man who has lived in Vietnam since 2009 and works as a project manager in the energy and oil and gas industries. He spends time in Ho Chi Minh City with his wife and two kids on Hung King Commemoration Day in 2023, which is a day before the Reunification Day, April 30.

He learn about the Reunification Day in the news and Vietnam War movies, but the majority of what he knows comes from trips to historical locations like the Con Dao prisons and museums, Ho Chi Minh City's War Remnants Museum, and the Cu Chi Tunnels.

He speaks highly of Ho Chi Minh City, calling it a bustling city where he enjoys living despite occasional traffic issues. The pace of life in Phu My Hung, where he resides, is slower and more laid back. There are many of recreational opportunities nearby, and the costs are reasonable. However, the city has to improve due to problems like floods, gridlock in the streets, and frequent aircraft delays. The difficulties with business and tourist visas should also be made easier and the city's economy should pick up.

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