The Swede Who Fell in Love with Hoi An

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“My Swedish name is Kawa Wandi, but when I came to Hoi An, people started calling me Khoi. Just call me Khoi - Khoi of Hoi An, Vietnam,” said Wandi.

From Wandi to “Khoi Vietnam”

The name “Khoi” was given to Kawa Wandi by a close friend of the couple. When asked why, the friend laughed and explained that he and Wandi had been joking for years about how equally handsome they were. Wanting to reflect that humor and charm, he came up with the name Khoi.

Kawa Wandi and Quang Nam children. (Photo: Quang Nam Newspaper)

Wandi, originally from Sweden, now considers Hoi An home, along with his wife Nisha and their three children - a son and two daughters. For the past four years, they have been living in a small rented villa in Cam Thanh. While Nisha stays home to homeschool the kids in English and other subjects, Wandi keeps busy running his business.

Both Wandi and Nisha were enchanted by Hoi An. In 2017, wanting to create unforgettable memories for their young children, they sold their investments back home and rented out their house to embark on a journey around the world. Wandi had heard of Vietnam before, knowing of the strong ties between Sweden and Vietnam, but he never imagined it would be the place where their journey would stop.

Full of energy and warmth, Wandi has been living in Hoi An since 2020. Over time, he has come to know nearly every street and alley in the ancient town. The locals recognize and welcome him, the bearded European man with curly hair, deep dark eyes, and a constant friendly smile.

“Hoi An, I Love You”

Wandi speaks about Vietnam, Hoi An, and their small home by the river, surrounded by lush green nipa palms, with deep affection. It was this love that led his family’s journey to take an unexpected turn.

During their days renting a house in Hoi An, Wandi noticed how many people were struggling due to job losses and financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In those days, as a community support member, Wandi contributed money to buy rice and food, joining newfound friends in delivering supplies to struggling families in Hoi An to help them get through the pandemic.

As the pandemic eased, Wandi traveled to Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Tay Giang district in Quang Nam for charity work. They donate clothes, school supplies, and even water filtration systems. In total, he contributed billions of dong to these efforts. He and his wife also established a charitable fund to support disadvantaged communities in central Vietnam.

When COVID-19 finally passed, Wandi and Nisha sat down with their three children to discuss their next destination. To his surprise, not one of them wanted to leave Hoi An.

“Our kids told us they wanted to stay. They feel safe and at peace here. The weather is great. It is like the dream place we have been searching for. Hoi An is safe, and the people have welcomed us like family,” said Wandi.

“Hoi An, Anh yeu em” (Hoi An, I Love You) is a famous Thai film featuring stunning scenes shot in the ancient town, a movie that Wandi loves. He repeated the title in Vietnamese, then burst into laughter. It has also become his family’s favorite phrase.

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