Australian couple hugged and cried on flight leaving Da Nang

A couple of tourists on a flight from Da Nang to Australia.

In mid-October, the couple Ky and Caitlin (from Ballarat, Australia) posted a video of themselves boarding the plane to return home after 6 months of traveling and experiencing life in Da Nang City. They leaned their heads against each other to comfort each other, their eyes red, tears streaming down, until the plane took off.

"Caitlin - my girlfriend - had to return to Australia to continue her studies in 2026. When we first arrived, Da Nang was just a tourist destination, but we gradually fell in love and considered this place home. The goodbye was very difficult, we could not hold back our emotions in the last moment of leaving Vietnam," Ky shared with Tri Thuc - Znews .

The video suddenly gained attention on social networks, attracting more than 1.2 million views, nearly 48,000 likes and hundreds of comments.

Previously, in March 2024, the couple traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi and Lao Cai for 14 days. Realizing that Da Nang has a pleasant climate, a moderate pace of life, friendly people and beautiful beaches, Ky and Caitlin planned to return to Da Nang in April this year, combining travel and work for 6 months. The two rented a small apartment in the city center, near the beach.

The couple dined with neighbors and stayed at a luxury resort during their stay in Da Nang.

Ky said that the landscape of Da Nang has not changed much, still high-rise buildings located close to the blue beach and warm sunshine. After coming here for a few weeks, he started the habit of walking along My Khe beach and walking on the street like the previous trip. That is the way to carefully record the beauty of the city in his eyes.

After 6 months, the people, food and culture are what Ky and Caitlin miss the most. This time back, the couple had the chance to make many friends. Both said that in addition to being friendly, Da Nang people are willing to treat strangers, but staying for a long time, like family or close friends.

"The two elderly neighbors, who seemed difficult to approach, talked to us often, even though they didn't speak the same language. It felt warm like being at home. When we were about to return home, we made plans to go out to eat and talk. My girlfriend and I also got to know the owner of a fast food restaurant we often visited. People are what we miss," he said.

The couple had been to several countries, but Vietnam was different because of the mobile food carts that ran on the streets, becoming a unique cultural feature. Every day, the man selling dumplings passed by the place where they were staying, carrying a steaming pot, shouting: "Dumplings, dumplings here, hot and delicious dumplings here."

Ky checked in Ngoc Son Temple and the Great Cathedral (Hanoi) during a trip in March 2024.

Ky and Caitlin said that every time they heard this call, they were moved. On their last day in Da Nang, the couple searched for the banh bao cart to listen and memorize the familiar call. The couple has now returned to their lives in Australia.

"We don't know when we will have the opportunity to come to Da Nang again, but we will definitely come back soon," Ky said.

The story of the Australian couple hugging and crying on the plane back home once again proves that Vietnam always makes visitors feel nostalgic when they have to say goodbye. Previously, foreign tourists also continuously cried when leaving Tuyen Quang (old Ha Giang), because of their attachment to tour guides and people.

Recently, Ben, an Australian travel journalist living in Sydney, wrote that after more than 20 years of returning to Vietnam, he has never felt tired or thought he might not return. This country gives the feeling of "having been there, I will want to return".

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