Koreans in Vietnam: There is a 'miniature Seoul' in the heart of Saigon
Báo Thanh niên•25/12/2024
The Korean Quarter in Phu My Hung (District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) is not only a place for cultural exchange but also recreates a colorful 'miniature Seoul'.
Stepping into Phu My Hung, you feel like you are lost in a street corner in Seoul, Korea. The colorful Korean signs, from beauty salons, supermarkets to international schools… all serve the needs of thousands of Koreans living here. This is the place chosen by many Koreans to live when coming to Vietnam because of its modern facilities.
Bustling until midnight
At around 5pm, we arrived at Bui Bang Doan Street (District 7). The slightly chilly atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City at the end of the year mixed with the laughter of Koreans made us feel like we were lost in Seoul, the most bustling city in Korea.
Korean Quarter in Phu My Hung (District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) is bustling and bustling until midnight.
PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN
Korean Quarter in Phu My Hung is likened to a "miniature Seoul" in Ho Chi Minh City.
PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN
Many stores specialize in selling Korean food
PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN
A famous Korean barbecue restaurant in Phu My Hung
PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN
Phu My Hung area (District 7) is famous for its main roads Bui Bang Doan, Pham Van Nghi, Dang Dai Do... This place is known as an extremely bustling "food paradise". When the new area gets dark, a series of shops light up the whole street, everywhere is bustling with people passing by... Not only Koreans, this area also attracts many Vietnamese people to come and have fun because of its liveliness. It is estimated that there are about 200 places providing services on these 3 roads. There are restaurants, hotels, massage parlors, karaoke, convenience stores, public saunas, gyms, fashion stores, clinics, pet stores... About 200 meters away, we were impressed by a 4-storey BBQ restaurant with the fragrant aroma of grilled meat. It was just over 7pm but almost all the seats were filled. Most of them were Koreans going out to eat with family, friends... on the weekend. Despite the crowds, the restaurant space is very orderly and not too noisy. Similarly, on Dang Dai Do Street, there are many bilingual signs in Vietnamese and Korean. The Vietnamese security guards are extremely friendly and cheerful, greeting customers with simple Korean sentences, and Korean children are learning to say "hello, thank you"... A security guard at a convenience store waved happily when he saw us visiting the store. "I see many Vietnamese and Korean couples coming here to date and then get married... This neighborhood is small but also very fun," he said with a smile. Leaving the neighborhood when the clock had struck 10 p.m., we will always remember the uniqueness of a "miniature Seoul" in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The neighborhood is not only home to the Korean community but also a place of cultural exchange between the two countries of Vietnam and Korea. This is also an interesting destination for anyone who wants to experience a part of Korean culture without having to go abroad.
Less homesickness
Most of the residents in Phu My Hung area are Korean, even Vietnamese people doing business and trading know Korean for easy communication. By chance, we met Mr. Kim (43 years old, in District 7), a Korean who often comes to Vietnam for work. We heard him talk about his journey of attachment to this place.
There are many Korean people living and working here.
PHOTO: NHAT THINH
Due to the nature of his work, Mr. Kim often flies to Vietnam to stay. During long periods away from home, he misses traditional family meals, kimchi cabbage or Korean drinks... "Luckily, I can find all of those things in Phu My Hung. There are many of my fellow countrymen here, so every time I talk and meet them, my homesickness is somewhat reduced," Mr. Kim said. In his opinion, Bui Bang Doan Street (District 7) is very similar to a street in Seoul, because there are many restaurants and shops designed in Korean style. Many shops are opened by Koreans, so the food has a traditional flavor. Every small corner in Phu My Hung is very similar to the scenes appearing in Korean movies. Ms. Eunbyel (33 years old) traveled to Vietnam with her boyfriend and shared: "When I came to Vietnam, I was really surprised because there was such a Korean-style neighborhood. My friends said that there are a lot of Koreans in Vietnam, they also love Vietnam very much, so I decided to come here to travel, also to escape the cold of Korea in the early winter days". She added that Koreans coming to live in Vietnam will probably also encounter difficulties, from cultural differences to language barriers. They even have to face loneliness and homesickness. Having a place like Seoul like this is also a great happiness for them. In particular, this Korean neighborhood is also a favorite destination for many Vietnamese people. They are young people who are learning the language, love Korean food and culture. Mr. Tran Kim Long (24 years old, in District 7) said that every week he usually spends one or two sessions in the Korean neighborhood to interact. He is learning Korean, so being able to communicate with native speakers in real life helps him a lot. "I come here to chat with Koreans, improve my foreign language skills and make new friends. The food here is also very delicious, but the prices are a bit higher than in other areas. I think this is an ideal place to explore for those who love Korea but do not have the conditions to travel there," he said. With its bustling and colorful atmosphere, the Korean neighborhood in Phu My Hung, District 7 has become a bright spot in the multicultural picture of Ho Chi Minh City. (continued)
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