A Gap Year Teaching English in Vietnam Redefined My Identity

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A Journey of Identity and Belonging

Peter Truong was born and raised in Vancouver, where he grew up with Vietnamese immigrant parents who had moved to Canada in the 1980s. From a young age, Peter felt more connected to Canadian culture than to his Vietnamese heritage. He enjoyed hockey, pancakes, and maple syrup, and didn’t feel particularly drawn to the traditions and customs of his parents’ homeland. This disconnect was partly due to the limited representation of Asian culture in media at the time, with figures like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee being the only visible Asian role models.

Growing up in predominantly immigrant communities, Peter found himself caught between two worlds. While his mother made an effort to preserve their cultural traditions at home, the outside world often felt unwelcoming. At school, he would bring bánh mì for lunch, only to be met with curious or confused reactions from classmates. There were moments when he wished he could fit in more by eating Western food, like hot dogs, rather than the traditional dishes his family prepared.

In university, Peter went through a phase where he tried to embrace his Asianness, but it wasn’t until he traveled to Vietnam as an adult in 2017 that he truly began to understand what it meant to be Vietnamese. The experience was eye-opening, and it sparked a deeper connection to his roots.

After being laid off from his job at a corporate tech company in 2022, Peter decided to take a gap year to teach English in Asia. In 2024, he moved to Ho Chi Minh City, where he expected to adapt quickly. However, he soon realized that language and cultural barriers were more challenging than he anticipated. Simple tasks, like making a phone call or accepting a delivery, became frustrating. These experiences made him appreciate the resilience of his parents, who had moved to Canada without knowing English and still built successful lives.

After a year of teaching, Peter transitioned into content creation. He found that the work culture in Vietnam, like much of Asia, is more intense, with longer hours compared to the structured environment in Canada. However, he also appreciated the communal spirit and the ease of meeting new people. Whether it was at a café or in the neighborhood, he found that people were open and welcoming, helping him build connections quickly.

Over time, Peter came to see Vietnam as a second home, even though he still felt a strong bond with Canada. The two places offered different experiences: Vancouver provided comfort and familiarity, while Vietnam brought energy and new opportunities. He realized that he wasn’t split between two cultures—he was fully both. As a third-culture kid, he embraced the unique blend of his identities, feeling confident in his dual heritage.

One of the biggest lessons from his journey was the importance of self-acceptance. No matter where he went, his insecurities followed unless he worked on them from within. He learned that true security comes from within, not from external environments.

Reflecting on his experience, Peter expressed deep respect and love for his parents, recognizing the sacrifices they made to give him a better life. While he misses the cold of Canada, he also feels the energy of Vietnam pulling him back. For now, he sees both places as home, each offering something unique and valuable.

Living abroad has been a transformative experience, allowing him to grow and understand himself in ways he never imagined. It’s not about choosing one culture over another—it’s about embracing the richness of both.