Foam, a digital content creator, spent five days in Da Nang and Hoi An in March with a group of friends after graduating from university.
Foam said: “It wasn’t just the scenery or the food; it was the warmth of the people.”
The group had long planned the trip, drawn by cultural similarities and ease of travel. In Da Nang, they explored local dishes and popular sights. In Hoi An, they wandered around the Old Town and rode basket boats through the Bay Mau coconut forest.
During the trip, one of his friends, Arisa, shared videos on social media, drawing more than 1.3 million interactions. Viewers welcomed the group to Vietnam, while others shared similar experiences. One Thai commenter even said they planned to move to Vietnam after visiting.
Hoang Vu, a Da Nang local, said Foam made a good choice in visiting the city during his first trip to Vietnam.
He himself had decided to stay after a visit 10 years ago, drawn by the city’s hospitality, climate and affordable cost of living compared to cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, he added.
Two moments from Foam’s trip stood out online: when he broke down in tears after a farewell, and when he later got a tattoo reading “I love Vietnam” in Vietnamese.
The moment happened on their second night in Da Nang. After failing to rent motorbikes, the group walked along Vo Nguyen Giap Street looking for food. They stopped at an eatery, arriving just as the owner’s family was having dinner.
But the owner welcomed them warmly. She spoke a little Thai, introduced dishes and took care of the visitors though they only ordered takeaway.
Before leaving, Foam used a translation app to say thank you and apologize for not staying.
After reading it, the owner hugged him, reminded the group to drive safely, warned them about taxi scams, and suggested places to visit.
“We didn’t feel like tourists anymore, we felt like family,” Foam said.
He was so moved that he started to cry. A video of the moment later drew millions of views.
Foam breaks into tears as an eatery’s owner in Da Nang says goodbye to the group. Video courtesy of Foam
Before returning home, Foam decided to mark the trip with a tattoo. At a shop on Le Hong Phong Street, artist Nguyen Van Thuan first suggested several designs. In the end Foam chose a simple phrase designed by the artist: “Toi yeu Viet Nam” (I love Vietnam).
As they talked during the session, Foam shared stories from the trip and his appreciation for the people he met. Touched by this, the artist decided not to charge him.
“It was the first time I tattooed a stranger,” he said.
Thuan’s studio serves foreign clients, receiving three to four a day, most of whom book in advance for sessions lasting hours depending on the design.
Foam’s story comes as Da Nang continues to attract more visitors from Thailand. In 2025 the city received 313,000 Thai tourists, or 4.1% of all international arrivals.
In the first two months of 2026 more than 62,000 arrived.
After the trip Foam said he was surprised by the response from Vietnamese netizens. Now back in Thailand, he and his friends plan to return and share more stories about Vietnam.
“The tattoo and that hug are what I’ll remember most,” he added.
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