Unexpected Fame in My Tho, Vietnam

“Hello!” a man cheerfully called out, whizzing past on one of the many scooters zipping through the streets of My Tho (pronounced Mee-Toe), Vietnam. By the second day of our five-day stay in this riverside city-the capital of Tien Giang Province with a population of around 220,000-my husband Cody, our daughter Skye, and I felt like minor celebrities. We quickly realized that leaving our hotel meant attracting attention-a lot of it-for being white Westerners. We didn’t meet any other Americans for the duration of our stay in My Tho.

Just two hours from the bustling, tourist-saturated Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho is a clean, modern, and culturally vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Mekong Delta. And yet, it’s often overlooked. In 2024, Vietnam welcomed over 17.5 million visitors, most of whom focused on the north or spent only a short time in Ho Chi Minh City. Those who do venture south to the Delta often experience it through a tightly scheduled day trip: ferried from the city on air-conditioned coaches, dropped onto islands in the Tien River, and shuffled through curated tourist activities-leaving no real time to connect with the people who give this region its soul.

Of all the places we visited during our two-week trip to Vietnam, My Tho left the deepest impression-because of its people. I had booked four nights at a brand-new, 18 story hotel in the heart of the city. When we arrived, it became clear that tourism hadn’t yet reached this corner of Vietnam in full force. The hotel was nearly empty the entire time. It brought to mind the line from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, he will come.” Well-we had come.

Still, the hotel wasn’t completely deserted. Young elegant, stylish people showed up daily to the 8th-floor infinity pool, posing for photos against the stunning backdrop of the Tien River and city skyline. It seemed like a popular spot for social media shoots. It felt a little surreal to be the only guests swimming while surrounded by ongoing photo sessions.

At the heart of the city lies a beautiful community park, centered around a large rectangular retention pond, bordered by wide sidewalks, towering trees, interesting sculptures, and flower gardens in full bloom. By night, it transforms. Lights flicker to life, music drifts through the air, and the entire space comes alive. Children laugh and chase each other near a gazebo, joggers weave around strolling couples, and groups of friends and families gather on benches and stone walls to chat, snack, and enjoy the cooler evening air.

As we wandered the city, people eagerly greeted us with “hello!” in English, waving, bowing, and stopping to exchange a few words. Faces lit up when they saw Skye-her presence drew smiles from all ages. One woman, named They (which she explained means water in Vietnamese), told us about her son studying computers. She complimented Skye’s name and beauty, and reflected on the importance of family.

The streets surrounding the park were alive with restaurants, shops, massage businesses, and family-friendly attractions, including an indoor children’s playground and a pottery painting studio we returned to several times. Dining options were diverse-Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Italian, French, American, coffee shops, and of course, plenty of delicious, fresh, Vietnamese cuisine. It was at a vegan Vietnamese restaurant called Lau Chay My Tho that we had one of our most peculiar encounters.

The previous day, we had eaten there and were served by two elderly women who didn’t speak English. With the help of Google Translate, pointing, and lots of smiling, we ordered a simmering hot pot, where ingredients are cooked right at the table in a flavorful broth. The following evening, a sharply dressed young man who had just finished his meal approached and said he was helping the women, and that he’d take our order.

He was curious-very curious. He peppered us with questions: Where are you from? What are your names? Where have you been? Where are you going? What do you do for work? But when we turned the tables and asked about him, his answers were vague, evasive even. After serving us our food, he stood to leave. As he reached the exit-about 10 feet away-he turned, lifted his phone, snapped a selfie with us in the background, and walked briskly away.

We were flabbergasted. Why had he done that? We speculated endlessly. Maybe someone had posted on social media: “Americans are in town-get a selfie!” Or maybe, we joked, it was more serious-perhaps the Vietnamese government was keeping tabs on us because of Cody’s military background.

Whatever the reason, the welcome we received in My Tho was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. The genuine curiosity, the warmth, the joy-it all felt worlds away from the heavily trafficked tourist zones we’d passed through. To find such authenticity so close to Ho Chi Minh City was a rare and beautiful surprise. Next time I meet tourists and immigrants in America (particularly those a different race than me), I hope to make them feel as warmly welcomed and celebrated as we were in My Tho-a high bar to match.

What to Do in My Tho

• Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda
  Explore this historic temple featuring towering Buddha statues and a blend of architectural influences from around the world.
  
• Tour the Four Sacred Islands – Turtle, Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn
  Ask your hotel to arrange a river tour. Most visitors are day-trippers from Ho Chi Minh City, but you’ll have time to explore more deeply.
  
• Lalaland Premium Kid Cafe
  A modern indoor playground with a pottery painting studio-great for families.
  
• Get a Massage
  Enjoy a high-quality, hour-long massage for about $10.
  
• Stroll Through Cong Vien Tet Mau Than Park
  Visit at night to see the lights reflecting off the still pond water. It’s the heart of the city’s evening life.
  
• Take a River Cruise
  Head to the My Tho Port to explore cruise options or request a private boat for a more personal experience.