In 2017 Joe started to study Vietnamese. He spent one hour every day learning on his own and he also talked with the Vietnamese community that lived near him in the United States.

In November 2025 Joe moved to Hanoi and tried to live like a local. He used Vietnamese every day, even when he talked to the security guard and the housekeeper in his apartment building. Vietnamese people were often surprised by how well he spoke, and he even laughed with a group of students when he answered them in Vietnamese.

Because he could speak Vietnamese, Joe was able to travel to northern places such as Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh and Cao Bang. He felt the culture more strongly and enjoyed the local food, scenery and friendly people.

Joe’s story shows that learning a foreign language can help you join a new community, enjoy travel more fully, and feel happier in everyday life.