Living Together in Peace

Chap 4: The Day I Left Saigon

When people start counting down to something, it means they know those moments will no longer be the same, filled with nostalgia. These are the last few weekends I have left in Saigon.

I still remember an afternoon in 2019, when mom saw me off at the airport as I left for Saigon to start my job there. She cried, as she always does when saying goodbye to me, even though I fly quite often. Holding my hand, she said, "If things get too tough, come back home to me." I carried that love with me throughout my journies. At times, I tucked away my parents’ love deep inside, making choices that may have saddened them. But I never forgot the precious gift they gave me, their unwavering love.

I left Saigon once before, at the beginning of 2022. But this time, it feels different. I’m more prepared, I have more time to slow down, to complete what I set out to do, and to meet those I hold dear. And in this short time, just a few months in Saigon, I was lucky enough to find a place where I truly belong - a community where we can sit together in silence, breathe, smile, and share our kind words. I am deeply grateful for them.

These days, Saigon greets me with a crisp morning chill and also the beautiful sky after work... Lately, I’ve been leaving earlier, no longer staying at the office until 7 or 8 p.m. Walking home, I get to admire the changing hues of the sky, some parts a deep blue, others tinged with a soft pink like lotus petals blending into golden orange. And with every step, those colors seem to paint my path with something new. Sometimes, happiness is just that simple, enough to make me feel deeply connected to this life.

I love this city with all my heart. Saigon is so much lovelier than its outward appearance. Every time I return, I find myself quietly thanking it. Thank you, Saigon, for loving me as dearly as I have loved you. ❤️