Sofia Eek says the traffic in Hanoi makes her say wow when she first came to Vietnam. (Photo: Bao Tram)

Sofia Eek, a Swedish law student, has spent five months interning at the Swedish Embassy in Hanoi. Her story offers a perspective on culture shock as a cultural adventure rather than a negative experience.       

“I’ve been here before, so I was somewhat prepared. But the biggest difference for me has been the pace of life. Hanoi is vibrant, busy, full of bikes, street food at all hours, and people everywhere,” Sofia told VOV.

“Compared to Sweden, which is calmer and more structured, it was overwhelming at first but also energizing. There’s always something to do, even late at night, and that really suits my spontaneous personality.”

Sofia is a positive person. Rather than considering her experience a culture shock, Sofia prefers to call it a “culture adventure.” She immersed herself quickly, walking around her neighborhood, trying local food, and talking to people.  

She admitted that her way of thinking is to adapt and try to overcome the differences is just to lean straight out to it.

“I got to know different areas of the city. I got food poisoning in the first week. It took me about a week to get over it. But after that it's been all good and now my stomach is used to the Vietnamese food…both my body and my brain, my mental health," said Sofia.

Hanoi's train street is a popular tourist attraction. (Photo: hanoifreeprivatetourguide.com)

Sofia says she has faced difficulties, especially with the language barrier, because she wants to understand and communicate better, but it’s hard.

“Many people speak some English, but not always enough for deep conversations. I use Google Translate or gestures to get by, but it’s not the same as real communication,” according to Sofia.

Despite these challenges, Sofia’s openness and adaptability have helped her embrace the culture. She recounted a heartwarming moment when local children helped her cross a busy street, showing the kindness and warmth of Vietnamese people. Sofia’s story showed us how her time in Hanoi has changed her perspective on the two cultures.             

“In Sweden, life is structured and familiar, but sometimes too quiet. Hanoi’s chaos and energy make life exciting. I think I might experience a bit of reverse culture shock when I go back to Sweden. It will be nice to have clean air and calm, but I might feel isolated after the vibrancy here.”

At the so-called Hanoi's train street (Photo: Bao Tram)

Sofia’s story suggests that culture shock is not just about discomfort but about learning and appreciating different ways of living, showing that culture shock is a process of adjustment that involves curiosity, patience, and openness.

“The very first day of my internship, I got to be a part of filming the annual Tet video for the Ambassador. We went to a flower market and got a kumquat tree. We were decorating the house with all the different Tet decorations and making banh chung. I had to cut it with a bamboo lace and got to taste it as well. That was a really good experience and a really good way to get introduced to Vietnamese culture. I had heard something about Tet before coming here, but I didn't really know exactly what it was.”

“I made a Vietnamese friend quite quickly and was invited to celebrate Tet with him. I met his family. That was also amazing, to be welcomed into a local home during such a special time and see the warmth and generosity and the strong family values that are so central to the culture here. Being a part of that was great.”

Sofia’s internship at the embassy, which involved diplomatic meetings and advocacy for women’s leadership, deepened her connection to Vietnam and its people.

“I would say: be curious, be open, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, because those moments of discovery might end up being the most memorable ones. Take those opportunities to go beyond the border – just dive out – because getting an international perspective on your personal life and your professional life is very important, and I think you learn so much from it,” Sofia concluded the talk with VOV’s reporter.

(Photo: Bao Tram)

Sofia Eek’s experience shows that culture shock isn’t just an obstacle—it’s an invitation. An invitation to discover new rhythms of life, to step into unfamiliar customs with curiosity, and to grow through the discomfort.

Her journey in Hanoi shows that embracing cultural differences can transform confusion into connection, and surprise into strength.

Whether it's crossing chaotic streets with the help of children, joining Tet celebrations with a local family, or navigating a new city with limited language skills, Sofia’s openness turned challenges into cherished memories.

In the end, culture shock is less about what we lose in unfamiliar surroundings, and more about what we gain when we let the world reshape us.