How to Meet Friends Early On
When I first landed in Saigon, my social life was… basically non-existent. Week one, I was mostly figuring out how not to get run over by bikes. Fast forward three weeks, and somehow my calendar is busier than it ever was back home. How did that happen?
Volunteering has been another highlight. I help out at a local dog shelter in Thao Dien, walking and playing with the pups first thing in the morning, like the little cutie in the photo I took for a walk! It’s such a simple way to start the day happy, meet new people, and feel connected to the city.
I started by sticking to things I already love. Running, volunteering, exploring, if it made me happy in England, I made sure to keep doing it here. Running has been a lifesaver, I joined a few different clubs to fit around work, and not only does it keep me moving, it’s also introduced me to some amazing like-minded people
Expat group chats have been a total lifesaver for meeting people quickly. For example:
Fexpats – Female Expats and Locals in Ho Chi Minh City: a super welcoming community where people post about meetups, coffee dates, or just general advice for navigating the city.
Girl Gone International: a global expat network that hosts events and casual hangouts, perfect for meeting other women who are also figuring out life abroad.
Mundo Lingo Saigon: a weekly language exchange that’s great if you want to meet locals and expats alike. I went for the first time this week and it was honestly the best decision, I met so many interesting people and already have plans with a few of them for next week.
The best thing about these groups is how open everyone is. People are always posting about hikes, art events, coffee meetups, or anything social, and it feels completely normal to just jump in and say hello.
I’ve also pushed myself to try things that aren’t usually my vibe, spin classes, yoga, even random one-off events. And you know what? It doesn’t really matter if you’re good at it or not. Everyone’s in the same boat, probably just as nervous as you. The trick is simple, say yes, show up, and talk to people. That’s honestly half the battle.
And here’s the funny thing, once you’ve been to a couple of events, you’ll start bumping into the same faces again and again. The world shrinks fast in Saigon, especially in the Thao Dien expat bubble where it feels like everyone knows everyone. It makes the city feel smaller in the best way.
I’ve also met loads of people just by going out. The vibe is different to back home, people here actually mean it when they say “let’s do something soon.” They’ll message and make plans. No endless back-and-forth, no flakiness, just genuine effort. It’s refreshing.
Now, I want to stress this is just my experience. I understand not everyone is lucky enough to be surrounded by so many wonderful people so quickly. But I do think if you put yourself out there, eventually you’ll meet your people. I’ve always been the type who found it awkward to walk up to strangers and say hi, but here it’s become second nature. With a bit of practice (and honestly, forcing myself at first), chatting to random people is easy. A bizarre fear to stress about, but at least I’ve got it out of the way now.
That said, socialising is only half the story. You also need to learn how to enjoy your own company. I can’t really give you a step-by-step guide because it comes naturally to me, but I swear by solo day dates. Take yourself out for coffee, go for dinner alone, even book a tour or a day trip by yourself. It’s honestly one of the best things you can learn to do, because once you’re comfortable being with yourself, the rest comes a lot easier.
Three weeks in, and Saigon already feels like home. This city has a way of making connections feel easy, and I’m honestly not sure I want to leave after a year. There’s just so much to explore, so many stories to be part of, and so many people to meet.
With love from Saigon,
Anaïs