Koreans in Vietnam: Memories of the first Korean town in Ho Chi Minh City

According to Nikkei Asia , there are currently about 178,000 Koreans living in Vietnam, about 60,000 more than the total number of Koreans in the rest of Southeast Asia. Many Koreans said that when they come to Vietnam to live, work, do business..., they feel welcomed.

Pham Van Hai Street (Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) was once a bustling place for the Korean community to live and do business. In this "old" Korean street, there were many eateries, restaurants, and hotels with signs in Korean or Korean - Vietnamese. We came to Pham Van Hai Street, located next to the market of the same name, the whole street is about 800 - 900 m long. According to the locals, around the year 2000, most of the residents living in this area were Koreans who came to Vietnam to do business and live.

Previously, Pham Van Hai market (Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh city) was often visited by Koreans.

PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN

First steps of Koreans in Vietnam

According to many documents, Pham Van Hai Street is considered the first neighborhood where Koreans lived when they came to Vietnam. During its heyday, this neighborhood was bustling, with many restaurants, hotels, and "Korean-standard" beauty salons serving the locals. However, Pham Van Hai Street now has almost no Koreans. They have moved to other places such as Phu My Hung (District 7), Super Bowl (Tan Binh District)... to live with many compatriots. Mr. Pham Na (68 years old, in Tan Binh District), a long-time vendor at Pham Van Hai Market , said that more than ten years ago, this was the place where many Koreans lived. All over the street, shops with Korean signs are close together, offering everything from eating, shopping, to beauty treatments. "The Koreans living here are very friendly, lovable, affectionate and have a sense of community. I have been doing business here for decades and have met quite a few Koreans, so I can communicate with them in a few basic sentences. But now there are few Koreans living here, and it is a long time before I meet one or two. I have noticed that many Koreans love Vietnam and often come to this market to eat noodles, banh canh or drink coffee," said Mr. Na.

Pham Van Hai Street (Tan Binh District) used to have many Korean stores.

PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN

According to Master Ta Thi Lan Khanh (Ho Chi Minh City Academy of Officials), on December 22, 1992, Vietnam and South Korea officially established diplomatic relations. This is considered a beginning, paving the way for a new era in the history of Vietnam - South Korea bilateral relations. According to data from the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Koreans in Vietnam is currently about 60,000 more than the total number of Koreans in the remaining countries of Southeast Asia. From that, it can be seen that Vietnam has been and is an attractive country for the people of the kimchi land. Talking about the reason why Vietnam has become an ideal "destination" chosen by many Koreans, Master Lan Khanh said that the Vietnamese market in the 2000s opened up many opportunities for Korean businessmen. Besides, the cost of food and consumption in Vietnam is quite cheap; Koreans who learn Vietnamese when working in Korean companies will also receive salary and position increases. Not only that, the fact that Koreans come to live in Vietnam is also the "beginning step" for many inspiring love stories. On the other hand, the rights of Korean citizens are still guaranteed even when living and working in Vietnam.

Pham Van Hai "Korean Street" today

PHOTO: THAI THANH - HOAI NHIEN

Remembering a time of "glory"

We came to Pham Van Hai Street on a weekend morning. This street used to be known as the first Korean town in Vietnam, but now it has changed its appearance. Currently, Pham Van Hai Street no longer has the clear mark of a bustling Korean town like before. Most of the Korean service providers have been replaced by Vietnamese restaurants, grocery stores, houses, etc. For those who have lived through the prosperous period of the Korean community in the neighborhood, the memory of a bustling Korean town still lingers somewhere. We happened to meet Mr. Nguyen Binh (56 years old), who has witnessed the changes of the street over the decades. Mr. Binh recalled: "In the past, this street was very bustling. There were restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons, grocery stores, hotels, beauty salons, etc. All had signs in Korean and Vietnamese. During the day, there were many people passing by here, but at night it was the busiest and most bustling." Mr. Binh said that there are many Koreans living in this neighborhood. They rent houses, open restaurants, beauty salons, and some even marry Vietnamese women and have children. "There are many Koreans here, so there are also many restaurants. The stores specialize in selling food imported from Korea such as canned fish, instant noodles, fish, meat, frozen seafood, drinks, etc. I still remember a shop selling Korean-style stewed pork leg that was always bustling with people. Not only Koreans but also Vietnamese people came to eat," Mr. Binh said. As he spoke, he pointed to the houses opposite that used to be home to some Koreans at that time. He said that Koreans and Vietnamese living here sometimes had difficulty communicating, but both sides were still friendly and close. Ms. Thu Huong (32 years old), a resident who has lived near Pham Van Hai Street since childhood, said: "When I was young, I loved coming here to play because I liked the Korean bookstore on this street. It specializes in selling CDs, books, and newspapers imported from Korea. Whenever I saved a little money, I would sneak out of my mother's pocket to buy a few CDs to listen to music." Ms. Huong also knows and makes friends with many Koreans. She said that her Korean friends can even speak Vietnamese. She often goes to Pham Van Hai Street with her friends to eat stewed pork leg and Korean beef rib soup. Although the "glorious" days are over, Pham Van Hai Street is still the place that marks the first steps of the Korean community in Vietnam. This street is associated with the unique cultural exchange between the two countries of Vietnam and Korea, as a vivid proof of the close relationship between the two cultures. (to be continued)

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-han-quoc-o-viet-nam-ky-uc-pho-han-quoc-dau-tien-tai-tphcm-185241223180803515.htm