Christmas & New year away from home For months people had been hoping the pandemic was squashed enough for them to be able to enjoy a normal Christmas – but tight restrictions in many countries have put paid to this. In addition, nations like England are offering looser restrictions around Christmas, but with the certainty of an even tougher January. For many foreigners living and working in Vietnam, the decision to travel home for Christmas was largely made for them – it simply is not possible or safe enough for them to do so, and that does not even include making it back into Vietnam after the festivities are over with. Leigh Redemer, head of language and literature at an international school in Hanoi, has been used to living and working in different countries, but unlike this year she has always been with her family during the holiday season. “This time around, my parents, my sister, and I are all on different continents. I’ll still celebrate with friends here on Christmas Day, but usually I’d be with my family baking cookies, going to Christmas markets, and wearing ugly festive sweaters.” Despite the sadness at missing out on family-oriented events, many foreigners in Vietnam have expressed their gratitude at the country’s mostly excellent response to the ongoing pandemic. Even though in many ways Vietnam is waiting for the rest of the world to catch up in order to truly thrive, in other respects the Christmas season here can be celebrated as normally as possible. “I feel grateful to be able to travel domestically and feel safe in Vietnam at this time, whereas I wouldn’t feel that back home in the US,” explained Leigh. “People in my profession get a few weeks off work and that’s always fun.” Indeed, a large section of the expat community in Hanoi and elsewhere have been planning mini getaways to celebrate Christmas with their friends, with Phu Quoc Island being a particular favourite. Lisa Cole, an education co-ordinator also based in Hanoi, …