Some people leave an impression not by saying extraordinary things, but by quietly living an extraordinary level of discipline. I met someone like that in Ho Chi Minh City — and in less than a day, she reminded me what genuine passion and work ethic look like.
I had booked the “Saigon by Night” tour with XO Tours. It was a Monday, and I happened to be the only customer that evening. My tour leader picked me up from my hotel on her scooter, and for the next few hours, she rode me through different districts of Ho Chi Minh City — not just showing me places, but explaining Vietnam’s culture, food, history, and everyday life with clarity and pride.
During the ride, our conversations drifted far beyond tourism. We spoke about finance, investing, data analysis, Power BI, and career growth. At one point, she was genuinely surprised to learn that I teach many people these topics free of charge. She was even more surprised when I mentioned being selected to speak at an international conference in Singapore. What struck me wasn’t her reaction — it was the curiosity behind it. She listened carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and absorbed everything with intent.
As the evening went on, I learned more about her life.
She wakes up early every day and rides for more than an hour to attend university. In the evenings, she rides close to four hours again to work as a tour guide. This is not occasional effort — it’s a daily routine. No complaints. No dramatization. Just consistency.
She casually mentioned that three years ago, she had almost no English-speaking skills. Today, she describes herself as “still improving.” Honestly, her English was far beyond that — fluent, confident, and enriched with strong vocabulary. More importantly, she communicated ideas clearly, which is a far rarer skill than simply knowing words.
What impressed me the most was not her language ability or her schedule — it was her humility. Despite juggling studies and work, she still made time to help me later by responding to my messages between her busy commitments. No obligation. No expectation. Just kindness.
As an immigrant myself — someone who had to learn, adapt, upskill, and push hard to survive and grow in Australia — I naturally gravitate toward people like her. People who quietly give 200% to their education, their work, and their future. People who don’t wait for perfect conditions to begin, but instead build capability one day at a time.
It reminded me that no matter where we are in the world—whether navigating the streets of Saigon or the corporate world in Australia—passion and sincerity are the most powerful currencies we have.
Miss Trang - I met her for less than a day.
But the impression she left will stay with me much longer.
Sometimes, inspiration doesn’t come from stages or success stories.
It comes from a scooter ride through city streets, led by someone who simply refuses to settle for less than their potential.
