[CAN HOST FROM MAR-2023] Just bought some furnitures for a new apartment and can host now, read my profile/my home section carefully, send a couch request and we will see. I have had great experiences as a guest in different European countries. Now I have my own place so I want to host other CSers and bring the world back to my home.

CURRENT GOALS:
1. Travel around the world (up to 2023, I've been to 46 countries already and want to travel more). My travel journey was captured by some famous national newspapers in Vietnam:
https://vnexpress.net/chang-trai-di-34-nuoc-chau-au-trong-mot-nam-du-hoc-4597143.html
https://thanhnien.vn/chang-trai-di-du-lich-34-nuoc-15-thanh-pho-trong-1-nam-du-hoc-185230506152230656.htm
https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/hanh-trinh-khong-tuong-di-34-nuoc-trong-mot-nam-du-hoc-cua-chang-trai-viet-20230513182420745.htm
https://tuoitre.vn/di-34-nuoc-chau-au-trong-1-nam-du-hoc-20230305225941803.htm
2. Host travellers, be a super host (I got hosted by a lot of CSers while travelling around Europe so I'm returning the favor to host other travellers coming to my city)
3. Spend time with CSers to exchange different cultures/histories, learn from their experiences and I'm willing to share what I've known with everyone. I believe we can help each other have comprehensive perspectives and become wiser in doing so.

ABOUT ME
Originally from Vietnam, I've been abroad since university to work on plenty of volunteer and social projects. I've also been travelling around. Seeing different ways of life and perspectives helped me become more open-minded, appreciative little things and embrace different cultures more than ever before.

I've been on Couchsurfing since 2013 and have met so many amazing people from every corner of the world. In the end, I found this quote is very true: "It's not about who you go, it's all about you you meet along the way". There are countless moments when I shared thought-provoking conversations, ah-ha moments, heated debates or simply just wonderful times with other CSers. These happened over drinks, walks, dinners, etc... Most of them are still my good friends till now and we've got to see each other sometimes when we have the chance. It is liberating to spend time with local people wherever you go, then leave the place with a good friend. I believe we can learn a lot from each other, help each other gain new perspectives, knowledge, share good times which we cannot achieve independently, finally become a better version of ourselves.
P/s: I got lucky to meet/stay with Couchsurfing ambassadors in Taiwan, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria and all my previous hosts who are also the ambassador of their cities :D

I worked in finance/management consulting industry for over 5 years, involved with a local non-profit as a Grant Allocation Committee member, then got 2 fully-funded scholarships from the Irish government and the British government, also a fully-funded leadership development fellowship from the Australian government with the vision to promote venture capital for small businesses and impact investment for social enterprises. I then went to London, the UK to pursue my master's degree and joined a network of amazingly talented scholars. I'm so excited for my journey ahead meeting amazing people/sharing good times in Europe. In January 2023, I went back Ho Chi Minh City-Vietnam working in impact investment industry and now settling here.

PHILOSOPHY
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Everyone has his/her own unique stories waiting for you to discover.
Between being right and being kind, it's good to be kind first.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

1. Pay-it-forward: my best travelling experiences have been times that I spend with my hosts, so I start to open my house and host people to spread out the greatness of CS community (experience authentic local lifestyles, hands on experience learning about different cultures/perspectives).
2. Have meaningful connections and even life-long friendships

Interests

• arts
• singing
• photography
• dancing
• wine
• running
• meditation
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• surfing
• swimming
• economics
• philosophy
• beaches
• trekking
• museums
• self-development
• beers
• livemusic
• planting
• musical theatre
• intellectual conversations
• authentic food
• history and culture
• playing musical instruments

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
Mostly comtemporary Pop/ballad/RB genres, I enjoy listening to a bit of everything. I'm currently interested in jazz, disco and alternative rock, really want to learn for about those music genres.

Movies:
I will watch a bit of everything, but I am really into non-fiction/oscar movies (top 250 Imdb list). I watched 52 out of 250 films so far.
https://www.imdb.com/chart/top?ref_=nv_mv_250

Books:
I read often, mostly non-fiction books covering some topics such as: politics, culture, economics, arts, etc.... Books are a great way to learn and expand the mind.
If you are also a bookworm like me, add me in Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/21989539-son-nguyen

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- Had a near-death experience in Bali (Indonesia) when I had a cliff jumping there, which changed my outlook in life completely.
- I helped 3 local non-profits to get 20,000USD on project fundings.
- I helped a technology start-up to double its users in 2 months.
- Did a plenty of trekking route in Vietnam and Asia
- Spent 10 full days in complete silence meditating Vipassana .
- Unexpectedly won 1st prize in a talent show by my singing ability (win both by the judge's and audience's vote) when I did not think I have a chance.
- Surfing in Woljeongri Beach (Jeju island - Korea) and in Bali (Indonesia).
- Competed and got 2 prestigious government scholarships (Irish government and British government)
The list will go on and on :)

Teach, Learn, Share

WHAT I CAN SHARE:
1. Vocal techniques ( I sing quite well, even won 1st prize in a small talent show due to my singing ability).
2. Project management and personal finance: as per my past experience in non-profit sector and my expertise as a financial management consultant.
3. My knowledge about Vietnamese culture and history and food recipes.
4. Travel tips traveling across Vietnam, as I have traveled all over the countries.
5. Life perspectives and long conversations ranging in different topics :).

What I Can Share with Hosts

1. My travel stories, my company, good conversation, and a genuine interest in your culture & history, I'm also willing to share mine.
2. Lots of conversation - look out, I ask a lot of questions and really perceptive to different view points!
3. Experiences - I love to have a good time out exploring and it's even better when there's someone to share it with
4. Some tangible benefits: a crash course on vocal techniques (as I'm quite ok at this :D), meditation tips, swimming techniques,etc....
5. I can help out with the house chores, cleaning and cooking :)
6. A life-long friendship

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Viet Nam