BSS Brothas and Sistas First Meetup Web Graphic

Brothas & Sistas in Saigon: Escaping the Rat Race and Building Community in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Community Spotlight

On April 30th, a date that historically marks Vietnam’s Reunification Day, another profound unification took place in Ho Chi Minh City. The newly formed Brothas and Sistas in Saigon group held its very first meetup, marking a special moment in time for the growing Black expat community in Vietnam.

Over 35 Brothas and Sistas linked up, broke bread, and made new connections. It was a space to meet new faces, build friendships, establish business connections, and allow creators to strategize on cool ideas to collaborate. We talked about everything under the sun, and everyone left feeling completely ‘rejuvenated’. With so many new families recently moving to Saigon, having a dedicated space for friendship, support, and shared interests has never been more essential.

A massive shoutout to all the creators and community builders who attended and brought the energy: @lifeofdeeee7, @Demidoesit, @therealVoodooBae, @GrandParkRunClub, @TheYarBros, @SaigonCribs, and @withtemyo.

Our Community Mission

🌟 LIFTING EACH OTHER UP:
Fostering a community of mutual respect, brotherhood, and sisterhood.

🌟 BUILDING THE BLACK ECONOMY:
Circulating our dollars, sharing resources, and promoting group economics.

🌟 SUPPORTING SUCCESS:
Helping each other thrive in our careers, investments, and entrepreneurial pursuits while living or traveling in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Great Escape: Why Vietnam?

Many Black individuals and families are finding Vietnam to be a sanctuary—a much-needed escape from the turbulent climate of dominant Western society. For years, the realities of continual oppression, forced economic hardships, and a lack of genuine happiness have plagued even those earning high corporate salaries.

Some are using Vietnam as a short-term sabbatical to reset. Others are making a long-term shift for a few years, leaving behind old patterns that produce no substantial outcomes—the classic “rat race.” Vietnam offers a wealth of incredible opportunities without the heavy burden of prejudice and intentional sabotage attached.

The Reality of the Corporate Ceiling

Even Saigon Cribs’ own Real Estate Guru, Brian, is intimately familiar with the realities of being a victim of white supremacy in the corporate world. Before finding his peace in Vietnam, Brian was earning $300,000 a year as a Regional Sales Director for Comcast Cable. He had increased sales by 300%—the highest the company had ever seen from a Sales Director.

One day, his Director Elaine Bueti pulled him into the boardroom at the Baltimore headquarters and delivered the news: “Hey, you are doing so well… the big bosses want to fly up from Texas and meet you. But Brian… I never told them that you were Black.”

Sure enough, after a $200-a-plate dinner on the Baltimore Harbor with the executives, the dynamic shifted. Two days later, a boss named Hal Crews pulled Brian into a cafe and delivered the classic corporate line: “Sorry Brian, we have to let you go. We are going in a different direction.”

Two weeks later, Brian was in Ho Chi Minh City to decompress from the unjust loss of a hard-earned, lucrative career. Three months later, that entire Comcast division lost half of its staff in protest of his unfair firing, and the division ultimately shut down. The white supremacists lost millions in yearly profits, but Brian found a new, thriving life in Southeast Asia.

Many Black professionals find themselves in these unbalanced societal situations—being the last to be hired and the first to be fired. Making a geographic change is becoming necessary not just for sustainable financial growth, but for basic peace and happiness in life. We are thankful that Vietnam provides this opportunity to reset and rebuild. This is a special place and a special time to do something great together.