Ties Travelers: Elizabeth’s Journey to Vietnam
For Elizabeth, visiting her birth country had always been a dream — one quietly tucked away as life moved forward. While the idea stayed close to her heart, years passed and the timing never seemed right. That changed at 31, when she found herself in a stable career and finally ready to take the leap.
But she didn’t want to do it alone.
Elizabeth invited her longtime friend Abby to join her. Having a friend by her side added comfort to the emotional weight of the journey — someone who knew her story and could walk with her through the beauty and the unknown. Together, they joined Vietnam Ties 2025/2026 for a powerful two-week heritage trip that would help Elizabeth reconnect with her roots, reflect on her identity, and experience Vietnam as both a visitor and someone with a deep personal roots to the country.
Elizabeth and Abby at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi
Before the Trip
“Growing up, my dream was to visit my birth country, but life got in the way,” Elizabeth shared. “As a 31-year-old in a stable career, I felt it was finally time. But the idea of planning such an intense trip alone felt overwhelming.”
The emotional weight of returning to a birth country is something many adoptees know well — and Elizabeth wanted to make sure she had the right support. Through online adoptee communities, she discovered The Ties Program.
She began attending virtual gatherings, connecting with Ties staff, and asking questions about the logistics and emotional support built into the experience.
“After connecting with other adoptee communities I learned about Ties. I reached out and began inquiring about the process, the supports in place, and attended virtual gatherings to learn more about this organization. By the end of my research, I was confident that this was the organization I wanted to experience going to my place of birth with for two weeks.”
Arrival & First Impressions
Traveling across the world to the place where your life began is no small moment. For Elizabeth, it was surreal from the very start.
“From the moment I arrived, I was awestruck. The energy and vibrancy of the country immediately made me feel excited for what was to come on this journey. I was full of various emotions from excitement to nervousness to baffled — what, I’m actually in Vietnam?!”
Touching down in her birth country brought a wave of emotions — not just because of the journey itself, but because it marked the beginning of something deeper: the chance to physically step into her own story.
Cultural Connection
As the days unfolded, Elizabeth found herself connecting with Vietnamese culture in both expected and surprising ways. One moment stood out more than most: wearing an áo dài — the traditional Vietnamese dress — in the very country where her story began.
“Wearing an áo dài and not being stared at made me feel very connected with my roots and my culture.”
Attending the A O Show at the Saigon Opera House in Saigon
It was a subtle, yet powerful shift. Instead of being the exception, she blended in. Instead of feeling watched, she felt welcomed.
And then there was a moment so small it might have gone unnoticed — but to Elizabeth, it spoke volumes.
“I finally knew what it was like to have my back against a chair and my feet firmly planted while enjoying a meal.”
That simple act — of fitting in a chair made for her height in her country of birth — held layers of meaning. It wasn’t just about furniture; it was about belonging. About feeling physically, culturally, emotionally… rooted.
A Grounding Moment in Can Tho
While many adoptees return with the hope of meeting birth family, Elizabeth didn’t have a reunion waiting for her in Can Tho — her birth city. But she had something else: the chance to be present in the place where her life began.
“An experience that I had an unexpected connection to was when I went biking through the countryside of Can Tho, my birth city. While I did not meet any birth family, being able to see the everyday life of Can Tho was breathtaking, calming, and full of emotion.”
Abby, Elizabeth, and fellow Vietnamese adoptee Gracie during a biking tour through Can Tho.
She soaked in the simplicity of daily life — the people, the rhythm, the land. In those quiet moments, something shifted. She was not just observing a country; she was part of it.
Emotional Journey & Community
Heritage travel is never just a vacation — it’s emotional, layered, and full of discovery. For Elizabeth, the emotional journey was wide-ranging.
“Throughout the trip I had many emotions. From this is fun to I’m overwhelmed with historical knowledge I’m learning, so I need to come back again.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience wasn’t just the place — it was the people. Specifically, being surrounded by other adoptees who truly got it.
“Growing up I participated in Vietnamese adoptee camps that allowed me to find connections. However, as I got older, I strayed away as education, religion, sports, etc. got in the way. It had been a long time since I had been with other adoptees for such a long period of time. It was so freeing to open up and know I’m being heard and understood.”
Vietnam Ties travelers indulging in some pho one of the first nights of the trip
In that community, there was no need to explain her story. No need to justify her emotions. She could simply be.
Reflection & Growth
With so much personal and cultural discovery packed into just two weeks, Elizabeth left Vietnam with a deeper understanding of herself and the importance of the journey she had taken.
“This trip helped me understand the importance of experiencing my birth country. I always knew that making the journey back to my roots was something that needed to be done for me. Being in Vietnam I learned a lot about my history and culture.”
Elizabeth cooking some traditional dishes on the Vietnam Ties Ha Long Bay Cruise
A Message to Others
For those who may be hesitating — who are thinking about making the journey but unsure about the timing, the logistics, or the emotional weight — Elizabeth has a simple but powerful message:
“If someone was on the fence about taking a trip like this I would say, do it! I kept asking myself questions like can I spare the time off? Or can I afford a trip like this? Or what emotions will this trip reveal? In the end I had no regrets about taking a heritage trip to my birth country. And now, I know I need to go back to continue on this journey.”
Elizabeth’s journey isn’t over — in many ways, it’s just beginning. But through this experience, she took a powerful step forward: one rooted in curiosity, healing, and a desire to know herself more fully. And through it all, she had the support of a close friend, a community of adoptees, and a heritage travel experience built just for her.
Ready to Begin Your Own Journey?
Whether you're an adoptee, a parent, or a loved one, heritage travel can be a life-changing step toward connection, healing, and discovery. At Ties, we’re here to walk beside you — every step of the way.
Visit www.thetiesprogram.org or follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to learn more and take the first step.
Your story matters. Let’s explore it together.
