Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik. It is one of the most visited churches by tourists in Iceland.
Before we flew to Iceland, I told my husband opening a Vietnamese restaurant is perfect for Iceland because Phở, pronounced “fuh,” is suitable for cold weather. With ginger, star anise, and bone soup, Phở is a comfort food Vietnamese people can eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I think Pho is always associated with all Vietnamese childhood memory.
Walking around Reykjavík downtown, I was astounded to see a Vietnamese restaurant. The owner was from North or Central Vietnam. She was excited to see a Vietnamese tourist in Iceland since not many of them like the cold weather in Iceland. We talked while she and her husband were preparing food for customers. I asked, “Was it too cold for you to live here? How come you travel this far from Vietnam?” She furrowed her brow. “Iceland is freezing. The language is hard. We work until late at night, go home, and rest. It is like that every day, but we have no choice.” The restaurant seemed quiet, but she was optimistic because Iceland has been more open to tourists. I wished her luck before I departed with nostalgia about all the precious times of my country, which I had not visited for over twenty years.
Phở has been migrated all over the world. It is not just a bowl of soup but also a symbol of diligence, perseverance, and endurance from time to time, and it never fails. A bowl of soup is always good!
