9x programmer quits high-paying job to move to Phu Quy to live a semi-nomadic life: diving, fishing, leading tours

July 20, 2022 06:47

Quitting his job as a programmer in Ho Chi Minh City, Xuan Dinh went to Phu Quy Island (Binh Thuan) - a place he had never been to and had no relatives to experience a semi-nomadic life.

At 6am, Xuan Dinh (27 years old) wakes up. He quickly makes breakfast and then gets busy preparing to welcome the first tourist tour of the day.

In June and July - the peak summer tourist season, every day, he leads 2 tours for guests to experience SUP, scuba diving, seafood hunting... in Phu Quy (Binh Thuan). The morning tour lasts from 7:30-11:00, the afternoon tour from 14:30-19:00. In the evening, he can take guests out to eat or join camping, eating barbecue on the beach with friends.

Looking at Dinh’s tanned skin, professional diving skills and knowledge of the island, many people mistakenly think he is a native here. However, in reality, Dinh has only been on the island for about 2 months. Previously, he was an automotive programming engineer for a technology company, part of a multinational corporation in Ho Chi Minh City.

"At first, I planned to stay in Phu Quy for about a month. But the people and beautiful scenery here kept me here. Maybe I will stay here for another 2-3 months," Dinh said.

*Xuan Dinh came to Phu Quy to live for two months.*

Xuan Dinh was born and raised in Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa. His house is 15km from the sea, so from a young age, Dinh loved swimming and participating in fun activities on the sea. Later, he graduated with a degree in information technology and quickly found a job in Ho Chi Minh City with an attractive income.

Working at a multinational corporation, Dinh has the opportunity to participate in business trips abroad, including to India. Each of his trips lasts 2-3 months.

In his free time after work, he often takes the opportunity to get to know the locals, experience their rustic life, and learn basic survival skills.

*Xuan Dinh loves the sea experiences instead of the busy office work before.*

From here, the 9x guy realized that he loved to travel, liked the semi-nomadic, wild life. "I dreamed of a semi-nomadic life, wandering to new lands, experiencing culture and life," he shared. "But my job as a programmer, being busy in the office all year round made my dream seem far away. I always wondered, 5 years later, do I still want to do this office job?", the 9x guy pondered.

In 2020, after a period of thinking, Dinh quit his job and went to find the life he wanted. He returned to Khanh Hoa to live with his mother because his father had just passed away and was waiting to withdraw his social insurance. At this time, Dinh had learned about Phu Quy. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and some other unexpected events, it was not until April 2022 that he could go to Phu Quy - an island he had never visited, had no friends, and no acquaintances.

"At that time, I didn't have much savings left. But I thought, Phu Quy is a pristine island, the people are friendly, the cost is not expensive so it will be easy to adapt. So I moved there," Xuan Dinh shared.

*9x at Hon Den or also known as "snake island" by locals. This area is rarely visited by tourists.*

Arriving on the island right at the time of the 30.4-1.5 holiday, to avoid the crowds, Dinh "hid" in the rented room. He chose the most deserted places to jog and practice yoga on the beach. The fresh air and wild beauty of Phu Quy made the young man love it.

"The people here are extremely friendly. In the first two weeks, if I didn't run or cycle, I could easily hitchhike rides to explore the island," Dinh said. "About two weeks later, when I decided to stay here longer and wanted to explore more, I sent my motorbike from the mainland to the island," he said.

Dinh made many friends who were local tour guides. With a passion for exploring and experiencing nature, as well as diving skills and experience in water sports, he was trusted by his friends to be in charge of SUP and coral diving.

Every day, he takes tourists to explore the beautiful sea areas in Phu Quy, dive to see corals, have lunch on floating rafts, take photos and film underwater... "From previous trips, the survival skills I learned helped me quickly get into the swing of things," Dinh shared.

Xuan Dinh admits that his income from being a tour guide is not too high, but he is satisfied with his current life. On days when he is not guiding guests, he wanders around to explore destinations that only locals know about, such as Hon Den, coral reefs, or dives to see clownfish, Mao Tien fish, and hunt for frogfish. "My diving and fishing skills have improved very quickly. I am learning how to shoot fish," he shared.