At 4:00 p.m., while Kent Murphy (UK) was livestreaming, countless viewers chimed in: “It’s time for Aoife to finish school!”, “Don’t forget to pick up Aoife!”, “We miss Aoife, show us the pickup!”

Murphy chuckled and asked, “Are you all just here to watch me pick up my daughter?”

Just two months after launching his TikTok channel chronicling his experiences taking his one-year-old daughter Aoife to preschool in Vietnam, Murphy gained nearly 150,000 followers. Each video of the father-daughter duo receives between 60,000 and 500,000 views, with some hitting over a million.

Viewers are especially charmed by the blonde toddler speaking Vietnamese, giggling when she meets restaurant staff, the building’s security guard, or neighbors in the elevator.

“Nine months ago, when we first arrived, I was shocked that strangers would talk to, tease, and even gently squeeze Aoife’s cheeks. But now, it all feels familiar,” Murphy shared.

From Dubai to Da Nang

Kent Murphy, 35, works in recruitment. He left the UK in 2019, living for several years in Ukraine and later Dubai (UAE).

“Aoife was born in Dubai, but the heat made outdoor activities difficult. We wanted a place where our daughter could be outside more,” he said.

One YouTube video gave them an instant “crush” on Da Nang. They were drawn to its balance of modernity, stunning nature, mild climate, and long stretches of beach.

In September 2024, the family of three moved to Da Nang to begin their Southeast Asian adventure. “The first days were never easy,” Murphy recalled.

At first, they had to adjust to Vietnam’s chaotic traffic - so different from Dubai. “Motorbikes were everywhere, no clear lanes, people moving in all directions, roadside stalls packed close together, buyers and sellers bustling about,” he described.

At first, they didn’t dare cross the street. But after two weeks, they realized that people actually paid attention to avoid collisions. “We became confident crossing the street, blending in with the locals.”

In Vietnam, the couple gave up fast food and processed products, learning to shop at local markets like locals. They now buy fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat.

They became regulars at nearby eateries selling dishes like banh cuon, bun bo Hue, and bun dau mam tom. “We’ve even started giving Aoife traditional Vietnamese foods. She’s even tried durian,” Murphy said.

The kindness of strangers

Initially, they lived in a tourist-heavy area but moved to a local neighborhood once Aoife began to walk. Murphy admitted that at first, they were concerned by the attention Aoife received - strangers offering fruit and candy, playfully teasing her.

“In other countries we’ve lived, strangers rarely interact with children. But Aoife loved it. She never seemed afraid - she giggled and beamed,” Murphy recalled.

The couple researched and learned that this was a distinct feature of Vietnamese culture. Here, people aren’t bothered by crying or noisy children. Instead, they are quick to help struggling parents.

“Anyone can become Aoife’s babysitter. What once seemed strange, we now find endearing,” he said.

Murphy gradually got used to his daughter ignoring his calls as she played with the neighbors. He also got used to being invited in for fruit or soup just for walking by.

“I feel that moving to Da Nang was the right choice. We want our daughter to grow up surrounded by warmth and love - not just sitting indoors watching TV,” he said.

“In Vietnam, Aoife will definitely have a memorable childhood - playing outdoors, making friends in the neighborhood, and feeling a sense of community.”

“That warm, wonderful connection is something special about Vietnam. It’s hard to find in the West,” he added.

A little girl and a big following

Two months ago, the Murphys enrolled Aoife in a local preschool where teachers and students speak only Vietnamese.

“We want Aoife to truly integrate into the local culture. Later, maybe we’ll move her to an international school. But for now, we’re happy to see how excited she is to see her teachers and friends,” Murphy said.

“It would be amazing if our little blonde girl could speak fluent Vietnamese,” he beamed.

He initially struggled with Vietnam’s early school schedule but eventually adapted. After dropping Aoife off, he heads to a café to work.

Most of his clients are from the Middle East, and the three-hour time difference makes scheduling easy. He finishes work by 4:00 p.m. and picks up Aoife - often recording the moment for their fans.

“No matter where we go, we’ll always have a ‘home base’ in Da Nang - a place where we truly feel we belong,” Murphy said. “When Aoife is older, we’ll explore more of Vietnam together, like Da Lat, for example.”