Chef and TV Host Andrew Zimmern Shares How Vietnam Holds a Special Place in His Heart

Revenge travel is a thing of the past (in truth, it never quite resonated with us). This year, we’re embracing reconnection travel, which is emerging as the primary motivation for travel in the post-pandemic era. After a challenging few years, people are venturing into the world again with genuine enthusiasm—and intention. Thus, we spoke with 11 traveling celebrities to discover what “reconnection” signifies for them, whether it’s embarking on solo adventures, indulging in Italian cuisine, reuniting with old friends, honoring departed loved ones, or making that vital trip to see mom.

Here, Andrew Zimmern—the chef and restaurateur renowned for his previous show Bizarre Foods and his current program Family Dinner on Magnolia Network—opens up about how he reconnects with his true self and the legacy he wishes to pass on to his son.

What destination is beckoning you to return?

Which location isn't? I've traveled the globe countless times. When you immerse yourself in a place and give as freely as you receive, when you share experiences and are met with kindness, you leave with a part of that place. More significantly, the more you explore, the more you realize you leave a part of yourself behind, and sometimes you must revisit those places to reclaim that lost piece and feel complete once more.

I've visited Vietnam half a dozen times, and each trip has filled me with immense joy. With every return, I’ve found myself more and more engaged in the experience. They advise against renting motorbikes, wandering alone in the countryside, or trying certain foods, but that’s a mindset of skepticism before discovery. Some of my best memories come from doing precisely those things. Now, after 8 YEARS since my last visit, I feel the need to return and reclaim the energy and spontaneity I left behind. I’ve stored some of my finest moments in that vibrant, unpredictable, and ever-changing place that I cherish. I miss it, but more importantly, I realize I need it. The version of myself that I cherish most is the one that emerges when I’m there.

Which location feels like home, even if it isn’t your birthplace?

Sicily, Sardinia, and indeed, any of the Italian islands. There’s a certain rhythm to life there—perhaps it’s the leisurely pace? The culinary delights? Or the warmth of the locals, who seem hesitant at first to trust but ultimately share their hearts because they take pride in their home. And then there’s the sea. In winter, it’s fierce and windswept, gray and moody. In summer, it’s serene and inviting, a beautiful blue that beckons you. The sun on my skin transports me back to my childhood.

Are you making plans for trips that focus on reconnection? If yes, how do you intend to do so?

I’m eager to introduce my son to these special places, and I’m actively planning for it. I hope he shares my enthusiasm. I’d like to rent a house for a few weeks so he can experience the reality of it all. My father did the same for me, and I haven’t had the chance to do that with my own son yet.

—Andrew Zimmern, chef, restaurateur, and host of travel shows

Explore more from our Reconnection Travel series.