I'm a digital nomad who was traveling the world when the coronavirus pandemic began. Here's why I chose to quarantine in Vietnam instead of the US — and why I'm glad I did.

Tasha PradosJun 19, 2020, 19:23 IST

The author, Tasha Prados, in Hội An, Vietnam.Courtesy of Tasha Prados

Tasha Prados is an entrepreneur, digital nomad, and founder of a marketing consulting practice.
In February 2020, Prados traveled to Vietnam with plans to stay in the city of Hội An for one month — but as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, she quickly made the decision to quarantine in place.
She found a house to rent and isolate in with five fellow travelers, just before Vietnam closed its borders and issued stay-at-home orders.
The lockdown lifted after 24 days, and Prados says she's glad she chose to stay in Vietnam, and especially thankful for country's contact-tracing efforts and safety restrictions that helped curb the spread of the virus.

In September 2019, I quit my job to start my own business and marketing strategy consulting practice and travel the world as a digital nomad. I came to Hội An, Vietnam in February, intending to stay for one month — and then, the coronavirus happened. I'm still here, and don't currently have a plan to leave.

Pre-COVID-19, I was a digital nomad traveling around Asia

Exploring ancient temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

I flew into Vietnam just a few weeks before the country closed its borders

Exploring the My Son ruins near Hội An in early March. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

When I first arrived, life felt relatively normal

School had been closed since Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, and many kids and families went outside to fly kites. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

I decided to stay abroad 'indefinitely'

An Bang beach, almost empty in March as most tourists went home. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

During our supply run, we were stopped at a health checkpoint

The health checkpoint between Hội An and DaNang. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

On March 31, everyone was ordered to stay at home except for essential shopping

Some market stalls were closed as lockdown began, and there were fewer people, but all the usual foods were available. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

In our group home, we're worked together to stay busy

The board game Pandemic. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

Our other primary source of entertainment was our foster kitty, Rubio

Rubio, the foster cat, being a spider-cat. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

Besides getting groceries, I only went out to run in the rice fields

Going for a run during isolation. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

Normally bustling areas of the city were eerily empty

A lone motorbike makes its way through Hội An's Old Town, almost empty during lockdown. Photo by Le Van Hieu

Before long, we were able to slowly come out of isolation

Out with friends for a post-isolation coffee. Courtesy of Tasha Prados

As things went back to normal, we were able to venture away from the villa

A post isolation visit to Cham Islands. Photo by Amanda McGrath

I don't have any regrets deciding to stay

The author working and drinking an iced chai latte at her favorite coworking space, Hub Hội An. Photo by Le Van Hieu

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