Rahat was born and spent her childhood in the Jeti-Oguz district of the Issyk-Kul region. After finishing her studies in Bishkek, she worked as a teacher in a school. Three years ago, together with her husband and two daughters, she decided to move to Vietnam to start a business.
“My younger sister has been living in Nha Trang for ten years and successfully manages her restaurant. She invited us to join her. I was working at one of the schools in Bishkek, and my husband was employed at the airport. We have always loved to travel, and we decided to realize our dream of living abroad,” Rahat shares.
From the very first days, they were supported by the local community, which helped them open their own café. Over three years, they managed to establish a steady clientele. Rahat's daughters study at an international school where classes are conducted in English.
“When we first started, it was not easy and was exhausting, but we felt great mentally. There is much to learn from the Vietnamese — everything here is simple, and people treat each other with respect. Even in difficult situations, such as floods, people show tolerance and do not complain,” she shares.
Rahat notes that she has developed wonderful relationships with her neighbors and the Vietnamese working in her café.
“I have seen a lot of positive aspects in the tourism sector in Vietnam and dream that it will be the same in Kyrgyzstan. Our country is incredibly beautiful. My husband and I hope to contribute to the development of tourism in our homeland. It is encouraging that over the past two years, the number of Kyrgyzstani people coming here for vacation has significantly increased,” she says.
Oruntaeva also recalls the words of one of her compatriots who came to Nha Trang: “Here, everyone smiles and treats each other well.” These words were very important to her. “If every tourist takes such positive emotions with them, our society will change for the better,” she added.
Together with her husband Chyngyz Kadyrkulov, Rahat dreams of one day returning to her homeland and contributing to the development of mountain tourism.
“To fulfill this dream, we are currently learning all the best that is here,” she concluded.
