Mina Esi

“I never thought I would end up here but I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is full of surprises and I'm glad I took a chance on something different.”

Mina Esi is a Nauruan woman who never thought she would end up in Ho Chi Minh City. After completing her degree in criminology, she joined the police force and has been serving for the past 10 years. Living in a foreign city like Ho Chi Minh City has been challenging at times but Mina has found a community through the police department. Her work has given her a sense of purpose and she is proud of the relationships she has built with the locals. When she's not on duty, Mina loves exploring the city's food scene, reading non-fiction books, and volunteering for a local animal shelter.

What's the biggest challenge of being a police officer in a foreign city?

The biggest challenge for me has been the language barrier. It was difficult at first not being able to communicate with locals but I've been slowly learning Vietnamese and it's made a huge difference.

What's your favorite part of Ho Chi Minh City?

Definitely the food. There are so many amazing dishes to try and I love exploring the different neighborhoods and markets for new flavors.