A Tourist’s Guide to Love (2023) presents Vietnam not just as a backdrop, but as a key player in a destination rom-com. While the romantic leads may lack some spark, the film shines in its depiction of Vietnamese culture and the potential for adventure. For English-speaking travelers and rom-com enthusiasts, the movie offers a unique opportunity to explore Vietnam through a lens of love and self-discovery, often punctuated by memorable, if sometimes cheesy, quotes. This guide delves into how those “a tourist’s guide to love quotes” resonate and enhance the viewing (and traveling) experience.
Amanda Riley (Rachael Leigh Cook), a meticulous executive at Tourista, excels at resolving travel mishaps. Her boss, Mona (Missi Pyle), sees an opportunity to acquire Saigon Silver Star Tours, a reputable family-run Vietnamese company. Believing Amanda is on the verge of engagement, Mona hesitates to send her undercover. Before the trip, Amanda gets her nails done choosing a pale pink, her “safe” color. She also shows her inability to cross the street which seems like a random quirk, but it’s important for the plot. This sets the stage for a life-altering journey when her boyfriend, John (Ben Feldman), unexpectedly asks for a “relationship hiatus” to pursue a career opportunity in Ohio.
Amanda’s professionalism shines through in her travel problem-solving role.
Distraught, Amanda accepts the assignment, embarking on a trip to Vietnam to evaluate Saigon Silver Star Tours. There, she encounters Sinh (Scott Ly), her charming and “Genetically Blessed” tour guide. Their initial meeting is awkward, as Amanda uses Google Translate despite Sinh’s English fluency. Her lost luggage and insistence on following official channels highlight their contrasting approaches. She’s a planner; he’s spontaneous. Despite packing a spare shirt in her carry-on, it’s clear she’s unprepared for the emotional journey ahead.
Amanda’s near-miss symbolizes her aversion to risk and the need for change.
The tour group includes an older couple celebrating their belated honeymoon, a family seeking digital detox, and an earnest agricultural engineering student. Anh (Thanh Truc), Sinh’s cousin and the tour driver, also contributes to the unfolding narrative. As they begin their journey in Ho Chi Minh City, Sinh introduces the significance of Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, emphasizing letting go and embracing new possibilities. This theme sets the stage for Amanda’s transformation.
Sinh’s constant stream of inspirational quotes, however, can feel forced. He urges Amanda to abandon her guidebook and experience life, stating, “A tourist wants to escape life, a traveler wants to experience it.” This sparks a debate about escapism versus experience, a somewhat ironic discussion within the context of a rom-com. He also says, “You never know how long life’s gonna be. Why waste it on escape? Spend it on experience instead.” While well-intentioned, these pronouncements border on preachy, ignoring the potential value of careful planning and differing perspectives.
Sinh’s inspirational pronouncements are frequent and impactful.
As Amanda gradually opens herself to new experiences, she and Sinh begin to develop feelings for each other. However, their connection feels somewhat contrived, and Amanda’s dishonesty about her true purpose in Vietnam adds a layer of complexity. Rachael Leigh Cook’s ever changing hairstyles frequently compete for attention with the characters awkward attempts at flirting.
Vietnam itself becomes a major character. The movie showcases the country’s beauty and culture through various experiences, including market visits, cyclocross rides, lantern-making, clothing tailoring, and beach excursions. Sinh provides informative explanations, blending factoids with the romantic narrative.
- Traffic scene in Ho Chi Minh city.
- Delicious Vietnamese dessert with mango and avocado.
- Beautiful lit lanterns floating on a Vietnamese river.
- Lush green valley in Vietnam.
- A Vietnamese elder giving a knowing glance.
- Sinh emerges from the water in a classic rom-com scene.
The film’s ending has some narrative issues regarding agency and accountability. Ultimately, A Tourist’s Guide to Love is best enjoyed as an escapist journey into Vietnamese culture, embracing the atmosphere and letting go of overly critical analysis. The “a tourist’s guide to love quotes,” while occasionally heavy-handed, contribute to the movie’s overall message of embracing new experiences and finding love in unexpected places. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best travel experiences – and the best love stories – happen when we step outside our comfort zones and allow ourselves to be guided by the unknown. The movie serves as an invitation, both for Amanda, and for the viewers, to find our own inspirational quotes in the beauty and chaos of life and travel.
