Okay, let me just get this out of the way: if you’ve picked up this book, it’s because you’re either seriously considering stripping down and living your best life in Vietnam, or you’re secretly hoping to find a funny guide to justify your weirdly specific nudist fantasies. Either way, I’m here for it.

So, I’m Kristin, and yes, I’m writing a whole book about being naked in Vietnam. No, it’s not a typo. Yes, you read that right. Completely naked. And no, I don’t expect you to be sitting here thinking this is a totally normal, everyday thing—especially if you're a first-timer or just curious about whether it's socially acceptable to go au naturel in a country known for its spicy pho and scenic rice paddies. Spoiler: it is. Kinda. But, as with everything in life, you’re going to want to know the ins and outs, the rules (some written, most unspoken), and what exactly you should bring—or, more importantly, not bring—on your nudist journey through this tropical paradise.

Now, before we dive in, let me tell you a little story. My best friend Tanya and I have done this whole “nude in public” thing before. I mean, we're basically nudist experts now. But, like, in a “I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing-but-I’m-pretending-to-know-because-I'm-not-about-to-put-clothes-back-on” kind of way. Let me set the scene: we were in this really beautiful little spot on the beach in Thailand (another Southeast Asian paradise where clothes are basically optional, but that’s a whole other chapter). Tanya, with her impressive butt (I swear, it’s like she’s been sculpted by the gods of glute exercises), kept talking about how much better her tan was than mine, because I was “too shy to get as naked as she was.” And I was like, Tanya, I’m not shy, I just don’t want my nipple to accidentally catch some weird tan line because I was too carefree.

See, that’s the thing. Going full nude on a beach or wherever in Vietnam isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. It’s not all wind in your hair and carefree beach days where everyone is just prancing around in their birthday suits like they’re at a nudist resort in the middle of a chill, unbothered utopia. Oh no, my friend. It’s more like a series of awkward glances, trying to figure out the correct angle to lie down so your body doesn’t accidentally scream, “Hey, I’m in a weirdly vulnerable position!” while trying to get a good tan.

But, here’s the kicker: it’s also absolutely freeing and hilarious. I’ll never forget the first time I went topless on a beach in Vietnam. The first person I saw? A grandma, who was in her mid-70s (at least), sunbathing like she was on her 10th glass of sangria and about to take a nap. She did not care. I immediately thought, Well, if she’s doing it, who am I to sit here with a cover-up on?

That’s the thing about going naked—at least in Vietnam: it’s not as weird as you think. And it’s not just a weird fetish thing either. No one’s judging you, and if they are, they’re probably too busy sunbathing, eating pho, or trying to figure out how to make their backpack stay on their shoulders without looking like a total tourist. It’s not about weird stares; it’s about living—really living—and feeling the wind where the sun don’t shine. Trust me, it changes you. But don’t take my word for it. Keep reading, because I’m going to take you step-by-step through how to get naked in Vietnam and do it like a pro—without getting arrested, weirdly stared at, or having to pay for the “Nudist-Only Beach Package” because you misunderstood the fine print.

So buckle up, because this is going to be a wild, hilarious ride through Vietnam, where the only thing you need to pack is sunscreen, confidence, and maybe a towel. And don’t worry, if you need to laugh along the way (which, come on, we all do), I’ve got you covered.

Ready? Let’s get naked.