Hamza Smahi, a man from North Africa, has become a viral sensation on TikTok thanks to his videos showcasing Hanoi’s culinary delights. More recently, he’s captured attention by cooking traditional Vietnamese dishes himself, including bun dau mam tom, chao canh, mi Quang, and full homemade family-style meals.

Vietnam is not just a place to live, it’s a place to belong

Hamza Smahi, a Moroccan national, is married to a Vietnamese woman. The couple met in 2018, and in March 2023, Hamza came to Hanoi intending to spend a few months experiencing his wife’s homeland. Unexpectedly, he fell in love with the country and now considers Vietnam his second home – “not just a place to live, but a place to belong.”

“Before arriving, I imagined Vietnam to be a peaceful, ancient land. But once I settled in, I discovered its vibrant energy and joyful atmosphere,” Hamza shared. “What surprised me most was how friendly and open the people are - and how deeply food is woven into everyday life.”

When not working, Hamza spends his free time filming videos that introduce Hanoi’s cuisine and cooking Vietnamese meals.

Hamza still remembers his early days in Hanoi when his wife took him on food tours through narrow alleys to discover strange, unfamiliar dishes. One bite of bun rieu was all it took for him to fall head over heels for Vietnamese cuisine.

“It seemed like a simple dish, but it had everything I was looking for - freshness, balance, and unforgettable flavor,” he told VietNamNet.

That first taste sparked the idea to document his culinary journey and share it on YouTube and TikTok. Since launching his TikTok channel in February 2025, Hamza has produced nearly 100 videos exploring Hanoi’s food culture and cooking authentic Vietnamese meals himself.

Though he primarily speaks in English and occasionally in Moroccan Arabic, Hamza’s warmth, enthusiasm, and carefully curated visuals have quickly resonated with Vietnamese audiences.

Cooking Vietnamese meals like a local

Hamza kicked off his channel with a challenge to explore 50 must-try dishes in Hanoi. From banh cuon, pho, bun cha, and garlic-roasted duck, to sweet soups, bun dau mam tom, and red jellyfish, he has savored it all.

“I’ve always loved connecting with people through food, and Vietnamese cuisine is perfect for that. It’s rich, elegant, and full of fascinating stories,” he said.

Not content with just tasting dishes, Hamza began observing cooking techniques and actively learning from chefs. In recent months, he’s taken on a new challenge: preparing full Vietnamese home-cooked meals and sharing the process on his channel.

“In the beginning, I just watched how people cooked - at home, on the street, and in family-run eateries. Then, with guidance from my wife and friends, I started trying things out myself,” he recalled. “For trickier dishes, I asked the market ladies or looked up tutorials online until I figured it out.”

Hamza has grown fond of the traditional Vietnamese com nha (home meal). Though his own culture values family meals, he finds the Vietnamese version simpler yet more balanced. A typical meal always includes a savory dish, soup, greens, and dipping sauce.

“Every Vietnamese meal gives me a sense of harmony in both taste and feeling,” he said.

He learned everything - from washing rice and vegetables to peeling garlic and onions, and eventually mastering advanced techniques like marinating meat and seasoning with fish sauce.

Cooking daily helped him refine his skills. He now knows how to measure water with his fingertip when cooking rice, that a few slivers of ginger bring out the aroma in braised chicken, adding crushed tomatoes makes cabbage broth more flavorful, and frying fish before simmering creates a clearer, tastier soup.

“Cooking has taught me patience, precision, and how to value every ingredient - even a tiny sprig of herbs,” Hamza shared.

A video of Hamza preparing a Vietnamese meal featuring tomato-braised fish, fried tofu, boiled cabbage, and stir-fried bitter melon with egg has garnered over 500,000 views.

When asked which Vietnamese dish was the most difficult to make, Hamza quickly replied: “Definitely spring rolls (nem). I watched tons of Vietnamese videos, asked friends how to choose rice paper and how to roll tightly without breaking them. I failed many times - sometimes the rolls split or weren’t crispy enough - but I kept trying. The moment I heard that first satisfying crunch, I was overjoyed.”

Many Vietnamese viewers left glowing comments under his videos: “This foreign guy cooks like a true Vietnamese!” or “He really understands our cuisine!”

Each comment, Hamza said, makes him feel more welcome.

“It feels like I’m truly part of this community - not just a guest anymore,” he said with joy.

One of Hamza’s home-cooked meals included oc om chuoi dau (snails stewed with banana and tofu), vegetable soup, and stir-fried sweet potato leaves with garlic.

Hamza also travels across Vietnam to discover local delicacies and hear the stories behind them. He believes every dish tells a tale - of place, memory, and human connection.

“Vietnamese cuisine has taught me to slow down and appreciate each moment. I’m not just cooking Vietnamese dishes - I’m living them. It’s not as hard as people think. If you understand the balance of flavors and cook with your heart, you’ll discover its beauty,” he said.

Linh Trang - Trong Nghia