Meet Hoang Vi Fessenden

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hoang Vi Fessenden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hoang Vi, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
Fake it till you make it, it doesn’t make any sense to pretend and create unauthentic vibes. I think the better advice is to go through it, be it, grow it, earn it, get it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a full time content creator, recipe developer, and mom juggling all of the things is not for the faint of heart. On social media mostly highlights are shown, but not the hardships, sleepless nights because I do have a 1 year old. The time that goes into creating is endless, the time it takes to edit, and the wheel of ideas needs to be written down. I truly got to where I am today with the drive I have from my Father. Having watched him hustle, work 3 jobs to support us as a single father, and knowing that if I do this – my kids will have a better life than I did is so cliche, but it truly is the drive as a parent. Overcoming the challenges is finding balance, finding your value, and saying no. Do not overextend on things that aren’t of value, say no to giving out your most expensive currency – your energy and social battery. What is meant to be will be and what isn’t, well that’s none of your business. Be confident in who you are, and always stand your ground, never leverage your morals/value for something that doesn’t align. I didn’t come from money, I don’t come from generations of wealth, I was literally growing up as lower middle class, with a dad that had an entrepreneurial drive, and luckily he gave that drive to me. Anything truly is attainable but it takes hard work and time, not instant gratification, and I feel like in 2024 people want instant gratification right away and not realize that it took me 5 years to build what I have from ground 0. When my father passed away in 2014, my world turned upside down, then a year later, I got divorced from my first husband, and started all over with my life – so truly it is possible, no matter what walk of life you are in. Keep on believing in yourself and find you at whatever age and time you want to start over, know that you can!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: beautiful south for dinner and pregame cocktails, bc you’re gonna want my comfort foods and some starch to absorb the night Vintage Lounge/Prohibition for a classy night of drinking and socializing
Dancing and getting rowdy? Uptown Social / ACS bar / Juanita Greenberg’s Mt. P to end the night
Day 2: Grab a Banh mi and a strong Vietnamese iced coffee from Bon Banh Mo before heading to Wild Dunes Resort to enjoy a day at their grand pavilion private pool, you’ll need to get a day pass but it’s worth it. You get access to their pools and their more quiet and peaceful beach and resort with a beautiful rooftop ocean view with one of the best espresso martinis in town at The Nest rooftop bar. For dinner on night 2 you’re going to prepare to be mindblown because escape from the city and head to The Bearcat hidden in West Ashley with unique dishes that explores textures, palettes, and flavors from all over the world, you can get chefs table / a la carte, this is my #1 restaurant of 2024, if you’re wanting to go out after head to any of the two rooftops after a short drive downtown to The Ritual / Stars Rooftop / Citrus Club / The Vendue (these are the ones that are my personal favorites)
Day 3: start with a delish brunch spread with all the fixins at Palmetto Cafe, you have an elevated brunch cafe with a build your own eggs / omelette bar, beautiful croissants, and sliced meat cuts like prime rib, steak, and pork belly. The hotel is also beautiful and typically has a seasonal decorated lawn with drinks available. You can do some shopping downtown or you can make your way to Mount Pleasant to shop at The Happy Southerner where you can find gifts, clothes, and practical souvenirs and house decor from the south, Two Cumberland, II Brunettes which are the cutest coastal chic Charleston boutiques, or if you’re more lavish stop by Hampden or Gwen’s. After stop by at Tinto Cafe for a gelato or a mid day Affogato and wine! For dinner make reservations for some good bbq, here are my top 5 bbq spots in Charleston, Palmira BBQ in West Ashley, Lewis BBQ for traditional Texas style bbq, or Hometeam BBQ for some good southern BBQ. Fusion Chinese BBQ at King BBQ, and Swig and Swine for bbq platter with all the smoked meats! Then I’d highly recommend a rest day so a walk on the bridge or play some pickle ball with the group checkout the many courts at Credit One Stadium or go walk the Ravenel Bridge.
Day 4: Grab sandwiches from Legend Deli which are huge and some sides then head to the battery walk the battery and bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the outdoors and a picnic with friends and walk down the cobblestone streets to see the rich history. When you’re done make your way to Little Palm and grab a drink to cool off from the Charleston humidity and take a dip in the pool or have happy hour in the backyard with beautiful courtyard views! For dinner on day 4, let’s do something light but soo flavorful and beautifully plated at Kultura, and explore elevated Filipino food like noodles and roasted chosen and rice, its filling yet full of veggies, fresh and bright! After go play some put-put at Frankie’s Fun park or Top Golf and then head to Park Circle to explore all of the bars on their walkable hipster strip of breweries and bars.
Day 5: Start with a cute cafe like The Black Door at the Mills House Cafe / Lodi Coffee which is a drive through coffee if you’re on the move grab pastries / breakfast sandwiches. Then you’re going to want to go to any of the wonderful museums if that is your vibe (Charleston has many downtown), or head back to the beach on Sullivan’s Island near the lighthouse, it’s such a pretty view, and you can also see Fort Moultrie a historical piece of history. Then you’re gonna want to try some Lowcountry seafood, and one of our favorites is Longboard bc it’s super laid back, and they have a good happy hour, great seafood and oysters for an early dinner! Or trek downtown but make sure you make a resy for Darling Oyster Bar for a seafood tower and definitely the key lime pie! After dinner head into town for a sunset at Shemcreek! I personally prefer the views on water’s edge because it’s less crowded and you can walk down the public access dock!
Day 6: Packing in the AM, coffee and breakfast at Little Palms Counter Coffee which is delish, with Latin flavors, I would do another pool day and relax, then for dinner I would definitely be taking it easy and getting a large salad at Verde a fast casual salad and soup stop, definitely a kombucha to revive myself and make myself feel better about my dining all week! Then a night cap at Sissy Bar or Stem and Skins in park circle!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to thank my husband Matthew Fessenden, who’s been here supporting my journey as a stay at home work from home full time content creator, social media never sleeps and he is my unpaid employee. I’d also like to thank my in laws Meridith and Tom Fessenden – for helping me with the kids because they are my village – you guys rock and thank you for allowing me time to work and do what I do and taking care of the kids! And for my foodie friends and community of followers who’ve supported me along the way and who I’ve gotten to know through the years! Truly couldn’t do what I do without that support!

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