In a serendipitous convergence of wanderlust and digital connectivity, travel and social media created a perfect union for Khoa Tran and Rhonee Rojas.
Words by Marc Graser
Images courtesy of Khoa Tran and Rhonee Rojas
It’s hard not to appreciate the irony of Khoa Tran’s proudest moment, starring in his first movie in Vietnam called “Lost in Paradise.” When it was released in 2011, he didn’t realize the positive impact the film would have on the LGBTQ+ community there. “Back then, being gay or talking about being gay was almost taboo. There weren’t many films in Vietnam at the time that included gay culture or gay characters in them. I remember I would get a lot of messages through social media after the release of the movie—and to this day—from people telling me how much the movie meant to them. It really made me feel happy and very blessed to have played the role that I did.”
Together with his husband, model Rhonee Rojas, Khoa continues to have a strong influence on the LGBTQ+ community through media, but mostly through the visual friendly nature of travel.
They have spent the past seven years exploring more than 50 countries, documenting their adventures to a growing number of fans who want to see where they go next. Through their photography and social media business, they regularly collaborate with fashion brands, luxury hotels and tourism boards to shoot lifestyle campaigns that connect with consumers.
We absolutely love Bali. I think it reminds us a lot of home in Hawai’i. We enjoy the beautiful pool villas, the remote waterfalls and the culture of the Balinese people.”
— Khoa Tran
They initially met on Instagram in 2016. “I slid into Khoa’s DMs,” Rhonee says, but meeting him wasn’t easy. Khoa, who was living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was busy working as an actor and singer, and running his year-round Christmas-themed coffee shop, Joy, Not Only in December. “I love Christmas a lot,” he says.
After a few months of text messages, their first date would be at RumFire, in Waikiki, while Khoa was visiting Hawai’i with friends. Khoa was shy. Sparks weren’t really flying just yet. Months later, a surprise visit to Vietnam had the two spending a romantic holiday at the private island of the Six Senses Resort, in Nha Trang. “That’s where we fell in love and that’s where our story began,” Rhonee says.
Khoa moved to Hawai’i soon after and they married a year later. After six years in Hawai’i, they now live in Las Vegas, nicknamed the “Ninth Island” by Hawaiians.
When they were looking for a new home, the lower cost of living, accessibility to an international airport and a lot of entertainment options made Las Vegas hard to pass up. “We absolutely love that there is always something to do no matter what time of day or day of the week it is,” Khoa says.
You’ll find them at a concert or festival, at the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, the bars at Area 15 or the downtown arts district. They also like to hike Red Rock Canyon, The Valley of Fire and Mount Charleston.
Khoa and Rhonee prefer not to stay in hotels unless they’re collaborating with one, so they can adapt easier to their surroundings the way the locals do. “We love to immerse ourselves right away” and quickly learn the public transportation systems and favorite places locals go, Rhonee says. “With the power of social media we have friends all over the world, so luckily we visit places where we may know a few people who we’ve met through Instagram.”
With the power of social media we have friends all over the world, so luckily we visit places where we may know a few people who we’ve met through Instagram.”
— Rhonee Rojas
When they’re home they’re keeping it simple and tend to their garden. Yes, in the desert, Rhonee jokes. “It’s something different and it relaxes our mind.” Visiting the lush jungles of Bali and Costa Rica also made Rhonee a green thumb; he can’t stop collecting plants. “I’ve run out of room,” he jokes.
Khoa and Rhonnee travel at least once every other month, and like to mix the hectic pace of a city with a tranquil villa in the middle of a rice field. When we connected, they had just returned from two weeks exploring Sydney and New Zealand, and were about to go to Iceland and Scotland. Jaipur, India; Egypt, Jordan and the Maldives are on their must-visit lists.
Travel opens your eyes to different cultures. It teaches you communication skills, how to problem solve, patience and empathy. It gives you confidence, independence and freedom. It also gives you the opportunity to meet new friends. Most importantly, travel takes you out of your comfort zone and teaches you how little material things matter. It’s the experience and the life skills that cannot be bought.”
— Khoa Tran
“Traveling with a purpose is also very important to us and we try to give back to those communities who have embraced us with their kind and generous hospitality,” says Rhonee, who together with Khoa worked with the Shintani Foundation, in Cambodia, to build a water well for a Cambodian family, and deliver food to 20 others that would feed their families for a month.
When traveling with others, find someone with the same interests, they recommend. Traveling with someone who is pretty much up for anything is also a huge plus. Khoa and Rhonee travel well together. “We like the same things so it’s not hard figuring out what we should eat or go visit,” Khoa says.
Khoa and Rhonee recently spent a few weeks touring Marrakech, Morocco, where they explored the ruins of El Badi Palace; rode camels through the Agafay, Desert; and visited the famous Madrasa Ben Youssef, a 16th-century college with prayer hall and courtyards ornately decorated with tiles and carved wood.
One of their favorite places has been Dubrovnik, Croatia, where Game of Thrones filmed. They’ve loved the cobble-stone streets of Stockholm, Sweden, and standing in the middle of the iconic Cenote Suytan sinkhole in Tulum, Mexico. “We had the entire place to ourselves which was quite magical,” Rhonee says.
“Sydney has a great mix of nature and city, which we love,” Khoa says. “I remember taking deep breaths” in Dunedin and Christchurch, in New Zealand. “Everything just felt fresh and pure. Everything was so pristine and beautiful.”
Travel is definitely a huge part of our lives. It has given us the opportunity to network, make long lasting and meaningful friendships.”
— Rhonee Rojas
Travel inspires their creativity. “I love taking photos, as you can see. I love architectural design. I love experiencing cultures and integrating it with my art.” Khoa says.
“Travel is definitely a huge part of our lives,” Rhonee adds. “It has given us the opportunity to network, make long lasting and meaningful friendships. It has boosted our creativity, improved our mental health, lowered our stress levels and it made us appreciate what we have.”
Naturally, the one question Khoa and Rhonee get the most is, “Where is the one place people should visit at least once?” Their answer is always the same: “Hawai’i”.
Hawai’i will always feel like home to Khoa and Rhonee. It’s where Rhonee is from; he grew up in Mililani, on Oahu. It’s where they met and lived together for the first time. It’s where they got married. “Hawai’i is just a really special place,” Rhonee says.
Follow Rhonee Rojas and Khoa Tran on Instagram.