Peace on the journey

Ms. Le Thuy Xuan Duong and her husband are enjoying the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) in Da Lat. Photo: Provided by the couple.

Peace in my own way.

Without rushing or racing against time, Ms. Le Thuy Xuan Duong and her husband (residents of Hai Chau ward, Hai Chau district, Da Nang city) are eagerly anticipating their first trip to Da Lat.

They encompass experiences close to nature: Staying in a homestay with a view of the green mountains, clouds, and pine trees; visiting a garden of fresh, juicy strawberries; enjoying the comforting flavors of hot pot and barbecue; making their own matcha in the cool weather of the flower plateau; taking photos under the cherry blossom trees; walking by Tuyen Lam Lake…

"During my time in Da Lat, I had no work on my mind, only a connection with nature and a time to regain balance after a hectic year," Ms. Duong shared.

Also enjoying the spring season in the Central Highlands during the New Year, Ms. Nguyen Thu Thao (Tien Phuoc district) chose to celebrate Tet in her hometown before heading to Mang Den ( Kon Tum province) right when the cherry blossoms bloomed.

With a particular fondness for and a "default" preference for the Kon Plong region as their destination for long trips, and having even chosen Mang Den for their wedding photos, Thao and her husband speak of Mang Den with great affection.

On Facebook, she shared about the trip: “February 8, 2025. It's us again and Mang Den. Even though Mang Den is bustling, we still find peace in our own way.”

Peaceful in their own way, Thao and her husband's trips to Mang Den are a series of intimate experiences with a simple itinerary: enjoying mountain cuisine , driving along pine-covered roads, breathing in the fresh air, and meeting and chatting with local people.

Thao said that each tourist has a different approach to a place. For her family, a trip to Mang Den is not just about beautiful photos, pristine mountain scenery with Pa Sy waterfall or Kon-Tu-Rang suspension bridge, but also about the unique local culture of the people of Mang Den.

The final stop

On flights departing from Da Nang at the beginning of the year, some young people chose to travel alone, like Nguyen Thien Nhan (a teacher from Thang Binh district). Nhan's destination was nearly a 6-hour flight from Da Nang: the scenic area of ​​Kunming (Yunnan, China). Describing himself as someone who is always curious about new things, from packing his bags to arriving at the airport, Nhan constantly asked himself: "What fun things are there to discover over there?"

Nguyen Thien Nhan on a solo trip to China during the Lunar New Year. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

One of the "fun things" to do in Kunming is visiting the snow-capped Mount Qiaozi. Joining a group of tourists, the 22-year-old challenged herself to conquer the mountain, which is nearly 3,900 meters above sea level. Besides two cable car rides, visitors are required to hike, adapting to the thin, freezing air of the North.

“Climbing to the summit of Kieu Tu is not easy. Some people have experienced respiratory problems due to lack of oxygen, even cold shock during the journey, and so did I. Nevertheless, the ‘reward’ for my efforts upon reaching the top was witnessing a completely different world – a world covered in white snow like something out of a fairy tale, something I thought I’d only seen in movies,” Nhan recounted.

Nhân's baggage upon returning to Da Nang, alongside beautiful photos and unforgettable memories from a foreign land, also held significant spiritual value. This included knowledge of Chinese nature and culture, new friends, and experiences that pushed her beyond her limits.

Whenever she travels far from home, Ms. Nhan unconsciously compares the place to her hometown. She says that traveling is fun, she learns new things, and sees many beautiful sights, but she still misses her hometown in Quang Nam. During her short stay in Kunming, she tried many typical Chinese dishes with spicy, hot seasonings and strong herbal flavors, but none suited her taste.

The local climate wasn't pleasant either. Returning home, the young teacher came to the realization: "No matter how far or how long I travel, my hometown will always be my final destination. You can only eat gourmet food a few times, but you can never give up home-cooked meals." In her travel notebook, she noted down a few destinations with the intention of "saving them for future family trips."

After spending the spring holidays in Da Lat, Ms. Duong and her husband returned to Da Nang. During the first days of the new year, the small family looked at each other with joy: "No matter where we go, home is always the place to return to."

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/binh-yen-tren-nhung-chang-duong-3149391.html