Strolling along the spring roads of South Korea.

Having fun on the vast snow-covered sledding - Photo provided by the author

Leaving Gimhae Airport (Busan), my mother and I, like many Vietnamese tourists accustomed to warm climates, couldn't help but gasp at the wind and cold in South Korea.

Wrapping my scarf around my waist, I followed everyone else to begin our exploration of Busan, one of the most beautiful, vibrant, and romantic coastal cities.

Peaceful Busan

Unlike the bustling Seoul, Busan retains a tranquil atmosphere with its stunning turquoise beaches such as Haeundae, Songdo, and Gwangalli, or the numerous large fish markets nestled gracefully beside bustling piers filled with boats.

Perhaps it's because of this picturesque scenery that Busan has become the main filming location for many Korean dramas, such as Reply 1997. Many young tourists who love K-pop or K-drama idols are eager to visit Busan because it's the hometown of countless stars like Jungkook, Jimin, and others.

Personally, when I visited Busan, although I wasn't particularly interested in idols, I was extremely impressed by the peaceful atmosphere and unhurried pace of life in this city.

I used to enjoy early mornings strolling along the beach near the hotel or leisurely cycling in the early morning mist, watching the Nakdong River, the longest river in South Korea, flow silently along its tranquil banks.

Or sometimes, at sunset, I sit on a train carriage running along the coast, gazing at the twinkling lights from the lighthouses, shops, and seafood restaurants, listening to the gentle sound of waves in the distance, and feeling my heart soften for a few moments.

On my second day in South Korea, I took the opportunity to visit Gamcheon Mural Village, often dubbed the Santorini of the country, with its brightly colored houses nestled among winding slopes.

Photo provided by the author.

Originally a Korean refugee camp during the war, this village has many dilapidated old houses on a hilltop. It wasn't until 2009 that artists planned to restore and redesign the village with a multitude of unique and artistic colors.

And as tourists from all over the world flocked to capture unique and extremely different photo opportunities, Gamcheon Village began to gain popularity, becoming a top check-in spot when visiting Busan.

I'm no exception, even though I'm not a trendsetter or someone who enjoys following the latest youth fads. I habitually stroll around the old town in the soft sunlight, looking for beautiful photo spots, and stopping at souvenir shops to buy a few trinkets. For me, it's a simple way to enjoy a beautiful day amidst the crisp, cool weather of South Korea.

In the afternoon, following the rest of the group, I visited several famous landmarks in the city, such as the university, museums, and the 83-story tower offering panoramic views of Busan. Under the soft afternoon sun, my stroll unfolded leisurely with each step.

As evening approached, I walked along Haeundae Beach, one of Busan's most famous beaches with its long, gently sloping stretch of fine white sand and crystal-clear blue water, waiting for the sun to set so I could enjoy the sunset, watching the twinkling lights from the bridge opposite reflecting onto the sea, like an endless symphony of light in the tranquil setting of the beach.

Walking around Seoul

Tourists wearing traditional hanbok attire stroll through the snow at Kyungbokgung Palace in central Seoul - Photo: Jung Yeon-je/AFP

On Tuesday, after a grueling morning on the KTX bullet train to Seoul, I was fortunate to have a wonderful experience at a Korean ski resort, strolling in the snow and watching people happily laughing amidst the vast expanse of white snow.

Late in the afternoon, I visited Nami Island and leisurely strolled among the ginkgo trees, even though the winter weather had left the tree trunks dry and barren.

Although South Korea doesn't have the breathtaking scenery and majestic mountains of other countries like China or Japan, they have a unique approach to tourism, transforming simple things into their own stories. A prime example is how they turned Nami Island into an incredibly popular tourist destination, inspired by the drama "Winter Sonata."

Upon arriving at this ideal tourist destination, I was faced with many plans, unsure of what to do to fully enjoy the scenery on this beautiful island. Ultimately, I chose the simplest solution: buy a few boxes of vanilla ice cream and bottled aloe vera juice, and enjoy them while leisurely strolling and breathing in the rare, peaceful air.

Young people in Seoul - Photo: AFP

Occasionally, I stop by a cozy area on Nami Island where people sit by the fire, roasting some candy over a small flame, and feel a strange warmth in my heart amidst the gentle music. These beautiful, albeit fleeting, moments in this land I deeply love always make me appreciate the value of life more profoundly.

On our last day before leaving South Korea, my mother and I took a city tour of Seoul. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Seoul a city of charm. The slow pace of life and refined aesthetic sense of the Koreans have made every street and corner, no matter how small, in this country beautifully harmonious.

I leisurely strolled along the man-made stream that flowed gently like a soft silk ribbon across Seoul, gazing at the crystal-clear water beneath my feet. These quiet moments during my trip, strangely enough, always brought me a profound sense of peace.

On the day of farewell, sitting on the plane, reminiscing about my time in Korea, I suddenly thought of colors. If only I had a little talent for painting, I would definitely paint a beautiful picture of this land.

Whether you look up at the sky, down at the ground, gaze into the distance at the mountain ranges, or lean in to catch a ray of sunlight rushing down the lake in the fading glory of a fleeting early spring day, all of these scenes will be incredibly radiant.

The "My Tet Moment" contest

The "My Tet Moment" contest is an opportunity for readers to share beautiful moments and unforgettable experiences from Tet with family and friends.

Each article should be a maximum of 1,000 words in Vietnamese, and including photos, photo series, or videos is encouraged.

Your entry should share your favorite destinations and unique places to visit. Through your story, you will help many people discover new lands and must-see locations for spring travel.

It could be an article documenting moments of friends and family gathering, celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year), and having fun together.

These are notes and accounts of personal experiences from trips and business trips away from home during the Lunar New Year holidays that you have experienced.

The photo contest highlights the beauty of landmarks, places, or regions you've visited. This is an opportunity to tell the story of the vibrant colors and beautiful scenery of Vietnam or the countries you've been to.

From January 25th to February 24th, readers can submit their entries to khoanhkhactet@tuoitre.com.vn.

The awards ceremony and closing event are scheduled to take place in March 2024. The prize structure includes 1 first prize (15 million VND in cash and gifts), 2 second prizes (7 million VND and gifts), and 3 third prizes (5 million VND and gifts).

The program is sponsored by HDBank.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dao-choi-nhung-cung-duong-xuan-han-quoc-20240220141152753.htm