Travel for senior citizens

To create beautiful memories in their later years, many elderly people turn to "slow travel " as a way to add joy and enjoy life.

Slow travel refers to leisurely sightseeing trips with a focus on relaxation. This type of travel allows travelers to connect deeply with the local culture, cuisine , nature, and people. The main target audience is senior citizens and middle-aged individuals, whose lives are generally more stable and who have ample free time. They are not dependent on weekends, holidays, or festivals. Senior citizens can be proactive in managing their finances, time, and location without worrying about crowds, allowing them to comfortably enjoy a fulfilling trip.

Approaching her 61st birthday, Ms. Luc Thi Dien, from Group 13, Tan Giang Ward (City), shared: "After retiring, I have more free time. Instead of staying home every day taking care of my grandchildren, my children encourage me and my peers to travel to relax our minds. After these trips, I feel younger and healthier. I gain more interesting experiences, discover new places, and life becomes more colorful. According to research, tourism helps the elderly improve their health, quality of life, and longevity. Seeing and exploring beautiful natural scenery also helps reduce the risk of depression in old age and creates beautiful, precious memories. Therefore, in recent years in Cao Bang, slow tourism is gradually being accepted and becoming popular."

Slow travel helps older adults feel happier and healthier.

Travel is no longer just for young people; trips designed for the elderly are also gaining attention. To meet this demand, tourism and leisure services are beginning to focus on upgrading services suitable for seniors. Ideal destinations are often peaceful places with a slow pace of life and spacious surroundings, offering opportunities to explore pristine nature, such as the Kolia eco-tourism area, Thang Hen Lake, Ban Gioc Waterfall, and Ba Quang grass hill. Places like temples or those known for their health benefits are also excellent choices for seniors.

To facilitate longer stays in one location, many elderly tourists often choose homestays, farmstays, or homestays with locals that are close to nature and allow for easy exploration of local culture. Nong Minh Nghia, a tour guide and owner of BongHome Homestay in Pac Bo (Ha Quang), said: "For elderly tourists, we usually have to understand their psychology and arrange schedules to suit their health and needs. Seniors need a separate itinerary, requiring a leisurely pace when visiting places. The meals must be nutritious and easy to digest, and the accommodations should be located on lower floors for easy access. Furthermore, slow travel is a sustainable form of tourism; constant movement and the use of multiple modes of transportation generate a large amount of emissions. This can be reduced if you spend more time in one place, exploring destinations on foot, by bicycle, or by electric vehicle…"

With its refined and unhurried pace, slow travel is an ideal form of tourism for older adults. Exploring new destinations and experiencing culture, nature, and cuisine brings joy and creates memorable experiences, helping older adults improve their mental well-being, live healthier lives, and be useful to their families and society.

Mai Chi

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