Young people organize trekking and explore nature at places near the city.

For many people, a staycation is simply spending a few hours relaxing in their room, strolling around a green park, or visiting a newly opened coffee shop. Others choose to visit famous places in the ancient capital that they have never been to before, or only vaguely remember from their school days.

Mr. Huynh Trong An, a Hue resident, said: “When I was young, I only went to the Imperial City when my school organized a tour. When I grew up, I was busy, and when it was time for holidays, I was afraid of the crowds. Actually, there are many places to go around Hue: the cool Bach Ma, the picturesque Lap An lagoon in the afternoon, or the murmuring waves of Thuan An beach. These places seem familiar, but each time I go, they feel new.”

It is these “familiar yet strange” experiences that make many young people seek staycations: no need for complicated plans, low cost but still enough to refresh themselves.

From the perspective of someone who often chooses staycation to "renew herself", Ms. Le Thuy Dung shared: "I choose staycation because it is quite convenient, it doesn't take much time to travel. Sometimes when work is busy, having a day off will make traveling more tiring. Right in the city, there are still many interesting places that I have never noticed before."

For Dung, staycations bring relaxation and comfort, but at the same time open up opportunities to explore new perspectives. These include rooftop cafes with open views, where you can see the whole city; or strolling around art museums and green parks to relax. In those places, she can sit alone to read a book, think, or simply enjoy the change in space. “I think this trend will last a long time. Young people increasingly like flexible, affordable, and easy-to-do experiences,” said Dung.

Staycation in Hue is not only about personal rest but also about community experience. Ms. Dung recalls the time she joined a food tour at the night market organized by a group of students: “I thought I was familiar with all the dishes, but unexpectedly there were still many strange dishes. Hearing more about the history of the restaurants, I felt more attached to the city. It both relieved stress and discovered new perspectives.”

On the other hand, the staycation trend has also led to a change in the way homestays in Hue operate. While in the past homestays mainly served tourists from other places, now the number of local guests looking for short-term stays has begun to increase. They often rent by the hour or for a night, mainly to rest and relax instead of moving around a lot.

Mr. Hoang Vu Nhat Quang, owner of Dorgan homestay, said that young people often prefer vintage styles, close to nature, so many homestays in Hue also choose this design. Thanks to that, guests have complete experiences without having to go far. "The staycation trend helps homestays maintain a stable number of guests, especially during the low season," Quang shared.

Coffee shops in Hue have also become staycation venues. Coffee shops are now not only places to enjoy drinks, but also places to organize pottery workshops, print folk paintings, screen movies, and exchange music. Thanks to that, coffee shops have become a community cultural space for young people.

Staycation is not only a solution to save time and money, but also reflects the lifestyle trend of Hue youth: flexible, convenient and cherishing small experiences. Staying in the city but finding a new corner, a private space, is enough to bring the feeling of "going out" in the true sense. In the middle of a Hue that seems too familiar, the familiar streets, shops, and landscapes turn into memorable experiences if viewed with a different perspective.

In the world, staycations have flourished after the COVID-19 pandemic, when long-distance travel became difficult. In Hue, this trend not only follows the global trend but is also closely linked to local characteristics: a compact, peaceful city but diverse in nature, culture and cuisine. Young people in Hue today are learning to "love again" the city they live in, from the most familiar things. And staycation is one of the ways they choose: close, new, economical and full of spiritual value.

Article and photos: Pham Phuoc Chau

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/du-lich/gioi-tre-va-trao-luu-du-lich-tai-cho-158606.html