Young people organize trekking trips to explore nature at locations close to the city.

For many, a staycation simply means spending a few hours relaxing in their room, strolling through a green park, or visiting a newly opened cafe. Others choose to explore famous landmarks in the ancient capital that they've never been to before, or only vaguely remember from their school days.

Mr. Huynh Trong An, a resident of Hue , recounted: “When I was a child, I only visited the Imperial Citadel when the school organized field trips. As I grew older, I became busy, and I was hesitant to go during holidays because of the crowds. Actually, there are many places to visit around Hue: the cool Bach Ma mountain, the picturesque Lap An lagoon in the evening, or the gently lapping waves of Thuan An beach. These places, which seem familiar, feel new and exciting each time I visit.”

It is these "familiar yet novel" experiences that attract many young people to staycations: no complicated planning required, inexpensive, yet enough to refresh themselves.

From the perspective of someone who frequently chooses staycations to "refresh herself," Ms. Le Thuy Dung shared: "I choose staycations because they are quite convenient and don't require much travel time. Sometimes, when work is busy and I only have one day off, traveling far would only make me more tired. There are still many interesting places right in the city that I've never noticed before."

For Ms. Dung, staycations offer a sense of peace and relaxation, but also open up opportunities to explore new perspectives. These include rooftop cafes with panoramic city views, or strolling around art museums and green parks to unwind. In these places, she can sit alone, read, reflect, or simply enjoy the change of scenery. “I think this trend will last a long time. Young people increasingly prefer flexible, affordable, and easily accessible experiences,” Ms. Dung said.

Staycations in Hue are not just about personal relaxation but also about community experiences. Ms. Dung recalled participating in a food tour at the night market organized by a group of students: “I thought I was familiar with all the dishes, but surprisingly, there were still many new ones. Hearing about the history of the eateries made me feel more connected to the city. It relieved stress and allowed me to discover new perspectives.”

On another note, the staycation trend has also led to changes in the operation of homestays in Hue. While homestays previously mainly served tourists from other places, now the number of local visitors seeking short stays has begun to increase. They usually rent by the hour or overnight, primarily for rest and relaxation rather than extensive travel.

According to Hoang Vu Nhat Quang, owner of Dorgan homestay, young people often prefer classic (vintage) styles that are close to nature, so many homestays in Hue also choose this design approach. This allows guests to have a complete experience without having to travel far. "The staycation trend helps homestays maintain a stable number of guests, especially during the off-season," Quang shared.

Cafés in Hue have also become popular staycation spots. These café spaces are no longer just for enjoying drinks; they also host workshops on pottery making, folk art printing, film screenings, and musical performances. As a result, cafés have become community cultural spaces for young people.

Staycations are not only a time- and cost-saving solution, but also reflect the lifestyle trends of Hue's youth: flexibility, convenience, and appreciation for small experiences. Staying in the city but finding a new corner, a private space, is enough to feel like a true "getaway." In a Hue that seems all too familiar, the familiar streets, shops, and scenery become memorable experiences when viewed from a different perspective.

Globally, staycations have boomed since the COVID-19 pandemic, when long-distance travel became increasingly difficult. In Hue, this trend not only follows the global movement but is also closely linked to the local characteristics: a compact, peaceful city with diverse nature, culture, and cuisine. Young people in Hue today are learning to "fall in love again" with their city, starting with the most familiar things. And staycation is one of the ways they choose: it's both intimate and novel, economical, and full of spiritual value.

Text and photos: Pham Phuoc Chau

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