The "Staycation" trend

Nowadays, many young people choose "staycation" as a new way to experience life. Exploring the place where they live is gradually becoming a popular trend.

Students from the Faculty of Economics , class B023NH1, Kien Giang University, visited elderly people at a nursing home in Rach Gia ward during their Spring Volunteer trip. Photo: TUONG VI

Local tourism is a trend of exploring and experiencing things right where you live, rather than traveling to distant destinations. This could involve visiting familiar places you've never been to before, learning about cultural and historical spaces within your city, or participating in new local activities. Instead of focusing on "traveling far," local tourism emphasizes experiences, connection with your surroundings, and the feeling of refreshing your spirit through familiar things.

Speaking about his reasons for frequently choosing staycations over other forms of travel, Tran Thanh Nam, a resident of My Thuan commune, said that what makes him attached to this trend is the feeling of being in control. “I don’t always have enough money and several long days off to travel far. Staycations allow me complete control; I can go whenever I have free time, whether it’s just an afternoon or a weekend. The cost is also much lower, with no airfare or hotel expenses, but it still provides a change of scenery and a break from my usual routine,” Thanh Nam said.

Besides the low cost and flexibility in scheduling, many people choose local tourism because of the sense of connection they gain after each trip. Nguyen Van Tai, a resident of Long Xuyen ward, said: “When traveling in my hometown, I don't feel pressured to follow a schedule or check in at every destination. I have time to slow down, chat with locals, and listen to real-life stories that I had previously overlooked.” According to Tai, this closeness and authenticity make local tourism a “healing” experience.

Not only appealing to locals, local tourism has also become a particularly meaningful choice for those who have left their hometowns to return home. For them, the journey is not simply sightseeing, but also a way to make up for the long time away, an opportunity to look back at the place where they grew up from a new perspective. Ly Anh Thu, a resident of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone who is studying and working in Taiwan, shared: “I used to live in Phu Quoc but rarely went out. Now that I'm far away, I miss it and want to understand Phu Quoc more. Every time I visit home, I go to Dinh Cau, Suoi Tranh, Bai Sao, Ham Ninh fishing village, or stroll around Phu Quoc night market – places that seem familiar, but each time I return, they bring a very different feeling.”

Local tourism also opens up a more meaningful approach when linked to community activities. Choosing Rach Gia ward as one of the stops on their Spring Volunteer trip, students from class B023NH1, Faculty of Economics, Kien Giang University, had the opportunity to explore the area where they study and live in a very different way. Besides learning about the local lifestyle, atmosphere, and people, the students also visited a nursing home to visit, chat with, and give gifts to the elderly. Through this activity, the students were able to slow down, listen, and share with those less fortunate right in Rach Gia.

Vo Thanh Man, a student from class B023NH1, excitedly shared: “My friends and I went to the nursing home not only to give gifts but also to sit and chat, listening to the elderly share their everyday stories. Those moments made me feel warm and realize that sometimes just spending time together is a meaningful gift.”

TUONG VI

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/xu-huong-du-lich-tai-cho--a475484.html