VI
EN
Making dreams come true
Taking advantage of her internship opportunity in Italy, Thu Ha sparked the idea of a journey to explore Europe. The student meticulously planned a trip to five countries and territories, including the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Vatican City.
Dang Thu Ha (a final-year student at Hanoi University) traveled to five European countries in 14 days.
“This is my first time in Europe. Choosing these five countries was quite simple and random. In my mind, these are all unique countries with a romantic and poetic charm, perfectly suited to my travel preferences. I spent about four months in Italy before starting my trip, so geographically, these countries aren't too far away, making travel quite convenient,” Thu Ha shared.
As an avid explorer, Thu Ha has previously taken many trips with family and friends. However, for the 21-year-old, the experience in these new lands is incredibly different, especially in terms of time and culture. Thu Ha shared that this journey was three or four times longer than her previous trips. Moreover, Western culture is completely different from Vietnam. Food culture and public transportation are the most noticeable things that a tourist encounters frequently.
Taking advantage of her internship opportunity in Italy, Thu Ha began to conceive the idea of a journey to explore Europe.
The 14-day journey through five countries required only a little over 1,000 euros from the student. Thus, a cost-effective plan was formed to enjoy her dream destinations. Thu Ha spent a month researching information and creating a basic itinerary that best suited her personal needs, and then spent two to three months refining it.
In a conversation with Travellive, Thu Ha shared: “I still choose the most famous and distinctive places in each country to visit, and I also go to places that breathe nature, which suits my preferences. Traveling is not just about sightseeing and admiring the scenery, but also about feeling the spirit of each destination. I cherish the small moments that make me realize the unique style of the people in each region. I like the very 'real' stories that my hosts tell me, or the little anecdotes I hear from locals in each country on a few train journeys.”
The journey through five countries lasted 14 days, with the student having just over 1,000 euros in her possession.
14 days exploring new and exotic lands.
Each country Thu Ha has visited has left her with different and unique feelings. From her Gen Z perspective, the Netherlands is a modern, civilized, and pristine country, its beauty exactly matching her preconceived notions of Europe. France, on the other hand, exudes an air of "beauty" with its famous architecture and culture. In particular, the way the French dress in fashionable clothes captivates Thu Ha endlessly.
For the student, beautiful Switzerland was like a fairytale dream, a land to cherish and remember for any traveler. Switzerland, peaceful, slow-paced, and gently anchored in the heart like falling petals. Italy evoked fond memories with its beauty that was both romantic and ancient. In particular, Lake Como stirred every heart with its breathtaking scenery, sparkling in the sunlight.
"Generally, every country has its own unique beauty, but there are always both good and bad aspects; it's not entirely 'rosy' as we might imagine. I enjoy admiring nature and appreciate pure beauty, so Switzerland, Lake Como, and the Netherlands are three destinations I like and highly value. Venice and Paris are the two cities I'm most disappointed with because they are too noisy and crowded," Thu Ha expressed.
The issue that worried Thu Ha the most during her trip was probably the rampant theft in Europe. She was traveling with two friends, and all three had to mentally prepare themselves, getting ready with items like suitcase locks to cope with this situation. As it was a long, independent trip, vigilance and ensuring safety throughout the journey were extremely important.
“One of the reasons I had a bad impression of Venice is probably because I almost had my bag stolen while waiting for the bus. Before starting this 14-day European trip, I had heard a lot about thefts here. I was more cautious, but I didn't expect to encounter such a staged situation. Luckily, we noticed it in time and didn't lose anything,” the student said.
Each country Thu Ha visited left her with different and unique feelings.
Pocket guide to budget-friendly travel in Europe.
Because she was still a student, Thu Ha had very limited funds for her trip to five European countries, only about 1,100 euros. For her, traveling independently on a long trip wasn't too difficult; the key was creating a suitable itinerary and preparing well both mentally and physically.
Regarding travel costs, the student chooses to travel between countries and cities by train or bus. In particular, Thu Ha often books overnight tickets to cut down on accommodation costs, and the tickets are also cheaper.
Because she was still a student, Thu Ha had very limited funds for her trip to five European countries.
Regarding travel costs, the student chooses to travel between countries and cities by train or bus.
During her 14-day stay, Thu Ha booked most of her accommodations through Vietnamese hosts. This was cheaper than hotels, costing between 25-35 euros per person per night. The warm welcome and friendly conversations left a lasting impression on her.
According to Thu Ha, food costs are very flexible but also easy to control. Since the main purpose of the trip was to experience and see the world, she didn't focus too much on food. Her initial budget for 14 days was 200 euros. In reality, Thu Ha only spent three-quarters of that amount because planning the budget from the beginning made it easier to control spending.
In addition, tourists can alsoBook flights from Vietnam to EuropeFrom several airlines such as Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Vietnam Airlines... Ticket prices range from 11 to 18 million VND/one-way flight from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
To travel to Europe you need to haveSchengen visaThis visa is valid for 26 member countries of the Schengen Area, including five countries and territories: the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Vatican City. Travelers should apply for a visa in the country where they will stay the longest and which should be their first destination on their European trip.
Regarding accommodation, popular booking websites include:TravelokaHostelworld... offers a wide variety of accommodations, from budget-friendly to 5-star hotels. During peak season, room rates are significantly higher than during off-peak season.
Traveling independently on a long trip isn't too difficult; the key is creating a schedule that suits you and preparing well both mentally and physically.
Traveloka is offering discounts of up to 50% on Tet holiday flights, hotels, attractions, and tours when booking between November 28, 2023, and February 25, 2024. See details.here.
