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My name is Bui Viet Ha, and I am an architect. I run a civil design and construction company. And I am also a mother. I have Lim, my little angel. Like many people of my generation, I worked hard, got married, had children, and strived for goals like owning a house and a car… Until the biggest turning point in my life came, and I suddenly realized I had missed a chapter in my life. I had missed the opportunity to love myself.
At 32, I discovered a new passion: traveling, photography, videography, and sharing my experiences on the journeys I've taken. These trips have conquered the most intense hidden corners of my being and helped me realize that life is a journey of discovery and experience.
Invaluable lessons
I started taking Lim on trips when he was just over a year old, an age when he was beginning to become aware of and curious about the world around him using all his senses. I still remember his first time on a plane; he cried almost the entire journey because of earaches and fear of the engine noise. Only when he was exhausted did Lim fall asleep in my arms. Yet, on the return flight, he replaced his fear with excitement and anticipation to fly again. And so, for over four years now, my son and I have had many memorable trips from Can Tho to Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Moc Chau…
Trips like these not only strengthen the bond between mother and son, but also help us reduce stress and fatigue from city life. These trips are also a way for me to understand my son better, recognize his unique qualities, help him learn lessons from nature, appreciate and love the beauty of life, build self-confidence, interact and behave appropriately with the environment, awaken all his senses, and learn to live responsibly towards the world around him.
I let Lim freely play in the muddy ponds of the lotus ponds when we visited the countryside in Nam Dinh, freely dig in the red soil until his clothes were completely covered in mud during a visit to a tomato farm in Da Lat, or build sandcastles under the scorching sun on the beaches of Phan Thiet and Nha Trang. This was the most intimate and enjoyable way for him to grasp the differences between types of soil and learn about nature – something modern children rarely get to experience. He learned about boundaries and safe distances when playing in the waves after several falls and swallowing large amounts of seawater. And after those falls and bleeding, he also learned to control his emotions and asked his mother to take care of his wounds, and he really enjoyed putting on bandages himself.
A child's experience, a mother's challenge.
When traveling with my child, my main focus throughout the trip is his experiences. You need to manage everything yourself to ensure a smooth and safe journey. I try to balance the needs and interests of both mother and child. Sometimes unexpected situations arise, or he gets fussy, throws tantrums, or his experiences are considered unusual, prompting criticism from others – these are all challenges to maintain my composure. But it's also important to recognize that real-life experiences are valuable for him. Even if it's just something that doesn't please everyone, I need to remain steadfast to help him have new experiences and learn something new.
Sometimes, during our travels, we also have the opportunity to witness the fury of nature. Fear arises, but we overcome it, and it becomes a wonderful and profound experience for both mother and son. During the major storm that hit Nha Trang two years ago, we were present throughout, before, during, and after the storm swept through. That was also the first time the boy saw and felt the power of nature, and perhaps that event has become an indelible mark in his young memory. After the storm passed, with so many houses and trees toppled, I received endless questions from Lim: "Mom, why?"
Adults often worry about taking their children on trips. From the scorching sun of the beach to the cold, damp fog of the mountains, many people are concerned about the impact on a child's health. But I don't think so. For me, such trips help my son develop better health and immunity. Sneezing and mild colds are good ways for him to build resistance to more serious illnesses later on. In fact, throughout all our journeys, Lim never got sick along the way; his immunity and adaptability are much better than mine. Eating wasn't a big problem either. After playing a lot and running out of energy, he would naturally eat well and sleep soundly. And the best thing about these trips is hearing his infectious laughter and seeing the bright, sparkling eyes of my son as he immerses himself in new places.
I believe that choosing and taking family trips, especially between mother and child, doesn't need to wait until the child is older. When you love traveling and dare to go, with enough confidence and preparation, you will have trips that bring complete joy to both your children and yourself. There's also no need to rush into difficult or arduous paths; start with trips that suit your experience and interests. This will help you maintain the passion to continue exploring the world with your child.
