No matter how many new, unique, or luxurious services the tourism industry creates, the ultimate value that every traveler desires is to immerse themselves in the pristine beauty of nature. Especially during the long period of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, we've become even more weary of being confined within cramped walls. So why not try something different with camping or glamping?

In fact, camping is nothing new to anyone. Simply put, camping is the activity of setting up tents or shelters outdoors – a place where people can freely have fun, light campfires, barbecue, stargaze at night, and listen to the birds awaken in the morning… A camping trip won't break the bank because the cost is low, all supplies are self-prepared, it's easy to do, and you can still enjoy yourself however you want. Therefore, camping is widespread around the world; even in Vietnam, although it was introduced later, it's no longer unfamiliar.

What about glamping? The very name suggests a connection between camping and glamping. Indeed, glamping developed from the "roots" of camping, and the name itself is derived from the word.glamorous(luxurious) andfishing(Camping). Simply put, glamping is a "luxury" type of camping. Forget the "field-like" living conditions of camping; glamping still offers travelers the experience of living in nature, but with staff, services, and amenities that are complete and luxurious (even extravagant) and comparable to any 5-star hotel. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the comfort of the service and the beauty of nature. Of course, the number of people who can experience glamping is not as large as camping because, first and foremost, they must have a substantial budget.

As mentioned above, camping is very familiar to Vietnamese people. This activity is most popular among adventurous young people and young families; even schools organize camping trips for students during extracurricular activities, and many companies/businesses choose camping for team building... More and more camping sites are appearing in every locality, in forests and mountains, on the coast, or even in city parks, including both spontaneous and commercially developed campsites. Some places become overcrowded on weekends.

But if you search for the keyword "glamping in Vietnam," the results you get will only be a few accommodation services labeled "glamping." Similar to those search results, glamping isn't really considered a type of tourism service in Vietnam; its existence is still very vague, services are scarce, and the quality is far from reaching the spirit of glamping. However, there is a community of "glamping enthusiasts" who are quietly sharing, maintaining, and developing this camping culture without fanfare or hype. Among them, Tùng Lê stands out, having introduced the concept of glamping to this community. A seasoned camper for 10 years, Tùng Lê only began developing his camping style four years ago, after accidentally discovering glamping online.

“Currently, my friends and I are still camping, but with aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated equipment, with more amenities and a more meticulous and elaborate approach compared to simple camping. Although not as luxurious as glamping, our tents all reflect the unique colors and personalities of their owners,” Tùng Lê shared.

Together with others who share a passion for travel, love nature, and have their own unique tastes, Tung has built a community of like-minded individuals (the "No Hotel Room" group on Facebook). Beyond his camping trips catering to personal needs and interests, Tung Le truly desires and aspires to bring the glamping service model to Vietnam in the near future. According to him, when glamping services are developed in a region, it will simultaneously create job opportunities for locals – thus fostering a greater awareness of preserving and protecting the ecological environment where they live. Furthermore, Vietnamese people will have the opportunity to truly experience a new type of tourism, enjoying life amidst nature with increasingly higher quality.

With its abundant natural landscapes, captivating cultural identity, and growing demand for high-quality tourism services, Vietnam possesses all the necessary conditions for developing glamping. It is hoped that, like camping, glamping will soon be developed into a professional form of tourism and become a warmly welcomed new trend in Vietnam.