How about we leave the city and go back to the countryside?

Immerse yourself in nature at farmstays.

Farmstay first appeared in Italy in 1980, then quickly spread to many countries around the world, and has been introduced and developed in the Vietnamese market in recent years. Farmstay is a model that uses farmland to develop resort tourism, targeting families needing a long-term vacation, or international tourists wanting to learn about the identity and culture of different regions of a country.

Farmstays are typically built in areas with favorable natural conditions, such as rural areas or city outskirts, offering spacious surroundings, picturesque scenery, and a peaceful, quiet environment, making them ideal for developing relaxing and experiential tourism. In other words, farmstays are a perfect combination of a tranquil rural retreat and modern facilities and amenities. Tourists seek out farmstays hoping to immerse themselves in nature and experience the local way of life, growing their own vegetables, picking their own fruit, and preparing their own meals on the farm.

In the context of increasingly crowded and polluted major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, rural farms, especially those in mountainous regions with abundant natural beauty and fresh air, are ideal destinations for relaxation. Examples include the orchards of the Eastern and Southwestern regions, the Central Highlands, and the northern mountainous provinces like Sa Pa. Around Hanoi, farmstays are abundant in Ba Vi and Soc Son.

Staying at a farmstay is a suitable choice for those who want a "green" vacation, immersing themselves in nature while still being able to explore and experience local culture. With their often secluded locations, farmstays can ensure guests a private and safe holiday, not only escaping the hustle and bustle of the city but also minimizing contact with strangers. Furthermore, farmstays are ideal for educational purposes, bringing children closer to nature and fostering self-reliance and independence. Therefore, they are a popular choice for young families seeking weekend getaways or holidays.

The trend of living life as carefree as plants and trees.

In fact, while the trend of vacationing at farmstays isn't new, it has recently become popular, partly because of the current trend of countryside living (cottagecore, also known as farmcore or countrycore) attracting urban youth, and partly because the Covid-19 pandemic has made many people realize that life doesn't actually need as many glamorous luxuries as they thought. Den Vâu evokes a simple wish: "At most, I'll go back to my hometown, raise fish and grow vegetables," and Taylor Swift also released an album.folkloreThe countryside is full of romantic charm. Many stars, both domestic and international, own large farms, and the images of their gardens and fish ponds that they post on their personal pages every day have inspired the dream of peaceful rural life, especially for urban residents trapped within the four walls of their apartments.

Those who enjoy a peaceful, rural life are no strangers to it.Li ZiqiLi Ziqi, a Chinese woman who used to work as a DJ in the city but quit, returned to her hometown in Sichuan to live a self-sufficient life, often cooking with simple ingredients and tools using traditional techniques. In her free time, she films videos of her simple life and receives tremendous support from those "stuck in the city." Recently, Li Ziqi reached 10 million subscribers on YouTube and entered the top 15 most influential people in China.

Li Ziqi expressed: "Whether in the countryside or the city, everyone has their own struggles. Because everyone faces immense work pressure, I hope that when people are tired, my videos can help them relax and appreciate the beauty of life."

In Vietnam, there's another "highland fairy" similar to Li Ziqi, Tâm An, who currently lives in a thatched house in Ý Lình Hồ village, Hoàng Liên commune, near Sa Pa town, Lào Cai province. When she first arrived in Sa Pa, An worked as a housekeeper and cook for a small homestay owned by a friend. Her self-sufficient life surrounded by hills and mountains taught her the skills of a farmer: planting trees, gardening, farming, cooking with whatever resources she had, and playing with the children in the village in her free time. An turned the photos she took into music videos and shared them with friends. With support, she uploaded them to YouTube and created a channel.Kitchen on the hilltopIt currently has over 203,000 followers.

Another YouTube channel that shouldn't be missed for those who love the mountainous landscapes of Northwest Vietnam and authentic Vietnamese cuisine isVuong Anh's Cooking JourneyThe channel's owner is Nguyen Khanh Vuong Anh, a young woman who decided to create videos showcasing regional cuisine as a way to promote Vietnamese culture. Beyond learning about and experiencing traditional food, Vuong Anh also plays a significant role in introducing Vietnam's beautiful landscapes to the international community.

It can be seen that those who love a pastoral lifestyle often enjoy activities related to cooking, nature, and gardening, such as cooking, embroidery, sewing, knitting, mushroom picking, fruit harvesting, swimming in lakes, caring for pets, listening to soothing music, and enjoying wine. Not only does this trend possess high aesthetic value, but it also encourages people to take care of themselves, enjoy life, and appreciate the present moment in a clean, fresh environment with a peaceful, pure soul and healthy habits.

We can spend hours mesmerized gazing at the beautiful countryside or watching "mountain fairies" picking ripe fruit from their gardens, secretly wishing we could also "return to the countryside to raise fish and grow vegetables." In reality, not everyone can pursue that peaceful rural life; most of us are crammed into the bustling, noisy cities. But is it only by abandoning everything and returning to the countryside that we can truly appreciate the poetic charm of rural life?

You can find a farmstay near where you live and rediscover the feeling of being connected to nature, such as strolling under a cool green tree, participating in farm activities, or cooking a cozy meal yourself... If you prefer a more adventurous, nature-exploring style of travel, you can choose camping, or for a more luxurious option, glamping.

If you can't travel far, you can still learn from many urban dwellers how to grow your own vegetables on your balcony, such as growing vegetables in hydroponic boxes, growing potatoes in pots, or even growing melons in organic towers made from everyday kitchen waste. More simply, you can bring the breath of nature into your life by growing a few potted plants indoors, tidying up your home, cooking, or simply spending some time each day drinking tea or sunbathing, enjoying the tranquil flow of life...

Because a "rustic" lifestyle isn't just a fleeting trend to escape reality during pandemic-affected times, but can also be a lasting source of inspiration for our lives.

Huong Thao