When "mobihome" isn't really... mobihome

Traveling and living in RVs (Recreational Vehicles) is no longer a new concept for the adventurous community in North America and Canada; in fact, it has become a popular lifestyle in these countries and is trending towards expanding to many others. From the first RV built in 1910, RV-friendly camping areas are now ubiquitous. Many locations in famous national parks even require reservations up to a year in advance. In the US, millions of people choose to live in RVs instead of buying real estate.

In Vietnam, the topic of independent travel or the wilderness lifestyle is being discussed more frequently in the context of the pandemic. RVs essentially encompass many types of specialized off-road vehicles, but we are more familiar with two concepts.mobihomeandmotorbike- It is also used to refer to a model of car that combines living space.

But are mobihome and motorhome the same thing?

Mobihome is actually an abbreviation for "mobile home" (or mobile house). The meaning of this term is the same as the name; a mobile home is a type of house designed with complete furnishings and amenities similar to a traditional house, the only difference being that it can be detached from its foundation and moved anywhere.

Conversely, "motorhome" is the more accurate term for a camper van that combines living space. A motorhome, literally translated as "a house in a car," has the engine attached to the body, allowing occupants to move around – from using the restroom to opening the refrigerator for food and drinks – while the vehicle is in motion. The price of a motorhome is usually quite expensive, varying depending on the model, from class A, B, C, travel trailer, or camper van… A large motorhome can carry 8-10 people.

Ironically, "mobihome" is currently the name we hear and see most often on Vietnamese news sites and social media, even though 90% of the vehicles people are talking about are... motorhomes. There's even a company specializing in designing and manufacturing motorhomes, but it's called Mobihome Vietnam (xemobihome.com). Even major car websites like Hyundai Northern Vietnam and Tay Do Auto use the term "mobihome" to refer to vehicles that combine living and residential spaces. On Facebook, motorhome groups also playfully use the shortened name "mobihome."

So, is it necessary to differentiate between mobihome and motorhome?

In fact, the histories of mobile homes and motorhomes are completely different.

In the 1920s, trailers were popular in America, with many vacationers using them to carry their belongings and then attaching them to their cars for transportation. However, in the 1930s, the Great Depression struck, and the needs of Americans changed. With their affordability and widespread availability, many people decided to live in these trailers permanently, treating them as traditional homes.

Over the years, using trailers as homes became increasingly popular among the working class in this country. According to the BBC, in the 1940s and 1950s, manufacturers modified a series of trailers into larger housing models, known as double-wides, to meet strong customer demand. This change in purpose led to a change in name. By the 1950s, manufacturers officially renamed these trailers mobile homes.

Meanwhile, the origins of the motorhome date back to 1910, when the American motor vehicle manufacturer Pierce-Arrow launched the Touring Landau at an exhibition dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. In the 1920s, private manufacturers began modifying trucks and panel buses for camping purposes. Production of these vehicles was temporarily halted due to World War II, and it wasn't until the early 1950s that they were systematically redesigned and invested in again. This was because in 1958, Raymond Frank, an American, built his first camping vehicle, calling it a motorhome, so his family could comfortably vacation in Florida and the American Midwest. Soon after, other outdoor enthusiasts expressed interest in the motorhome and commissioned Frank to build more.

By the 1960s, motorhomes had become a popular model due to their convenience.

From this, it can be seen that, besides the historical factors of their origin, the clear differences between mobile homes and motorhomes also lie in...engine.

Mobile homes don't have an attached engine, so you can't drive them anywhere. When you want to "move," you have to hook it onto a tow truck to tow it from one area to another, and that place becomes your new address. You'll live there for an extended period, unlike with a motorhome where you can go on short trips or camping. During the move, a special supervisor is needed to alert other drivers about the upcoming appearance of a mobile home on the road.

Mobile homes are very large because they function like a real house, and aside from some private areas, no parking space can accommodate them. Furthermore, many roads are not designed to handle the weight of a mobile home. A pre-planned route, including specific timings and paths, is necessary before beginning a mobile home move.

Conversely, a motorhome is essentially a car that you can drive from place to place using its own engine. It has a steering wheel, engine, driver's seat, and passenger seat. Motorhomes are small enough to travel on roads and highways. Motorhomes also require regular maintenance like any other vehicle. In countries where motorhome tourism is popular, such as Australia, Canada, North America, and Europe, parking areas and rest stops for motorhomes are common and can be found almost anywhere.

Over the past two years, motorhome travel has become a popular trend among a significant portion of young people in Vietnam, especially families. They are willing to spend hundreds of millions, even billions of dong, to transform a four-wheeled vehicle into a mobile home. New companies have also emerged specializing in the production and design of these motorhomes, both for sale and rental.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, motorhome tourism has been one of the few new forms of travel predicted to develop post-pandemic, replacing organized tours and group trips. New routes, new experiences, and unspoiled, less-traveled places are gradually replacing crowded, bustling tourist destinations. But is this replacement just a fleeting trend, or will it become a new lifestyle and culture in Vietnam? Only time will tell.

An - Photo: Internet