Looking back on the past year of our travels, what have we gained?

For Nhu Diem, a young travel enthusiast, 2024 will not only be filled with trips but also with a journey of self-discovery along each path.

"I'm proud to have lived each past year to the fullest, grateful for every little thing around me, and to love life even more," Diem shared as she reminisced about the destinations that had added vibrant color to the past year.

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The trekking trip to Lung Cung opened up a promising year for Diem. “The feeling of crossing steep slopes, watching the sunrise over a sea of ​​clouds, and then counting down the final moments of the year with friends amidst the mossy forest still makes me feel elated whenever I remember it.” Lung Cung was not only a challenge with its nearly twenty-kilometer journey but also an opportunity for Diem to connect with new friends in a warm atmosphere, despite the biting winter wind outside the campsite.

After Lùng Cúng, Diễm returned to her hometown of Quảng Ngãi to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year). Her visit to the Trường Bà Temple in Trà Bồng gave her a feeling of closeness yet also a sense of sacredness. “This place is a cultural intersection of the Kinh, Cham, Kor, and Hoa people. The road leading to the temple is shaded by lush green trees; in front are rice fields, behind are cinnamon forests and the gentle Trà Bồng River.” For Diễm, Quảng Ngãi is not only known for its local products like Lý Sơn garlic or Trà Bồng River goby fish, but also for its rich culture and authentic flavors that captivate those far from home.

From Quang Ngai, Diem traveled to Hoi An and Da Nang. Hoi An, with its nostalgic beauty and moss-covered houses, transported her back to the memories of a once bustling trading port. Da Nang – the "most livable city" – made her understand that this title wasn't just a compliment. "Besides famous landmarks like Ba Na Hills, Da Nang also boasts stunning natural beauty like the Hai Van Pass and Son Tra Peninsula," Diem shared.

The trekking routes continued to leave their mark with Ta Chi Nhu and Ha Giang. Despite the unfavorable weather, Ta Chi Nhu still left a deep impression on Diem with the pristine white of the hawthorn blossoms. Diem recounted: "The flowers bloomed all over the valley, so beautiful that I felt like I had stepped into a fairy tale dream."

As for Ha Giang – the land of seasonal flowers – she couldn't choose the most beautiful time. "Each season in Ha Giang has its own unique charm, from buckwheat fields and plum blossoms to orange chrysanthemums and ancient yin-yang roofs shrouded in frost. It's all like a vibrant, ever-changing painting," Diem said.

Sharing with Travellive, Nhu Diem said that her trips are not meaningless days of idleness, nor are they about completing a task to reach a certain number of trips by age. Some journeys are completely spontaneous; she travels with a mindset of embracing new things, sometimes going to new places or returning to familiar places but experiencing them from a different perspective. For example, on her trip to Moc Chau, Diem initially wanted to stand at the summit of Pha Luong, experiencing the scene of "Whose house is that in Pha Luong, where the rain falls far out at sea?". But for some reason, she took a different route and was lucky enough to reach Ba Phach village, about 5-7 kilometers from Moc Chau town.

"I visited when the rapeseed and plum blossoms had already faded, so I could only imagine that pristine white expanse stretching along the road to the distant horizon. But this place isn't only vibrant because of the flowering seasons. After Tet, when the flowers have all withered, millions of lush green sprouts, waiting after a long winter, begin to emerge."

"Each gust of wind carries the gentle scent of grass and trees, a touch of the warmth of spring sunshine. Whether it's the sound of morning dew tapping on the roof, the rosy red sunset silently fading against the deep purple sky, or the smell of burning fields drifting with the swirling smoke, it all makes me yearn for this place. On days without phone signal, without rushing here and there, I have a quiet space with myself, not thinking or doing anything at all, which is also a good idea. And then, waking up in the morning, I'm greeted by the gentle sunlight streaming through the wooden window, wrapped in a blanket like a lazy cat, slowly welcoming a new day," Nhu Diem recalled.

Meanwhile, Phu Yen – the land of "golden flowers on green grass" – evokes a familiar feeling of Central Vietnam in her. She loves this destination for its genuine warmth, its accent, its sunshine and wind, and its rustic, unspoiled beauty of the coast. Watching the first sunrise here is a magical moment, when the sun emerges from the horizon and the entire sea seems to light up.

Phu Quy Island in Binh Thuan province is a place Diem wants to return to many times. “There are few places as safe and friendly as here. The locals are so enthusiastic that I feel like I’m being cared for like a grandchild far from home,” she recounts. The beauty of the volcanic rock formations eroded over millions of years, along with the lush green vegetation covering them, makes this place particularly special in the hearts of all visitors.

In Ninh Thuan, the coastal roads and unique Cham culture surprise female tourists. Diem recounts that not only are there ancient Cham towers, but the traditional crafts of brocade weaving and pottery making are still maintained here, each product bearing its own distinctive mark.

In the final days of the year, Diem visited the town of D'ran on the mountain pass and Vung Tau. D'ran offered a gentle, tranquil atmosphere, with classic houses covered in flowers. As for Vung Tau, besides the blue sea and white sand, Diem discovered a dreamy landscape at Mui Dinh, which she described as "a real-life Ghibli film."

"As 2025 approaches, I'm packing my bags and preparing for upcoming trips. My baggage is an open heart. Perhaps I won't set a goal of checking in at specific places, because I believe every place has its own unique beauty, as long as I'm willing to embrace the beautiful things," Diễm shared.

Ha Mai Trinh - Photo: Provided by the interviewee