At the end of 2025, after two years of cherishing the idea, Tien quit her office job at a media and advertising production company in Hanoi, determined to experience life in new lands. Tien said that she would combine travel with work.

Through social media, Tien searched for recruitment information from accommodation establishments in tourist destinations. This approach allowed her to gain work experience and earn income while receiving board and lodging support, providing ample time to interact with and understand local life deeply.

On December 31, 2025, the Hanoi native arrived in Lo Lo Chai (Lung Cu commune, Tuyen Quang province). This was initially a destination where Tien had not intended to stay long term due to its remote distance. 

However, "The World's Best Tourism Village 2025" offered many good job opportunities suited to Tien's expertise.

Tien applied to manage a local homestay, taking charge of guest reception, bartending, and service. During the initial days, Tien struggled to adapt to life there. On some nights, temperatures dropped to around 2°C, leaving her limbs burning cold; electricity and water were scarce, while shops were few and closed early.

"However, the longer I stayed, the less I wanted to leave," Tien recalled.

On days with few guests, she walked around the village, chatting with residents and learning about local customs and lifestyles. A family living next to her workplace grew fond of her, treating her like family and regularly inviting her over for meals.

Along with traditional architecture, the Lo Lo ethnic people retain distinct cultural features, ranging from attire and traditional crafts (embroidery, woodworking) to traditional festivals (forest god worship, new rice celebration, housewarming ceremony). Over more than four months here, Tien had opportunities to explore and participate in many Lo Lo customs.

"What I remember most was participating in Tomb-sweeping festival with the villagers. Everyone gathered to help the host renovate ancestral graves. Each family brought pigs and chickens for ritual offerings. Afterward, people prepared the food simply, spread out tarps, and ate together."

Occasional moments of deadlock

When the peak tourist season in Lo Lo Chai concluded, Tien moved further South. Initially, Tien planned to stop for three months in Vinh Hy (Khanh Hoa province). However, unable to secure favorable employment as planned, Tien stayed in Vinh Hy for only about three weeks before deciding to leave.

During this period, she suffered a motorbike accident while driving alone in dusk rain. Following the fall, Tien required bandages on both hands and legs for over two weeks. Her phone and camera were severely damaged from the impact. Tien had to spend her contingency funds intended for the trip to repair and purchase new equipment.

"During that period, I occasionally fell into negative, deadlocked states, feeling as though I had nothing left. Fortunately, family and friends encouraged me from afar to keep seeking work opportunities to gain motivation," Tien said.

At this juncture, Ly Son (Quang Ngai province) entered its tourist season and had numerous job openings. Tien traveled back over 500km, exploring coastal fishing villages from Khanh Hoa to Quang Ngai before taking a boat to the island.

The 23-year-old spent over two months living and working on Ly Son. Tien's work involved assisting the homestay owner with cleaning, restaurant service, and cashiering. In return, Tien received lodging, daily living support, and deeper exposure to island life.

"Before arriving in Ly Son, I only knew it was famous for garlic and blue seas. But after living with locals, I experienced many engaging cultural activities like boat racing festivals, celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with residents, gathering seaweed, and catching sea urchins.

“Life on the island moves unhurriedly and slowly. Residents are friendly and hospitable, and living costs remain reasonable. During my time here, my skin tanned and my hair dried out, but my mood visibly improved and brightened," Tien confided.

The final leg of the 8-month journey involved days exploring the Mekong Delta region.

Without calculating precise total expenditures, Tien noted that actual trip costs were significantly lower than those of a typical tourist. She worked while traveling, received accommodation support, and chose budget-friendly experiences.

After over eight months of traveling, Tien felt more open, mature, less prone to anger, and proactive in facing difficulties. Her journey's experiences also enabled Tien to accumulate knowledge that better supports her career.

Linh Trang