For Linh, these journeys are more than just vacations. They are rare opportunities for the entire family to spend uninterrupted time together.

“As self-employed business owners, we have more control over our schedules. But during public holidays, Lunar New Year, and weekends, when the children are free from school, we are usually busiest with customers. When we have more free time, the children are in school. That’s why every summer we arrange our work so we can devote all our time to the kids,” Linh said.

She added that even when the salon is closed, they still have to pay rent for the retail premises and utility bills, and receive no income during the trip.

"A child’s childhood passes very quickly. In a few years the kids will be older, have friends, their own interests, and might not want to travel with their parents like now. Money can be earned for many more years, but the years when the kids are young can’t come back," she said.

Linh’s family just finished a 13-day summer trip, traveling 3,000km from Hanoi to Khanh Hoa. Three years ago, the family mostly explored big cities and crowded central areas, but this year Linh wanted her kids to experience quieter coastal areas and immerse in local life.

The most impressive destination for the Hanoi family was Ky Xuan Beach in Ha Tinh. The place still retains a pristine beauty, with crystal-clear water, long white sand, green casuarina trees, and distant rolling mountains. The three kids freely played by the sea and watched fishing boats docking from the local village.

Ky Xuan Beach is also famous for fresh, affordable seafood like squid, grouper, pen shell scallops, and blood cockles.

"Life here is completely different from the city. The kids can dig sand, catch snails, and meet fishing villagers. These are fun experiences you can’t get just from watching TV or reading books," Linh shared.

On this year’s trip, the family’s longest stop was at Doc Let, in Dong Ninh Hoa Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, a beach known for its long white sand, clear blue water, and still-peaceful atmosphere.

Linh said homestay prices and food costs here are still very cheap, suitable for families staying long-term. At the local market, large shrimp and crabs sell for only 200,000 VND per kg, and sweet snails for 350,000 VND per kg.

"In the morning, the whole family wakes up to watch locals going to sea, with fresh fish just hauled ashore. In the afternoon, the kids play by the shore and meet fishing village children. For my family, you don’t need expensive places to create memorable moments for the kids," Linh said.

Learning geography and history 

On every route, Linh and her husband introduce their children to the history of landmarks, famous figures, and heroic stories tied to each region.

Every time they pass through Quang Tri, the family visits “red addresses” so the kids can learn history and remember the contributions of previous generations. 

"I hope pride and gratitude are nurtured each day. From real experiences, the children can connect more easily with geography and history subjects," Linh said.

The family’s longest summer trip was a 5,700km cross-country journey over 27 days in summer 2025. They traveled through many central coastal provinces, went to Ly Son Island for 3 days 2 nights, visited the Mekong Delta, stayed on Phu Quoc island for 4 days 3 nights, then returned via the Central Highlands route. 

On that trip, the kids visited General Vo Nguyen Giap’s tomb, Quang Tri Citadel, Truong Son National Cemetery, the Hoang Sa Flotilla Exhibition House in Ly Son, and Phu Quoc Martyrs’ Cemetery.

"After summer, the kids may be tanned from the sun but they’re tougher, quicker, and much more independent. Family meals are always filled with stories about beautiful scenery and interesting places they remember. That’s the motivation for my husband and me to arrange work and take the kids on more trips," Linh said.

She said traveling by car is an economical choice for a family of five. In 2025, the 27-day trip cost about 80 million VND, and this year, the cost was around 30 million VND.

Linh Trang