Camping has gained increasing popularity among urban families in recent years, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, alongside the growing number of personal cars. Particularly, in face of the movement restriction due to Covid-19, camping is becoming even more trendy.

Camping- a raising tourism trend amidst Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Lan Cao Thi

Increasing demand

After busy days of work and study, weekends are the time that families look forward to, to rest and relax. With a car, many families prefer a picnic to a tour to famous destinations with more costly accommodation and longer traveling time. 

There are many camping groups in the country like Camping together, Hanoi Camping - Picnic Association, or Camping with Children, among others. Members of these groups usually recommend each other campsites, share experiences, exchange camping equipment, and plan trips together.  

In Hanoi, there are ideal places such as Yen So Park, Ecopark Urban Area, and the banks of Red River. On the weekends and holidays when the weather is nice, these places are colorful with camping tents and lively with children playing and laughing. 

Additionally, those places in Hanoi’s suburbs that used to attract only backpackers, painters or photographers, are now drawing more and more families to come for camping, for example, Tram Mountain, Ham Lon Mountain, or Dong Do Lake. 

Travelers can go camping in some secluded places around Hanoi such as Son Tinh Camp, Ban Rom ecotourism area, Dong Mo Camping Sport, Ban Xoi Village. Photo: Truong Van Vi

Frequently taking her children for a picnic at these places, Lan Cao Thi, a public servant, said: “The children in the city today usually spend a lot of time indoor with smart devices and become idle. So, I want to spend more time with them outdoors.”

There are also professional campsites such as Son Tinh Camp, Ban Rom ecotourism area, Dong Mo Camping Sport, Ban Xoi Village... with rental services for tents, bicycles, BBQ making, and many outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, campfire.

In Ho Chi Minh City, camping is also popular with renowned campsites including Chua Chan Mountain, Ba Den Mountain Camp, and Coc Lake Camp, among others.

Home and work - new and safe campsites in the Covid-19 

In the Covid-19 pandemic, secluded places become a favorite among urban dwellers to comply with the social distancing measures. Truong Van Vi took his children to Dong Quan Lake in the suburban district of Soc Son, Hanoi for camping instead of going to the parks these days. There, while he was fishing, the kids were exploring the landscape and playing around.

“They like it very much because there is a lot of green space. There are only three or four families at the place and each tent is set up more than 20 meters apart, so there is no risk of contact with strangers,” he said.

A family in Hanoi held a picnic inside their home's garden. Photo: Tran Thi Chinh

Many others choose to camp at home for more safety. Accordingly, everywhere in the house can be turned into a “campsite”, from the front yard, the terrace, to the living room. They shared pictures of camping at home on the social pages of camping groups, showing the diversity and creativity in this special “travel” way. 

One of them, Oanh Do, set up a tent on the roof of her house. “Every night my kids and I go up there to eat, have tea, play board games and watch the stars,” she told The Hanoi Times. 

Meanwhile, a company in Ho Chi Minh City organizes a campsite right at work. “I called my staff to stay at the office with prepared tents and food for 15 days in order to limit the movement and contact with others. Those who cannot do it can work at home this time,” said Pham Thanh Truyen, General Director of Cat Moc Group.  Nearly 30 employees of the company support this initiative and stay at the workplace camping. There they cook and sing together after work.

Camping at home is possibly a way of living slowly for families. It is also a good “remedy” to overcome the tough time of the Covid-19.