It was a Friday morning and all members of the family got up quite early to get ready for the trip. We hired a car and drove for about two hours to arrive in Hai Phong province then got on a ferry to reach the destination. In spite of feeling a little bit tired, we got really excited when the beautiful coastline and sparkling blue ocean appeared in front of our eyes. We booked a family room in a 3-star hotel, which was pretty large and luxurious. The first activity we were so eager to experience was swimming. Unfortunately, the waves were too big for us to swim but it was fun to jump over them anyway. At night time, it was great to take off our shoes and wander along the coastline. The wind carried the distinctive smell of the sea, giving us a sense of peace and relaxation. Early on the next day, I woke up at 5 o’clock to follow my mom to the local market. We also hired bicycles to get around and explore the neighborhood, as well as find a souvenir shop to buy some gifts for our friends. On the last day in Cat Ba, my family took part in a small trip around Lan Ha bay by boat to immerse ourselves in the spectacular natural beauty here. The most interesting experience we had on the holiday was enjoying dinner on a boat. Eating fresh food on the sea when the sun came down really went beyond my expectations. After three days, we returned home but could not forget the great time we spent there. It was definitely one of the best memories of mine and my family members’.

My parents gave me a trip to Sapa as a present for my effort in the previous school year and the trip was an unforgettable memory to me. My family got there in the morning when the weather was cool but it began to become warmer at noon and in the afternoon but in the evening, the outside was quite cold and even having snow at night. It was such an amazing experience that I really enjoyed it. We also went sightseeing and the natural beauty here took my breath away. The romantic and peaceful atmosphere with ranges of mountains surrounded by fog soon made a strong impression on me. I also had an opportunity to try seating on a cable car and enjoyed how breathtaking the view was.That was the first time in my life that I could see mountain, forests and waterfalls with my own eyes.The next day, my mom and I spent time going to the market where many of activities took place and I bought some souvenirs as gifts for my close friend. Especially, I was totally surprised at the ability of speaking English of local residents, especially small children. Besides, I also had a chance to try local food such as Sapa Cap Nach Pork, bamboo sticky rice, Tao Meo Wine… Each has its unique flavors that all satisfied my tastes. Finally my family had to say goodbye to Sapa but I still hope to come back here one day in a nearest future.

Last traditional Lunar New Year, my family organized a trip to Cambodia, and it was an exciting trip. We did not go by airway; instead we chose to go by long-distance bus. After about 10 hours of sitting in the bus, we finally came to Xa Xia border which was located right next to Ha Tien. It was my first time out of the Vietnamese territory, and the religious atmosphere at Cambodia made me feel very impressed. After crossing the border, we spent about 3 more hours on the bus before reaching a small coastal province called Sihanouk. My parents were tired after a long trip, so they decided to have a rest at the hotel. However, my sister and I spent the entire afternoon wandering in the local markets. We bought a lot of interesting things, and what I like most was the delicious durian. The atmosphere there was hotter than Vietnam, so we could only comfortably go sightseeing when the sun completely disappeared. Right in the center of the town is a giant golden lion statue - Sihanouk's symbol, and I noticed that almost every major building here has a casino. Early in the next morning we boarded the ship to move to Korong Salem Island, and this was one of the most famous islands in Cambodia. After about 45 minutes on the boat, Korong Island appeared as a paradise beach with white sand and green coconut palms. The water there was crystal clear and as calm as a swimming pool. We spent a whole day swimming and playing along the beach, and we only had lunch when the sun began to shine brightly. The next day we visited some famous pagodas, and the trip ended late at night. Although I had to travel for a long way, but I feel this trip was worth it. Experiencing a new culture in Cambodia is a really exciting thing, and I hope I have opportunity to visit more countries.