Nguyen Ngoc Minh (30 years old) and Tran Thanh Thao (29 years old) are a couple with a nomadic lifestyle, known by many people for sharing independent trips to all over Vietnam. They received special attention and also went out more after giving birth to baby Nguyen Khanh An, commonly known as Gao, currently 3 years old.
Traveling abroad by car
After a cross-coast trip at the end of 2024, Mr. Minh and his wife traveled with their children to Dongxing (China) for 3 days and 2 nights through Mong Cai border gate, Quang Ninh. This border city leaves an impression with ancient neighborhoods, traditional markets and temple scenery quite similar to Vietnam. The small trip created a premise for little Gao to get acquainted with foreign travel.
In mid-February 2025, little Gao's family departed from Ho Chi Minh City through Hoa Lu border gate, Binh Phuoc to Cambodia and left the Poipet border gate to enter Thailand. The journey lasted exactly 30 days, of which 12 days were in Cambodia and the remaining 18 days were in Thailand. Gao and his parents passed through 21 different stops throughout the journey.
Mr. Minh said: Cambodia is somewhat wild, close and very similar to the West in Vietnam. Border roads, fields, houses, and people all bring a sense of familiarity. Meanwhile, Thailand surprised Mr. Minh with its methodical and professional tourism development methods.
Destinations pay great attention to the experience for tourists. Every place has a clean toilet, parking lot, map, full information... and especially always prioritizes the comfort of families with young children".
Wherever he went, his family always prioritized destinations near nature, mountains, lakes, seas, farms, and national parks. In addition, choose places with children's playgrounds or large spaces for children to run and dance safely. At the same time, because parents work online, they should always check the wifi speed or 4G SIM card in advance, ensuring that each stop has enough space for parents to work and for the child to play.
Traveling by private vehicle equipped with camping equipment, parents knowing how to cook and planning carefully helped save a lot for the journey. Mr. Minh's family spent nearly 40 million VND on 30 days traveling to the two countries for all expenses.
Going and growing up with a young daughter
Instead of taking their children to daycare or settling down in a city, they take them with them on every trip, from camping in pristine natural destinations to traveling across Vietnam from the South to the North through 50 provinces and cities. Therefore, even though Gao is only 3 years old, he has a travel background that many people admire.
The family always wants to live a free life, work and be friends with their children anywhere. But it was not until Gao was nearly 3 years old that I felt confident and brave enough to start my international journey.
The biggest reason is that I want to let Gao see the world through realistic images, interact with many different cultures, so that he can have more perspective on life, Mr. Minh shared.
Having traveled with his children countless times since Gao was 2 months old, Mr. Minh admitted that this trip was like a turning point. Parents understand each other better, know how to divide work, and support each other in all situations. Gao became independent, open, able to speak a little English, learn to ask for help, ask for permission, thank you...
The child wakes up early every day to prepare luggage with his parents, knows how to arrange toys, choose clothes, dry the car, and find a room. Every time she arrived at a new location, the child would scream: Wow, this place is so beautiful! or I like to live here longer.
More importantly, the whole family feels like they have grown up together. The moments together every day, not caught up in filming work or playing on the phone, are the most precious things they have after the trip.
Mr. Minh recalled that the most memorable memory was when they built a tent together in the forest by the lake in Thailand. The weather was cold, the whole family sat together drinking hot milk, eating instant noodles and watching the stars. The daughter whispered: "I love you so much!".
The biggest challenge of the trip was that for the first time the family completed the procedures to cross the border by private vehicle. Each border gate has its own regulations and not everyone knows English. Some border gates take them nearly 2 hours to take all the steps, running through and back and forth several times between rooms. Luckily, both husband and wife have traveled internationally many times, so they should stay calm and coordinate well with each other.
A long trip cannot avoid unexpected situations. When in Cambodia, they sometimes went into the wrong road across the fields and sank in the middle of the afternoon. The whole family had to dig up the soil, fill with rocks and wait for more than an hour to get out. However, thanks to that, Gao also learned a lesson in patience and helping each other in times of trouble.
According to Mr. Minh, parents should wait until their children are old, so don't worry too much. Children are very capable of adapting, as long as they are accompanied by their parents. Just go, and there will be a way, he contemplated.
