When passenger cars continuously poured into Sa Pa, Mr. and Mrs. Phan Van Thang (Sa Pa ward) also entered the peak working season of the year.
Managing a small homestay, he has almost no days off. From early morning to late at night, the work of welcoming guests, cleaning rooms, and preparing meals is always fully booked.
Summer is the most crowded time, so my husband and I mostly only meet our children in the evening. Once my child asked, when are parents off to take them out to play, hearing that makes me feel sad," Mr. Thang shared.
Not only tourism workers, but many workers, small traders and businesses in Lao Cai also do not have the concept of "summer vacation".
While the child is off school for nearly two months, parents still regularly go to work, even work overtime to ensure income.
Ms. Duong Thi Van - owner of a restaurant in Ta Van commune - said that her two children have summer vacation mainly at home with their grandparents because both of her and her husband work office hours.
Seeing my children's friends being taken on trips by their parents, I also feel guilty. But conditions do not allow it. My husband and I just try to take our children to the small park for a walk or have a full meal together on weekends," Ms. Van said.
According to many business households, summer brings an important source of income to maintain operations throughout the year. Therefore, although they always hope to have more time for their children, they still have to accept putting aside family trips or vacations.
Instead, many people try to compensate with simple things such as having dinner with their children after closing hours, taking their children for a walk in the evening, or spending a whole day when work is less busy.
For tourism workers in Lao Cai, summer may not have meaningful vacations.
But behind that busyness is the desire to bring visitors complete experiences, while accumulating to take care of their families.
Summer will come when the new school year begins. For many families in Lao Cai, it may be a season without resort trips or full days off.
But in the midst of the cycle of life, the moments parents try to spend for their children are still the most meaningful gift of childhood.
