Thang and his wife Huyen spend time on weekends to clean their family’s special "home." This "home" was designed by Thang and built onto a truck cargo area of over 12 square meters and a height of more than 2 meters. It includes a bed, sofa, coffee table, kitchen, and bathroom, and is fully equipped with an air conditioner, washing machine, dryer, water purifier, and a 300-liter fridge.

“The truck living space is designed like a studio apartment, with enough space and amenities for my family to use on our trips. Over the past three years, we’ve taken two cross-country trips and dozens of long vacations to various destinations from North to Central to South Vietnam. Since having this ‘mobile home,’ my wife and I no longer need to book guesthouses or hotels,” Thang said.

Thang, 39, and his wife Ta Thi Thu Huyen, 38, live in Hanoi, and are passionate about travel. However, after having three kids (now 15, 5, and 2 years old), the family found fewer opportunities to travel together.

“Every trip became stressful as my wife had to rush to book tickets, reserve rooms, and pack multiple suitcases for the kids. Especially when they were little, we had to bring milk bottles, diapers, medicine, and tons of small stuff,” Thang recalled.

During the Covid-19 years, when Thang had more time at home, he began researching the “mobile home” concept. In 2022, he started converting a 16-seater van into a “mobile home,” testing it out by taking his wife and kids on long trips.

Over a year later, wanting more living space and safety, Thang decided to buy a cargo truck.

“The truck’s roof is fitted with six solar panels to power the appliances inside. The water tank holds up to 600 liters, so my family can use it comfortably for 3-5 days before refilling. Getting water is as easy as refueling—and locals are happy to provide water wherever we stay,” Thang explained.

“The VND1.3 billion clearly isn’t small—it could cover dozens of luxurious trips across the country. But we like the trips in the ‘mobile home’ as these give a chance for our family to unite.

“My wife, kids, and I get to talk, share meals, and play together. Each trip brings me closer to my kids and helps us understand each other better,” Thang said.

Another reason behind Thang’s decision to make the mobile home iwas to avoid pollution, which often caused his younger kids to suffer respiratory issues. Whenever the weather gets too cold, or damp, or pollution levels spiked, Thang and his wife would drive the family away “to escape.”

Most recently, they left Hanoi on the ninth day of Tet to head to Da Nang for 10 days to “escape the damp season.” Da Nang isn’t too far from Hanoi, but its sunny, and cool weather allowed the 2- and 5-year-olds to play freely. The family could park safely by the beach, waking up to sunrises and winding down with sunsets.

Trips to heal and bond

For the past two years, every June, when his eldest son started the summer holiday, Thang would hit the road with him for a cross-country trip. The family picks a new destination for a long exploration, with Huyen flying in later with the youngest kid.

In the summer of 2024, they chose Quy Nhon as their “meet-up spot.” For the first week, Thang and his son visited places the boy wanted, chatting along the way. The two shopped at local markets, enjoyed regional dishes, or cooked on the truck.

“I bring a motorbike and an electric bike on the truck. I usually park at a safe, fixed spot, then we ride into villages to explore local life,” Thang said.

The family reunited in Binh Dinh, then drove along the coast to HCM City, explored the Mekong Delta, and headed to the Central Highlands.

During this trip, they spent the most time at coastal fishing villages. Beyond swimming, Thang took the kids to watch locals farm and catch seafood and visit islands for a “wilderness experience.” He often contacted local friends ahead of time for recommendations on fun spots.

The Hanoi family’s favorite fishing village, where they stayed the longest, was An Hai in Tuy An district, Phu Yen—a pristine, peaceful place, about 25 kilometers north of Tuy Hoa city.

In the Central Highlands, their favorite stop was Mang Den, an ideal place to ‘slow down’ and travel with a ‘mobile home.

“Mang Den doesn’t have many lodging options yet, so with the truck, we can stay anywhere with a beautiful view,” Thang said.

Linh Trang