In late December 2024, Nguyen Minh Tam, 36, and Doan Thanh Giang, 30, along with their three children (aged 6, 5, and 7 months), set off from HCM City to explore Vietnam from south to north.

Their companion on this adventure was a pickup truck equipped as a fully functional 'mobile home.'

The mobile home

The setup resembles a cargo box mounted on the truck, secured with tension cables at four corners, requiring no modifications to the vehicle’s structure. 

When the rooftop tent is deployed, the height exceeds 2 meters, allowing adults to stand comfortably inside, creating a two-level sleeping space. 

The upper level has a 1.6m x 2m mattress, while the lower level has a 0.8m x 2m one. “Our family can sleep comfortably,” Tam noted.

In November 2024, after receiving the fully equipped truck, Tam and Giang took their kids on a three-week trip through five Central Highlands provinces. During the trip, they got accustomed to life in the vehicle but still slept in hotels or guesthouses.

“For the two-month cross-country journey, we only stayed in homestays for two nights due to heavy rain in Phu Yen and Quang Binh. During the two weeks at my parents’ hometown in Nghe An for Tet, we still slept in the truck at night because the kids loved it,” Tam said.

Tam handled the truck preparations, while Giang planned the itinerary and packed essentials for the family.

13,000km cross-country adventure

For their first cross-Vietnam trip, Tam and Giang initially planned to take the highway to Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan province, then follow the coastal route to Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh and northward, before heading to mountainous provinces to experience winter.

But they later had to change their plan because of their kids. Finally, the travel distance increased to 13,000 kilometers.

Each day, Tam drove about 300 kilometers, avoiding driving at night. The family camped by the coast, shopped at local markets, and cooked their meals. At night, to ensure safety and easy charging, they parked at tourist areas or coffee shops.

“The first day, due to our inexperience, we had a memorable mishap,” the couple recalled.

Driving from HCM City to Binh Thuan, they passed a stunning beach at Ke Ga Cape and stopped for a family picnic. By 5pm, the tide rose, and the truck got stuck in the sand, unable to move. As darkness fell and the water rose higher, the remote area grew quiet.

“We called for roadside assistance, but by the time they could have arrived, the truck might’ve been flooded. While panicking, a security guard from a nearby resort gave me the number of a local zip bike driver. He came and towed us out—luckily, by 7.30pm., the truck was free from the sand, unscathed by water,” Tam recalled.

“It was my first day driving it, and I was overconfident, thinking this truck could handle anything. That lesson cost us VND2 million in towing fees,” he added.

In the days that followed, they had a tire blowout and once got lost in Cao Bang. “When problems arose, we tackled them together. It brought us closer as a couple,” Giang said.

Their eldest child carried a book about Vietnam’s culture and history. The couple prioritized visiting places the child loved from the book for hands-on experiences. “Seeing things in person and learning about them helped her retain information longer,” Giang said.

On the 10th day, they reached Hanoi. It was winter in the north, with temperatures dropping sharply. Giang stocked up on warm clothes and essential medicines.

“Born and growing up in the Mekong Delta, I was thrilled to experience the northern cold, and so were the kids. From Hanoi, we went to Moc Chau to see plum blossoms and chase clouds. The scenery was breathtaking. At night, the truck’s heater kept us cozy,” she recounted.

“Not only did we enjoy stunning views, learn about local cultures, and taste regional specialties, but we also met so many kind strangers,” Giang added.

In Quang Ninh, they met a local couple. “At first, we were wary. But the husband eagerly asked for our phone number and learned about the truck. Turns out, they love camping too. After we visited Ha Long Bay, they invited us to their home for a meal, cooked tons of delicious food, and welcomed us warmly,” Giang shared.

When they parked overnight at a coffee shop in HoanhBo district in Quang Ninh, the shop owner knocked at their door at 10 pm and invited them to sleep inside the shop as she worried that the kids might catch a cold. The owner only left when she was sure that it was very warm inside the mobile home. The next morning, she brought towels and toiletries, inviting us in to freshen up. It really touched me,” Giang said.

Due to the unfavorable weather conditions, the family could not visit Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, and Lao Cai as initially planned. They plan to take the 'mobile home' north again to visit those provinces.

“Two months crisscrossing Vietnam in our 'mobile home' was a joyful time for our family. We explored nature, let the kids run free, and gained knowledge about the country’s culture and history. We spent uninterrupted time with our children, watching them pick up life skills and adaptability—far different from city life,” Giang said.

Linh Trang