A woman in Vietnam has saved to travel with her mother every year to a number of famous places in the country as a way to bring her happiness.

Tran Thi Kim Ngoc, a 28-year-old staff member of a commercial center in Ho Chi Minh City, has spent her yearly vacation helping her mother, Huynh Thi Hong Phuong, 49, set foot on Vietnam’s tourist meccas.

Ngoc said her mother only works in the home-based cottage industry, takes care of her grandparents, and rarely becomes a tourist.

But the mother, who desires to have a meal or stroll with her daughter somewhere, has a strong liking for traveling, which motivates Ngoc to take her to different destinations.

Tran Thi Kim Ngoc and her mother in Sa Pa, a fog-shrouded town in northwestern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Ngoc

The daughter figured out a strategy which involves creating a fait accompli to persuade the mother.

“I make a plan beforehand, and tell it to my mum as a surprise. If she doesn’t agree at that time, I will coax her for many days. I usually book an airplane ticket before she knows, as she will agree to go so as not to waste the money used,” Ngoc said.

“When we have earned money, we’ve to enjoy ourselves with it. You’ve had a hard time bringing me and my brother up. If I don’t travel with you, who will?” she told her mother, mentioning her elder sibling, who is married.

Tran Thi Kim Ngoc and her mother at a church in Sa Pa. Photo courtesy of Ngoc

Ngoc still vividly remembers the journeys she made with her mother to famed places of interest like Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam Province; Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa Province; Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province; Sa Pa – a region in northwestern Vietnam with occasional snow; and Hanoi.

The most memorable trip was to Da Nang, where Ngoc’s great grandparents, who her mother met for the last time before they died 38 years ago, used to live.

“My mom was really happy when going with me. She’s still very well during trips, despite having minor car-sickness,” Ngoc said with joy.

“She really loves swimming in the sea. One day at a Da Nang resort, she sank while standing on the beach. She kind of cried for help!”

The daughter said this International Women’s Day, she intends to send her mother a bouquet of flowers and make a phone call wishing her a happy day.

“In my view, creating a surprise and showing gratitude to her are a daily filial duty, irrespective of such special occasions for women,” Ngoc said.

Tran Thi Kim Ngoc and her mother at a temple. Photo courtesy of Ngoc

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