‘Healing tourism’ is gaining popularity among young people. Many of them make plans for travelling solo or with beloved ones to balance your emotions and return to peace.

Unlike regular travel that always focuses on enjoying beautiful scenery and delicious food in crowded and bustling urban areas, as for healing tourism, tourists often come back to the wild mountains to enjoy the fresh air and listen to the rhythm of nature.

In every travel trip, Hong Tham likes to go to quiet places to relax her mind. Photo: D.H.L

Body, mind and spirit healing

Prolonged stress after a series of events occurring at the same time, An Nhien, residing in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, was diagnosed with depression by a doctor and much needed peace of mind. That's why she decided to choose Da Nang for her solo trip this summer.

An Nhien said when facing the pressure of life, she often lost sleep and ate irregularly, so her body was increasingly weak, especially her mind always felt insecure and worried.

By chance, her friend just returned from a trip in Da Nang and introduced her to a resort located in the middle of green hills, with a large natural space, suitable for meditation and retreat to take emotional balance.

During her stay in Da Nang, An Nhien made a habit of staying away from computer and smartphone. Instead, she focused on self-care that she hasn't had the chance to do for a long time due to her busy schedule. In addition to practicing mind meditation and doing yoga every morning, she spent time on reading, cycling, massage and mud bath to take care of her mental health and well-being.

“Sometimes, you just need to choose a resort or hotel as a place to stay and don't need to go anywhere else for days on end. The healing tourism model also combines with specialised care treatments such as meditation and yoga to help relax effectively. Besides, I also look for more health care cycles to detox, purify the body as well as "rejuvenate" the senses. The diet is also designed specifically to promote health recovery quickly” An Nhien explained.

Meanwhile, Hong Tham, a resident of District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, combined traveling and taking a course on life management with numerology.

After getting some rest in Da Nang, Tham went to Hue to register for a numerology-related course for 3 days and 2 nights. Aside from receiving the knowledge of numerology from experts, she had a chance to visit some ancient spaces in the capital of Hue to relax her mind.

“The course gave me the opportunity to turn inside myself to understand my life position and mission through complete sessions on numerology, as well as learn how to manage energy to keep myself healthy, always positive, and full of life and good energy. Thanks to this, I have more motivations to make positive changes”, Hong Tham remarked.

Love connection

Apart from solo trips, healing travel gives many families the opportunity to spend time together. Healing tourist sites will be "catalysts" to help them express their concerns and conflicts that are difficult to talk about.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan, residing in Hoa An Ward, Cam Le District, said after a period of social distancing, everyone in the family felt suffocated and stuck when not being able to interact with friends and the outdoor natural environment. Therefore, his whole family arranged a reasonable time to travel to the Northwest to bond together.

“This is the first time we have experienced living together in a house of the Mong people in the quiet mountains. Every day, the children take each other to the stream to bathe or ride bicycles to explore the natural landscape and unique cultural features through food, folk songs and dances in the villages. Thanks to this, we have the opportunity to get close, express our feelings and bond with love. The whole family also experienced the herbal hot bath of the local Dao Do (Red Dao) ethnic people” he added.

Although he does not have the same conditions as Nguyen Tuan's family, every summer, Doan Ngoc Khanh, a resident of Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District, also takes his children on a picnic in the suburbs of the city. This year, he plans to send his children to Hoa Bac Commune to experience community tourism of the Co Tu people.

"Outdoor activities have helped my children understand more about the cultural beauty of the Co Tu people and develop soft skills, thereby bonding emotionally after a stressful school year," Mr. Khanh said.

According to psychologists, to have a complete healing tour, the first thing is to choose the right location. Each tourist can rest in a comfortable space, as well as take care of their health through special activities such as yoga, spa treatments, hot mineral baths, physical exercises, and drawing.

Thanks to its favorable geographical location and natural conditions, Da Nang is now one of the popular destinations for healing tourism when there are many resorts located between the mountains or seaside ones. In midst of the peaceful nature, people will feel soothed after a long time of stressful work and study. When the body is relaxed, the mind will become clearer and more refreshing. This is also the benefit from healing tourism.

Reporting by DOAN HAO LUONG - Translating by M.DUNG