Ngoc Nhung, a mother of two daughters, said that for many years, her family's summer vacations looked much like everyone else's: destinations with beautiful hotels, large swimming pools, and lavish buffets.

But this year, she decided it was time to change.

Over four consecutive weekends, she and her daughters embarked on a series of outdoor adventures across Vietnam, conquering Dinh Mountain and trekking the Phuoc Buu – Ho Tram forest trail in Ho Chi Minh City, exploring Bu Gia Map National Park in Dong Nai Province, and reaching the summit of Langbiang Peak in Lam Dong Province.

"I thought my daughters would cry and ask to go home halfway through because mountain climbing is exhausting,” Nhung said.

“However, they were the ones encouraging me to keep going.”

What surprised her even more was how her children’s conversations changed after each trip.

Instead of talking about video games or online videos, they excitedly recounted giant ancient trees, icy streams, animal footprints, forest rangers, and the lives of ethnic communities living near Bu Gia Map National Park.

"My children's summers are now measured by the number of mountains they've climbed, not the number of TV episodes they've watched," Nhung said.

Beyond personal limits

For Dinh Khai, family hikes are not about reaching the highest summit but about overcoming personal limits.

This summer, his family has set a goal of climbing one mountain every month.

Sometimes his sixth-grade daughter complained that her legs hurt. Other times, his eighth-grade son wanted to stop because the climb seemed endless.

But Khai never pushed them.

"I told them that if they were tired, they could rest, but they shouldn't give up before trying a few more steps," he said.

Eventually, both children reached the finish on their own.

"That moment was worth more than any medal," he added.

Every trip adds a life lesson

The trail to Langbiang stretches nearly 12 kilometers, with some steep sections that leave even adults gasping for breath. 

Yet My Van and her husband still decided to bring along their two sons, who are in eighth and ninth grade.

Having maintained a regular gym routine for years, the couple want the children to understand that a healthy body comes from staying active every day.

“And nature is always worth taking the time to explore," Van said.

Last year, the family climbed Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province. This year, they tackled Langbiang.

Every trip, she said, adds another life lesson.

On some hikes, even a single bottle of water becomes precious, as everyone has to ration it carefully to make it last until the end of the trek.

"These are the kinds of lessons they would rarely experience at a resort," Van said.

A very different summer

Phuong Thao, a seventh-grade student, admitted that she used to spend most of her summer breaks at home, glued to her phone or attending extra classes.

It was only after her parents signed her up for trekking trips that she discovered she was capable of climbing mountains, hiking through forests, and crossing streams.

"At first, I was terrified of heights. But when I reached the finish, I realized I was stronger than I had thought," Thao said.

Gia Hao, who is about to enter 10th grade, also packed his backpack a little differently this summer.

Gone were the game console and iPad that usually accompanied family vacations.

Instead, he brought a light jacket, a water bottle, some snacks, and a multifunctional scarf.

"My dad told me today's trip is all forest trails and rocky slopes. There's no Wi-Fi," Hao said with a laugh.

Before every trip, Hao researches the terrain, weather conditions, and essential gear online.

"The first time I climbed Ba Den Mountain, I forgot to pack a jacket, so I was freezing on the way down,” Hao recalled.

“When we went to Langbiang, I made sure to bring one.”

Those lessons may never appear in a textbook, but they are the kind that stays with him for long.

For parents, meanwhile, the greatest rewards are found in those simplest changes.

A child who once spent hours staring at a phone screen now looks up to admire the clouds.

A child who used to complain whenever the Wi-Fi went out now eagerly asks, "Which mountain are we climbing this weekend?"

A memorable summer break does not necessarily require a faraway destination or an expensive vacation.

Sometimes, all it takes is walking into a forest together, wading across a stream, or standing atop a mountain to create family memories that will last a lifetime.