Strolling the spring roads of Korea

Having fun on the vast snow-covered skating rink - Photo provided by the author

Leaving Gimhae Airport (Busan), my mother and I, like many Vietnamese tourists who are used to warm climates, could not help but sigh at the wind and cold in Korea.

Quickly putting on a scarf, I followed everyone to start the journey to explore Busan, which is one of the beautiful, dynamic but no less romantic coastal cities.

Peaceful Busan

Not as noisy as Seoul, Busan retains a peaceful space with beautiful emerald green beaches such as Haeundae, Songdo, Gwangalli or countless large fish markets located gracefully next to countless busy wharves with boats passing by.

Perhaps because of this poetic scenery, Busan has become the main filming location for many Korean movies, typically Reply 1997. Many young tourists who love Korean music or cinema idols want to visit Busan because this is the hometown of countless stars such as Jungkook, Jimin...

Personally, when I visited Busan, although I didn't care much about idols, I was extremely impressed with the peaceful atmosphere and unhurried pace of life in this city.

I had early mornings to walk around the beach near the hotel or leisurely cycle in the morning mist, watching the Nakdong River, the longest river in Korea, quietly flowing with everyone in the quiet space on both banks.

Or sometimes, in the middle of the sunset, I sit on a train running along the coast, watching the twinkling lights from the lighthouse, the shops, the seafood restaurants, listening to the murmur of the waves in the distance, feeling my heart soften for a few moments.

On my second day in Korea, I took the opportunity to visit Gamcheon mural village, known as the Santorini of this country, with colorful houses located interspersed on winding slopes.

Photo provided by author

Originally a Korean wartime refugee camp, the village has many dilapidated old houses on high hills. It was not until 2009 that artists planned to restore and design the village with countless colors and unique artistic features.

And when tourists from all over the world come to take unique and extremely different photos, Gamcheon village also begins to become famous, becoming the top check-in location when coming to Busan.

I myself am no exception, although I am not a fashionista or interested in following the new trends of the youth. I have a habit of walking around the old town under the pale sunlight, looking for beautiful angles to take photos, stopping by souvenir shops to buy some small gifts. For me, it is a simple way to enjoy a beautiful day in the cold weather of Korea.

In the afternoon, following the group, I visited some famous places in the city such as universities, museums and the 83-story tower overlooking Busan. Under the pale afternoon sunlight, my walk was as leisurely as my steps.

As the afternoon gradually faded, I walked along Haeundae Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Busan with a long, gently sloping white sandbank and clear blue water, waiting for the sun to set to enjoy the sunset, watching the sparkling lights from the opposite bridge shining down on the sea, like an endless symphony of light amidst the quiet space of the beach.

Walking around Seoul

Tourists wearing traditional hanbok costumes walk in the snow at Kyungbokgung Palace in central Seoul - Photo: Jung Yeon-je/AFP

On the third day, after a difficult morning on the KTX high-speed train to Seoul, I was lucky to have a wonderful experience at a Korean ski resort, playing in the snow, watching people laugh happily in the middle of a vast white snow rink.

Late afternoon, I stopped by Nami Island and leisurely strolled among the ginkgo trees, even though the winter weather had dried out the tree trunks.

Although there are not many beautiful landscapes and mountains like other countries such as China, Japan, etc., Koreans have their own way of doing tourism, when they can turn very simple things into their own stories. Typically, from a movie Winter Sonata, they can turn Nami Island into an extremely attractive tourist destination.

When I visited this ideal tourist destination, I struggled with many plans, not knowing what to do to enjoy the scenery of this beautiful island to the fullest. In the end, I chose the simplest solution: buy some more boxes of vanilla ice cream, bottled aloe vera juice, eat while walking leisurely, breathing in the rare peaceful air.

Young people in Seoul - Photo: AFP

Occasionally, I would stop by a cozy area to roast some candy over a small fire and feel strangely warm amidst the gentle music of Nami. The beautiful, albeit short, moments in the land I love so much always make me feel more deeply the value of life.

On the last day, before leaving Korea, my mother and I had a "city tour" throughout the capital Seoul. It would not be an exaggeration to call Seoul a city of charm. The slow lifestyle and refined aesthetic taste of the Korean people have made every street corner, even the smallest, in this country harmoniously beautiful to the point of perfection.

I leisurely strolled along the artificial stream that flowed gently across Seoul like a soft silk strip, watching the clear water beneath my feet. The quiet moments during the trip, strangely enough, always made my heart strangely at peace.

On the day of farewell, sitting on the plane, recalling the time in Korea, I suddenly thought of colors. If I had a little talent for painting, I would definitely paint a beautiful picture of this land.

That beautiful picture, whether looking up at the sky, looking down at the ground, gazing far away at the mountain ranges, or leaning to catch a ray of sunlight rushing down to the lake in the glorious fading moment of a hurried early spring day, all will be incredibly radiantly beautiful.

"My Tet Moment" Contest

My Tet Moments contest is an opportunity for readers to introduce the most beautiful moments and unforgettable experiences during Tet with relatives and friends.

Each article should be a maximum of 1,000 words in Vietnamese, and should include photos, photo albums or videos.

Contest entries share ideal destinations and unique lands . Through your stories, you will help many people have the opportunity to know new lands and places not to be missed when traveling during spring.

It could be an article recording the moments when friends and relatives gather, celebrate Tet and have fun together.

These are notes and recounts of personal experiences from trips and business trips away from home during Tet that you have experienced.

The photo contest highlights the beauty of the landscape, place or land you have visited. This is an opportunity to recount the vibrant colors and beautiful scenery of Vietnam or the countries you have visited.

From January 25 to February 24, readers can send their entries to khoankhactet@tuoitre.com.vn.

The award ceremony and summary are expected to take place in March 2024. The prize structure includes 1 first prize (15 million VND in cash and gifts), 2 second prizes (7 million VND and gifts), 3 third prizes (5 million VND and gifts).

The program is sponsored by HDBank.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dao-choi-nhung-cung-duong-xuan-han-quoc-20240220141152753.htm