Embarking on a self-driving journey across Europe with their two children, Anh Minh Tra and Hai Yen share the thrilling tale of their 4,500 km adventure through 9 European countries in just 21 days.

Anh Minh Tra and Hai Yen, along with their two children, navigated the roads for 4,500 km across 9 European countries in 21 days.

Setting out on a self-driving expedition across Europe, a Vietnamese couple, Vũ Minh Tra (born in 1986, based in Hanoi) and his wife Trần Hai Yến (born in 1987), along with their two children, recently completed their journey at the end of May. After 21 days of exploration throughout Europe in a self-driven car, the family returned to Hanoi, leaving lasting memories for their children Hope (4 years old) and Hip (20 months old) to enthusiastically recount.

The trend of family travel or self-guided European tours is not new, especially for parents of the 70s or 80s. However, choosing to drive and explore is a less common experience. Tra and Yen share that the reason for choosing this mode of transportation is its flexibility in terms of time, allowing them to stop and rest whenever necessary and carry plenty of supplies for the children. Unlike public transportation such as planes or trains, which require bringing along a lot of things like strollers, food, and clothing for the kids, and depending on various schedules at stations or airports. 'Driving by car, you can stop and rest in a lush green meadow, or let the kids pause by a clear stream or play with the grass near a flock of sheep. These experiences are exclusive to car travel,' the couple shared.

A decade ago, while still a student, Minh Tra traveled to Europe and as he admired the beautiful landscapes, he dreamed of a day when he would return with his family to explore the roads, cities, and nature of this place. After exactly 10 years, the father of two has turned that wish into reality.

European road trips are not just vacations; they are a manifestation of dreams, a tapestry of family adventures woven with the threads of exploration and discovery. Anh Minh Tra and Hai Yen's journey stands as a testament to the spirit of wanderlust and the fulfillment of a decade-long aspiration.

Prior to the journey, Yen, the elder sister, had numerous concerns about the second child who was not yet 2 years old. However, with thorough preparation and the desire for the whole family to experience wonderful moments together, the couple decided to take both children along. The 21-day journey of the Tra family and Yen started from Hanoi, flying to Berlin (Germany), followed by the route through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and returning to Germany. The total road distance reached 4,500 km, a figure that would astonish many. The couple planned ahead for 6 months, including applying for visas, obtaining passports for the children, and detailing the itinerary within one month.

Tra also obtained an international driving license from home, costing 200,000 VND. The most crucial aspect of long-distance driving is having a reliable navigation system. He purchased a SIM card online before leaving home and inserted it into a dedicated device upon arrival. The 3G signal was very stable. Renting a car in Europe is simple, requiring only a credit card, preferably from international banks. In addition, Tra also researched the traffic regulations of the countries they would pass through in advance.

The itinerary and the selected locations were suitable for the family, especially for the little ones. The couple chose places where the children could enjoy the scenery and experience life in European villages or have special experiences not available in Vietnam, such as Disneyland in France, witnessing snowfall in the middle of summer in Switzerland, picking strawberries in Germany, and admiring swans in the Czech Republic, instead of just checking in at crowded major cities.

During those wandering days, the family experienced letting the two children sleep in a tent on a mountain in the Annecy region (France) with no electricity and no wifi. The whole family gathered around a campfire, amidst the natural mountainous forest. Initially, Yen was quite worried about the little ones, but in the end, the memories here were unforgettable and most impressive. The two children slept soundly in the tent, just like in the fairy tales they often read.

'When traveling from Annecy to Antibes (France), we chose the route through Verdon - one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Europe. The pass is formed by the Verdon River with its incredibly beautiful emerald water. The route was truly challenging with winding turns. Fortunately, both children were very well-behaved and not prone to motion sickness, satisfying the parents' wishes,' Yen shared.

Another memorable experience for the whole family was at the renowned Keukenhof Flower Garden (Netherlands). Since they arrived on the last day of the tulip season, all the flowers had been harvested. However, it was fortunate that they traveled by car, so the couple found a last-minute flower field near Keukenhof that had not been harvested, capturing timeless photographs.

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