Topic: Recounting a Trip to Visit Beautiful Places Locally or Elsewhere
6 exemplary essays Recounting a Trip to Visit Beautiful Places Locally or Elsewhere
Sample Essay 1: Recounting a Trip to Visit Beautiful Places Locally or Elsewhere
Last Sunday, my dad took the whole family to Thao Cam Vien. According to him, it was a picnic day out.
After breakfast, we hopped into a taxi and followed Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, then turned onto Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, until we reached the front of Independence Palace, where we turned onto Le Duan Street. Straight down Le Duan Street, we arrived at Thao Cam Vien in the city.
Guiding us like a true tour guide, my dad walked and introduced Mom and me to Thao Cam Vien, situated on the banks of the Thi Nghe River, established in 1683, covering an area of about 30 hectares. Dad pointed out the towering black pines, with straight trunks and tall, swaying tops against the high sky.
Under the lake, large-leaved gunnera plants with roots originating from South America grace the surroundings. Following the lake's path, a banana tree spreads its leaves, resembling an open fan. Dad explains that this type of tree usually grows in deserts, belonging to the rare species. As I am admiring the beautiful yellow apricot blossoms, little Hoa excitedly pulls her mom's hand towards the animal enclosure, exclaiming, 'Tiger! Mommy!' A golden-furred tiger with black stripes lies lazily in the corner of the enclosure, staring coldly at the passing visitors. Our tiger yawns, exposing sharp, massive teeth; whether it's yawning or responding to Hoa's call remains unclear, but it terrifies her. She quickly hugs her mom. Dad laughs, telling Hoa, 'You angered the tiger by calling it 'Trống'! You should call it 'Ông hổ,' got it?' In the neighboring enclosures, lions with flowing manes, a black bear with only a white face visible, and a spotted leopard with a gentle gaze follow Hoa, seemingly consoling her: 'Don't be afraid. We won't harm you!'
Beyond the wild animal area is the exotic bird section. I squint my eyes to read the names of each bird in every cage. Here is the crane, flamingo, and over there is the quail, and the peacock... Long-legged flamingos, elegant cranes, cormorants, and free-roaming herons are not confined to cages but allowed to wander freely around a small island in the center of the Thao Cam Vien lake. Hoa complains of tired feet and pulls her parents to the stone benches by the lake. The whole family enjoys ice cream while observing the flock of birds on the island.
Dad takes out the camera to capture moments for the family. Hoa insists Dad takes a picture just for her. She wants a shot of the cormorant swimming in the lake. Dad chuckles and says, 'Stay calm. Dad will make you stand next to the cormorant!'
After the family finishes eating, the sun has tilted towards the horizon. Before leaving, Dad takes the whole family to visit the museum displaying various cultural artifacts of the ethnic groups.
The whole family doesn't forget to visit the Hung Kings' Temple, offering incense to seek blessings for the Year of the Yang Wood Tiger.
Little Hoa insists her dad takes three different photos of her at the Hung Kings' Temple. She cheekily says, 'I have to look stylish when visiting our Ancestors!'
On the way home, for some reason, little Hoa says exactly what I was planning to say: 'Next Sunday, our whole family is going for another picnic, Mom and Dad!'
In the Vietnamese language class for 5th grade, the essay practice in Week 8 is an important topic for students to focus on: Descriptive writing exercises on pages 83 and 84 of the Textbook.
In addition to the above content, you can explore the section Preparing for the content of the essay: Vocabulary Expansion - Nature to prepare for the essay content: Vocabulary and Sentence Structure - Vocabulary Expansion: Nature in the Vietnamese language textbook for 5th grade.
Sample Essay 2: Recounting a visit to a beautiful local or distant landscape
In our class, our friend Ngoc has grandparents on Tau Islet. This small islet has many spacious gardens, abundant with sweet and fruitful trees. So, during the semester break, some of us, who are close friends with Ngoc, went to visit her grandparents.
The boat carrying five of us left the dock. Ngoc and Nga, two river girls from this region, took on the task of rowing. They ordered us to sit still. The water was calm, and the Cua Trung River had few waves. In less than ten minutes, our boat reached the opposite bank. Entering a small canal, the boat maneuvered between lush trees on both sides. In no time, we reached the shore. Anticipating our visit, Ngoc's grandparents joyfully welcomed us. Following their steps, we disembarked and entered a lush garden with various types of fruit trees.
Oh, look! Numerous fruits are hiding amidst the foliage. Ripe lychees hang red and abundant on the branches. Yellow mangosteens create ripples of color on the cool surface of the stream. The entire garden is shaded by wide-spreading, fruitful trees. Ngoc led us to a row of green longans, laden with clusters, introducing them as the peppercorn longan variety. Thanks to her grandmother's explanation, we learned that these longans are named so because their seeds are as small as peppercorns. Peeling one reveals nothing but delicious flesh, truly exquisite. It felt like stepping into a fairyland. The fragrance of durian and the sweet aroma of jackfruit wafted through the air. Dazzled, we were enchanted by the myriad colors of the multi-layered trees: from the yellow of mangosteens and the pale green of custard apples to the white of lychees and the dark brown of mangos.
In front of us, every tree was lush, with branches laden and intertwined, forming a giant, sprawling umbrella in the scorching midday sun.
We sat down under a rambutan tree. Grandma and grandpa allowed us to indulge. Three large durians were opened, releasing a fragrant aroma. Various types of tropical fruits were laid out. We enjoyed to our heart's content...
As the evening approached, we sought permission from our grandparents to leave. Arriving home, the scent of fruit seemed to linger around me. That magnificent garden had embedded itself in my dreams that night.
Sample 3: Recounting a Journey to Explore Scenic Beauties Locally or Elsewhere
Never before had I traveled so far. It was a delightful summer trip to the city of Da Lat organized by my dad's company last year.
Both Mi and I were allowed to join. A fascinating journey that I'll never forget.
Looking ahead, the narrow asphalt road winds up and down, resembling a thin snake drawn on the map. Now, I truly understood the concept of 'hills and mountains' that my language teacher had explained before: Dense forests stretched as far as the eye could see. On the tall peaks, white strips of clouds stretched across like a white silk curtain, standing out against the deep green of the leaves. We reached the city's territory. The first attraction where the driver stopped the car was right on the road into the city: Pren Waterfall. Oh, there's Pren Waterfall! So beautiful! Just like on TV that I've seen in the Weather Forecast program. Water falling from above formed a bright white rainbow. The mist rose up, refreshing like the winter breeze from the north. Mi stared at the waterfall endlessly. Dad led us all, walking across a floating bridge around the lake. When passing the waterfall, Mi got scared, holding onto dad's hand, not wanting to step forward. Dad said, 'Don't be afraid, the waterfall pours over our heads, just walk naturally!' At the shaded spot, dad called a photographer, taking different poses for each of us, and a family one. At this point, everyone in the group took various photos for memories. After that, the group left Pren Waterfall and headed into the city. The Trade Union guesthouse was reached at exactly eleven in the morning. The whole group got off the bus, taking a break in the hallway while the tour leader contacted the accommodations.
As planned, that afternoon, the bus took the group to visit the Valley of Love. Standing on the high hill overlooking the valley, I felt like I had stumbled upon this scene somewhere in an ancient fairy tale of our country. It was like a 'fairyland.' A moment later, the bus brought the group to the Pine Hill of Two Tombs, the Melancholic Lake storing sentiments. There, the Hill of Love and around it, a forest of endless pine trees whispered with the mountain mist day and night. The picturesque scene was so enchanting, yet why did it have such a melancholic, sad name?
Standing on the Hill of Love, everyone wanted to capture a beautiful memory here, so photographers continuously clicked their cameras. Mi and I were also allowed by our parents to take two shots. Mi said, 'My pictures will be better than yours!' Listening to the photographer say: 'Smile! Be cheerful!' 'I'm very cheerful!' She giggled like a little bird and even wanted to ride a horse for a stroll. Sitting on the tiny horse, she looked like a cute doll.
On the second day, the bus took the group to the Cu Hill, Cam Li Waterfall, Toan Quyen's house, Bao Dai's palace, each place having its own beauty, a unique and attractive charm for tourists.
Farewell to the city of Da Lat with a light-hearted feeling, a state of nostalgia... Oh, what an exciting and interesting sightseeing trip!
In the future, I will have numerous stories to share with classmates about the beautiful and picturesque landscapes, the people... of this charming highland region.
Sample Essay 4: Recounting a Visit to Beautiful Local or Distant Scenery
The night before, my mom advised me to go to bed early for an early departure at four in the morning. Throughout the night, I was restless thinking about my upcoming journey. Only close to dawn did I manage to close my eyes for a while. At exactly four, my mom woke me up to get ready. At five, the car started rolling, and my dad held my hand, saying:
- Hải, be healthy on your journey and make sure to share the experience with me when you return!
- Yes, Dad, I will remember!
The entire group glided smoothly along the national highway. The car passed through Tuy Hoa's endless rice fields, where storks gracefully soared through the sky, over Tam Quan coconut forest, and began to ascend a pass. My mom explained it was the Hai Van Pass. The climb continued, reaching the summit of the pass. Before me lay a vast and boundless expanse of the sea. Descending the pass, we entered the province of Thua Thien Hue around ten in the evening. The city of Hue, half-submerged in sleep, welcomed us. The car crossed the Trang Tien Bridge over the Perfume River. On both sides, lights shone faintly, creating a mystical and sparkling scene. The whole group stayed at Huong Giang Hotel. Exhausted from the day's journey, I fell asleep as soon as I lay on the bed, losing all sense of time and space.
The next morning, my mom and the teachers took me to visit the Imperial City. Following the guide's instructions, I entered the Forbidden City. Every scene here surprised me. There were giant bronze urns, heavy and massive, then copper-inlaid objects weighing tons, followed by altars of gold for the Nguyen dynasty kings. Afterward, the group boarded a boat, sailed upstream on the Perfume River to visit the tomb area of King Tu Duc. Tu Duc's Tomb exuded tranquility, much like a poetic garden in Hue. Later, we got on a car, downstream to visit Khai Dinh's Tomb. Though not as grand, Khai Dinh's Tomb was splendid. I had to climb hundreds of stone steps to reach the tomb. A building emerged, overwhelming me with its intricate patterns, graceful lines, and vibrant colors—all crafted from mosaic pieces. Deeper inside was a large bronze statue of King Khai Dinh and his bodyguard.
The following day, I visited Vĩ Dạ village. The landscape here was incredibly serene, typical of a peaceful countryside. The guide informed us that this place had entered Vietnamese literature through the famous poem 'Dây thôn Vĩ Dạ' by poet Hàn Mặc Tử. I also had the chance to savor local specialties like clam rice and corn sweet soup, both humble and delicious. In the afternoon, my mom took me to Dong Ba Market. Now, I could truly admire the beauty of Hue, often praised as 'Beautiful Hue, Dreamy Hue.' Entering the market, I was dazzled by the variety of goods. My mom only bought some specialties such as lotus seeds, sesame candies, conical hats... as gifts for the family.
So ended the second day. That evening, I had the chance to sit on a dragon boat on the Perfume River. On both riverbanks, electric lights sparkled like hidden stars, and the river shimmered with a golden glow. The boat drifted slowly, guided by the melodies of the singers.
It was an incredibly fascinating journey that I will never forget. Our country has many more beautiful landscapes to explore—Halong Bay, Phong Nha Cave, Nha Trang Beach, and more. I hope to visit these places to deepen my love for our homeland.
Sample 5: Recounting a visit to a beautiful local or distant destination
To celebrate our fourteenth birthdays, Mom took us to Hoan Kiem Lake. A famous scenic spot.
Today, the clear blue sky reflects on the surface of the lake. The melodious songs of the birds fill the air, and the gentle breeze makes everyone feel at ease. After a thirty-minute ride on my dad's motorcycle, all of us—mom, me, and my sisters—felt the presence of Hoan Kiem Lake. Mom and we took a stroll around the lake; it had been a long time since I came here. As it was Sunday, many tourists visited, each having their own thoughts about Hoan Kiem Lake. In the innocent eyes of a child, Hoan Kiem Lake is like a giant mirror of Hanoi. I've heard the story of King Le Loi returning the sword to the Golden Turtle Deity. Mom and I chose the clearest spot to look at the Turtle Tower. The ancient Turtle Tower stands dignified on the green land in the middle of the lake. Mom said that someone had seen the Turtle rise to that land, and from then on, people regarded the Turtle Tower as the palace of the Golden Turtle Deity. Mom also said the Turtle Tower is a witness to our country's history, from invasions to liberation and now development. It's also where the first red and yellow flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was planted. Connecting Hoan Kiem Lake to Ngoc Son Temple is The Huc Bridge, arched like a shrimp and uniquely painted in bright red. The distinctive tail of this shrimp bridge is covered with a gate made from cool ancient trees. Right in front of the temple is the beautiful calligraphy of Nguyen Sieu, a famous child prodigy in Vietnam. To the left of the temple is the tall Pen Tower, which, according to many, writes the good deeds of everyone into the high sky. Going closer to the temple, you can admire the large Turtle statue, even bigger than my teacher's desk. For the elderly, Hoan Kiem Lake is not only beautiful but also refreshing due to ancient banyan trees and girls washing their long hair daily. Hoan Kiem Lake becomes even more vibrant on Tet's Eve with flower pots arranged in colorful characters. Tourists can also enjoy ice cream at Thuy Ta, humorously referred to by us as the palace of King Turtle.
As the clock on the post office struck six, my mom and I hurried home. On the way home, I thought that Hoan Kiem Lake is a precious landscape that we need to preserve for future generations.
Sample 6: Recounting a visit to a beautiful local or distant destination
After a challenging school year, my family organized a trip to Do Son Beach for this summer vacation. I was extremely excited as it was a place I had never set foot in before.
At half-past four in the morning, still half-asleep and reluctant, I was roused by the diligent but occasionally demanding alarm clock. I groggily headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The whole family had been up for who knows how long, busily packing. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I changed clothes and joined my parents at the door. A waiting car stood there, ready to go. My dad carried the suitcase, opened the trunk, and stowed it inside. My mom, my sister, my dad, and I all climbed into the car. The car smoothly set off. Houses and trees blurred like scenes from a fast-forwarded movie. My favorite part was crossing the bridge, enjoying the cinematic view from above. After that, I must have dozed off. Waking up after what felt like a long nap, we still hadn't reached our destination, and impatience crept in. But wait, I heard the sound of waves... oh, the scent of salt in the air. Alright, yes, we've reached the seaside! I felt elated. The golden sunlight stretched across the water's surface. People preparing to swim dotted the shore. Waterfront beverage stalls constructed with columns and leafy roofs looked picturesque. I jumped out of the car as soon as we arrived at the hotel. My family entered the lobby. My dad took the room key and led us upstairs. The room was spacious. I went to the balcony to gaze at the sea. It sparkled in a golden sunlight blanket. Bathing individuals crowded the shore. Those beachside huts were indeed charming. I rested in the room. In the afternoon, I woke up, called my parents, and headed to the beach. Crossing the asphalt road led to the sandy beach. Swimmers crowded in excitement. Some finished swimming and wrapped in towels, others remained wet. Some lay stretched out for sunbathing. Under the sea, people of all ages swam and played. Some kids, like me, wore life jackets, learning to swim with their parents. I immersed myself in the cool water; it was so refreshing! After a delightful swim, I built sandcastles and sat with my parents at a beachside drink stall. Then, I went back to clean up, put on fresh clothes, and went down to dinner. The sky had turned dark. I sat at the dining table. Crab, squid, shrimp—oh, so many seafood dishes laid out. I ate a lot but went to the room before everyone else. I watched TV for a while, and then my mom called me to the beach. My whole family went to the beach, rented lounge chairs, and listened to the waves crashing. The moon at the beach looked different from the city; it was big, round, and slightly reddish like the sun. The waves foamed in a sparkling golden band. Lost in my dreamy thoughts, my sister pulled me away. Leaving the beach meant reaching the asphalt road. On both sidewalks, souvenir stalls sprouted like mushrooms. My family strolled, buying gifts for grandparents and neighbors. The golden streetlights created a vibrant atmosphere. People on the road could also be tourists, engaging in lively exchanges while shopping. After shopping, my family returned to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's journey back to Hanoi.
The trip has ended, but my thoughts about this port city haven't stopped. The joy with the sea has kickstarted a vibrant and youthful summer for me. I love nature, especially the vast ocean.
Details of the content of the Draft Reading: Ca Mau Land section for good preparation for the Draft Reading: Ca Mau Land.
When writing a paragraph describing the beauty of the local area, students should pay attention to selecting descriptive language and expressing it appropriately.
