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I didn’t expect much when I booked a glamping weekend near Tri An Lake in Đồng Nai. A break, sure. Maybe a bit of fresh air, a cup of coffee by a fire-pit, a soft bed tucked under canvas. But I didn’t expect it to shift something inside me and become one of the most memorable mindful travel experiences I’ve ever had.
I’ve always loved the outdoors, camped along mountain ridges, beside crashing waves, with gear that smells like woodsmoke and adventure. But lately? I was tired. Burnt out from city noise, screen time, and this strange pressure to always be productive. I didn’t want a challenge. I wanted quiet. So I chose glamping, something I used to see as “easy-mode” camping. Turns out, it was exactly the kind of ease I didn’t know I needed.
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Why I was craving mindful travel experiences
The tent was set up on a shaded ridge with views of the lake flickering through tall cashew trees. Inside, there was a real bed with soft linen, a little reading light, and even a woven mat by the door. Outside, hammocks swung lazily between trees. It was the perfect setting for mindful travel experiences, rustic in all the right ways, nothing flashy, just honest comfort.
I dropped my bag, kicked off my shoes, and stretched out in the hammock. The air was full of bird calls and the scent of damp earth. Everything slowed. I hadn’t realized how loud my daily life had become, until it went quiet.
Wandering without a plan: a key to mindful travel experiences
The next morning, craving one of those slow, mindful travel experiences, I opened my ExoTrails and spotted a gentle loop trail just outside Tây Ninh, near the edge of Black Virgin Mountain. I wasn’t in the mood for a summit hike. I just wanted to move, breathe, and look around.
The trail followed a dirt path through rubber plantations and sun-dappled clearings. Locals passed me on bicycles, smiling, and I passed shrines tucked into tree hollows and roadside altars stacked with bananas and incense.
There was no pressure to get somewhere. Just a slow, grounded rhythm, one foot in front of the other, heart rate calm, mind unclenched. This simple walk became one of the most profound mindful travel experiences I’ve ever had.
Slow food and shared stories: connecting on a deeper level
Later that afternoon, back at camp, a small group gathered around a wood-fire stove. Our host, Mr. Vinh, who is kind, barefoot, with a ladle in one hand, cooked slowly and simply. Sweet potatoes roasted in the charcoal. Fresh fish grilled in banana leaves.
We helped slice herbs and stir soup. It was one of those mindful travel experiences where there were no orders, no menus; just a communal table under the stars and food that told a local story. That meal lasted hours. No phones. No distractions. Just laughter, shared stories, and second helpings. Slowness became a joy, not a delay.
Redefining rest: the true value of mindful travel experiences
That night, I lay on my bed with the tent flaps open to the lake breeze. There were stars. Frogs croaked near the waterline. I felt still and not in a stuck way, but in a rooted one. Full from food and firelight, from walking slowly, from remembering what it feels like to just be. This is the simple magic of mindful travel experiences.
Glamping, I realized, isn’t about luxury. It’s about access. It gives us a gentle invitation back to nature without forcing us to suffer to earn it. For me, this is what makes it one of the best mindful travel experiences: it’s for the tired, the curious, the in-betweeners like me who just want to feel something again.
Conclusion
In the end, this weekend taught me that the most profound mindful travel experiences aren’t found in a luxury spa or a packed itinerary. They’re found in the quiet moments, a shared meal, a slow walk, the sound of rain on a canvas tent. Glamping wasn’t the destination; it was the gentle invitation to be present, proving that true rest is found not in escaping our lives, but in quietly returning to ourselves.
Ready to find your own mindful escape? Join our community of explorers in the ExoTrails Facebook Group and follow the ExoTrails Fanpage for daily inspiration and trail tips!
FAQs
What makes a trip a ‘mindful travel experience’?
It’s about traveling with intention, focusing on being present, connecting with your surroundings, and prioritizing inner well-being over a packed itinerary.
Why is glamping so relaxing?
Glamping provides the restorative benefits of being in nature without the stress of traditional camping, offering comfort that allows you to fully relax and unwind.
Where can I go in Vietnam to disconnect and reset?
Areas like the highlands around Da Lat, the serene landscapes of Pu Luong, or quiet lakeside spots like Tri An are perfect for a digital detox and mental reset.
What are the mental health benefits of glamping?
Glamping can reduce stress and anxiety by immersing you in nature, improving sleep quality, and providing a peaceful environment for mindfulness and reflection.
How is glamping different from a regular vacation?
Glamping is an immersive nature experience focused on simplicity and connection, whereas a regular vacation might be more centered on sightseeing, activities, and amenities.
