Top 12 Must-Try Experiences for This Short Summer Break

Summer is the ideal time to rest and recharge after stressful workdays. However, not everyone can afford to spend a whole week traveling far away. For many young people and office workers, this short summer break – just a weekend or even a part of a day – is all they can manage. So, how can that limited time still be fulfilling and memorable?

The answer lies in choosing suitable experiences that are enough to help you have a change of scenery, relax, and feel like you are truly living. If you are looking for a "reboot" amidst a busy routine, this is a list of suggestions you shouldn't miss.

Short summer break: choose refreshing, relaxing experiences

1. Staycation Suitable for This Short Summer Break

No need to go far, you can still enjoy a relaxing short summer break right in the heart of the city with a staycation. Choose a hotel with a beautiful space, good service, and located in an area you rarely visit. Just a 2-day, 1-night trip is enough for you to feel the difference: lounging in a clean and beautiful room, enjoying a buffet breakfast, soaking in the pool, or indulging in relaxing spa services.

If you go with family or friends, the joy is even more complete. The weekend is the ideal time for a staycation – it's convenient, luxurious, and helps you recharge after stressful workdays.

>>>>>>>> Read more: Why Staycations Are Trending: Your Guide To The Perfect Local Getaway

2. Visit Museums and Art Exhibitions

You may have passed by them many times but never stepped into the museums or art exhibitions near your home. Now is the time to try! The Fine Arts Museum, the Museum of Ethnology, or contemporary art exhibition spaces will give you a new perspective on culture, history, and even the city you live in.

On weekends or cool days, spend a few hours wandering in an inspiring space. Who knows, you might find a familiar memory, a new perspective, or simply a truly "chill" feeling right in the middle of the city.

Visit museums, art exhibits: explore culture, history, art, relax in the city.

3. Bike Tour Around Your Neighborhood for This Weekend Break

Instead of speeding by on your motorbike like every other day, try exploring your neighborhood by… bicycle during this short summer break. The small streets, familiar shops, or alleys you've never paid attention to become surprisingly interesting when you move at a slower pace. A light bicycle, a water bottle, and a chill music playlist are enough for an energetic Sunday morning.

If you like, you can invite friends to join as an activity for this weekend break, getting some light exercise while "traveling" right where you live. This summer break experience is best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon – when it's not too sunny and more comfortable for your body

4. Try Volunteering for 1-2 Days

A short break isn't just for resting, but also an opportunity to give back. Try signing up for a volunteer activity near your home: distributing free meals, teaching for free, supporting community centers... Just 1-2 days is enough for you to bring joy to others – and yourself.

The feeling of contributing a small part to something useful makes you feel light and meaningful. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to meet positive, inspiring people. The weekend is the ideal time to try this experience if you want your break to be not just "fun" but also "beautiful."

Try volunteering for a day or two to help others and make your break more meaningful.

5. Explore Local Markets

No passport or map needed, a trip to the local market is enough to bring the feeling of stepping into another world during this short summer break. Each market has its own unique flavor – from the vendors' calls and the aroma of street food to the smiles of familiar sellers.

Try changing your perspective: go to the market not just to shop, but to discover cute little gifts, fresh vegetables, or local dishes you've never tasted. This is a way to experience a short summer break right where you live – slow down, chat with strangers, and find simple joys in everyday life.

6. Take a Local Cooking Class During This Short Summer Break

What could be more interesting than learning a new dish while also understanding more about the local culture where you live? A short cooking class will not only help you grasp the recipe but also spark your passion for the kitchen.

Choose a dish you've always loved but never dared to try making, or look for traditional cooking classes near your home. You'll be surprised to realize: the feeling of cooking a delicious meal yourself and sharing it with loved ones is just as heartwarming and memorable as a distant trip.

This summer break, try a local cooking class to learn new dishes and understand food culture.

7. Walk and Explore the Old Streets in the City

Hanoi has its 36 guilds and streets, Saigon has century-old roads – each city carries its own stories through its neighborhoods. Spending a day walking, observing, and feeling every little corner that motorbikes or cars usually speed past, will be a memorable short summer break experience. From old houses and mossy signs to long-standing eateries – all contribute to the soul of the city.

Take some photos, chat with locals, or simply watch the slow pace of life go by – you'll see a new side of where you live, a feeling of relaxation and peace during this short summer break.

8. Join a Craft Class or Creative Workshop

If it's been a while since you held a paintbrush, never tried pottery or dried flower arranging, then this is a great opportunity to "awaken" your inner creativity. Short workshops – from making scented candles and mixing coffee to lettering or acrylic painting – are becoming increasingly popular in the city.

No need to be skillful, just be curious and willing to try. You'll immerse yourself in an artistic space and take home a proudly "made by me" item. The weekend is the ideal time for this experience – both relaxing and refreshing for the soul.

Relaxing weekend with crafts, creative workshops: candle making, painting, pottery...

9. Take a River Bus or Double-Decker Bus to See the City

Have you ever seen the city you live in from… a bus? Not for commuting to work or school, but to admire and enjoy it. Try a double-decker bus or a river bus – both are novel and chill. Standing on the upper deck, wind blowing through your hair, the streets slowly passing before your eyes – you'll see a familiar place suddenly become extraordinarily new.

A free afternoon or a weekend morning is the perfect time for this experience. Bring a camera or travel journal – you won't want to miss a single small moment.

10. Create a "Date with Myself" List at a Cafe with a Unique Concept in the City

No need for a companion, you can still have a date… with yourself during this short summer break. Choose a cafe with a unique concept – maybe vintage French style, minimalist Japanese, or an art gallery style hidden in a small alley. Bring a book, laptop, or simply yourself – then sit for a long time in a nice corner and order a strange drink you've never tried.

No rushing, no checking emails, no scrolling on your phone. Just you and a space that truly reflects "you." This is a wonderful short summer break experience, both subtly chic and liberating – like a mini retreat for the soul.

You can still have a date… with yourself during this short summer break

11. Create a Self-Designed "Local Food Tour"

Who says you have to go far to eat well? Try "dating your taste buds" during this short summer break by creating your own food tour map around your neighborhood – from the childhood bánh mì cart and the sidewalk sweet soup stall to the grilled pork vermicelli place recommended in review groups. Choose 3–4 spots within a few kilometers, invite a close friend, or go alone for extra chill vibes.

Go by bicycle, bus, or walking – as long as you enjoy each dish as if you were in another city. End the tour with an iced coffee at your favorite small cafe – guaranteed to be delicious, fun, and extremely "real." This is a delightful short summer break experience you shouldn't miss!

12. Make a Vlog or Photo Diary of a "Local Travel" Day

Turn your break into a mini-movie. Choose any day, plan a "local travel" itinerary, and record every moment – from your morning coffee and the path you walk to the little things that make you smile. No fancy equipment needed – just your phone and a bit of inspiration are enough.

Afterward, you can edit a vlog or write a few lines of thoughts with photos to post on your blog, Facebook, or simply keep for yourself. It's not just a memory, but also a way to remember: true joy always starts from the small things around us.

Make a "staycation" vlog/photo diary: capture moments, see joy around you.

Wrap it up

Summer is the ideal time for you to experience and refresh yourself. But for a "chill" and dynamic trip, a little preparation is essential. From comfortable clothes and light accessories for picnics – everything you need is available at CHUS.

Visit CHUS to find items that are not only beautiful but also suitable for all activities during this short summer break. Don't miss the opportunity to upgrade your style and prepare for a summer full of enjoyable short summer break experiences.