For the past half-year, Thuy Duong and Tuan Anh have been on Phu Quy Island to build their third homestay and spend a memorable summer with their children amid Covid-19.

Two more nights, Thuy Duong’s family of three – Tuan Anh and his son will board a boat to leave Phu Quy island (Binh Thuan) to return to Moc Chau (Son La). These days, siblings often take their children to the beach for a walk, enjoying the salty breezes of the sea. In the afternoon, they drove across the coastal road, visiting the lovely friends they used to know on the island to save this memorable moment.

The longer you stay in one place, the greater the nostalgia when leaving. Especially when a new “brainchild” is born, the 9x couple is more worried and restless. But they feel satisfied because the dream of having their own homestay so that half a year of living in the mountains, half a year of living in the sea has come true, even during the epidemic days.

Four years ago, Thuy Duong, then 25 years old, made the bold decision to move from Hanoi to Moc Chau to start a homestay business. Learning Japanese, all the experience she has only from trips along the North and South. During the days of searching for land to rent, Duong met Tuan Anh, a boy of the same age who later became her husband.

Tuan Anh shared, at that time he was having a favorite job at an NGO on environmental issues. But the crowdedness of Hanoi made him suffocate and lost. Deciding to quit his job to change his life, Tuan Anh followed his friends to Moc Chau. He met Duong and helped with the homestay business.

When he first met Duong, Tuan Anh immediately fell in love with his enthusiasm and determination for his choice. She shared with him about her dream of having homestays and traveling everywhere, feeling the freedom to see the world. After returning to Hanoi, his love for a new girl made Tuan Anh decide to move to Moc Chau to fulfill his dream with her.

In the early days of starting a business, economic pressure was on the shoulders of two young people. The two could not forget the days when they were hungry because they only had 6,000 VND in their pocket or the times when the rain washed away wood, they had to climb the roof together to sleep in the middle of the night. For Duong, the boyfriend at that time was the biggest support and encouragement, and Tuan Anh felt no longer lost, more confident, and had a goal to aim for when beside Duong.

With no experience in construction or design, it took them 8 months to come up with ideas and complete the first homestay called The November (November). On a land of 800 m2, there is a pine wooden house close to nature, the canvas tent house is inspired by the house in Mongolia, symbolizing freedom and happiness.

The resort officially went into operation about 2 months after the couple got married. “At that time, there were only 3 people and a dog together to welcome guests,” Duong smiled and said. A few months later, the homestay was full, the two were busy with cleaning and making food for guests. In the days of being pregnant with her first son, her body aching and tired, Duong was always happy because she could do the job she loved with her small family.

The second homestay of the couple sharing the same capital with you continues to be built in Moc Chau with 7 bedrooms and a swimming pool. In early 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic, Duong and his wife contributed money and an acquaintance to buy back the land on Phu Quy island and build a 3rd homestay. Having had experience from the previous time, they came up with ideas and renovated themselves. old house 120 m2 in Mediterranean style with white paint, arched door facing the sea. The house has 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and in front of the house is a gravel courtyard with a red brick path, for guests to have a place to hold barbecues and have fun.

They said they planned to return to Moc Chau from September, but Covid-19 made boats unable to travel, they were stuck there for more than 2 months. In return, 3-year-old Min’s son has had many experiences with the sea during the summer. She also goes to a private preschool on the island. When they leave, the homestay is looked after by a local employee, cleaned, and sublet when there are guests.

To manage the homestay, during the past 4 years, the couple often could not accompany each other on travel trips. The chaos is still ahead but still have to move forward is their words of encouragement. “Now that we look back at our dreams that have gradually taken shape, together we will realize Min’s father’s dream of making natural products that are good for the environment,” Duong laughed and said. Follow vnexpress