IELTS Speaking – a memorable trip you have taken

Yes, I absolutely love it. For me, travelling is the best way to step out of my comfort zone and see how other people live. I don't need to go anywhere exotic, though. Even a weekend trip to a nearby province can recharge my batteries, especially if I get to try some local food.

My last holiday was a four-day trip to Da Lat with a couple of university friends. It's a hill town in the Central Highlands, so it was a nice escape from the heat. We spent most of our time wandering around flower gardens, sipping coffee in little cafés and exploring the night market.

I generally prefer travelling with friends, because sharing experiences makes them more memorable, and it's cheaper when you split the costs. Having said that, I went on a short solo trip last year, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the freedom. I could change my plans on a whim without having to consult anyone.

I'd like to talk about a trip I took to Hoi An, the ancient town in central Vietnam, about three years ago, right after I finished my final high school exams. I went with my three closest friends from school. We'd been stuck indoors revising for months, so we promised each other that as soon as the exams were over, we'd go somewhere together to celebrate. We didn't have much money, so we took an overnight train from Hanoi, which was an adventure in itself. We stayed up most of the night chatting and playing cards in our tiny sleeper cabin. Once we arrived, we spent four days exploring the old town. We rented bicycles and rode through the narrow streets lined with yellow houses, and we spent hours trying street food, especially cao lau and banh mi. One day, we cycled out to An Bang beach, and another day we took a cooking class where we learnt to make spring rolls from scratch. On our last night, during the full-moon festival, we released paper lanterns onto the river and each made a wish. The reason this trip was so memorable is that it marked the end of an important chapter in our lives. We knew we'd soon be going to different universities in different cities, so there was a bittersweet feeling throughout the trip. I remember sitting by the river on that last night, watching the lanterns float away, and feeling both excited about the future and a bit sad. It was also the first time I'd travelled without my parents, so I felt really independent and grown-up. Even now, whenever the four of us meet up, we always end up reminiscing about that trip.

The most obvious benefit is economic. Tourism brings in foreign currency and creates jobs, not just in hotels and restaurants, but also for taxi drivers, guides and local craftspeople. In Vietnam, for instance, places like Hoi An have been transformed by tourism. Beyond money, it can also boost a country's international image and encourage the government to preserve historical sites and natural landscapes. There's a cultural benefit too, because contact with visitors can make people more open-minded. Of course, all of this depends on tourism being well managed, otherwise the costs can start to outweigh the gains.

I think it certainly can, if it isn't handled carefully. When a place becomes very popular, traditions are sometimes turned into performances just for tourists, and they gradually lose their original meaning. In some villages in the mountains, for example, traditional costumes are now worn mainly for photos rather than in daily life. Rising prices can also push local people out of their own neighbourhoods. That said, tourism can also help keep traditions alive, because it gives communities a financial reason to preserve their crafts and festivals. So it really comes down to how responsibly it's managed.

I imagine travel will become more sustainable, partly out of necessity. As concerns about climate change grow, we might see more people choosing trains over short flights, and airlines may switch to cleaner fuels. Technology will probably make the whole process smoother too, with things like facial recognition replacing passports at airports. It's also possible that virtual reality will let people 'visit' places they can't afford to travel to, although I doubt it will ever replace the real thing. And with popular destinations becoming overcrowded, more governments might limit visitor numbers or introduce tourist taxes.