1. Everything will eventually work out.
After the trip, I realize that sometimes people worry too much over a lot of things and they tend to gain full control over a thing before acting on it. For instance, I was worried few days before the trip due to my lack of preparation because I thought it would be more fun and adventurous to not prepare so much for the trip including not pre-booked accommodation; yet, I have survived throughout the trip and enjoyed most of the time. This taught me that as long as we have done our best, outcome isn't that important anymore. What's more important is the process. Since we know that everything will definitely work out, regardless the outcome, we have to enjoy the process and stop worrying too much about the future since we won't have full control over it, never ever.
2. Traveling alone is a good chance for self-discovery
Abundance of me-time is the greatest gift for traveling alone. Due to this excess time, you will have more time to reflect on yourself and really talk to yourself for some time. In our daily life, we are always busy and always have excuses to not talk to ourselves. Think about this, if you don't talk to your inner self, how do you even know what you yourself want and what is your purpose in life. Of course, I was once like that and I didn't really know what I want in life. I wouldn't say I have found my purpose in life but this trip has definitely widen my perspectives in choosing my dreams, perhaps traveling around the world. So, you must start talking to yourself more and finding your goal in life. Good luck!
3. Stepping out of comfort zone
Many times people are afraid of changes. Backpacking alone to other countries can definitely teach oneself to be more independent and disciplined by letting him/her to be on him/her own in a unfamiliar place. No one will be there to take care of you and you are responsible to your own stuff. For instance, I have to take care of my personal belongings all the time because I know how troublesome it would be if I lose any of them. I have to aware of my itinerary at all time and also taking good care of my health. Besides that, I have to communicate with strangers at all times because that's how you make friends along the trip. This is a big step for me since I am a shy person and no joke, my English is bad. So, undoubtedly, after this trip I have became a bit more mature after the trip and I know that I am capable to take care of myself even if I am alone.
4. Traveling for a longer period actually save money
Everyone thought that I was joking when I told them about this. They always think that traveling for a longer period, you will spend more money. Of course, the total amount of money you would spend is more but I can assure you the amount is not a lot. After this trip, I realize that my transportation cost actually is 45% of my total spending. So, if I stay longer in a place, then I don't have to move from one city to another one that often. With this method, my spending per day could be lowered by a lot and I can tell you that most backpackers are saving money throughout their trip by this kind of living. Hence, instead of getting short holidays, try to make your holidays as long as possible, you can enjoy more without rushing from places to places and spending more time in a city to actually appreciate the culture behind it.
5. Experiences is much important than possessions
Now that I have graduated from university, soon my new chapter of life, working life, will start. Money will soon become an issue for me because I need to learn how to manage it. I could spend the money on many things, for instance, investment, entertainment, tangible asset, family etc. It is hard to decide which should be prioritized. However, after the Vietnam trip, it is clear to me that experiences always comes first. I will spend my money on an experience rather than material object. Experiences enriches our knowledge and it makes us feel alive, happier and satisfied. In the opposite, material object can only satisfy us in a short run. For me, experiences is invaluable and we should embrace it because when we are dead one day, only experiences and memories could follow us but not the material objects.
That's all for my sharing about my trip to Vietnam and hopefully some of these could be useful to you. Perhaps you will disagree on some of them but still, thank you for reading it. Bon vonyage, looking forward to my next backpacking trip and I will share more till then.
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