Disclaimer: This article is purely based on personal experiences and observations, not intended to be comprehensive or universally representative. Each place offers a world of possibilities that go beyond one person's memory or lens.
There's something about summer that brings a sense of nostalgia, the heat clings to your skin, the days stretch longer, and somewhere between chasing waves and pursuing dreams, we experience growth.
While the universal desire for summer, to escape the heat, feel alive, and create lasting memories, is commonly shared, the ways people enjoy, savor, and reminisce about these sunny days can be surprisingly varied, even among countries that are just a short flight apart, such as Taiwan and Vietnam. For me, the summers spent in these two countries are not just stories rooted in different geographies; they also represent my journey of growing up, the changing seasons of life, and how culture, climate, and even age influence how we spend our sunny days.
Let's explore the common summer themes, and see how they diverge across the waters.
The Sea: Action vs. Relaxation
Both Taiwan and Vietnam have long coastlines, but their beaches offer vastly different experiences, appealing to various preferences.
Back in Vietnam, beach life always feels relaxed and grounded for me. With multi developed resort areas along the coast, from Phú Quốc to Mũi Né. All-inclusive hotels, spas, and private beaches are more common. People are happy to do nothing, the water is warm, the seafood is fresh, and the coconut juice is always cold.
▲Brought my Taiwanese friends to Vũng Tàu this summer and watched them enjoy the Vietnamese seaside feast
Growing up in southern Vietnam, most people I know head to the sea simply to swim, soak, or sunbathe. From Vũng Tàu (just two hours from my hometown) to Nha Trang, families and groups of friends gather on the sand, bring snacks, and spend hours just lying under the sun or wading in the calm water. Diving and surfing exist, but they're less mainstream. Perhaps it's because many Vietnamese beaches have gentler waves and shallower waters, inviting people to float rather than fight the ocean.
In Taiwan, the idea of a beach resort is still growing, beach culture predominantly revolves around surfing and diving. During my summers there, I observed my classmates chasing waves, taking surfing lessons, and even organizing surfing retreats from Yilan to Kenting. On smaller islands like Green Island and Xiaoliuqiu, many young people engage in diving, especially through work-for-accommodation programs (打工換宿), where they assist in hostels or dive shops in exchange for lodging and the chance to explore underwater adventures.
▲I had a breathtaking and unforgettable experience diving during my first summer in Taiwan when I visited Orchid Island.
Maybe it's infrastructure, maybe it's culture. But while Vietnam invites me to rest, Taiwan dares me to explore.
Beating the Heat: Ice vs. Herbs
As the birthplace of boba milk tea, Taiwan elevates summer drinks to a whole new level. Experiencing a summer in Taiwan, you will understand why people are often seen holding a plastic cup with a colorful straw. 手搖飲 (hand-shaken drinks) are more than just a trend; they are essential for survival.
However, it's not just about milk tea. Local drink shops on nearly every corner offer an endless variety of tea bases, fresh fruit, jelly, and chewy toppings. Innovation is key. Some of my personal favorites include watermelon juice, passionfruit green tea, and taro milk, all refreshing, sweet, and perfectly chilled.
And let's not forget about 冰沙 (shaved ice). As soon as temperatures begin to rise, crowds flock to dessert shops for towering bowls of ice. Besides the iconic mango shaved ice, I highly recommend the taro flavor topped with condensed milk, taro balls, and sometimes even ice cream. I've lost count of how many bowls I've devoured, especially from Muzha Ice (木柵製冰所). Another unsung hero of the season is douhua (soft tofu pudding served cold with syrup and toppings); it's truly a standout during the hot months.
▲Nothing says summer in Taiwan like a towering bowl of shaved ice shared with friends
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, my favorite summer drinks are more traditional and herbal, focusing on cooling the body from within. Beverages like sâm bổ lượng (a sweet herbal drink made with longan, seaweed, and lotus seeds), rau má (pennywort juice), and nước mía (fresh sugarcane juice) are not just refreshing; they are believed to help regulate internal heat and restore balance after a hot day. I still remember how my grandmother would insist that I drink pennywort juice mixed with mung beans on hot afternoons, claiming it would prevent heat rash and improve my sleep. It was never optional, but somehow, those bitter green sips became a comforting part of my childhood summers.
▲My Taiwanese friend enjoy her fresh coconut on our trip to Vietnam
Both Taiwan and Vietnam seek out something cold during the heat, but while Taiwanese drinks are playful, trendy, and filled with various textures, Vietnamese drinks are earthy, simple, and rooted in wellness.
Mountains: Hiking vs. Highland Escapes
Living in the lowland part of Vietnam, I had no idea what hiking was for the first 18 years of my life. Every summer, my family escapes to cooler cities like Đà Lạt. Known as the "city of eternal spring," Đà Lạt offers pine trees, strawberries, and a chilly breeze that's rare in the tropics. When we visit Đà Lạt, we don't hike; instead, we drink coffee, walk through the fog, and take photos among the flowers. It's more about romance than athleticism. Couples pose among hydrangea blooms, families pick strawberries, and everyone buys far too many local specialties to bring home.
▲For many Vietnamese, a house nestled among the trees in Đà Lạt is the ideal summer refuge.
So, it was a refreshing surprise to discover that Taiwanese summers often involve hiking. When the cities become unbearably hot, locals flee to the mountains, such as Yangmingshan, Alishan, or Hehuanshan. The trails are well-maintained, public transport is accessible, and you often see groups in matching outdoor gear heading uphill, sometimes even before dawn. It's not just about escaping the heat; it's also about accomplishment. Reaching a summit, catching the sunrise, and cooling off in the mountain air have become popular ways for urban dwellers to unwind.
▲Taiwan's lush mountain trails offer hikers a refreshing escape into nature.
My first mountain experience in Taiwan was humbling. I joined my roommates for a hike at Xiangshan, expecting a casual morning stroll. Instead, I found myself struggling to keep up with their practiced pace. However, the experience was worth it.
Look up at the sky: Fireworks vs. Kites and Fields
Summer is the celebration season in both places, but again, the form it takes is different.
In Taiwan, summer shines brightest during events like the Penghu Fireworks Festival and the Taitung International Balloon Festival. Fireworks light up the sea, and hot air balloons float over lush valleys. These events draw tourists, families, and photographers. They're highly organized, often supported by local governments, and full of visual spectacle.
▲The Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung always attracts many locals and tourists.
In Vietnam, the summer sky feels more organic and rural. Flying kites (thả diều) is a common sight, especially in the countryside. As the sun sets and the air cools, families gather in open fields to release handmade kites into the sky. There's no schedule, no stage, just community and wind.
Both are beautiful, but in my experience, while Taiwan's festivals reach the sky in style, Vietnam's touch the sky with soul.
Rural Adventures
Interestingly, both cultures have a version of "escaping" in summer, but the concept is not the same.
My summer time in Vietnam is often the time to return to my hometown or ancestral village. There, you might catch snails in the mud, climb coconut trees (almost broke my leg once), or bathe in the river. It's raw, authentic, and often messy, but it's a return to something honest and pure.
▲While exploring Orchid Island, I noticed many uni students spending their summer here on working holiday, a pretty dreamy way to travel.
In Taiwan, people also escape the city, but the trend is often to offshore islands, as mentioned above: 打工換宿 (working holidays). It's more about independence, exploration, and crafting your summer adventure. You work at a hostel, meet strangers, and maybe learn to dive.
Both involve stepping out of your routine, but while I saw Vietnam's version reconnect me to my roots, Taiwan's offers reinvention.
More Than Geography: The Age Factor
As I reflect on these summers across two homes, Taiwan and Vietnam, I realize that while culture and geography define what's available, age and life stage often shape what we choose.
As a child, summer was about chasing dragonflies and escaping school. As a teen, it was about gathering friends for icy drinks and bike rides under the sun. In my 20s, I began seeking experiences: diving, surfing, hiking, exploring.
In Taiwan, I became more independent, booking trips to small islands, trying new sports, chasing sunsets on my own terms. In Vietnam, I returned to simplicity, rediscovering family, reconnecting with nature, and noticing how different the same river feels when you're older.
There's also the difference in how each country treats leisure. Taiwan, with its excellent transport and infrastructure, allows more freedom to move, even spontaneously. You can decide to go to Yilan in the morning and surf by noon. Vietnam, on the other hand, slows you down. Roads are winding, buses long, and yet every detour brings a story, a flavor, a laugh from a stranger.
So here I am, standing between two beloved countries, each offering a different kind of summer. Taiwan is fast, dynamic, full of movement, just like my twenties. Vietnam is soft, slow, and grounding, just like childhood memories.
Both countries embrace the season with joy. Both beat the heat in their own way. But most importantly, both remind me that summer is not just a season, it's a feeling, shaped by land, people, and time.
Both are real. Both are mine. And maybe, just maybe, summer is changing with you, wherever you are.
So tell me—what does your summer feel like?
