IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a place in the countryside or a village that you visited

Describe a place in the countryside or a village that you visited

You should say:

• Where it is
• When you visited this place
• What you did there
• And explain how you feel about this place

Follow-up (Part 3):

1. Is there anything special about the countryside in Vietnam?
2. What do people usually do when going to the countryside?
3. Do you think people will live in the countryside in the future?

Part 2: Describe a place in the countryside or a village that you visited

Suggested ideas for each part

• Where it is: 🌾 Mai Châu (Hòa Bình) / 🏡 Mekong Delta (Tiền Giang, Bến Tre) / 🌄 Sa Pa (Lào Cai)
• When you visited: 🏕️ Last summer holiday / 🎂 During a family trip / 🏫 On a school excursion
• What you did there: 🚴 Rode a bicycle through rice fields / 🌿 Tried local food / 🚣 Took a boat trip
• How you felt: 🌞 Relaxed / 🌾 Connected to nature / 😍 Loved the peaceful atmosphere

Useful grammar structures

1. Past simple: Last summer, I visited a small village in Mai Châu.
2. Past continuous: While I was cycling through the rice fields, I felt so free.
3. Comparisons: The air in the countryside is much fresher than in the city.
4. Present perfect: I have never experienced such breathtaking landscapes before.
5. Conditional sentence (Type 2): If I lived there, I would feel much healthier and happier.

Collocations

1. Breathtaking scenery 🌄 (cảnh đẹp ngoạn mục)
2. Fresh air and peaceful atmosphere 🍃 (không khí trong lành và yên bình)
3. Authentic experience 🎭 (trải nghiệm chân thực)
4. Escape from the hustle and bustle 🏙️➡️🏡 (thoát khỏi sự ồn ào náo nhiệt)
5. Traditional lifestyle 👩‍🌾 (lối sống truyền thống)
6. Charming village 🏡 (ngôi làng quyến rũ)
7. Local delicacies 🍜 (đặc sản địa phương)

Full spoken sample (about 2 minutes)

One of the most memorable trips I have ever had was when I visited Mai Châu, a beautiful charming village 🏡 in Hòa Bình province. It is located in northern Vietnam, about 150 kilometers from Hanoi, and is well known for its breathtaking scenery 🌄 and unique ethnic culture. I went there with my family last summer for a short getaway 🏕️, as we wanted to escape from the hustle and bustle 🏙️➡️🏡 of city life and enjoy some peace and quiet.

We arrived in the late afternoon, and the first thing that struck me was how incredibly fresh the air was 🍃. The village was surrounded by lush green rice fields, towering mountains, and small wooden stilt houses built by the ethnic minority people. The atmosphere was so serene that I immediately felt relaxed and refreshed.

During our stay, we had the chance to experience the traditional lifestyle 👩‍🌾 of the locals. One of the most enjoyable activities was riding a bicycle 🚴 through the rice fields, which stretched as far as the eye could see. It was an amazing feeling to cycle along narrow dirt paths while admiring the picturesque scenery. We also visited a local market, where we bought handmade textiles and souvenirs. The local people were incredibly friendly and hospitable, always smiling and eager to share their culture with visitors.

Of course, one of the highlights of the trip was the food! We tried some local delicacies 🍜, such as sticky rice, grilled pork, and a special kind of fermented meat that is unique to the region. The food was delicious, fresh, and cooked with natural ingredients, which made it even more enjoyable.

At night, we watched a traditional dance performance by the ethnic Thai people. They wore colorful costumes and danced gracefully to folk music. It was such an authentic experience 🎭 that I felt like I had traveled back in time.

Overall, I absolutely loved this place! It was a perfect escape from my busy daily life, and I felt truly connected to nature 🌿. If I had the chance, I would definitely visit again and stay for a longer time. In fact, I even thought about how wonderful it would be to live in such a peaceful and beautiful village.

Part 3: Discussion Questions

1. Is there anything special about the countryside in Vietnam?

Ideas

• 🌾 Beautiful landscapes (rice fields, mountains, rivers)
• 👩‍🌾 Traditional culture and lifestyle
• 🍜 Fresh and organic food

Collocations

1. Picturesque landscapes 🖼️ (phong cảnh đẹp như tranh vẽ)
2. Agricultural traditions 🚜 (truyền thống nông nghiệp)
3. Laid-back lifestyle 🌿 (lối sống thư thái)

Sample answer

Yes, the countryside in Vietnam is truly special 🌾. It is known for its picturesque landscapes 🖼️, from endless rice paddies in the north to floating markets in the south. Vietnamese rural areas also preserve many agricultural traditions 🚜, where people still grow their own food and raise livestock. Unlike the busy city life, the countryside offers a laid-back lifestyle 🌿, making it a perfect place to relax.

2. What do people usually do when going to the countryside?

Ideas

• 🚴 Outdoor activities (cycling, fishing, hiking)
• 🍲 Trying local food and learning about culture
• 🏕️ Relaxing and escaping stress

Collocations

1. Outdoor adventures 🚵 (cuộc phiêu lưu ngoài trời)
2. Reconnect with nature 🌳 (kết nối lại với thiên nhiên)
3. Enjoy the slower pace of life 🏡 (tận hưởng nhịp sống chậm rãi)

Sample answer

When people visit the countryside, they often engage in outdoor adventures 🚵, such as cycling, fishing, or hiking. Many also love to reconnect with nature 🌳 by exploring forests or walking through rice fields. Another popular activity is enjoying authentic local food 🍲 and learning about rural traditions. Most importantly, people go there to enjoy the slower pace of life 🏡 and take a break from their busy schedules.

3. Do you think people will live in the countryside in the future?

Ideas

• 🚗 Improved transportation and technology may attract more people
• 🏡 More people want a peaceful lifestyle
• 🏙️ However, cities still provide better job opportunities

Collocations

1. Urban migration 🚗➡️🏙️ (di cư lên thành phố)
2. Affordable living costs 💰 (chi phí sinh hoạt hợp lý)
3. Remote work opportunities 💻 (cơ hội làm việc từ xa)

Sample answer

In the future, I think more people might consider living in the countryside 🏡 because of the affordable living costs 💰 and healthier environment. With the rise of remote work opportunities 💻, many jobs no longer require people to live in cities. However, cities will still attract workers because of better job opportunities. If the government improves transportation 🚗 and infrastructure, rural areas could become more popular for living.