IELTS Speaking 2025 Part 2&3: Describe a place in your hometown/city that is different from other places and you would like to take your parents/friends

Describe a place in your hometown/city that is different from other places and you would like to take your parents/friends

Suggested ideas for each part

• What the place is: 🏞️ Landmark 81 Skyview / 🍃 Thảo Cầm Viên (Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden) / ☕ Hidden gem cafés / 🚤 Bạch Đằng Wharf
• Where it is: 📍 Ho Chi Minh City (or another hometown)
• When you would like to visit: 🌇 At sunset for the best view / 🎉 During a special occasion (birthday, holiday)
• Why you want to take parents/friends there: 😍 Great view / 🍽️ Amazing food / 🎶 Live music and entertainment / 🏞️ Peaceful escape from the city hustle

Useful grammar structures

1. Present perfect: I have always wanted to take my parents there.
2. Conditional sentence (Type 2): If they came here, they would be amazed by the view.
3. Comparisons: This place is more unique than any other in my city.
4. Relative clauses: It’s a place where you can enjoy both nature and modern city life.
5. Past simple & Future simple: I went there last year, and I will definitely take my friends next time.

Collocations

1. Breathtaking view 🌆 (quang cảnh ngoạn mục)
2. A must-visit destination 📍 (địa điểm nhất định phải ghé thăm)
3. Lively atmosphere 🎶 (bầu không khí sôi động)
4. Escape from the hustle and bustle 🏙️➡️🍃 (thoát khỏi sự ồn ào náo nhiệt)
5. Unforgettable experience 😍 (trải nghiệm khó quên)
6. Modern yet charming 🏗️ (hiện đại nhưng vẫn cuốn hút)
7. Perfect spot for relaxation 🌿 (địa điểm hoàn hảo để thư giãn)

Full spoken sample (about 2 minutes)

One of the most special places in my city that I would love to take my parents and friends to is Landmark 81 Skyview 🏙️, the tallest building in Vietnam. It’s a modern skyscraper with an unforgettable experience 😍, offering a breathtaking view 🌆 of Ho Chi Minh City from above. Located in Bình Thạnh District, this tower stands at an impressive 461 meters, making it not only the tallest building in the country but also one of the tallest in Southeast Asia.

I think the best time to visit is at sunset 🌇, when the sky turns into a beautiful mix of orange and pink, and the city lights slowly start to twinkle. The observation deck on the top floor provides a 360-degree panoramic view, and you can even see the Saigon River winding through the city. It’s truly a must-visit destination 📍 for both locals and tourists.

One reason why I want to take my parents here is that it offers a perfect spot for relaxation 🌿. My parents don’t usually enjoy noisy and crowded places, but here, they can sit in a luxurious café and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere while sipping coffee and looking at the skyline. As for my friends, they would love the lively atmosphere 🎶 in the shopping mall inside the tower, where they can explore high-end stores, enjoy delicious international cuisine, or even try out the indoor ice-skating rink!

What makes this place more unique than any other in my city is that it is modern yet charming 🏗️. It perfectly combines contemporary architecture with a scenic riverside view. Unlike other tourist spots, it’s not just a place to take pictures; it’s an experience that allows you to appreciate both nature and urban life.

If I had the chance, I would visit this place again and again because every time, it feels different depending on the weather and time of day. Overall, I believe this is a must-visit destination 📍 for anyone in Ho Chi Minh City, and I can’t wait to take my loved ones there!

Part 3: Discussion Questions

1. Where do people from your hometown usually like to go?

Ideas

• 🛍️ Shopping malls (Takashimaya, Vincom, Crescent Mall)
• ☕ Cafés (The Coffee House, Highlands Coffee)
• 🎡 Entertainment areas (Suối Tiên Park, Đầm Sen)

Collocations

1. Popular hangout spots 🏙️ (địa điểm tụ tập phổ biến)
2. Trendy cafés and restaurants ☕ (quán cà phê và nhà hàng thời thượng)
3. Vibrant nightlife 🎶 (cuộc sống về đêm sôi động)

Sample answer

People in my hometown enjoy visiting popular hangout spots 🏙️ like shopping malls, trendy cafés and restaurants ☕, or parks. Young people especially love places with vibrant nightlife 🎶, while families prefer more relaxing destinations like parks or museums.

2. What are the differences between the places that young people and old people go?

Ideas

• 👦 Young people: Nightclubs, cinemas, adventure parks
• 👵 Older people: Parks, temples, tea houses

Collocations

1. Socializing and entertainment 🎭 (giao lưu và giải trí)
2. Serene and quiet places 🍃 (nơi yên tĩnh thanh bình)
3. Health and well-being activities 🧘 (các hoạt động tốt cho sức khỏe)

Sample answer

Young people prefer places for socializing and entertainment 🎭, such as music festivals, cinemas, or gaming cafés. On the other hand, older people enjoy serene and quiet places 🍃 like parks or temples. Many elderly people also participate in health and well-being activities 🧘 such as morning exercises in public parks.

3. What are the differences between big cities and small cities?

Ideas

• 🏙️ Big cities: More job opportunities, entertainment, convenience
• 🏡 Small cities: Less crowded, lower cost of living, peaceful

Collocations

1. Fast-paced lifestyle ⚡ (nhịp sống nhanh)
2. More economic opportunities 💼 (nhiều cơ hội kinh tế hơn)
3. Tight-knit communities 👨‍👩‍👧 (cộng đồng gắn kết)

Sample answer

Big cities have a fast-paced lifestyle ⚡, offering more economic opportunities 💼 and modern facilities. Meanwhile, small cities are known for their tight-knit communities 👨‍👩‍👧, where people know each other well, and life is more relaxed.

4. Do you think it is necessary to visit the same place many times?

It depends. Some places are so special that people love going back, while others are better for a one-time visit. If a place offers new experiences every time, it’s definitely worth returning to!

5. What factors attract people to visit other places rather than their hometown?

Ideas

• ✈️ Curiosity about new cultures
• 🍜 Trying different food
• 🌆 Experiencing a different lifestyle

Sample answer

People love exploring new cultures, trying exotic cuisine 🍜, and escaping their usual routine. Traveling allows them to see the world from a different perspective!