IELTS Speaking Part 2,3 - A dream house

✨Part 2: A dream house

Its location
What it looks like
Why you want it

The dream house I envision is a semi-modern villa situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's vibrant and bustling metropolis.

This dream house exudes a perfect blend of contemporary and traditional architectural elements. Its exterior boasts clean lines, a combination of sleek concrete and glass, giving it a sophisticated and stylish appearance. Inside, the house features spacious rooms with high ceilings, allowing ample natural light to flood in. In addition, the interior design combines modern aesthetics with Vietnamese touches, incorporating traditional materials such as wood and stone, harmoniously blending the old and the new. Additionally, the house features a well-maintained garden, a swimming pool, and a rooftop terrace offering breathtaking views of the city skyline. The reason I yearn for this semi-modern villa in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City is the combination of convenience and beauty it offers. The central location provides easy access to the city's vibrant culture, bustling markets, and thriving business opportunities. Being surrounded by the energy of the city while having a tranquil oasis to retreat to is an appealing concept. Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City holds a special place in my heart. It is a city filled with history, diverse cuisine, and a rich cultural heritage. Having a dream house in this dynamic and cosmopolitan environment would allow me to fully immerse myself in its unique charm.

Ultimately, the desire for this dream house stems from the longing for a harmonious and fulfilling lifestyle. It is a space that reflects my personal style and offers a haven of comfort, all within the vibrant heartbeat of Ho Chi Minh City.

Envision (/ɪnˈvɪʒən/) - v. - hình dung, tưởng tượng
Semi-modern (/ˌsɛmiˈmɑːdərn/) - adj. - bán hiện đại, có phần hiện đại
Metropolis (/məˈtrɑːpəlɪs/) - n. - thành phố lớn, đô thị
Exudes (/ɪɡˈzjuːdz/) - v. - tỏa ra, phát ra
Contemporary (/kənˈtɛmpəreri/) - adj. - hiện đại, đương thời
Architectural (/ˌɑːrkɪˈtɛktʃərəl/) - adj. - kiến trúc, thuộc kiến trúc
Exterior (/ɪkˈstɪriər/) - n. - bên ngoài, mặt ngoài
Combination (/ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/) - n. - sự kết hợp, sự phối hợp
Concrete (/ˈkɑːnkriːt/) - adj. - bê tông, chắc chắn
Sophisticated (/səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/) - adj. - tinh vi, phức tạp
Appearance (/əˈpɪrəns/) - n. - diện mạo, bề ngoài
Ample (/ˈæmpl/) - adj. - đầy đủ, rộng rãi
Aesthetics (/esˈθetɪks/) - n. - thẩm mỹ, mỹ học
Incorporating (/ɪnˈkɔːrpəreɪtɪŋ/) - v. - kết hợp, tích hợp
Harmoniously (/hɑːrˈmoʊniəsli/) - adv. - hài hòa, hoà hợp
Well-maintained (/wɛl meɪnˈteɪnd/) - adj. - được bảo trì tốt, được giữ gìn tốt
Breathtaking (/ˈbreθteɪkɪŋ/) - adj. - hấp dẫn, đẹp mê hồn
Yearn (/jɜːrn/) - v. - khát khao, mong muốn
Tranquil (/ˈtræŋkwɪl/) - adj. - yên tĩnh, thanh bình
Oasis (/oʊˈeɪsɪs/) - n. - vùng đất oai hùng, khu vực tươi đẹp
Heritage (/ˈherətɪdʒ/) - n. - di sản, di tích
Cosmopolitan (/ˌkɑːzməˈpɑːlɪtən/) - adj. - thịnh vượng, phồn hoa
Harmonious (/hɑːˈmoʊniəs/) - adj. - hài hòa, hoà hợp
A haven of comfort - một nơi nương tựa an nhàn, thoải mái

Part 3 ✨What kinds of houses are common in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, various types of houses are prevalent, including traditional Vietnamese houses, modern townhouses, condominiums, and high-rise apartments. Traditional Vietnamese houses often feature a compact design with a central courtyard and sloping roofs. Modern townhouses are typically multi-story buildings that are narrow yet spacious, catering to urban living needs. Condominiums and high-rise apartments are increasingly popular in cities, offering vertical living spaces with amenities and convenience.

Prevalent (/ˈprevələnt/) - adj. - phổ biến, thông dụng
Townhouses (/ˈtaʊnhaʊzɪz/) - n. - nhà phố, nhà liền kề
Condominiums (/ˌkɑːndəˈmɪniəmz/) - n. - căn hộ chung cư
High-rise (/haɪ raɪz/) - adj. - cao tầng, chọc trời
Sloping (/ˈsloʊpɪŋ/) - adj. - dốc, nghiêng
Catering (/ˈkeɪtərɪŋ/) - v. - đáp trả nhu cầu, cung cấp nhu cầu
Amenities (/əˈminətiz/) - n. - tiện nghi, tiện ích

✨What are the differences between apartments and detached houses?

Apartments are housing units within larger buildings, often offering shared facilities and services. They are typically more compact and suitable for urban living. In contrast, detached houses are standalone structures with their own land, providing more privacy, space, and flexibility in terms of design and customization. Detached houses are more common in suburban or rural areas.

Standalone (/ˈstændəloʊn/) - adj. - độc lập, đứng riêng
Flexibility (/ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti/) - n. - tính linh hoạt, sự linh hoạt
Customization (/ˌkʌstəmɪˈzeɪʃən/) - n. - tùy chỉnh, sự tùy chỉnh
Suburban (/səˈbɜːrbən/) - adj. - thuộc ngoại ô

✨Do you think climate has an impact on housing styles?

Climate has a significant influence on housing styles in Vietnam. In regions with hot and humid climates, houses are often designed with features such as open courtyards, high ceilings, and ample ventilation to facilitate airflow and provide relief from the heat. In areas prone to tphoonys or heavy rainfall, houses may be constructed with stronger materials and reinforced structures to withstand the elements.

Courtyards (/ˈkɔːrtjɑːrdz/) - n. - sân trong, sân hiên
Ample ventilation - thông gió đầy đủ
Facilitate (/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/) - v. - tạo điều kiện, thuận tiện cho
Prone (/proʊn/) - adj. - dễ bị, có xu hướng bị
Typhoons (/taɪˈfuːnz/) - n. - bão lớn, cơn bão.

✨Do you think people in Vietnam lived in the same kinds of houses in the past?

In Vietnam, housing styles have evolved over time due to various factors, including urbanization, economic development, and changes in lifestyle preferences. In the past, traditional Vietnamese houses were more prevalent, reflecting cultural and architectural traditions. However, with urbanization and modernization, the demand for apartments and modern townhouses has increased, particularly in cities. These changes reflect shifting societal needs and preferences.

Urbanization (/ˌɜːrbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/) - n. - đô thị hóa
Prevalent (/ˈprevələnt/) - adj. - phổ biến, thịnh hành
Architectural (/ˌɑːrkɪˈtɛktʃərəl/) - adj. - kiến trúc, thuộc kiến trúc
Modernization (/ˌmɑːdərnaɪˈzeɪʃən/) - n. - hiện đại hóa, cải cách

✨Do people in Vietnam prefer to buy or rent a house?

The preference for buying or renting a house in Vietnam can vary among individuals and depends on personal circumstances. Some people prefer to buy a house as it offers long-term stability, investment potential, and the freedom to customize the property according to their preferences. On the other hand, renting provides flexibility, particularly for those who may frequently move or prefer not to commit to long-term ownership. For those reasons, I think the Vietnamese’s fondness towards both purchasing and leasing are on equal terms.

Circumstances (/ˈsɜːrkəmstænsɪz/) - n. - hoàn cảnh, tình huống
Stability (/stəˈbɪləti/) - n. - sự ổn định, sự vững chắc
Investment (/ɪnˈvɛstmənt/) - n. - đầu tư, sự đầu tư
Customize (/ˈkʌstəmaɪz/) - v. - tùy chỉnh, sửa đổi
Preferences (/ˈprɛfərənsɪz/) - n. - sở thích, ưu tiên
Flexibility (/ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti/) - n. - tính linh hoạt, sự linh hoạt
Ownership (/ˈoʊnərʃɪp/) - n. - sự sở hữu, quyền sở hữu
Fondness (/ˈfɑːndnəs/) - n. - sự yêu thích, sự ưa chuộng
Leasing (/ˈliːsɪŋ/) - n. - sự cho thuê, thuê mướn

✨What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a house and buying a house?

Renting a house offers flexibility, as it allows individuals to move easily without the responsibilities of property maintenance and long-term financial commitments. It provides a sense of temporary accommodation and can be more affordable in the short term. However, renting may lack the stability and potential financial benefits that come with property ownership. Buying a house offers long-term stability, investment potential, and the freedom to personalize the living space. However, it requires a significant financial commitment and entails responsibilities for maintenance and potential market fluctuations. The choice between renting and buying ultimately depends on individual circumstances, financial goals, and lifestyle preferences.