Cycling across Vietnam at the age of 21, why not?

"That was the first time I'd ever taken such a long trip by bicycle," Cúc recalled fondly. Previously, her longest trips had only been under 500 km.

Having learned about the "Cycling Across Vietnam" from a friend who had participated three seasons prior, Cúc thought to herself, "If my friend, with her petite stature, can do it, why can't I?" With a natural passion for exploration and travel, and further motivated by the detailed sharing and research of various cross-Vietnam journeys, Cúc was determined to go.

Choosing a bicycle as a means of transportation to travel across Vietnam.

During the summer of her third year of university, Cúc had a lot of free time. She thought that if she didn't go now, it would be difficult to do it later, especially since she would be busy finding a job and worrying about making ends meet in her final year after graduation.

“At that time, I thought it would be difficult financially, because I didn't know where to get the money to go since I was still a student. Time wasn't an issue because I wasn't working yet. The next challenge was the registration process and the time until I actually set off. It was very easy to give up; you had to be very strong to go. Three things determined my trip: time, money, and determination. And determination was the most important thing,” Cúc said.

Although she registered to participate in the cross-Vietnam trip in early April, the departure date wasn't until nearly early July. After several months of struggling with her resolve, Cúc finally made her decision. She then began her journey on June 26, 2019, and returned to Ho Chi Minh City in mid-August of the same year.

This 50-day cross-Vietnam trip covered over 3,000 km, with Cuc visiting places she never set foot in before, such as Hue, Da Nang, Quang Binh, Quy Nhon, and Ca Mau... The journey started in Hanoi and ended in Ca Mau, with the participation of many young people from all over the country.

Throughout the journey, Cúc created many memories. Each day, she explored new provinces and cities, savored delicious food, and discovered local culture. All her fatigue was dispelled.

The most common difficulties encountered were falling behind the group, harsh weather, bicycle breakdowns, and exhaustion… Despite the many difficulties along the way, Cúc always received help from every member of the group.

Perhaps the most unforgettable incident was when Cúc's group members were involved in an accident near Cửa Lò beach, leaving two members unconscious and hospitalized, and their vehicle severely damaged. They spent several days in Nghệ An for observation before the group could continue their journey to the next destination.

Regarding the trip's expenses, Cúc spent approximately 15 million VND. She often chose to stay in shared homestay rooms to save money. Cúc also only cycled about 100 km per day to ensure her health and time for exploration. Furthermore, cycling during the hottest time of the year meant that sun protection and covering up were essential precautions.

To make the trip more economical in terms of both time and money, Cúc and the members of the group all made clear plans of destinations and travel dates.

While you're healthy and young, you should travel.

"Each of us usually only gets one chance in a lifetime. If you don't have money, borrow it, travel, and pay it back. Start by experiencing things first, then have more trips focused on enjoyment," Cúc shared.

From start to finish of her cross-Vietnam cycling journey, Cúc was always mindful of three things. First, once you've started a cross-Vietnam trip, you have to see it through to the end; you can't give up. Second, if others can do it, so can you. Third, you always have companions—brothers, sisters, and friends—who encourage you. All of these are the motivations that helped her complete her journey.

Looking back on that trip, Cúc has no regrets. Although she returned broke and tanned, every time she recalls it, the memories of that day come flooding back, filled with joy and many fond recollections, reminding her of a time of youthful enthusiasm.

Over 3,000 km on a bicycle, conquering every road along the S-shaped country of Vietnam. The places Cúc visited, the new friends she met, and the diverse range of emotions she experienced are precious memories and a solid foundation for future adventures.

"Young people can eat half a meal, sleep half a night, but they can't go halfway or love with half a heart," Cúc concluded.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao