Meet the young man who traveled to 22 provinces and cities in Vietnam in 10 days

Journey to make dreams come true

Solo backpacking is no longer a strange journey for Trong Kha. Last year, on the occasion of April 30 and May 1, he made his first trip of 1,000 km, traveling from Saigon through Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa and then returning to Bao Loc (Lam Dong) - Saigon in 4 days and 3 nights.

The memory of that first trip is still fresh in Trong Kha’s mind. Together with his companions, he cherished the plan for a longer journey, going from South to North. However, due to work and time constraints, that plan remained unfinished.

At the end of April 2024, after completing a work assignment in Hanoi that lasted more than 6 months, Trong Kha had some free time to pack his luggage and start a new journey. This time, his destination was Ho Chi Minh City, where he had lived and worked for a long time.

“At that time, I thought, since it was a holiday, why not take advantage of this opportunity to both travel and 'go home' to fulfill my cherished dream? The idea flashed through my mind, and I couldn't find any other reason to hesitate. So I arranged everything from work to my personal schedule to ensure that the trip took place at the exact time I wanted,” Trong Kha recalled.

Before starting the journey across Vietnam of more than 2,000 km, Trong Kha spent about two weeks to carefully prepare everything. He understands that a long trip requires careful preparation to ensure safety and the best experiences.

Trong Kha plans each day in detail, including destinations, travel time, accommodation... He also anticipates unforeseen circumstances and makes backup plans for those situations. Making a detailed schedule helps him make the most of his time, avoid waste and have the most enjoyable experiences at each destination.

Motorcycles are a reliable companion throughout the journey, so Trong Kha always pays attention to regular maintenance of the vehicle. Before the trip, he carefully checks all parts, replaces necessary spare parts and attaches some tools for repairing the vehicle along the way.

“One interesting thing is that I consulted many people who have experience wearing armor when moving. I think it is a safe and 'cool' option. I decided to run leisurely, prioritize comfort and familiarity, so I decided to just wear clothes like I would when meeting friends every day, paying attention to covering up to avoid the heat. In addition, I brought a lot of clothes, enough for 10 days, including running clothes. My point of view is that it is better to carry heavy clothes than to wear clothes that do not look good,” Trong Kha said.

In addition, Trong Kha also consulted experienced backpackers to choose the appropriate route, make detailed plans and prepare necessary items. He also learned about the culture and customs of the localities he would pass through.

Every journey, a new perspective

Before starting his journey across Vietnam, Trong Kha had made a detailed plan including the provinces and destinations he would visit. However, throughout the journey, he also opened his heart to welcome surprises.

The “unplanned” destinations were often introduced by local friends or randomly chosen by Trong Kha. Looking back on his journey, he realized that the unplanned destinations often brought him the most interesting and memorable experiences.

The reason for this is probably because these places are less known to tourists, preserving the wild and rustic beauty of Vietnam. Among many destinations, Trong Kha prioritizes choosing places near the travel route, with historical value or allowing him to admire the majestic nature.

“When passing through Ha Tinh/Quang Binh, I will stop by Deo Ngang in the late afternoon because it appears in a poem by Ba Huyen Thanh Quan. And when passing through Quang Tri, I want to stop by Thach Han, on the bank of Hien Luong/17th Parallel”, Trong Kha confided.

In 10 days with a journey of 2,585 km, Trong Kha went through 22 provinces and cities, including: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Lam Dong, Ho Chi Minh City...

Trong Kha's trip across Vietnam went quite smoothly, with almost no difficulties encountered. Rain and harsh sunlight are inevitable on a long journey and he had mentally prepared for these challenges before departure.

However, there were also some minor problems that occurred during the trip. Due to some previous destinations, Trong Kha had to stay longer than expected or shorten the visit time, some appointments with friends were missed or had to be rescheduled to other locations.

At first, Trong Kha was a little sad because he could not meet his friends as planned. But then, he looked at this in a positive light. Instead of trying to race against time to meet the appointment on time, he enjoyed the unexpected experience that these changes brought.

It can be said that this trip is like an exciting adventure, where Trong Kha constantly discovers new things and meets new people. Postponing the appointment is also like a way for him to "chase" his friends, creating unforgettable memories for both of them.

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The journey of “happiness” and “freedom”

“Happy” - that is the adjective Trong Kha used to describe his adventurous journey. Happiness comes from the cherished idea, careful planning and the joy of making the trip.

When returning to Ho Chi Minh City, Trong Kha's stop was the Independence Palace. This place is not only a famous tourist destination but also a symbol of independence - something Trong Kha always cherishes and pursues in life.

The feeling of freedom after 10 days of adventure combined with the historical significance of the Independence Palace brought Trong Kha an extremely happy experience. This journey is a testament to his passion for discovery and his desire for freedom.

Freedom to roam on new roads, freedom to experience new things and freedom to fully feel the beauty of the country. Happiness in knowing that you have dared to think, dared to do and completed a meaningful journey. Happiness in knowing that you have become more mature, stronger and more confident after each step on the adventurous journey. Happiness is simply being able to live, to feel and to experience the wonderful things that life brings.

“This feeling is not only the feeling of the day we arrived, but I feel happy in every place I passed, every kilometer I ran. Every time I cried with emotion in Truong Son or in front of the Mother Thu monument. Every time I smelled the scent of ripe rice fields or the feeling of walking in the first rain of the season in Quang Ngai - Kon Tum. And also when I looked up and saw the first sun appearing at Mui Dien”, Trong Kha recounted.

After 10 days of traveling across the country with a total distance of 2,585 km, Trong Kha realized many changes in himself. The biggest change was that his love for his homeland and country became even stronger. The beauty of the majestic, poetic nature and the sincere, hospitable Vietnamese people throughout the journey made him appreciate and be proud of his homeland even more.

Besides, the solo trip gave Trong Kha more time to face himself, answer more questions to understand more about himself, and discover new perspectives. He realized that he was independent and appreciated the feeling of freedom that this journey brought.

“Going alone on this journey is an active choice. I have a lot of time to talk to myself, ask many questions, then answer them, spend time to think and understand many things. At the same time, I also understand that even though I am not with you, I have many relatives waiting to see my photos at home and often start with a message: Where are you, Kha?” Trong Kha shared.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai