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Viewing Vietnam from a new perspective.
Although she only started her cross-Vietnam journey in June 2023, Ha Ma Day has had extensive experience traveling by motorbike since 2019. Her passion for exploring new routes, immersing herself in nature, and experiencing different cultures has driven her to undertake these exciting trips.
Perhaps there's no specific reason for this second cross-Vietnam trip; it's simply that Ha Ma Day wants to explore places she's never been to before. June and July may not be the ideal months for backpackers due to heavy rains or intense heat, but she believes that each season has its own unique beauty.
Ha Ma Day (born in 2000) embarked on a spectacular adventure, conquering more than 20 provinces and the "four great mountain passes" in 15 days.
The Hippopotamus's itinerary is completely spontaneous.
“I traveled in June and July, during the rainy season, so many areas had landslides and muddy roads, making them very slippery. I mostly traveled on deserted routes. I went to remote villages, rarely to cities, and sometimes I even traveled on roads with no phone signal. Therefore, when I encountered problems, it was difficult to get timely assistance, which was the biggest challenge of traveling alone,” Ha Ma Day confided.
When people think of terraced rice fields, they usually picture vast fields of golden ripe rice. However, Ha Ma Day is drawn to the vibrant green of young rice plants and the somber gray of the soil. The faint scent of freshly planted seedlings is also one of the things that fascinates her.
A passion for exploring new routes.
Immerse yourself in nature.
Experience different cultures.
15-day solo trip covering over 5,000 km.
With her beloved Triumph motorbike, Ha Ma Day travels along sun-drenched roads, exploring famous landmarks and peaceful hidden corners of Vietnam. Her journey begins in Phan Thiet, following the beautiful coastal route of South Central Vietnam, through Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, Quang Nam, and finally to Hue.
The magnificent beauty of the South Central coast has left Ha Ma Day in awe. From the pristine Vinh Hy, the romantic Bai Thung, the majestic Ca Pass to the peaceful Vung Ro and the imposing Dai Lanh lighthouse, each place possesses its own unique beauty and irresistible charm.
The Triumph motorcycle - Hippo's companion.
After exploring the entire South Central coastal region, Ha Ma Day continued her journey to the Northwest via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, passing through Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Thanh Hoa. Having conquered the Northeast before, this time she was determined to conquer the legendary "four great mountain passes."
On the challenging Northwest Vietnam route, Ha Ma Day reached Pu Luong (Thanh Hoa), Van Yen wharf (Nghe An), conquered the "dinosaur spine" of Ta Xua (Son La) by motorbike, crossed Khau Pha Pass, Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai), Muong Than (Lai Chau), O Quy Ho Pass and Sapa (Lao Cai). Afterward, she returned south via the Ho Chi Minh Trail (West), conquering Pha Din Pass, Van Ho (Son La), and Mai Chau (Hoa Binh).
Roads filled with sunshine and wind.
Famous landmarks
Peaceful hidden corners
The journey along the Ho Chi Minh Trail (Western Route) brought Ha Ma Day many interesting experiences. From Phong Nha (Quang Binh) to Khe Sanh (Quang Tri), she almost completely lost contact due to the treacherous terrain. On the way from Hue to Quang Nam, the 2000-born traveler passed through the border between Vietnam and Laos via the two A Roang tunnels. Before returning to her starting point, she also visited Mang Den (Kon Tum), Ta Dung (Dak Nong), and Ho Chi Minh Trail.
“The most memorable moment of the trip was when I fell off my motorbike in Quang Nam while descending a mountain pass at night. There was no signal, no houses, and of course, no motorbikes on the mountain. That was the only night I rode at night, and I had an accident right in a muddy swamp that had slid down from the mountain. I couldn't even lift the motorbike up myself because the swamp was quite deep. Luckily, the area was near a town, so I went to a crossroads where I had a chance to meet people passing by, and fortunately, a local friend helped me,” Ha Ma Day recalled.
The journey to the Hippopotamus offers many interesting experiences.
Furthermore, because she doesn't follow a fixed schedule, Ha Ma Day lets herself be guided by unexpected experiences. Her "YOLO" lifestyle allows her to explore Vietnam in the most authentic and intimate way. "The itinerary and routes are all spontaneous. I love freedom; I don't like being bound by any framework, so I don't plan routes or accommodations in advance. I just stop wherever I like, visit, and rest," Ha Ma Day explains.
Hippo Day shared memorable moments from her journey on social media, attracting the attention of many young people. Her trip is a testament to a free-spirited lifestyle, daring to think outside the box and pursue one's passions. Hippo Day inspires everyone, especially young people, to bravely explore themselves and the world around them.
The Hippopotamus's Journey: This is a testament to a free-spirited lifestyle, daring to think outside the box and pursuing one's passions.
Tips for traveling alone safely
To make your solo journey more fulfilling and safe, keep these tips from Hippo Here in mind:
Equip yourself with basic first aid knowledge and skills so you can handle unexpected medical situations. Bring all necessary items for the trip such as medicine, tools for repairing your vehicle, a flashlight, spare batteries, etc. Also, bring enough water and snacks in case you are in a remote area.
You should share your daily itinerary, including travel times, places to visit, and places to stay, with family and friends so they can keep track of you. Keep the local police station's phone number and emergency contact information readily available in your wallet or attached to your backpack.
A complete and safe solo journey
