Over 100 days of solo travel across mountain passes in Vietnam by a tech girl.

Stepping away from algorithms and chatbot scripts, this tech-savvy girl wrote her own script for her 100-day solo journey of a lifetime.

"I understand the world, but I don't yet know Vietnam."

Chung Pham (1996) is no novice in the world of travel. She cycled across Vietnam in 2020 and drove over 10,000 km across the deserts and coastlines of Australia in 2023. However, amidst the constant algorithms and stable numbers in her office, a question prompted her to stop: "I've traveled far enough to understand the world, but have I gone deep enough to understand where I was born?"

Before leaving, Chung worked in the technology sector as an AI Bot Manager at a local company – a stable job with a clear income and a life that could be described as "on track." She loved technology, but was also driven by a desire for change. Amidst the familiar streams of data and the routines of work, the need to step outside, to connect with the real world, became increasingly clear.

The moment she decided to leave her "comfort zone" came very gently. Chung chose a car as her companion, over 100 days as her benchmark, and a slow pace as her guiding principle. She wanted to experience Vietnam not through a screen, but through the very breath of each region, from the waterways of An Giang, the coastal roads of Central Vietnam through Nghe An, to the highlands of the North such as Son La, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang… That journey also took her to the roads around Ngu Chi Son, where mountains are layered, clouds cover the landscape year-round, and each bend is a test of both driving skills and composure. “The trip wasn’t about escaping life, but about expanding it,” Chung Pham said.

Chung's choice to travel alone inevitably caused anxiety from her family. A young woman driving alone across Vietnam for three months, traversing mountain passes and challenging terrain, was not a decision that would initially reassure her loved ones. But after many conversations, they gradually understood that this wasn't a momentary impulse, but a carefully considered and seriously prepared journey. The worry ceased to be a hindrance, becoming an invisible support system that made her slow down, be more cautious, but never stop.

Walking alone through the vast forest

For a woman driving alone for three months, the biggest fear isn't the mountain passes or the rain. Vietnam stretches across a constantly changing landscape, from highways and national roads to the coast, highlands, riverine areas, and the northern mountain ranges. Each leg of the journey presents a different challenge, not only in driving skills but also in adaptability and judgment. Traveling across Vietnam alone during the final months of the year, the season of typhoons in the central region and frost in the highlands, is a harsh psychological test. The fear isn't in the road itself, but in the unknown things that lie ahead.

“There are mountain passes in the North where darkness falls in an instant. On one side is a sheer cliff, on the other a bottomless abyss. The fog is so thick that even a car just 3 meters ahead becomes invisible. In the 'absolute silence' of the vast forest, with no phone signal and no houses in sight, the only things I hear are the steady sound of the engine and my own heartbeat,” Chung Pham shared with Travellive.

The journey wasn't always smooth. There were moments that made Chung truly pause, not because he wanted to stop, but because he had to be more cautious. Sometimes the wheels would veer off the edge of the road when the shoulder was too narrow; even a small deviation was enough to make his heart stop. There were stretches of mountain pass under construction, rain falling and darkness falling, the headlights of oncoming vehicles shining directly into his eyes—both a signal of life ahead and a momentary blur of the road.

One of her most memorable experiences was her trip to Cu Vai village (Yen Bai province), a village perched high in the mountains, where the slopes are almost vertical. On a narrow and slippery road, her motorbike unexpectedly slipped into a ditch, causing her to panic in the deserted mountains. Fortunately, the villagers stopped to help, working together to get the motorbike back up. That moment transformed the journey from a challenge into a lasting impression of the genuine warmth of human kindness in the highlands.

Many times, she had to travel along routes where information was almost entirely fragmented, with different directions given everywhere, and nothing reliable enough to fully trust. This feeling of uncertainty meant that every decision had to rely on intuition and real-world experience, because only when one arrived at the destination did things gradually become clear. And sometimes, what made people hesitate wasn't the slope, the rain, or the darkness, but the gap of the unknown waiting ahead. But it was in those moments that Chung learned a simple lesson: panic doesn't solve problems; only calmness will help you move forward.

In those moments of uncertainty, Chung learned to confront panic with remarkable calmness. She realized that navigating a hairpin bend or a landslide-affected section of road wasn't just about driving skill, but about establishing self-confidence.

The journey of over three and a half months was therefore measured not only by distance, but by the experiences that remained. Vietnam is no longer just a name on a geographical map, but by the kindness of strangers along the way, by the stories told directly by the campfire in the highlands, and by the routes where information can only be verified by one's own presence. The trip changed this tech girl in the most profound way. She returned with a different mindset: more mature in her understanding, more tolerant in her emotions, and possessing a knowledge that no longer lies in books, but is ingrained in her very being.

“Don’t wait until you’re no longer afraid to begin, because the journey itself will be the cure for weakness. When your love for the land is strong enough, you will always find a way. And when you return, you will realize that you have not only come to a new place, but have truly become a new person – braver and freer than ever before,” Chung Pham further shared.

Tips for a solo trip across Vietnam

Health is always the number one priority:A cross-Vietnam journey isn't just about driving skills; it's also a test of physical endurance. You might travel between 70 and 350 km each day, so maintaining your stamina is crucial. Get enough sleep, and absolutely do not drive when you're tired, especially when you're sleepy. Stop and rest before continuing. Additionally, prepare a basic first-aid kit: fever reducer, headache medicine, digestive aids, eye drops, bandages, etc., to be prepared for any situation.

The car must be truly "ready to go":Before the trip, vehicle maintenance is mandatory. Thoroughly check the tires, brakes, lighting system, engine oil, coolant, etc., to avoid unnecessary problems along the way. A few small but essential items such as a dashcam, emergency hammer, reflective triangle, or jumper cables can also be lifesavers in unexpected situations.

A well-planned itinerary is key to a successful trip:Arranging destinations in geographical order not only saves time and money but also conserves energy for a long journey. Each region has its own characteristics: the North has many mountain passes, fog, and early darkness; the Central region has long mountain passes, deserted roads, and harsh weather; the South is flatter but prone to heavy rain and flooding.

Therefore, it's advisable to avoid driving on mountain passes at night and try to reach your destination before 5 or 6 PM. These things may sound very "theoretical," but only when you actually experience them do you realize how important they are for ensuring safety throughout the journey.

The costs need to be clearly calculated:For this cross-Vietnam trip, Chung Pham estimated the total cost to be around 200 million VND, a considerable sum, but entirely worthwhile for a long journey filled with experiences. This includes fuel, road tolls, food, accommodation, entrance fees, and even souvenirs to bring back after each stop. Although she had a plan from the start, she always kept an additional 10-20% as a contingency fund to handle unforeseen situations, as unexpected events are inevitable on long journeys.

Define your own travel style:There's more than one way to experience Vietnam through travel. Some people like to check in at famous landmarks, while others want to delve into traditional craft villages, learn about local specialties, and understand how people create value from their work and products. There are also journeys that dedicate more time to exploring history, culture, and people. The important thing is to understand what you want so that each stop is truly meaningful.

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.

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