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Wandering through Mongolia, staying in yurts, drinking reindeer milk, admiring the sacred Jargant River that has never frozen below -50 degrees Celsius, and immersing herself in the adventurous world of the last remaining nomadic tribe on Earth – that was the spectacular journey of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hue, a 60-year-old woman.
60-year-old legs
Sharing her travel experiences with Travellive, Ms. Hue revealed that her passport has been used to travel to over 20 countries. Twenty years ago, she began her journey in Europe after encountering travel stories in books and magazines, and admiring the beautiful scenes of countries beyond her borders in films. And as she approached 60, her desire to travel intensified, yearning for spontaneous, unconventional paths and experiential travel. As if by fate, Ms. Hue was captivated by the cultural heritage and millennia-old natural wonders of the mysterious land of Mongolia.
Ms. Hue was fascinated by the cultural heritage and millennia-old natural wonders of the mysterious country of Mongolia.
"People often say that no one would go to Mongolia in winter; just hearing about the -40°C cold makes me think twice. Because of my age, I have age-related ailments like herniated discs and joint problems." But despite these hesitations, with only two weeks left before departure, Mrs. Hue and her daughter, Diep Anh, decided to undertake this adventurous journey. Before leaving, Mrs. Hue had to prepare herself for one of the most challenging journeys with temperatures as low as -40°C. She started supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals. A comprehensive health check was also an indispensable step.
Before setting off, Ms. Hue had to prepare herself physically for one of the most arduous journeys, with temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
Mongolia -40 degrees Celsius
The plane landed in the capital Ulaanbaatar, and Ms. Hue had to acclimate to the -15°C cold before beginning her journey across the northern part of the country, traversing snow-covered steppes. Under the vast, clear blue sky, she visited the statue of Genghis Khan. There, it is still said that he was given a golden whip by the gods to spur his horse on to perform miracles for the steppe and for the world.
Recalling the trip, Mrs. Hue still harbors an indescribable excitement: "I've always loved travelogues and history. Hearing the story of Genghis Khan becoming the first emperor of the Mongol Empire made me understand why he is the most revered figure among the Mongols. Every day, every taboo, even the festival related to the umbilical cord he wore, has been celebrated for generations."
Under the vast, azure sky, she visited the statue of Genghis Khan.
As they traveled further north, the group gradually left behind the cities and towns with modern amenities, and the temperature steadily dropped. Under the same sky, each stop was a completely different encounter with nature for Mrs. Hue. Outside the car window, the vast desert, sand dunes, and bone-chilling winds did not tire her in the slightest.
The initial chill of -15°C gradually subsided as the vehicle traveled closer to the Taiga forest near the Russian border. The journey reached its most perilous point when the entire group faced days with temperatures dropping below -40°C. Upon arriving at Tsagaan Nuur village (the reindeer village), the first difficulty Ms. Hue and the group encountered was the lack of water for bathing.
The people here obtain water for daily use by digging a hole in the frozen river and carrying it back to the village, which is why water is extremely scarce. But that didn't stop the 60-year-old woman from being deeply moved by this country. Silently gazing into the distance, the snow-capped mountain peaks stood majestically against the horizon. Inside the pine forest, she was delighted to see, for the first time, a herd of reindeer standing still in the thin, fluffy mist, slowly gliding through the white pine branches.
The memories of her journey to the reindeer tribe still stir Mrs. Hue's heart whenever she thinks about them.
Each stretch of road seemed to unfold before her eyes as she recounted the journey vividly, her voice filled with undisguised excitement: "Because it was winter, the reindeer tribe lived near the edge of the forest, so it only took two hours by car to get there. Even so, to reach this place, the group had to travel along arduous roads for two days, sometimes for half a day without seeing a single person. There was absolutely no human intervention here; both the car and the people bounced along as we entered this incredibly pristine place."
My heart is only twenty years old.
Despite having traveled to countless countries before, for Ms. Hue, stepping into Mongolia in winter was a dreamlike journey. A journey of pure serenity, yet imbued with the robust, adventurous spirit of this vast land. Snow, white as cotton, covered the paths leading past the traditional tents of the Tsaatan tribe. The biting cold couldn't diminish the happiness that permeated every cell of this woman from a tropical land like Ms. Hue.
"Everyone said they admired me immensely, which made me very happy. Even though I was the only older person in the group, I never felt any distance between us. And luckily, I wasn't a burden to the group. The further we traveled, the healthier I felt, and the more magnificent scenery I saw, the more energized I became."
Throughout the journey, the optimistic spirit of a 60-year-old woman impressed everyone in the group.
Ms. Hue said that she had never been on a trip where she only met so many young people. The vibrant and sincere energy of youth made her realize that her heart remains young. She can do what young people can do too. Because as she gets older, she worries about becoming a burden, but the kind words from her young companions have strengthened her belief. She is not only a woman who transcends age, but also a source of motivation and a representative of tireless steps.
The kind words from her younger companions strengthened her resolve.
Throughout the journey, the optimistic spirit of this 60-year-old woman impressed everyone in the group. Sharing with Travellive, Ms. Hue said that in the future she hopes to experience similar journeys with younger people: "I told my friends that I must travel with young people at least once. Thanks to the joyful energy of these young travelers, I believe I will be even happier and healthier to experience and enjoy life."
Amidst the concerns of many who see their parents and grandparents still wanting to travel in their old age, Mrs. Hue is a testament to the ageless spirit of freedom.
