Among the large community of monotonous Travel Bloggers, OntheMars stands out as a different highlight. Not too flashy or noisy, the gentle and somewhat ethereal style "like on Mars" of the couple is loved by many people. OntheMars draws a series of dreamy travel journeys through a visual language with its own mark..

OntheMars is a Facebook page founded by two members, Do An Ninh and Tran Doan Sang, in 2020. Both were born in 1994, work freelance, currently live in Hanoi, and share a passion for traveling.

The name OntheMars makes many people curious. Actually, it is simply the result of the idea agreed upon by both people about a space that is both near and far. OntheMars wants followers to be able to go to a strange space with the roads they have traveled, the lands they have set foot on, the people they have met… through a gentle, sweet but also inspiring perspective.

Meeting in 2019 on the same trip to Hue with a group of friends, An Ninh & Doan Sang felt the same travel taste. In 2020, they both built the OntheMars fanpage to share their experiences. Over the past 3 years, not counting the pandemic, the couple has conquered nearly 20 countries around the world.

The two guys have created their own unique travel style, not only through their travels, but also through the content they share. An Ninh & Doan Sang do not review their journeys “according to a formula”, but share their experiences and the practical knowledge they have accumulated. Along with their “eye-catching” photos, the couple has attracted a large number of followers. “Just looking at them, you will immediately know that these photos were taken by OntheMars”, is probably what the two are most confident about when talking about storytelling through their images.

PV: Many people nowadays choose “solo travel” as their own style. For An Ninh and Sang, what is more interesting and special about traveling “together”?

OntheMars:In the past, Ninh often traveled alone. It is easy to see that the good thing about traveling alone is that you can do what you like, go where you want to go, and rest whenever you want. Free, independent, and can do what you want to do without hesitation.

When I met Sang and had more companions on my later journeys, I realized that “it’s nice to travel together!”. Instead of lying under the blanket alone after a long day, now I have companions to share my joys and sorrows with. In addition, recently I often go on tours or plan a program and invite everyone to join. Going with two people, or with many people, can help each other throughout the journey. It is normal to be tired during the trip, but if there is someone by my side to overcome it, it will definitely be better. The most important thing is still the joy of the trip, because everyone can talk and laugh together throughout the journey.

An Ninh mainly focuses on researching the destination before the trip, then builds the content for the two people's channel. Doan Sang is in charge of the visual side. Previously, Sang was a wedding photographer, but gradually felt the rhythm of work was repetitive so he switched to travel photography. By chance, after the trip with the team to Hue - the first time, we found that we were very compatible in travel style. Sang likes to take photos for others, doesn't like to appear much. As for me, I like to be photographed, so I almost "take over" the posts. This compensation helps the two become a very compatible travel couple.

PV: Most of the trips that OntheMars shares are to remote and seemingly less safe destinations. How did the travel journey and the times of “opening up to prejudice” happen?

OntheMars:Instead of choosing destinations that many people flock to, we look for less popular places. When people hear about destinations like Pakistan, Iran, etc., they usually think of war, terrorism, bombings - not so good prospects. At first, the motivation for the trips was just because we were too fascinated by the beauty of that country, but then we wanted to go to 'eliminate' the prejudices that people have attached to these lands.

I really like to learn about destinations, so before traveling anywhere, I will spend time reading related information. For example, on the trip to Iran, I spent 3 weeks just reading about the history, culture, and people there until I was fascinated. Although I can't remember everything, I can use the materials I have learned to compare with the actual journey. There is a lot of negative information that sometimes makes me hesitate, but once I start the journey, I am no longer afraid.

I just finished a 2-week trip to Iran, the kindness of people made me a bit "overwhelmed". Just going out on the street, looking a bit absent-minded, the locals "grabbed" me to help immediately. When I intended to take a taxi to an off-schedule destination, a sister came to talk and helped me negotiate the price with the driver. Or during my trip to Pakistan last year, when I was wandering lost in the peach blossom forest, the locals invited me into the garden to admire the flowers and take pictures as much as I wanted. When saying goodbye, they even packed dried fruit for me to take home... Along the journey, I was lucky to meet lovely, kind people. This really gave me a different perspective on the information I accessed online.

Perhaps we need to be more open-minded about destinations labeled “less safe” and find ways to filter information more effectively. Ninh often looks for information on reputable travel sites, Tripadvisor, Facebook groups, watches Youtube or asks people who have been there to get the most realistic information. Avoid articles related to extreme politics, so as not to be negatively affected by the destination.

PV: OntheMars often shares very beautiful content, both in terms of content and images. Is it "pinkening" the perspective of followers, when there is still not much beautiful information that has never been mentioned?

OntheMars:Most of the content I share is positive, from the images to the content. In fact, most of my experiences are very cute, but there are also unforgettable stories. I share very real things, so in addition to looking at the photos, don't forget to read the short content in the articles or captions on each photo.

I still cannot forget how moved I was when I was immersed in the sea of ​​cherry blossoms in Hunza Valley, Pakistan. I was absorbed in that beautiful scene every second, meeting the honest and lovely people. But to have those moments, I also had to go through the suffocating feeling in the middle of the exhaust-filled Lahore and tiptoeing suffocatingly in the middle of the gun-filled Islamabad (literally).

The first few nights after arriving in Pakistan, I had to have the hotel security guard accompany me when I wanted to go out to buy medicine. When I went to the pharmacy, there was also a security guard standing outside with a big gun. Actually, it was all for everyone’s safety, but at first I was a bit nervous because of the surroundings.

Or during the fun days in Northern Iran, our team had a pretty bad experience with the driver. On the way to the airport to fly back to the South, he stopped the car in front of the airport entrance, locked the door with the reason that the land tour company had not paid the difference in cost. I immediately called the land tour to confirm and found out that they had paid all the costs according to the signed contract. The two sides argued, and finally the tour guide and I were so tired that we called the police. At that time, we were afraid that the driver would not open the door to let us get off, but after a police officer arrived and explained, he got in the car and escorted the whole group to the airport.

It was a heart-stopping moment for me, but the whole team still teased each other, “This scene happened so fast, it didn’t even reach the climax and it was already the end!”. Sometimes life is not as we expected, but it is the unexpected incidents that make OnthemMars’ journey more memorable.

Thank you Travellive readers for listening to our sharing!