Life slows down in the West
For Mr. Duong, this trip is to “draw” a complete map of Vietnam. Unlike the lands he has explored before such as the Northeast, Central and East Truong Son, the Southwest with its mainly plain terrain offers more diverse terrain.
Mr. Nguyen The Duong has turned his backpacking trips into journeys of discovery and creativity.
“The most wonderful thing is the peaceful feeling when passing through the golden rice fields in large rice granaries such as An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap. That is the time to watch the sunset on the fragrant rice fields when stopping by the roadside with my brothers. The wind power fields in Bac Lieu and Tra Vinh remind me of the image of pinwheels from my childhood. In particular, Ca Mau Cape - the southernmost point of the Fatherland, always makes every Vietnamese want to set foot there at least once in their life. The wild scenery with the lush green of the forest on both sides of the road is so attractive, many times, my brothers and I stopped by the roadside to relax and breathe the fresh air of the forest before continuing the journey,” Mr. Duong shared.
Ta Pa Field (Tri Ton, An Giang)
Coc Pagoda (Tinh Bien, An Giang)
Being a photography enthusiast himself, Mr. Duong spent a lot of time carefully researching the most beautiful photo locations in the provinces and cities. From learning about the direction of the sun, the golden time (sunrise or sunset) to planning a reasonable trip, he hopes this trip will bring the whole group impressive photos and memorable experiences.
To ensure the trip is both healthy and allows them to explore all the beauty along the way, Mr. Duong's group travels about 200-300 km each day, equivalent to 8-9 hours of driving. This is a distance suitable for the group's ability, allowing them enough time to rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Som Rong Pagoda (Soc Trang)
Ta Pa Pagoda (Tri Ton, An Giang)
From the bustling city of Saigon, Mr. Duong and his motorbike traveled through 13 provinces in the West: Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Can Tho, Tra Vinh and Ben Tre... Each land has its own beauty, but perhaps An Giang has left the deepest impression in his heart. Mr. Duong confided: "An Giang always makes me feel special, because every time I visit, the weather is wonderfully beautiful. Thanks to that, I have had impressive photos that I have long dreamed of taking."
“While my brothers were still sleeping, at 4:30 a.m., I set off to the photo shoot location. The legendary palm trees and fields in the Tra Su Melaleuca forest (Tinh Bien district, An Giang) are places not to be missed if you want to hunt for sunrise photos. That day, I enjoyed the wonderful sunrise moments with my beloved car,” Mr. Duong added.
Silk Road (Tri Ton, An Giang)
Tri Ton Heaven Gate (An Giang)
Bac Lieu Wind Power
Pocket travel experience in the West for the perfect trip
With a cost of 4 million VND/car, Mr. Duong's group's trip was full of interesting experiences. To save both time and money, detailed planning is extremely important. The group made a list of places they wanted to go, restaurants they wanted to enjoy, and hotels they wanted to stay in. With the help of navigation apps and a wealth of useful information online, planning became easier than ever. The cost of each trip can vary depending on each person's interests and financial capabilities. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and satisfied with your trip.
Road to Ca Mau Cape
Le Tri Lake (Tri Ton, An Giang)
Regarding the number of members, Mr. Duong thinks that 4-6 cars is the ideal number to ensure flexibility and create a fun atmosphere. Too many people will make moving more difficult, while too few people will lose the excitement of the trip.
As the group leader and planner for most trips, Mr. Duong always focuses on building a detailed itinerary for each day. This helps the group move smoothly and save time. Thanks to the Cardo walkie-talkie, communication between members is always guaranteed, minimizing unexpected situations.
Ta Pa Lake (Tri Ton, An Giang)
Bau Hoang Church (Tieu Can, Tra Vinh)
During long trips, encountering problems such as nail punctures is inevitable. However, with the experience accumulated from previous trips and enthusiastic support from members, they always quickly resolve arising problems. Repair kits brought with the vehicle such as jacks, pumps, and tire patches are indispensable items, helping them feel more confident on every journey.
Mr. Duong advised that a small note for backpackers is to regularly check the fuel level and fill up the tank when it is 50% or less, especially when the vehicles in the group have different fuel tank capacities. This helps ensure a smooth journey and avoid situations where you run out of fuel midway.
Mac Bac Church (Tieu Can, Tra Vinh)
Nam Can Church (Ca Mau)
According to Mr. Duong, those who are just starting to explore the West should prioritize traveling on national and provincial highways. Avoid going on small, narrow roads with few people, unless you are an experienced backpacker. Always have the phone numbers of local rescue services ready in case of emergency.
The road network in the West has improved significantly in recent years. However, to ensure safety, you should limit driving at night and avoid going into the city on Sunday afternoons. Reasonable travel planning will help you avoid rush hours and enjoy the trip to the fullest.
Tra Su Melaleuca Forest (Tinh Bien, An Giang)
In the distance is the Southernmost Point of Vietnam
