There is no need to travel to distant foreign lands, Vietnam is a hidden treasure trove of captivating beauty. Therefore, when the camping trend becomes more and more popular among the young community, perhaps we implicitly understand the desire to take a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life to find peace of mind, to indulge in thoughts amidst the world of trees, mountains and hills.
In this article, let's join Lam Van Tam - a "camper" guy from Saigon, on a 33-day camping trip across Vietnam.
Journey in search of peace
Tam’s trip started from Saigon, headed straight to the Northwest, turned to the Northeast and then followed the coastal routes of the Central region to return. In more than a month of traveling on a self-driving pickup truck, accompanied by close friends throughout the 6,500 km journey, he visited dozens of locations from the South to the North.
"The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience with many emotions. I got to do what I love, relax in nature and completely separate myself from the pressures of work" - Tam shared.
Sometimes it is Ha Giang with its vast green plateau, sometimes it is Ta Xua with clouds floating on the mountain top, sometimes it is Cao Bang with its babbling streams mixed with the chirping of birds or Binh Dinh with the sound of waves lapping and the wind caressing the skin. Each stop of the journey across Vietnam brings the young man different emotions: joy, emotion, excitement..., but never lacking the feeling of peace and relaxation that nature bestows.
When asked about one of the most memorable memories, Tam immediately told about the route Ha Giang - Ma Pi Leng - Meo Vac - Dong Van.
"That day, when it was getting dark, driving on the mountain pass was quite dangerous, so I chose to stop on Hanh Phuc Road. This is the first civilian road connecting Ha Giang with Meo Vac, built on the sweat and blood of more than 1,200 laborers and more than 1,000 youth volunteers more than 60 years ago. Resting in front of the monument of the heroes who opened Hanh Phuc Road, I felt very moved and truly grateful."
"After many hours of driving, I often spend time enjoying the beautiful scenery, cooking, taking pictures, making coffee, reading books, or simply chatting with friends. All fatigue seems to be completely dispelled."
Challenging roads
Behind the journey with peaceful and relaxing moments, Tam's trip also had many difficulties, mostly due to weather factors. He said that every time it rained, the car was passing through high red soil mountains, the road became very slippery and dangerous. Therefore, being mentally prepared, having good driving skills and necessary support items such as winches and mud-proofing plates was extremely important.
Once, his car fell into a big hole, but luckily because it was a long-distance vehicle, the problem was quickly resolved.
Besides, camping in the Northwest also let him experience the cold of the northernmost region of the country in spring - something that never happened in the familiar warm and sunny South.
"Even many nights we slept in tents in the cold of only 1 degree" - he recounted.
Tam shared that for long trips, being physically fit is extremely important. The items you bring also need to be carefully calculated, including camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, lamps, cooking utensils including stoves, grills, pots and pans, etc., along with other necessary items such as personal hygiene items, first aid, waterproof clothing, spare batteries, etc. You should also maintain and ensure that the vehicle is in the best condition, so that no problems can arise when traveling long distances. If you do not have much experience in long-distance camping, plan each destination in detail to have the smoothest and most desirable experience.
The last thing Mr. Tam wants to tell readers - "one extremely important thing that I want to advise you on your trips is to be conscious of keeping the places you pass by clean. Only then will the beauty of each new location be preserved and continue to be explored."
“To walk in nature is to lead the soul home” - Mary Davis
