Following a camping journey across Vietnam.

There's no need to travel to distant foreign lands; Vietnam is a treasure trove of captivating beauty. Therefore, as camping becomes increasingly popular among young people, it's perhaps understandable that they yearn for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life to find peace of mind, to immerse themselves in contemplation amidst the world of plants, trees, and mountains.

In this article, join Lam Van Tam, a camper from Saigon, on his 33-day camping trip across Vietnam.

A journey in search of peace

Tam's journey began in Saigon, heading straight to the Northwest, then turning towards the Northeast, and finally following the coastal roads of Central Vietnam on his way back. In over a month of traveling in his self-driving pickup truck, accompanied by close friends and family along the 6,500 km journey, he visited dozens of places from South to North.

"The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with a wide range of emotions. I got to do what I love, relax in nature, and completely escape from the pressures of work," Tâm shared.

Sometimes it's Ha Giang with its vast, verdant plateaus, sometimes Ta Xua with its fluffy clouds clinging to the mountain peaks, sometimes Cao Bang with its babbling streams harmonizing with the chirping of birds, or Binh Dinh with its gentle waves and caressing breezes. Each stop on his cross-Vietnam journey brought the young man different emotions: joy, emotion, excitement..., but never without the peaceful and tranquil feeling that nature bestows.

When asked about one of her most memorable experiences, Tam immediately recounted the journey through Ha Giang - Ma Pi Leng - Meo Vac - Dong Van.

"That day, as dusk was falling, driving on the mountain pass was quite dangerous, so I chose to stop on the Happiness Road. This is the first rural road connecting Ha Giang with Meo Vac, built with the sweat and blood of over 1,200 laborers and more than 1,000 volunteer youth over 60 years ago. Resting before the monument to the heroes who contributed to building the Happiness Road, I felt very moved and truly grateful."

Challenging routes

Behind the journey filled with peaceful and relaxing moments, Tâm's trip also faced many difficulties, mostly due to the weather. He said that whenever it rained, the road became very slippery and dangerous while crossing high mountains with red soil. Therefore, being mentally prepared, having solid driving skills, and having necessary support equipment such as winches and anti-mud mats were extremely important.

On one occasion, his car fell into a large pothole, but luckily, due to the nature of long-distance travel, the problem was quickly resolved.

In addition, camping in Northwest Vietnam also gave him the experience of the intense cold of the northernmost region of the country in spring – something he would never experience in the familiar warm and sunny South.

"There were even nights when we slept in tents in temperatures as low as 1 degree Celsius," he recounted.

Tam shared that for long trips, having good physical fitness is extremely important. The items to bring also need to be carefully planned, including camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, lamps, cooking equipment including stoves, grills, pots and pans, and other necessary items such as personal hygiene products, first aid supplies, waterproof clothing, and power banks. It's also important to maintain and ensure that the vehicle is in top condition to avoid any problems during long journeys. If you don't have much experience with long-distance camping, plan each destination in detail to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Finally, Mr. Tâm wants to convey a message to readers – "a very important piece of advice I want to give you on your trips is to be mindful of keeping the places you visit clean by tidying up. Only then will the beauty of each place be preserved and continue to be discovered."

Ha Thu (Photo: Lam Van Tam)