Minh traveled by tricycle through 32 provinces and cities before his birthday as a gift to himself after a long battle with an illness that left him in a wheelchair.
At the age of 12, Phan Vu Minh (32 years old, Vinh Long) was diagnosed as the second case in the country with spinal cord vascular malformation, for which there is currently no treatment. At the age of 20, his illness got worse, Minh could no longer walk and has been using a wheelchair ever since. He had to put aside his studies and leave Ho Chi Minh City to return to his hometown so his parents could support him.
After more than 10 years in a wheelchair, Minh has gotten used to his current life and is running a bonsai business to earn income. In 2017, he made his first long-distance trip since using a wheelchair to Bac Lieu and then other provinces and cities. “Whenever the trip is short, I go for a week, or longer, sometimes even a month. I want to go to see and explore new lands, to make up for the long period of being tied down by illness,” Minh said.
The vehicle Minh uses on every trip is a three-wheeled motorbike built by a mechanical engineering classmate. Initially, his parents were worried when they learned that he intended to travel alone. But understanding their son’s difficult time, his parents agreed to let him fulfill his wish that had been delayed for many years. After many times Minh returned home safely with a positive mental state, his parents completely trusted and supported their decision to go backpacking.
In early July this year, Minh went on a road trip across Vietnam before his 32nd birthday in 20 days (July 3 – 23), passing through 32 provinces and cities. This was the longest and farthest trip in Ming’s life. Because he needs someone to help him move and do daily activities, his nephew is Minh’s companion. However, throughout the journey, he was the one driving.
Minh planned the trip 3 months in advance, from detailed itinerary, accommodation, clothes, personal items to car maintenance. Health is especially important when backpacking. Minh exercises regularly every day to have the strength to fight his illness and fully complete this special trip.
Starting from Vinh Long, Minh moved to Ho Chi Minh City, following the coastal road to Hanoi. After that, he went to the northern mountainous provinces such as Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen before returning to his hometown.
“Perhaps it’s because I’ve spent many years confining myself to my own limits, so when I go out, I love all the places I go to. The mountains, the sea, the rivers, the sun and wind in the highlands or The delta has its own beauty. The cuisine is also extremely rich and has the typical flavors of each region,” he said.
Thai Nguyen.
Ninh Thuan.
Phu Yen.
Quang Ngai.
Quang Tri.
Ha Giang.
Tuyen Quang.
What touched Minh was that wherever he went, he received a lot of love and help from local people. There are meals where the restaurant owner does not take money, and some people give drinks to take away.
A memorable event for Minh was when he encountered a serious incident while going downhill in Ha Giang. The pass was steep, with an abyss on one side. The car plunged down at a fast speed, so Minh had to apply the brakes continuously, leading to brake failure. With many years of backpacking experience, Minh was able to handle that situation. To safely go downhill, run a short distance, he stopped the car, used a bottle to collect water flowing from the ravine to pour into the engine and brake assembly to cool it before continuing.
When Minh arrived in Dong Van town, a person recognized him through the news and on social networks. He made a tank of cool water down to the brake assembly to dissipate heat and prevent brake loss. Thanks to that, the next distance Minh traveled was more comfortable and safer. “Even though they are just strangers, their affection and enthusiastic help warm my heart,” he said.
Minh also encountered some difficulties such as drowsiness when driving long distances, and body fatigue when traveling for a long time in the sun or rain. In particular, he cannot sit much to avoid ulcers on his lower body, so he has to calculate a reasonable time to move and find a place on the carpet to rest.
The cost for the trip is about 30 million VND. Because the main purpose is backpacking, eating, drinking and sleeping are quite simple. Minh often chooses restaurants along the way so he doesn’t have to travel much, and stays at hotels and motels where he can admire the natural scenery the next morning. He limits driving at night, especially when he has to go through mountain passes or bumpy roads.
When he steps into new lands, admires the majesty of the Northwest mountains and forests or the romantic beauty of coastal lands, he feels that his efforts and determination to make the trip are rewarded. worth.
Hue Ancient Capital, 2019.
Minh’s first trip to Bac Lieu in 2017.
Cape Ca Mau, 2018.
Truong Sa Island, 2019.
Minh hopes to spread positive energy to people in the same situation, giving them a different perspective on life. “I don’t sit still and accept disadvantages. I want to prove that even though I have a disability, I can still do anything as long as I have enough passion and courage,” Minh said.
Minh has set foot in 45 provinces and cities across the country. He aims to get an international driver’s license to drive to Cambodia to visit a friend who went through recovery treatment together. “But first, I will continue to explore the entire S-shaped strip of Vietnam,” Minh said.
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)