Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, born in 2000, decided to quit her job for the second time to ride a motorbike through Vietnam alone.
“If a boy can cross Vietnam alone, a girl can too”, is the thought, and also the motivation for Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, a Thai Binh girl, belonging to Generation Z (born from 1997 to 1997). 2012) to cross Vietnam. Hien has had two years of experience in backpacking, since 2019, in the mountainous roads of the North and has twice resigned from his job to realize his dream of crossing Vietnam.
At the beginning of 2021, when Covid-19 began to cool down, Hien took a break from work to travel to Vietnam, but then due to the outbreak in the middle of the year, she returned to her hometown and waited, then returned to Hanoi to work in October 2021. Her first trip after the epidemic was to Ta Xua , Son La. Falling in love with the beauty of the Northwest mountains, Hien came to live here. After a period of accumulating qualifying conditions, she decided to quit her job for the second time to make a full journey around Vietnam.
Thu Hien is not afraid to go alone. Originally, she didn’t like being dependent on time, so she just looked for someone to go with her. But due to personal matters, the companion could not go, Hien said. At that time, I wondered if I should continue or stop, listen to my heart or reason, and was also afraid to think that my daughter went alone for a long way.
“However, the trip that has been cherished for a long time plus the delay once made me think: If a boy can do it, I must also do it. I consider it a challenge for myself, and must be overcome.” , Thu Hien confided.
Hien rides a Honda Wave Alpha, carrying a large backpack and a small bag for necessary items. She advises people not to use suitcases because it is very difficult to tie. Hien’s clothes only bring 4 sets, but must bring a lot of underwear in case washing can’t be done in time. In addition, she carries supplies such as a basic repair kit, patches, and a pump. She pays attention to the maintenance of the chain brake and the oil, changing it once every 1,000 km.
The trip did not have a specific plan, Hien followed the coastal road towards Dat Mui Ca Mau and when returning, went towards the Central Highlands. She departed from Hanoi , and followed 29 stages, the first leg to Ha Tinh , the next leg along the coastal provinces, then to Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho , from here to the Central Highlands, to Kbang, Gia Lai. Will send the car to Hanoi. Every evening, she would look through the destinations to see what she was going to do the next day. Going alone, Hien is not dependent on anyone, likes to play there, and rests when tired. The most lonely times are at night, a little scared because she is afraid of ghosts, never sleeps alone.
53 days through Vietnam, every day is an unforgettable memory of Hien. “Difficulty is certainly there, but I always make it my challenge and think positively, so nothing happens beyond my ability,” Hien said. During the journey, she was punctured once and patched herself. The most stressful experience was going to the dark pass with no one in Ta Nang , it was raining, wet and cold, and had to go on a dirt road for a while. She is very fond of mountains, so she is impressed with the roads in the Central Highlands. Hien also shared that if you go this route alone, you should look at the direction in advance and choose a road with people’s houses, and at the same time set the right time to avoid going at night.
The trip also helped her better understand the cuisine of the three regions, especially she got to try the taste of banh xeo in each region, which she especially loves. To take pictures as a souvenir, the girl often asks people around, in return, Hien also takes pictures for them. If there is no one to ask, she will shoot with a tripod. Hien’s trip was also supported by people, or texted to ask questions. Everyone in the family, relatives, brothers and sisters, supports and offers if there is no money, please send the account number to transfer money. “I’m really happy because there are always people behind me,” she said.
“Each person has a hobby, my dream and my life is my choice. I live for myself, as long as I’m happy”, Hien said. She has never regretted her decision to travel through Vietnam alone, nor did she feel lost when she was always encouraged by relatives.
“The feeling of going through Vietnam is to go 300-400 km, it still feels like 2-3 km because the S-shaped road is so beautiful. Accompanying me is the hot sun of the sea and a pain in the butt due to sitting a lot”, Hien laughed.
Hien started on May 11 and ended on July 3, when she arrived in Kbang, Gia Lai. Hien is currently staying at his house in Kbang to rest, then will send a motorbike and take a bus back to Hanoi.
Photo : Internet