Going through the old forests in Laos, holding the steering wheel firmly through the winding slopes of Kon Tum hills… Mr. Phuoc Minh (73 years old) and his wife had valuable experiences during the trip.
The West has bright yellow rice fields, the red river is filled with alluvium; the Northeast region makes people “stand still” before the beauty of the trees, and the clouds embracing the hill; Along the central coast are beaches with azure blue color like the sky… All those beautiful scenes were engraved in their hearts by Mr. and Mrs. Mong Phuoc Minh (living in Long Xuyen city, An Giang province). through trips.
Mr. Minh said: “My wife and I started backpacking in 2011, when our children and grandchildren were all grown up. Initially, we planned to go with a few friends of the same age, but when the schedule approached, they I withdrew again for many reasons.. I discussed with my wife that we often go on a trip by ourselves. Children hear that it is very difficult (laughs). Everyone is worried that their parents are over 60, how to manage. on a road of hundreds of kilometers”.
Mr. Minh’s wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cuc (70 years old) has two cancers of the thyroid gland and ovarian cancer. Both husband and wife held hands tightly, to fulfill the promise of “traveling the world together”. And with Mr. Minh, as long as his wife sits behind him, he can drive anywhere.
Over the past 10 years, grandparents have made hundreds of large and small trips together. In which, there is a motorbike trip from Long Xuyen to Bo Y border gate (Kon Tum) to Laos, across Vietnam from South to North, from Mui Nai (Ha Tien) to Mong Cai beach (Quang Ninh).
On the first trip, Mr. Minh and his wife traveled with a motorcycle Deahan bought in 1990. According to Mr. Minh, except for having to change the fork slugs, inner shells, spark plugs…. it never let the owner have to “lay on the road”.
At the same time, grandparents also prepared enough medicine, raincoats, umbrellas, flashlights, mini rice cookers, etc. for the long journey. “We promise our children that we have to go safely so that they can feel secure. Every day, we both call home. In addition to luggage and clothes, I prepare a super kettle to cook bath water in motels. .
My wife has had some intestinal problems. Therefore, every time I go, I carefully prepare digestive medicine for my wife. Wherever I go, around 4 pm, my wife sitting in the back of the car will find a fixed place to rest, don’t try to go too hard,” said Minh.
Filled with joy
Recently, Mr. Minh and his wife completed a trip to Ha Giang. He said: “From the Vuong Dynasty to the Lung Cu flagpole, 29 km long, the road is breathtakingly beautiful, because it runs through the key tourist area of Ha Giang, located in 4 districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Dong Van. and Meo Vac.
The topography of the Dong Van limestone mountains is varied, there are interesting caves with many beautiful stalactites, rocky forests, sharp rock gardens rushing to the sky, mountain ranges with sharp peaks and steep slopes. …one after another creating a splendid landscape”.
For Mr. Minh, the couple’s greatest “inheritance” is the experience. Once, the couple rode a motorbike 120km through the old forest, from the border of Vietnam to Attapeu (Laos). There is not a house on the way, only the couple is nestled in the middle of the majestic mountains. Several times like this, Mrs. Cuc whispered: “So beautiful”.
Another time, Mr. Minh took his wife by the hand to Bangkok (Thailand), and then took a bus to Yangon (Mynamar). The two bought folding bicycles to easily carry across the border, then carried suitcases through the streets. “I sat in front, my wife hugged me tightly behind my back, but I was full of happiness,” Mr. Minh said.
“Through the trips, I feel very sorry for my wife. Stealing, we have not encountered any accidents or illnesses during the trips. The more we go, the better we feel. Meet many people, long experiences. In addition, witnessing the beautiful moments of nature, we consider it the greatest happiness.”
“The route is outlined, but the reality is definitely not what you want. Principles such as traveling on less than 100km/day, completing the longest route within the morning… can all change due to many reasons guests and owners alike. Importantly, husband and wife always plan to have enough time to rest and stay healthy to continue.
Going to become “addicted”, we have to go every year, if not, the long trip will be short. There are only two couples on the wide streets, but they are full of memories, “Mr. Minh confided.
At the age of 73, Mr. Minh still carries a camera to capture memorable moments, carefully recording the stories he meets on the road.