The promise

Vu Chi Dung (born in 1956) and Tran Thi Giang (born in 1959), residing in Hoang Mai, Hanoi, first met while fighting on the northern border front in 1979. In 1983, upon returning to Hanoi for work, they married and eventually raised three daughters.

During the 1990s, Giang was constantly busy running a small business and caring for the children, while Dung worked as a long-haul driver, often staying away from home for a month at a time.

"Once, my wife confided in me that although our family owned a car, she could never travel anywhere because she suffered from severe motion sickness. Traveling just a few kilometers in a car made her nauseous, pale, and exhausted for days. Trains or planes weren't any better," Dung recalled.

Understanding his wife’s quiet sadness, Dung promised that once he retired, he would drive her on a motorbike to revisit their old battlefields and admire the breathtaking landscapes of their homeland. 

"Wherever I drove back then, I would study the scenery and memorize the routes, waiting for the day I could bring my wife to see it with me," he said.

In 2015, with their children grown up and settled with their own families, the couple decided to retire from business. Dung immediately planned to take his wife to the most scenic spots across Northern Vietnam.

"Initially, our children objected out of concern for our safety. But I told them: 'Your parents only live once. I want to help your mother fulfill her dream after so many years of sacrificing for the family,'" Dung shared.

On a scooter purchased back in 2013, Dung drove his wife from Hanoi to Sa Vy (Mong Cai), Tuyen Quang, the old Ha Giang region, Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Lai Chau, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa. Together, they conquered legendary mountain passes like Tam Duong, Khau Pha, O Quy Ho, and Pha Din to witness seas of clouds and majestic mountains.

"Before every trip, I service the bike meticulously. Our luggage is lightweight and packed into two small suitcases. Thanks to my years of driving long-distance, I have plenty of experience handling mountain passes and unexpected road situations," Dung added.

During her first journeys through the dangerous mountain roads of northern Vietnam, especially in thick fog, Giang was frightened and clung tightly to her husband. But after many trips, she gradually developed complete trust in his driving skills.

“My job is simply to enjoy the scenery and occasionally remind him to slow down a little,” she laughed.

For the couple, the more difficult the roads, the more they appreciate their homeland and the sacrifices of previous generations who protected the country.

Crossing Vietnam 3 times in one year

Dung and Giang often choose untouched destinations that still preserve their authentic local character.

At the beginning of 2024, after exploring much of northern Vietnam, Dung decided to fulfill a larger dream: taking his wife on a cross-country trip through central and southern Vietnam.

In late March of that year, riding their familiar scooter, the couple traveled straight to Hue to visit the Imperial City and royal tombs before crossing Hai Van Pass to Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and HCMC. After spending several days with their second daughter’s family in HCMC, they continued onward to Ca Mau.

“Originally, after returning from Ca Mau to HCMC, we planned to ship the motorbike back to Hanoi and fly home. But because my wife was afraid of air sickness and our health was still good, I decided to ride all the way back from south to north,” he said. 

‘During the first trip we mostly followed National Highway 1, but on the return journey I took coastal roads so my wife could enjoy the scenery and swim at the beaches,” he added.

Instead of crowded tourist beaches, the couple usually stopped at secluded beaches frequented mainly by local residents. After seven days on the road, they safely returned home.

In November 2024, the couple embarked on another cross-country journey to explore the Central Highlands and southwestern Vietnam. From Da Nang, Dung rode through Nam Giang and along the Dak Mi River into the Central Highlands. Although some roads were difficult and lacked restaurants or gas stations, they were rewarded with views of pristine forests, waterfalls, and local ethnic cultures.

Since the beginning of 2026, the couple have already completed four additional motorbike trips to Lang Son, Thanh Hoa, and Tuyen Quang.

Linh Trang