Despite the challenges of tropical storm No. 5, Ho Ngoc Thuy and her husband Truong Quang Thai remained determined to complete their journey cycling from Can Tho to Hanoi to visit President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and watch the National Day parade.

Cycling through the storm: One meal a day, unwavering determination

When news broke that storm No. 5 (Kajiki) would strike Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh, Thuy (40) and Thai (43) revisited their cycling route. It was one of the toughest obstacles during their over-a-month-long journey, yet they stayed the course, pushing through the rain to escape the storm’s center after more than 11.5 hours of continuous cycling.

Strong winds occasionally forced them to seek shelter at roadside eateries, where locals generously showed concern and offered help. Despite heavy rain, their next milestone was Ninh Binh Province.

Thuy said her motivation was rooted in her family’s revolutionary background. Her grandmother once hid soldiers, her aunt served as a liaison, and her uncle was a war veteran. She grew up hearing stories about the war but only now sought to truly understand the sacrifices behind them.

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Thuy and her husband are happy on their cycling journey.

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Thai and Thuy cycled through many regions of the country.

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The couple, Thuy and her husband, had a memorable journey.

“My grandmother, aunt, and uncle all dreamed of visiting the Mausoleum. My grandmother passed away, and my aunt and uncle are too frail to travel. This ride is for them,” Thuy said, holding back tears.

Initially, she planned to fly, but later opted for a more meaningful journey. Thai hesitated due to work but agreed after Thuy insisted she would go alone. He joined her, cycling behind her to support and fix the bike when needed.

On July 22, the couple packed simply, bringing only essentials and family photos. They aimed to reach Hanoi by August 28.

Each day, they woke early, rode until noon, took short breaks with fruit and water, and continued until nearly 7 PM. On some nights, when no lodging was available, they rode until 10 PM. Eventually, they reduced their meals to just dinner. Thuy couldn’t eat during the day due to exhaustion, and Thai, seeing her skip meals, joined her in eating only once daily.

“Even eating once a day, we didn’t lose weight. We drank over 5 liters of water, plus sugarcane juice, coconut water, and fruit,” Thuy explained.

Visiting war memorials along the way

Throughout their trip along National Highway 1A, they visited every martyr cemetery and war memorial, witnessing the aftermath of conflict firsthand.

In Quang Binh and Quang Tri, Thuy was overwhelmed by the number of unnamed graves in each village cemetery. She lit incense at every grave, treating each as if they were her own relatives. Many cemeteries were tended by elderly war veterans who volunteered to clean and pray at the graves daily.

“These vivid images of sacrifice fueled us through the toughest climbs. Thinking of those who gave their lives made every pedal stroke feel lighter,” Thuy said.

The emotional depth of the journey inspired her to post videos on social media to spread awareness and gratitude. Several clips received hundreds of thousands of views, with many expressing admiration and emotion.

For Thuy and Thai, the journey wasn't just about patriotism - it deepened their bond after 15 years of marriage. They plan to take their two children on a similar cross-country trip by motorbike next summer to help them appreciate the peace they live in - peace built by countless brave hearts.

Ngoc Lai