Truc explained that, in the past, she and her husband traveled primarily on group tours. However, after retiring and having more free time, they realized that fixed tour packages were no longer suitable.

"Group tours follow strict schedules, leaving no room to linger at places we love. Riding a motorbike allows us to pull over whenever we spot beautiful scenery, staying a day or several days as we want. Sitting on a motorbike also offers a far more immersive view," Truc explained.

Initially, the couple took short trips to Ca Mau, Ha Tien, and various Mekong Delta provinces, combining visits to relatives with sightseeing. Later, seeing that their health remained strong, they gradually tackled longer journeys.

In 2022, they made their first motorbike trip to Da Lat. A year later, after upgrading to a 155cc motorcycle, they explored the Central Highlands and several central provinces on a 15-20-day journey. In early 2024, they completed their first cross-country trip, spending 43 days riding from southern Vietnam to Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and back home.

"When we got home, we still felt we'd missed out because we hadn't explored the Northeast and Northwest. That's when we decided to make a more complete journey across Vietnam," Truc recalled.

The couple spent considerable time preparing both their health and travel itinerary.

On September 17, 2025, they left Dong Thap, riding through the Central Highlands before heading north along the central coast. From Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa Province, they continued through Moc Chau, Mu Cang Chai, Sa Pa, the former Ha Giang area, Cao Bang, Quang Ninh, and many other destinations.

Their motorcycle was fitted with three storage boxes. The rear box served not only as luggage storage but also as a backrest for Truc. They carefully planned their packing for each stage of the journey. When northern Vietnam turned cold, they sent their summer clothes home and bought warm clothing instead of carrying excessive luggage.

Throughout the trip, Chanh did all the driving. He followed one strict rule: travel only during daylight hours and stop for the day by 6pm at the latest. They also preferred exploring natural landscapes over man-made tourist attractions.

Heartwarming meetings on the way

Truc carefully planned the journey so they could experience some of Vietnam's most beautiful seasonal landscapes, including the golden rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, buckwheat flowers in Tuyen Quang, and the silver grass season in Binh Lieu. 

They also reached the summit of Fansipan, visited the Lung Cu Flag Tower and the A1 Hill battlefield in Dien Bien Phu, admired Ban Gioc Waterfall, and explored Nguom Ngao Cave.

"Every place has its own unique beauty. Looking at photos or videos can never compare with standing in the middle of the mountains, breathing the fresh air, and seeing everything with your own eyes," Truc said.

Of course, the journey was not without mishaps.

One of their most memorable experiences came while visiting the hill covered with wild myrtle flowers in Suoi Bon Village, Van Ho Commune, Son La Province. Instead of hiring a local vehicle, they decided to ride their 155cc motorcycle up the hill themselves. However, the motorbike broke down on the steep, rocky slope.

“Fortunately, a local resident came to help. He waited for the engine to cool before riding it down and taking it to a dealership for repairs," Chanh recalled.

While traveling from Dien Bien to Lang Son, their motorcycle hit a sharp object, leaving a roughly 2cm tear in the tire on a mountain pass. Although Chanh carried a tire repair kit and air pump, he was unable to fix the damage. At that moment, a nearby mechanic happened to pass by. Seeing the stranded travelers, he went home, returned with a large air compressor, and helped them.

When the tire proved impossible to repair, the mechanic removed the wheel, took it back to his workshop for inspection, then drove the couple to another shop to buy a new tire and helped install it.

The couple also encountered northern Vietnam during a period of heavy rain and successive storms, with Storms No. 9, 10, and 11 disrupting their itinerary.

In late September 2025, when they arrived in Mu Cang Chai, a landslide on National Highway 32 near Khau Pha Pass forced them to remain there for seven days instead of the four days they had planned.

Looking back on the journey, Truc said what made her happiest was that both of them remained healthy and optimistic after nearly three months on the road.

Linh Trang