In early March, the couple wandered across vast steppes in Mongolia, the 14th country they visited on their trip.

Kien and Ngoc married in 2024 after 12 years of dating. Despite their busy work schedules, the couple loved traveling and exploring nature. Every year, they would use their annual leave for one or two long trips to recharge.

"In 2018, we planned an overland trip to see the vast world. From then until 2025, we consistently saved money and prepared our itinerary, health, and budget for the trip," Ngoc said.

The couple chose overland travel, primarily using public transport, because Kien is afraid of flying. 

"During a trip to Japan by plane, my husband encountered a massive typhoon in Hong Kong (China). This sudden and dangerous situation made him anxious, so he limited long-haul flights," Ngoc explained.

In mid-2025, they quit their jobs and set off, even though they hadn't reached their target savings. 

"We told ourselves we would go as far as we could and return when the money ran out. If we kept waiting for 'perfect conditions,' we didn't know when we would ever be able to explore the world," Ngoc added.

For a long time, the couple focused on fitness. They followed a balanced, healthy diet, got enough sleep, and practiced long-distance walking. As the departure date neared, they increased their training intensity and even learned boxing for self-defense.

They planned their trip in detail, carefully researching visa procedures, border crossing requirements, transportation, SIM cards, currency, language, and culture.

In July 2025, the couple arrived in China. "Although we didn't speak Chinese, we had a smooth journey thanks to online translation apps. The friendly and enthusiastic locals made it easy for us to adapt," Ngoc said.

The place that impressed them the most in China was Yading, a "paradise on earth" with breathtaking lakes like Pearl, Milk, and Five-Color lakes. The couple trekked through mountain passes over 4,000m high to fully admire the beauty of the land. 

"The only downside to traveling in China is the limited public restroom facilities," they noted.

Unforgettable experiences

In the first six months, the couple traveled through 10 countries: China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey.

They stayed the longest in Iran (43 days) and the shortest in Turkmenistan (four days).

The couple said they spent the most time in Iran because of the country’s many scenic landscapes. They were immersed in the scenery of Hormuz Island, the rainbow island in the Persian Gulf. They often rented bicycles to ride around the island, watch sunsets, feel the sea breeze, meet hospitable locals and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of life. On beautiful days, they explored caves and oddly-shaped valleys.

The nine-month journey was not always smooth, but the couple said they faced every situation with optimism.

The most suspenseful moment was entering Afghanistan from Pakistan via the Torkham border crossing, considered one of the most dangerous crossings in the world. Upon arrival, they were invited into a separate room to have their phones checked and be questioned. The room's window still bore clear signs of multiple bullet holes. The couple "held their breath" while waiting.

"Fortunately, contrary to what we imagined, the authorities there were polite and the check was quick. We officially entered Afghanistan, a country we never dreamed we could explore," Ngoc recounted.

“In Afghanistan, sometimes we had to travel 17–18 hours to reach a new destination. The road was full of potholes, with dust blowing everywhere into the vehicle. At one point, the car’s brakes suddenly failed,” Ngoc said.

Although the journey was disrupted, instead of worrying, the couple used the waiting time to chat with local children. Curious about their camera, the children asked innocent questions that made the two Vietnamese travelers laugh.

Another “nightmare” was a train journey lasting four days and four nights across Russia, from Moscow to Irkutsk. The train was old and shook violently, making it almost impossible for them to sleep.

“However, the winter scenery of Russia outside the window looked like something out of a fairy tale,” Ngoc said.

After nine months traveling across 14 countries, the couple said they had discovered another version of themselves, ready to adapt to any situation that may arise.

Ha Nguyen