Quyen spent about two weeks exploring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, hoping to achieve her goal of visiting 30 countries by the age of 24. However, shortly after leaving Kazakhstan for Kyrgyzstan, she suffered an accident that forced her to cut her journey short.

About two or three days after arriving in Kyrgyzstan, Quyen signed up for a horseback riding tour from the beautiful village of Kyzart toward Song Kol Lake.

Horseback riding was nothing new to Quyen. She had been familiar with the activity since childhood, had regularly practiced it, and had even competed in several local events in the US.

With years of experience, she was not worried about joining the horseback riding tour across the steppe. However, the accident happened in a way that even an experienced rider like Quyen could never have anticipated.

At the time, she was riding side by side with the tour guide's horse. She remained careful to keep a safe distance and avoided riding directly behind to prevent rear kicks.

Unexpectedly, a bug or foreign object startled the guide's horse, triggering a sharp reaction that sent a direct kick straight into Quyen's leg. She immediately fell from her horse.

"The accident happened so quickly. In just a few seconds, the guide's horse closed in on me and delivered a direct kick.

“Falling to the ground, I remained conscious and, out of reflex and riding experience, tried to stand up on my own. I dragged myself a few meters away but could not stand up. Though it did not hurt yet, I knew it was a severe injury," Quyen recalled.

At first, the other members of the group thought she had only suffered a dislocated joint. However, after realizing the seriousness of the injury, a Dutch female tourist immediately came over to provide first aid. She used two branches to splint Quyen's leg and then wrapped it to keep the leg straight.

Other members of the group helped carry Quyen onto a vehicle and take her back to Kyzart. From the village, she was then taken to Bishkek, the capital, for medical treatment.

The journey from the mountainous area to Bishkek took several hours. Quyen was then transferred between three different medical facilities. She was advised to move to a private hospital because procedures for foreigners at public hospitals were complicated and time-consuming.

Warmth from strangers in a foreign country

At a private hospital in Bishkek, an X-ray showed that Quyen had suffered a fracture in her lower leg. Doctors recommended surgery. The operation lasted about three hours.

After the surgery, doctors said she could be discharged after two or three days if her condition remained stable. However, because she was traveling alone and had no relatives to care for her, Quyen decided to stay in the hospital for about eight days to ensure her safety.

Her total medical expenses came to about VND100 million, including surgery, medication, nursing services and other costs incurred during her hospital stay. The entire bill was covered by the tour operator.

This was the first time Quyen had been hospitalized and treated for a serious injury abroad. Although she speaks Russian and could communicate with doctors and medical staff, she could not avoid feeling lonely.

"I did not tell my parents about my condition because I was afraid they would worry." Fortunately, during her hospital stay, Quyen received help from many people she had barely known before.

Friends from the tour, including French and Dutch travelers, returned to the hospital to visit Quyen after the tour ended, bringing her food and helping with small tasks. Two French tourists even decided not to continue their journey and stayed behind to support Quyen during the early days after the accident.

During her treatment days, Quyen struck up a friendship with an Australian female tourist who had fractured her arm. Knowing that the hospital had no air conditioning, her new friend bought Quyen a handheld fan and regularly encouraged her.

A kind young doctor working at the hospital also gave Quyen a pair of crutches.

"I was very surprised that so many strangers were willing to help and support me. It made me feel warm," Quyen said.

After eight days of treatment, Quyen was discharged from the hospital. Instead of immediately returning to the US, she was invited by the horseback riding guide to stay at her grandmother's home for another two days before her flight.

Limh Trang