Marino Izquierdo, a 54-year-old man from Spain, has just completed a 10-month cycling journey of over 22,000 kilometers across nearly 20 countries to reach Vietnam - an experience he calls the most meaningful of his life.

Izquierdo spent over a month traveling from north to south in Vietnam, collecting memories he says he will carry forever.

"I began cycling on February 7, 2025, from Massamagrell, Valencia," he shared with VietNamNet. "I had spent more than a year training, planning my route, and researching places I wanted to visit."

To finance the journey, he sold personal assets including his car. His travel kit included a family photo, a letter from his late father, and his granddaughter’s first pacifier.

“This journey is a tribute to my father,” he said. “He dedicated his life to our family and taught us to respect nature. He passed away from leukemia. I’m riding not only in his memory but also to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.”

Izquierdo said he also took on the journey to inspire his children and granddaughter. "I wanted to show them the power of perseverance."

Vietnam was always his chosen destination, driven by his admiration for the country's culture and nature. He also had friends living and working here, and wanted to visit them while contributing to something meaningful.

Before arriving in Vietnam, Izquierdo faced formidable challenges. In Romania, he endured bone-chilling snowstorms. At one point, his tire cracked and he had to make roadside repairs himself.

He then crossed blazing deserts in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, before battling another snowstorm in China’s Gobi region.

"There were times I wanted to give up," he admitted. "But I always reminded myself why I started. When exhausted, I asked locals for help. Safety always came first."

Despite the hardships, he says the journey opened his eyes to breathtaking landscapes and the kindness of strangers.

On December 7, 2025, he officially entered Vietnam via Tra Linh Border Gate in Cao Bang Province, then cycled through various provinces down to Hue.

"I haven’t had a single lonely day in Vietnam," Izquierdo said. "People everywhere welcomed me, helped me, and treated me like family."

At one village near Tra Linh, a group of schoolchildren ran over to chat and greet him as he fixed a broken spoke. “They weren’t shy or scared at all - just genuinely curious and warm.”

"Many strangers opened their homes to me, offered food and water, or accompanied me for part of the journey. Their support gave me so much strength," he added.

While in Hue, Izquierdo suffered a sudden bout of abdominal pain and was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a small kidney stone. After a few days of treatment and rest, he was back on the road.

His second son, Jordi, supported the trip from afar and connected the project with the French charity La Goutte d’Eau (A Drop of Water), which collaborates with a hospital in Da Nang. Inspired by this partnership, Izquierdo decided to end his journey in Go Noi, Da Nang.

He canceled plans to visit Cambodia and Laos, opting instead to stay in Vietnam for two months to participate in charity events, promote early cancer screening, and contribute to local communities.

At the end of his journey, he donated his bicycle to a charity fund to be auctioned for community support.

Beyond his charitable work, Izquierdo also took time to enjoy Vietnam’s daily life - slurping pho, sipping street coffee, and savoring local delicacies. “Vietnam is a place I deeply cherish,” he said.

Though he wished to spend Lunar New Year in Vietnam, he must return home in early February. But he promises to come back soon - for more exploration and meaningful contributions to the country he now considers a second home.

Khanh Linh - Linh Trang