VietNamNet Bridge – Crossing rugged passes of the Truong Son mountain range, experiencing scorching sunshine and pouring rain, 10 members of the UNESCO Hanoi Club have returned to Hanoi after a 2-month trip from Vietnam to Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

Mr. Ngo Vi Tho, 77.

Taking their departure from Hanoi on October 20, 10 people cycled along 3,500 kilometers, through Hoa Binh - Thanh Hoa - Nghe An - Ha Tinh provinces of Vietnam to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand then returning to Hanoi on December 22.

The oldest person in this group is Mr. Ngo Vi Tho, 77, from Thanh Tri district. With five times biking around the country and two times cycling to Laos and Thailand, Mr. Tho always took the lead during the trip. "Long journeys have become very normal to me, so this trip was not so hard. When going anywhere, our group was warmly welcomed by the local people," said Tho.

He said the biggest difficulty is language barrier. Thanks to the assistance of the Vietnamese embassies in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, the group was respectfully received by local governments. Most importantly, all members remained in good health.

As one of the three female members in the group, Nguyen Thi Hai Anh, 60, from Ha Dong district, said it was her longest trip ever. Previously, she used to ride with the group to Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh or Ba Vi of Hanoi.

Mrs. Hai Anh said, the biggest difficulty was to pass many dangerous passes in the Truong Son mountain range, as Lo Xo and A Roang. They had to walk with their bicycles through a 10km pass. It was more dangerous to go down the passes.

She said sometimes they lacked water and food and did not quickly arrive at the points of stay. They had to ask for food or slept at a forest rangers’ station or the houses of locals.

"Sometimes we were completely tired. When going uphill we felt breathless, but after passing high hills, we were very happy. After the trip, I feel like I win all, in terms of health and faith," she said.

Mr. Do Quang Bac, 66, from Ha Dong district, said that the group had to endure many complex terrains with different types of climate, for example heavy rain in central Vietnam and pouring sun in Laos. In Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, they did not have phones and because of the language barrier, it was very difficult to keep contact with home.

"The trip is also an opportunity to get back to the old battlefield. These places have seen a lot of changes," said Bac, a veteran.

Compiled by Na Son