Brian Jeffrey
Discovering New Heights: Thuy’s Journey
Thuy never imagined herself as a mountain climber due to her health issues, including low blood pressure. However, she decided to challenge herself to see if she could conquer the mountains.
She set out for Ta Chi Nhu, located near Nam Nghiep Village, where the son tra flowers were blooming magnificently in the forest.
The hike started off challenging, with steep paths that tested her endurance. The rough terrain quickly wore her out.
As she ascended, the difficulties increased. She faced exhaustion and was tempted to quit, especially with the cold winds and chilling temperatures.
Despite these obstacles, Thuy continued to push forward, carefully placing one foot in front of the other until she reached the top of Ta Chi Nhu, enjoying the breathtaking view that lay before her.
Reaching the summit gave Thuy a sense of achievement, proving that she could exceed her previous limits.
“At the mountain’s peak, with the wind whipping around me, I realized that my biggest obstacle wasn’t the mountain itself but the fears I had to overcome within,” she reflected.
After this climb, Thuy set new hiking targets. In March 2024, she ventured to Trang An in Ninh Binh and Ta Xua in Son La. She also embarked on a solo trip to Hue City, an ancient Vietnamese citadel, for the first time in April.
The vibrant atmosphere in Hue resonated with Thuy, making her feel like it was a home away from home. She fell in love with the city, returning to Hue four times within April alone.
This solo adventure invigorated her spirit, inspiring her to continue exploring new places. Between March and December 2024, she explored various provinces such as Ninh Binh, Yen Bai, Son La, Dien Bien in the north, and Da Nang, Quang Nam, Hue, Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Yen in the central region. She also experienced Hanoi, Quang Ngai, Ha Giang, Lam Dong, and Quang Ninh.
A Year of Exploration
Thuy dedicated the whole year to traveling, believing that taking every opportunity to explore is vital.
“I want to experience as much as I can now because later opportunities may be quite different,” she shared.
Choosing to travel alone, she felt it was better than waiting indefinitely for someone to join her, as finding a travel companion with similar interests is not always easy.
Though she had reservations about solo travel, she approached it with determination.
“I aimed to pack light, bringing just essentials like clothing and necessary medications,” she mentioned.
Throughout her journeys, Thuy visited 17 provinces and popular destinations such as Trang An, Phu Quy Island, Hoi An, and Da Lat.
After exploring splendid mountains and forests, she also enjoyed the stunning coastal routes of South Central Vietnam, characterized by its clear waters and sandy beaches.
Thuy managed to spend only VND50 million during her travels. “I focused on affordable experiences, primarily visiting sites that had free or low entrance fees,” she noted.
“I preferred taking coaches instead of flights and choosing budget-friendly lodging and dining. My year of travel was more economical than one might think,” she added.
By traveling extensively throughout the year, Thuy felt she had stepped beyond her comfort zone, engaging more in community experiences and making new friends.
She found 2024 to be both challenging and rewarding, filled with new experiences that pushed her boundaries and showcased the beauty of her homeland.
“These journeys reminded me that youth is fleeting, motivating me to live fully and embrace every moment to avoid future regrets,” she concluded.
