Previously, Thuy never thought that she would climb mountains because she had low blood pressure and poor health. But one day, she decided to test her limit to find if she could do it.

Finally, she decided to leave for Ta Chi Nhu near Nam Nghiep Village because this was the area where the son tra (Malus doumeri) flowers were blooming white across the forest.

Thuy’s hiking journey began by crossing steep passes. The rough and rugged terrain made her very tired.

The higher she climbed, the more challenges she faced. Exhaustion and thoughts of giving up crossed her mind, compounded by the strong winds and biting cold.

However, she persevered in moving ahead, taking slow steps, one after another, until she found herself standing atop Ta Chi Nhu, overlooking the vast and majestic scenery.

Successfully reaching Ta Chi Nhu peak, Thuy believed that she could surpass the limits she had set for herself before.

"Standing on the mountain top, with the wind blowing fiercely, I realized that the greatest challenge I overcame wasn't the mountain, but the fear and doubt within myself," she said.

After the journey to Ta Chi Nhu, she continued conquering new goals. In March 2024, she decided to go to Trang An (Ninh Binh) and Ta Xua (Son La). In April, she came to Hue City, the ancient citadel of Vietnam, and this was the first time she took a solo trip.

The rhythm of life in Hue quickly attracted the girl from Bac Giang. Thuy felt in sync with it and she loves Hue like someone from afar longing for home. Consequently, she visited Hue four times in April alone.

The solo trip to Hue gave her more energy, encouraging her to do many other trips. Just within a short time from March to December 2024, she visited Ninh Binh, Yen Bai, Son La and Dien Bien in the north, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Hue, Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen in the central region. She has also been to Hanoi, Quang Ngai, Ha Giang, Lam Dong and Quang Ninh.

Low costs

Thuy revealed that she spent the entire year traveling because she believes that it is better to travel at any time she could.

“I think I should seize the opportunity to explore. Experiences now will differ greatly from those in later years,” she said.

Thuy decided to travel solo because waiting for someone else might mean never starting. Additionally, finding someone with a shared interest isn't easy.

In fact, she had to think carefully before deciding to travel alone as she had her concerns and worries. Despite this, she set off with readiness.

"For my travels, I packed as lightly as possible, bringing only clothes and essential medications and necessities,” she said.

During her journeys, Thuy visited 17 provinces and popular tourist destinations, including Trang An, Phu Quy Island, Hoi An, Da Lat, and more.

After exploring majestic mountains and forests, she experienced the coastal routes of South Central Vietnam with its blue seas, white sands, and golden sunshine.

Thuy only had to spend VND50 million on her journeys. "I prioritized exploratory experiences, mostly choosing attractions with free or low entrance fees,” she explained.

“I frequently traveled by coach rather than flying and preferred budget accommodation and dining options. My year-long travel wasn't as expensive as people might think,” she said.

By traveling throughout the country last year, Thuy believed that she has stepped out of her ‘comfort zone’ to participate more in community activities and meet new friends.

She found 2024 a challenging but significant year, because she tried many new things, discovering attractive land and going beyond her limits.

"The trips helped me realize that youth is fleeting, so I strive to live fully each moment, experiencing all I can to avoid regrets later,” she said.

Ha Nguyen