On his birthday, singer Doan Truong made a 14-day trip through Cyprus (Slip), Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Among them, the three Baltic countries including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are of special significance as he returned after about 35 years.
In 1991, when he was still a student abroad in Russia, Doan Truong once came to this area during an international student exchange program. The male singer said that traveling by plane was still expensive at that time, so the student group traveled by train for about 2 days.
This return, instead of simply finding old locations, Doan Truong chose a journey through many heritages and unique cultural spaces of Eastern and Northern Europe.
From underground salt mines to old quarters
In Poland, one of Doan Truong's stops is the Wieliczka salt mine, located near Kraków. It is one of the most famous salt mines in Europe.
Wieliczka was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1978. The mine has been operating since the 13th century, nổi bật with a system of tunnels, underground rooms and works made of salt.
In Warsaw, the male singer visited Łazienki Park, where the statue of composer Frédéric Chopin is located. In the summer, this area maintains free Chopin outdoor concerts on Sundays, becoming one of the familiar cultural activities of the Polish capital.
Leaving Poland, Doan Truong went to Lithuania and visited the Cross Hill. The destination stands out because of the large number of crosses placed here by people and pilgrims over many generations. UNESCO has listed the art of cross making and the symbol of this type in Lithuania on the list of intangible cultural heritage.
Vilnius is also a place that evokes many memories for the male singer. Unlike many crowded tourist cities, he is impressed with the slow pace of life and the ancient space in the Lithuanian capital.
There are few cities that can make me feel so slow and peaceful. I love that desertedness, a quiet, quiet Vilnius, enough for me to sit and admire the panoramic view of the city from the high hill," Doan Truong shared.
In Latvia, he returned to the ancient town of Riga - a place he once set foot in as a student. The Riga Historical Centre was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997, highlighted by its medieval urban structure and Art Nouveau architectural complex.
After about 35 years, Doan Truong realized that the Old Quarter still retains many familiar architectural features, while modern works have appeared in the surrounding areas.
The Baltic Journey ends in Tallinn, Estonia. The ancient town of Tallinn is also on UNESCO's World Heritage List, considered a special example of a well-preserved medieval Nordic commercial city.
Doan Truong said that returning to the streets he went through as a student makes this trip more meaningful than a normal sightseeing journey.
Discover Cyprus
Another destination in the trip is Cyprus. Here, Doan Truong spent time exploring Nicosia.
Doan Truong wore an ao dai and brought the image of the Vietnamese national flag when visiting the city. The male singer said that this is also the 74th country he has set foot in.
From underground tunnels in Wieliczka, the ancient quarters of Riga, Vilnius, Tallinn to the special dividing line between Nicosia, Doan Truong's trip focused heavily on destinations containing historical imprints.
For him, the most memorable thing is to look back at the changes of the cities he passed through more than three decades ago. Landscapes can change, but it is personal memories that make old destinations become new experiences in his return.
