In the 90s, when he worked in Hanoi for about 5 years, Mr. Nguyen Tri Dung (77 years old, Can Tho) continuously spent time on weekends to explore neighboring provinces and cities. He also did not forget to take photos of the memorable moments during the trip.
Therefore, his souvenir photos are no different from a long film reminiscent of the beautiful past with the legendary Dream truck rolling through Ma Pi Leng Pass and a Canon camera "separating" at the Lang Son milestone of 0km. When those photos were widely shared on social media, many people happily called him a "first-century backpacker".
Early- career backpacker
Nowadays, backpacking by motorbike may no longer be a strange concept. This is even a movement enthusiastically responded to by those who like to move when roads, transportation are developed, modern technology helps tourists not get lost and enjoy the maximum natural scenery and local culinary culture.
However, in the 90s, before every weekend trip, Mr. Dung often researched information written in the book "Going to the Land" (1978) by author Hoang Dao Thuy.
For me, this is a very valuable notebook. I read to know where I need to go, what I have to do, then search for the road on a detailed detailed paper map combined with a "photocopy" of the entire route in the book "Vietnamese Road", then paint it on my own paper to visualize it specifically. A trip usually starts like that, he said.
Although he has researched so carefully and thoroughly before each trip, there was a time when he got lost on National Highway 14C, near the Vietnam - Cambodia border, now in Ea Sup district, Dak Lak province. Although this route appeared on the map at that time, it was erased over time.
More than 20 years ago, on difficult routes, from the South to the North, or in the sunny and windy Central region, Mr. Dung himself drove to experience, even the national highways that the two motorbikes could not avoid.
When driving in the northern highlands, he often buys his own gasoline because the main means of transportation for the people in the mountains is Minsk, Simson uses petroleum, which is not suitable for his Dream car.
Mr. Dung happily recounted: In the 90s, the type of vehicle using gasoline, apparently A83 gasoline, I remember was not very popular in the northern border areas. In some places, we only sell to local people, so we have to buy "illegally" and bring them with us as backup plastic cans".
In addition, at that time, although Vietnamese law did not require wearing a helmet when going out, Mr. Dung was careful to buy a helmet to cover his head when backpacking with his friends.
As for sleeping accommodation, Mr. Dung said that dusty backpackers like him only need to eat through speakers at shops, mainly using dry food to take with them because they are afraid of eating strange food, leading to stomach pain.
The veteran backpacker revealed: "We often stop to stay at the District Guest House because at that time, the northern border region did not see many hotels and motels like now.
However, sometimes, the distance from the points to get to the district and book a room for the night is carefully calculated, sometimes it is not accurate because there may be incidents such as vehicle damage, heavy rain, landslides...
If we missed the road and it was dark, we would pray for help from local residents and give them some money. Although the locals are not used to it, they treat us very kindly.
Endless trips
In 1997, Mr. Dung had the opportunity to visit Ha Giang, Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac cities. In the following trips, he continued to explore Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man, Bac Me.
In 2001, he added Pho Bang, Lung Cu, and Du Gia to the list of tourist attractions on the majestic land at the head of the Fatherland. In 2016, he returned to Ha Giang and passed through all districts in the province. In 2022, he traveled throughout the North for about a month.
Although he drives on many routes and in many regions, he is still most impressed with Ha Giang - a place with pristine, beautiful natural landscapes, friendly people and especially remembers the northernmost town of Pho Bang with its rare peace and wildness. However, when he returned to Ha Giang later, he found that this place had somewhat become touristic.
As for the southern provinces, perhaps An Giang left him with the most memories with many beautiful rivers such as Tien River, Hau River, with many majestic mountains such as That Son, with many famous pagodas and shrines such as Linh Son Pagoda, Ba Chua Xu Temple, Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple.
Or, there is also An Giang with the border of N1, Tri Ton Gate of heaven, Ta Pa Lake, Binh Thien Bung, Ba Chuc, the gate of the gate, Uncle Ton Relic Site, many beautiful Hoi giao temples...
Mr. Dung recalled the memories of An Giang at that time: "The road has many very bad sections and is not as flat as it is now. Some famous places such as Cam Mountain now have cable car, so traveling is easier".
Currently, he still maintains his passion for traveling, so he still goes here and there occasionally when he hears information about new routes. The old photo series was "dug up" on social networks, and his love for discovery was continuously "kept on fire".
I also feel a little proud that my photos have aroused the passion for traveling to explore our country in many young people. At my house, the old photos have been asphalted but some are still stained over time. Those are unforgettable memories, Mr. Dung expressed.
