The predestined relationship from harmonious souls
Marino Izquierdo Juan's journey, a 53-year-old Spanish athlete, began with a secret pain: the passing of his father from leukemia. For 10 consecutive months, crossing 20 countries, through snowy days to scorching heat, Marino cycled not to find records, but to gather "drops of water" of hope for cancer patients and flood victims.
But perhaps, Marino himself did not expect that, at the end of his journey in Vietnam, there would be people who empathize with his story to the end.
Mr. Phan Phuoc Nhat, co-founder of the Go Noi Love Fund, shared that he "sitated for 6 hours" just to read Marino's journey blog before the meeting. Sharing the pain of losing his father, Nhat saw in that Western man not only a resilient athlete, but also a heart bursting in comfort.
My first impression of Marino was a deep empathy. I saw the image of a simple man, sleeping in a tent, sleeping on the edge, but his smile was always radiant. That gentle gaze immediately convinced me: We must welcome this friend home, like welcoming a relative who has been away for a very long time and is very hard," Mr. Nhat emotionally recalled.
Throughout the days Marino was on the road, despite geographical and language barriers, vague but sincere messages in Vietnamese were still sent regularly. The kindness of Vietnamese friends began before they met, turning a cross-continental journey into a waiting appointment for the brothers.
Bicycle wheel turns into lifebuoys
In the last days of 2025, the people of Go Noi welcomed Marino with a warm hug and warm smiles from the flood victims. Here, a "new chapter" of the journey of compassion officially begins.
Marino made a decision that made all witnesses tear up: He donated his bicycle - the "companion" who traveled 22,000km with him - along with all his clothes, helmets and medals to the Go Noi Love Fund.
For an athlete, it is a fortune, sweat and priceless memories. But for Marino, he wants those keepsakes to continue "living" a new life in this country.
Receiving that priceless gift, the Yeu Go Noi community understands that their task is to turn the kindness of Western visitors into the most practical values for their hometowns. An auction will be held in Ho Chi Minh City in early 2026 with the goal of collecting 500 million VND.
That amount of money is not just a number, it will be transformed into rescue canoes, sturdy life jackets for the campaign "For Go Noi not to sink".
From the bicycle of a father-loving son in Spain, now, those wheels will protect fathers, mothers, and children in the flood center of Thu Bon every time the rainy and storm season comes.
To mark this special friendship, Marino and local people planted a rice tree at the beginning of Go Noi commune. The image of a Spanish man covered in mud, holding green seeds in his arms in Quang land is a beautiful proof of the connection between people.
Marino said that Vietnam is not just a destination, but has become a part of his life. We invited him to plant trees to illustrate the future planting of this place. One day when he returns, he will see the trees grow, as well as see what he has given growing and helping people," Mr. Nhat confided.
Marino's journey may have stopped geographically at Go Noi, but with the joint efforts of kind Vietnamese people, that "drop of water" has merged into a wider flow of compassion.
Marino brought kindness to Vietnam, and it was the Vietnamese people who cherished and spread that kindness further.
