"Views, likes" regardless
For those who like to move, cross-country is no longer just a temporary trend but has become a trend to promote the development of domestic tourism. This trend is increasingly popular with many families and young people.
Traveling across Vietnam has become more popular thanks to the development of road traffic, popular information on social networks and an increasingly diverse accommodation system in localities.
However, some backpackers take trips to polish their names and provide untrue information. There have been many cases of " likes" despite the fact that they have happened, such as traveling across Vietnam by motorbike in just 40 hours, 20 hours... Or most recently there was a case of a backpacker showing off his achievements in more than 60 provinces and cities but spending less than 8 million VND including travel expenses, accommodation, sightseeing tickets...
In recent years, in addition to trips near home, Mr. Nguyen Le Duy An (47 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) often travels across Vietnam to satisfy his passion. Specifically, in 2020, he traveled for 22 days, spending 17 million VND; in 2022, the trip was 43 days long, costing 29 million VND; in 2023, the trip for 19 days costed 15 million VND, and in 2024, he traveled for 17 days, costing about 12 million VND.
He refuted the fact that backpackers boast of spending only about 4 to 7 million VND when traveling across Vietnam: "The cost problem is not anyone's, depending on the level of spending of each person. However, if you are the most frugal, the cost will reach 400,000 VND/day and you will have to accept camping and sleeping in tents. If you choose to stay in a hotel, homestay or motel, you will spend an average of 600,000 - 650,000 VND/day.
However, if backpackers drive in the northern mountainous areas during the winter months, they cannot camp or sleep in tents outdoors because of harsh weather, sometimes below the am field. Even professional camping (calming) people are afraid.
Responsible backpacking
Regularly exploring new lands, Mr. Pham Minh Son (33 years old, Hung Yen) revealed that before each trip, he often lists 4 fixed expenses, including expenses for procedures, accommodation, food and transportation.
Regular procedures all have fixed prices. To calculate the cost of fuel, he applied the formula of the expected kilometre multiple for the entire journey with 500 VND. The cost of food and sleep will be multiplied by the number of days.
In addition, he also reminded backpackers to spend frugally, especially on accommodation, and can fix it by taking advantage of available free services such as stopping a car and filling up with gas and doing personal hygiene right at the gas station.
However, with a long trip, backpackers may have problems with safety and personal hygiene.
Mr. Le Van Khoa (46 years old, Quang Ninh) warned that "catching likes and views" from backpackers despite wanting to become famous will lead to unpredictable consequences for today's young people. He has ridden a motorbike and drove a car through many provinces and cities in Vietnam, and he even walked 4 days and 3 nights from Hanoi to Quang Ninh in 2014.
Mr. Khoa said: "The cost at that time also cost me a few million VND, it seems fun but the truth is quite dangerous. When walking, due to the great intensity of movement and the continuous weakness of the leg joints from the hips, back, knees, and toes, I had to treat my leg for nearly 3 years and now my leg is still recovering 80.90% compared to normal people.
He affirmed that each long trip will require a lot of preparation in terms of schedule, experience, information, health, finances, driving skills, situation handling skills... Do not start spontaneously or suddenly, to avoid endangering health and spreading untrue stories to the younger generation.
A younger brother of mine cycling across Vietnam was shocked when he returned. A traveling friend also likes to ride motorbikes and get into accidents, losing his young wife and children. A nephew was preparing to graduate from university, backpacking a motorbike, had an accident and did not survive, he cited the hidden corners of the long trips that travel enthusiasts may have to face.
In addition, there is the risk of encountering incidents such as theft, harassment, lost roads in deserted areas... or violating traffic safety due to lack of knowledge and experience in handling situations on new routes.
In fact, there are many " backpackers" who fabricate stories to attract likes and views regardless.
At the end of 2019, a backpacker showed off "running across Vietnam for 19 hours" on social media. This person said that he alone drove a Yamaha Exciter 150 motorbike for more than 1,700km from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. The entire journey only takes 19 hours and 45 minutes, including rest, filling up gas, and personal hygiene.
However, at the traffic police headquarters, the driver admitted that driving a motorbike from the South to the North for more than 19 hours was not true. The story was fabricated by this " backpacker" to attract public attention. He also admitted that he drove at some deserted roads violating the speed limit.
The National Traffic Safety Committee sent an official dispatch requesting the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Department to check and handle the driver. This Committee assessed that "the driver's behavior has seriously violated the provisions of the law on traffic safety and order, posing a high risk of causing traffic accidents, threatening the lives and property of road users and themselves".
The passion for backpacking is a healthy and civilized cultural feature. However, to experience and spread the spirit of backpacking in a true way, each person needs to be aware and responsible when starting the journey. Travel is a journey of discovery, experience, exchange and learning practical lessons from life. Be careful in every step and behave civilly when participating in traffic, exploring nature and local culture.
