On the 6th day of the Lunar New Year (February 3, 2025), Mr. Pham Ngoc Van (82 years old) returned home in Sa Dec (Dong Thap) after 10 days of traveling across Vietnam, from Ho Chi Minh City to Cao Bang by car with his youngest daughter's family.
"How is your health? Was the trip fun?", Mrs. Nhung, Mr. Van's wife, asked her husband. The "U90 backpacker" confidently said: "I was a little tired but not too bad. The trip was fun, still as exciting and memorable as the first two trips."
This is the third year in a row that Mr. Van has not celebrated Tet at home but has traveled with his youngest daughter, her husband, and three grandchildren during Tet. The previous two times, Mrs. Nhung participated, but this year, due to a relapse of her rheumatism, she stayed home to celebrate Tet.
During Tet 2023, the family traveled for 14 days, covering a total distance of 5,500km, with the goal of conquering the dinosaur spine of Ta Xua. At that time, although he was 80 years old, Mr. Van still followed his two children to rent a motorbike to experience the trail on the top of Ta Xua, about 1.5km long. Many sections of the road clinging to the cliffs were full of gravel, rough, without barriers, and occasionally deep gullies appeared due to rain erosion. Many other sections were super narrow, less than 1m wide, sometimes going uphill, sometimes downhill.
"My wife and I used to travel across Vietnam and Cambodia by motorbike, but sitting behind a local motorbike taxi driver, sometimes we would close our eyes and our hearts would pound. Yet my father was still brave and did not complain of pain or fatigue. My wife and I admire his optimism, perseverance, and love of travel," said Mr. Duong Dinh Thinh (43 years old, photographer, HCMC) - Mr. Van's son-in-law.
In 2024 Tet, the family of 7 continued their journey across Vietnam, covering more than 5,000km, from the 22nd of the lunar calendar to the 5th day of Tet. Compared to the previous trip across Vietnam, the family visited fewer locations but stopped at each location longer to experience and explore.
This year, Mr. Van and his children and grandchildren traveled from the 26th to the 6th of Tet, through Quy Nhon, Hue, Nghe An, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, and Dak Lak. Among them, Cao Bang was the destination the family spent a lot of time exploring.
"In 2023, my family visited Cao Bang and celebrated New Year's Eve in this border city. Cao Bang is very beautiful, wild and majestic. Therefore, the whole family wants to come back again. This year, my children took me to two main places: Ba Quang grass hill and Mat Than mountain," said Mr. Van.
In recent years, Ba Quang burnt grass hill (Vinh Quy grass hill) in Ha Lang, Cao Bang has attracted tourists to admire, take photos, camp... thanks to its unique, wild beauty that changes with each season.
From May to October, the grass hills are "dyed" with a fresh green color, the air is fresh and cool. From October to January of the following year, Ba Quang hill enters the grass burning season, creating a poetic scene filled with orange-yellow colors, from any angle visitors can take impressive photos.
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However, to reach the top of the hill, visitors have to walk a rather steep path. For young, healthy people, the travel time is about 15-20 minutes.
"Contrary to our worries, my father had no difficulty going up the hill. He walked slowly, rested for a while when tired, then continued without the support of his children and grandchildren," said Mr. Thinh.
"It takes young people 15 minutes to walk, but it takes me 30 minutes. It's longer, but I feel fine. I still exercise every day, walking for 30 minutes," said Mr. Van.
Although the weather that day was a bit gloomy and there was little sunshine, the whole family was still very impressed with the beauty of Ba Quang burnt grass hill. This was a wonderful experience for Mr. Van and his children and grandchildren on the first day of Tet. The family stayed at a homestay on the grass hill and enjoyed local dishes.
"Cao Bang is not only beautiful but also has a very unique culture, attractive cuisine and friendly people. On the way, we passed a Nung village. The people were excitedly celebrating Tet. When I stopped the car to ask, everyone warmly welcomed me. It felt so cozy. I think this is a great opportunity for my children to learn more about the cultural diversity of 54 ethnic groups," Mr. Van shared.
Because of his experience traveling across Vietnam, Mr. Van's family's trip went smoothly and successfully.
"The first year we traveled across Vietnam during Tet, there were times when we had to eat instant noodles because the shops were closed. This year, I saw that service establishments were open during Tet so there was no shortage of anything.
The second year we crossed Vietnam, the whole family had an unforgettable accident when the car sank into the sand in Tuy Phong (Binh Thuan). This year, the children have a lot of experience so the trip went smoothly," Mr. Van happily said.
The 82-year-old man said he has a son and two daughters. His children all support him in pursuing his passion for traveling.
"My husband and I run a studio business, so the end of the year and the beginning of the year are not too busy. Therefore, my husband and I assigned the task of taking my parents on a trip during Tet.
Having gone on many backpacking trips, each trip with my parents and children is the greatest happiness for my wife and I. My father is very knowledgeable. On the journey, he tells funny stories to his children and grandchildren, tutors his granddaughter in math (Mr. Van is a retired math teacher - pv), and advises his grandchildren on good and right things. The long trip becomes closer and warmer," Mr. Thinh shared.
Photo: NVCC
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/cu-ong-u90-ba-nam-lien-tiep-phuot-xuyen-viet-choi-tet-leo-doi-co-chay-check-in-2370135.html
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