Young man cycles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to witness 50th Reunification Day parade

While many people are opting to travel by motorbike, car, or plane to Ho Chi Minh City for the April 30 holiday, Dao Quang Ha, from Thai Binh Province in northern Vietnam, has chosen a very different path: cycling.

The bicycle Ha is using is neither a mountain bike nor a modern road bike. It is an old bicycle that has been with him since childhood and his grandfather once used to take him to kindergarten.

"I want to use that bicycle for this journey. It feels like my grandfather is with me every step of the way," Ha shared.

He set off from Hanoi in early April and has already pedaled over 650km, currently stopping in Hue City in the central region. 

If the weather stays favorable, he expects to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by April 21 or 22, right on schedule.

Covering more than 1,700km on a worn-out bicycle is far from easy. 

Three days into the trip, Ha suffered a knee injury and considered quitting. But after resting and seeking medical advice, he got back on the road.

The bike has no brakes, so Ha has to drag his shoes on the ground to slow down. His shoes are torn, a pedal has broken, and the tires and inner tubes have been replaced once. 

Fortunately, all breakdowns have occurred near roadside repair shops.

"There were times when I felt like my grandfather was watching over me. Once, I had a gut feeling that something was about to go wrong with the bike, and I stopped just in time to fix it. I’ve never had to push the bike a long distance," Ha recalled.

'Go and see how beautiful Vietnam is'

Ha had previously traveled across Vietnam by motorbike and on foot. This bicycle journey, he said, is the final piece of his unique 'travel collection.'

The 24-year-old became emotional when recalling memories with his grandfather.

He remembered one time when the two fell off the bike after hitting a dog. 

Though injured, his grandfather focused on stopping Ha’s bleeding first. That moment left a lasting impact and has become a major source of inspiration for his journey.

Throughout the trip, Ha has received support from people along the way—encouraging words, cold drinks, and warm conversations.

"I realized that people don’t have to be famous to be loved in Vietnam. Just being a fellow Vietnamese is enough," he said.

When he arrives in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha plans to create videos featuring interactions with locals, asking for food and shelter as a way to spread kindness and community spirit.

Graduating from the National Academy of Public Administration in Hanoi, majoring in culture and tourism, Ha is working toward his dream of launching his own travel company.

Each journey is not only a personal experience but also a valuable inspiration for his entrepreneurial path.

Ha is now planning a bicycle trip to Laos for Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.

"I want to promote pure friendship between the two countries. It’s a small but heartfelt gift I want to share," he said.