Crossing Vietnam at the age of 20
Starting from Ho Chi Minh City on January 12, Long traveled through 60 provinces and cities and returned to the city on February 15. Long said that due to his study and work schedule, he could not complete all 63 provinces and cities as his original goal. "I traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to the North via the coastal route and when I arrived home in Quang Ninh , I stayed to celebrate Tet with my family for a week. Then I continued my journey across Vietnam," Long said.
Hoang Long completed his cross-country trip at the age of 20.
PHOTO: NVCC
Before starting the trip, Long prepared personal items such as: toothbrush, disposable toothpaste, towel, facial cleanser, water, dry shampoo, 3-4 sets of clothes. In addition, the young man also prepared tents, sleeping bags, equipment for filming and taking photos. "There is no need to bring too many clothes, but if you go backpacking in cold weather, you must prepare thermal clothes, sweaters and raincoats," Long said.
Hoang Long stopped to check-in in Hue
PHOTO: NVCC
Talking about the difficulties and challenges encountered on the way, Long said that because he was traveling alone, he sometimes felt lonely. At those times, Long would chat with the locals or call his relatives to feel less lost. In addition, if he traveled on rainy, cold days, it was quite difficult.
Long said: “The Northeast - Northwest route was an extremely challenging one for me because it was cold and foggy. But in return, this season the cherry blossoms and plum blossoms are very beautiful. And what impressed me most during this trip was the friendliness and enthusiasm of the local people. Wherever I went, everyone was willing to help me.”
For Hoang Long, the journey across Vietnam is a memorable milestone in his youth.
PHOTO: NVCC
The young man also noted that the car should be serviced before going and the oil should be changed every 2,000 km to avoid breakdowns on the road. Moreover, when going through mountainous roads such as the Northwest or the Central Highlands, one must always ensure a full tank of gas because in mountainous areas there are very few gas stations, few services and a sparse population.
The cost is less than 10 million VND for the whole trip.
To prepare the budget for the trip across Vietnam , Long took advantage of his spare time to work part-time and saved a sum each month. Long said the total cost of this trip was less than 10 million VND.
To save on the cost of renting a motel during the trip, Hoang Long chose to set up a tent to rest overnight.
PHOTO: NVCC
“In which, the cost of food is 3 million VND, I choose roadside eateries to save costs. Entrance fees at tourist attractions are 1.5 million VND, gas is 2.5 million VND. In addition, there are additional costs such as oil changes and vehicle maintenance before the trip, about 1.5 million VND more. Besides, you should also prepare a reserve fund for other unexpected situations,” Long shared.
Because he was traveling alone, Long mainly camped and set up tents to rest overnight instead of renting a motel. This helped him save some money. “I can’t set up a tent anywhere, I usually choose places like: sand dunes, beaches, pine forests, lakes, if I’m in a pinch, I have to go to a gas station or temple but I have to ask for permission first,” Long said.
Hoang Long took a photo with plum trees blooming white in Moc Chau ( Son La )
PHOTO: NVCC
After this trip, the male student received many good and interesting things. Long shared: “I took many beautiful pictures and videos, and saw with my own eyes the majestic scenery of Vietnam. Not only did I have unforgettable experiences and memories of my youth, but I could also use them for my future tour guide job if I decided to pursue this career. After the trip, I also understood the culture of each region. I gained a lot of knowledge about the culture, history and people of each destination.”
Hoang Long keeps the moments at the places he visits.
PHOTO: NVCC
This journey also brought Long many wonderful emotions and memories at the age of 20, an age full of dreams and ambitions to experience and explore. "Perhaps until I am old, I will never forget it. If anyone asks me if I plan to travel across Vietnam again, the answer is yes," Long confided.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nam-sinh-vien-di-phuot-xuyen-viet-voi-chi-phi-chua-den-10-trieu-dong-185250224144538343.htm
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