Cycling more than 2,000km towards the Capital to attend National Day

In recent days, the cross-country cycling journey of more than 2,000km by the couple Ho Ngoc Thuy (40 years old) and Truong Quang Thai (43 years old) from Can Tho City to Hanoi has attracted the attention of the online community and people on many roads they passed.

Departing on July 22, the couple planned to arrive in the capital on the occasion of National Day, September 2, with the wish to visit President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and witness the historic parade.

A journey of gratitude through cemeteries

During the 40-day journey, they visited all the cemeteries, monuments, memorial houses and historical sites along Highway 1A. “Each turn of the wheel is a tribute to the heroes and martyrs. Cycling helps me slow down, enjoy nature and remind myself to live a worthy life,” Thuy shared.

Thuy’s family has a deep revolutionary tradition. Her grandmother once hid cadres, her uncle was a war invalid, and her aunt joined the liaison force at the age of 13 and fought until the day of liberation. “No one in the family has ever been to Hanoi and had the opportunity to visit President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. I want to fulfill that wish on behalf of my family,” Thuy shared.

Ms. Ho Ngoc Thuy and Mr. Truong Quang Thai visited the martyrs' memorial stele in Ha Tinh.

On this special journey, they encountered many hardships: flat tires, luggage tied behind the saddle often falling off, having to go through dark roads without lights, storms coming,... They refused offers of rides because they did not want to miss any cemeteries.

Along the way, Thuy and her husband visited many cemeteries and burned incense to express their gratitude.

"In the middle of the Phu Yen martyrs cemetery, in front of 6,147 graves, we were silent before the large grave burying 42 soldiers who died at the same hour in a fierce bombing. "Not born on the same day, but died at the same hour. Hearing that makes my heart sink," Mr. Thai choked up.

"Happy Journey" of Two Hearts in Harmony

In particular, this trip was also a gift to celebrate the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary. No parties, no vacations, they spent all their savings on the trip and raised funds to pay tribute to families of policy beneficiaries, war invalids and martyrs.

Before the departure day, the two children were left with their grandparents. Thai and Thuy set off with two old bicycles, suitcases strapped to the back of the saddle and a red flag with a yellow star in front. They started each day at 4am: Thai checked the bike, while Thuy took the opportunity to record and share the journey on social media. They traveled an average of 80-90km/day.

The TikTok channel “Thuy riding a bicycle” is updated regularly by her, attracting thousands of views and well wishes from the online community. People along the way bring water and send words of encouragement. “It’s not just about having three meals a day, living is also about doing something meaningful to your heart,” she said.

Passes like Deo Ca and Hai Van became a big challenge. At noon and in the evening, they took the opportunity to connect with their employees at their family business, which sells crabs, dried fish and sauces. Traveling, working and staying in touch – they made the trip a part of their daily routine.

“Cycling 2,000km is a long distance, my arms and legs are sore, sometimes I have to move step by step, but thinking about the sacrifices of the heroic martyrs, I cannot stop,” Thuy shared.

Return to the Capital with a full heart

Talking to SGGP Newspaper reporters on August 27, after passing through the eye of storm No. 5 (Kajiki) with rain, wind, and flooding, Thuy and her husband said they were in Ninh Binh, only 90km from the capital.

Ms. Thuy said: “Many people said we were “showing off” when we entered the eye of the storm, but that was an objective and unpredictable circumstance. We still followed the plan and stopped to rest if the storm was dangerous. As people from the West, for the first time we directly felt the hardship of the people in the Central region during the flood season, which we had only seen on TV before.”

Thuy and her husband (left) visited the tomb of Uncle Vo Nguyen Giap on their more than 2,000km cycling journey from Can Tho to Hanoi.

Despite the relentless rain and sun, Ho Ngoc Thuy and Truong Quang Thai remained steadfast on their journey, determined to keep their sacred promise: to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum on National Day, September 2. Carrying the sincere feelings of the simple Westerners, they called the trip not only a journey to the finish line, but also a way to slow down to see more clearly the meaning of their lives.