Foreign cyclist completes 22,000km journey, donates bike to aid flood-prone communities in Da Nang

Marino Izquierdo arrived in Da Nang on Thursday, marking the end of an extraordinary cycling expedition that began in his hometown in Spain nearly a year earlier.

Over the course of the journey, Izquierdo pedaled through 20 countries, covering an estimated 22,000 kilometers before reaching central Vietnam.

Rather than keeping his equipment as a personal memento, Izquierdo chose to donate his bicycle along with all of his travel gear to the local charity fund ‘Yeu Go Noi’ (Love Go Noi).

The donated items include the bicycle itself, a helmet, racing apparel, and medals earned along the route.

The Yeu Go Noi fund will take care of the items and hold a public auction in Ho Chi Minh City in early 2026.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to purchase rescue vehicles and emergency equipment to support flood response efforts in communities along the Thu Bon River, an area frequently described as a ‘flood hotspot’ due to its exposure to storms and prolonged inundation during the rainy season.

Izquierdo explained that he chose Da Nang as the final destination of his journey because of his long-standing connections with several charitable organizations in central Vietnam.

He said the repeated devastation caused by floods along the Thu Bon River reminded him of regions in Spain that also suffer from extreme weather events.

He expressed hope that his donation would help Go Noi Commune residents in Da Nang cope more effectively with future disasters.

Tran Thu, a representative of the Yeu Go Noi fund, said the organization was founded by local residents who wanted to support their hometown during increasingly severe flood seasons.

Thu added that all funds raised from the auction, combined with donations from benefactors, will be used to purchase 360 small boats, 34 motorboats, and essential safety equipment such as life jackets, boots, and flashlights.

The gesture of Izquierdo has drawn praise from local residents, who welcomed him warmly upon his arrival in the beach city.