Former Vietnamese journalist conquers 2 of world’s highest peaks within 48 hours

Over the past 30 years, hundreds around the globe have successfully reached the summit of Everest, including several Vietnamese climbers. 

However, Duy’s success in conquering both Everest and Lhotse within just 48 hours is a rare accomplishment.

Feeling reborn after crossing threshold of death

“I felt like I was reborn.” That was the lasting impression for Duy, 40, who formerly worked for Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City, after a 40-day journey of facing dangers and challenges in the Himalayas.

On this journey, he summited Mount Everest on May 11 and then reached the top of Lhotse on May 13.

The road to Everest was filled with countless challenges. Every step involved confronting sharp rocks, unstable cliffs, piercingly cold ice and snow, and sudden gusts of wind.

“There were moments when I was so exhausted and didn’t even know who I was anymore," Duy recalled.

"Every step became a battle. Sometimes, I could only move one step in a whole minute.

“But I grit my teeth and kept going, because I knew it wasn’t just physical strength that gets you to the finish line—it’s willpower and mental toughness, too.”

Amidst the vast and harsh wilderness, Duy deeply felt the smallness of human beings. 

From that realization came gratitude — for being alive, for still being able to experience the world, and for the chance to return home.

“After the journey, I felt like I was reborn, transformed into a different person — calmer, more profound, and more appreciative of simple things,” Duy said.

He did not take up mountaineering to set records or seek fame, nor did he approach it as a professional athlete. 

He embarked on the journey with a light and free spirit. Perhaps that very carefree mindset helped him receive more than he had ever hoped for.

The moment he reached the summit, the first thing he thought of was to take out the Vietnamese flag and capture that sacred moment.

On Everest, the weather was favorable, and he had about 15 minutes to proudly raise the national flag.

On Lhotse, with winds gusting at 50-60 kilometers per hour, he only managed to hold the flag close to his body to protect the symbol of his homeland.

The former journalist shared, “Raising the Vietnamese flag on the roof of the world was a tremendous honor. Because even now, very few Vietnamese people have done that.”

Through this journey, he also wanted to prove that the physical capability of Vietnamese people is no less than anyone else’s. 

Conquering Everest is not an impossible feat. What matters is a clear plan, thorough preparation, and a strong will that will not falter midway.

Step-by-step plan to conquer Everest

Duy developed a special bond with the Himalayas more than 10 years ago. Frequent travels to the region gradually nurtured in him a passion for conquering majestic mountains.

In April 2023, he first summited Mera Peak (6,476m). Immediately after, he set a goal to stand atop Everest within two years. 

In the end, he not only achieved that goal but far exceeded expectations by summiting Lhotse as well.

To achieve this success, he meticulously prepared his finances, physical strength, endurance, and resilience. 

He also received support from the mountaineering company Adventure 14 Summit and his companion Temba Bhote, nicknamed the 'Himalayan Sherpa,' who has summited Everest more than 10 times.

To adapt to the oxygen-deprived conditions at extreme altitudes, Duy designed a scientific training regimen. 

Each year, he challenged himself with a higher mountain. Some years, he went on two expeditions to improve his adaptability. 

For Everest alone, he made four preparatory trips before the actual climb.

“Mountaineering can't be rushed. To get to Everest, I had to conquer peaks at 6,000m, then 7,000m, then 8,000m. Each mountain was a step for me to train and adapt,” he said.

During the arduous journey, his family was his greatest emotional support. 

In the final stretch toward Everest, his wife and relatives were filled with breathless anxiety. But they were also his strongest motivation to continue to Lhotse, even though he initially planned to stop after Everest.

Returning after more than 40 days in Nepal, Duy took time to rest, recover, and reunite with his family. 

Then he began planning a new project to share his mountaineering experiences, as well as the culture and spiritual life of the Himalayas.

He advises those determined to conquer Everest to let their dream be big enough. What is important is to build a clear, detailed plan to gradually turn that dream into reality.

In September 2024, he summited Manaslu (8,163m), becoming the first Vietnamese to reach this treacherous peak. 

To date, he has conquered three out of the 14 highest peaks on earth, a proud achievement for a Vietnamese on the global mountaineering map.

A graduate of the Academy of Journalism and Communication in Hanoi, Duy worked as a journalist from 2006 to 2015. 

A turning point came in 2014 when he first set foot in the Himalayas. 

From then on, his love for the region deepened, driving him to explore its culture and spiritual life.

Currently, he is developing a series called 'Tibetan Cultural House' in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

These spaces display cultural artifacts from the Himalayas, helping people find peace and balance in their spiritual lives.

He also organizes pilgrimages, cultural tours, and healing journeys to Nepal, Tibet, Northern India, and Bhutan.