Two young men walk from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi to celebrate National Day

Their journey, which began in early June, is now in its 70th day. Cao Le Tuan Tu, 41, from Ho Chi Minh City, and Nguyen Xuan Duy, 21, from Ninh Binh Province, expect to arrive in the capital on the 81st or 82nd day of their trek. They walk about 20 kilometers each day.

Tu, who has traveled extensively abroad, said he realized he had never truly explored Vietnam itself. To mark this year's National Day, he decided to walk to Hanoi to witness the military parade in person.

"Walking is a way to feel the rhythm, breath, and beauty of our homeland, while I still have the health to do it," Tu said.

He met Duy during the latter's summer break. Duy, who enjoys travel, asked his family for permission to join and flew to Ho Chi Minh City to start the journey. 

The two set off on June 5 from the Independence Palace, aiming to reach Hanoi in time for the celebrations. 

The date also carries symbolic meaning, reflecting the day President Ho Chi Minh began his search for a path to national liberation.

They carry a Vietnamese flag throughout the trip. Children who see it often shout "Vietnam the champion," which Tu said lifts their spirits when tired. 

Each carries a 10 kilogram backpack with five sets of clothes and basic gear, including a self-pitching tent. They rest when needed and discard items that weigh them down.

Although some people have invited them to stay overnight, they try not to rely on others and often rent guesthouses. Duy livestreams on TikTok most evenings, while Tu edits video clips to document their progress.

The hardest moments so far came when walking through the steep terrain of Dak Lak Province and during the intense summer heat in Ha Tinh.

In one memorable encounter near Gianh Bridge in Quang Tri Province, they met a woman collecting recyclables under the sun. Mistaking them for travelers in need, she offered money. When she learned about their journey, she gave them her phone number and told them to call if they needed help.

Another time, when they were walking along a quiet highway and had not eaten, a woman selling sticky rice and bananas approached and simply asked, "Have you eaten anything?" before handing them a meal.

"In Nghe An, after the floods and storms, a motorbike taxi driver invited us to breakfast, even though we were strangers," Tu said. 

"These moments made us feel the warmth of our fellow countrymen."

For Duy, the stories and people he has met along the way have been entirely new. Tu called the trip a chance to slow down and listen to the heartbeat of the nation. 

They also hope the videos they have filmed will help introduce Vietnam to international audiences, showing its beauty and kindness.

Tu has already planned his next journey, which he is calling "Gratitude and reflection." 

Starting at the end of October, he will cycle from the Lung Cu Flag Tower in northern Vietnam to Ca Mau in the far south. The one-month ride will retrace parts of the walking journey and add stops he missed, including the Dong Loc Junction and the Mother Thu Monument.

"I want to return to the places that helped me," Tu said. 

"I want to meet the people again and treat them to a meal as a thank-you for the support they gave me during this unforgettable journey."