Young man arrives in Ho Chi Minh City for Reunification Day celebration after bicycle ride from Hanoi

What made his journey even more special was the bicycle — an old Thong Nhat model that once belonged to his grandfather.

For Ha, this was not just a bike; it was a treasured family heirloom that had carried him through childhood, as his grandfather used to take him to school on it.

Time had faded its paint, but the bike had been carefully preserved by Ha's parents and now continued its journey alongside a new generation.

Standing amid the bustling crowd in Ho Chi Minh City, watching each heroic step and hearing the resounding beat of drums of military parade rehearsals, Ha felt an overwhelming and indescribable sense of pride.

“I’ll never forget this journey,” Ha shared. 

“The exhaustion, the blazing sun, the breakdowns — none of it matters. 

"It was all worth it to witness the beauty and pride of my homeland with my own eyes.”

Ha began his ride early one morning in April, amid the busy rhythm of Hanoi. He packed a small backpack with a few sets of clothes, a small speaker, and sun-protection gloves.

Most importantly, he took his grandfather’s old bicycle. Departing from Bac Tu Liem District, he tied a Vietnamese national flag to the back of the bike.

Unlike many long-distance cyclists, Ha did not choose a modern sports bike. His Thong Nhat bicycle, though aged and simple, carried sentimental value.

“During the ride, I constantly thought about my grandfather,” he said.

This was not Ha’s first adventure across Vietnam. He had previously completed long journeys on foot and by motorbike. 

But this time, he wanted to experience the country by bicycle to complete what he calls the 'missing piece' of his youthful explorations.

Facing challenges, finding kindness

As he reached central Vietnam, the scorching sun made every kilometer more difficult. He often had to rest early and drink lots of water to keep going.

The trip was not without setbacks: he faced flat tires, broken pedals, and a slipped chain. At times, he had to walk his bike under the blazing sun.

But Ha never gave up. He pulled over the vehicle to the side of the road to fix it himself. 

When he could not manage the repairs, he had no choice but to walk it to the nearest repair shop.

“Luckily, after a few hundred meters, there was always a repair shop,” Ha recalled with a smile.

“One time in Thanh Hoa [in north-central Vietnam], a repairman spent the whole afternoon fixing my bike but refused to take any payment when he heard I still had a long journey ahead.”

Throughout the trip, Ha was met with incredible hospitality. Locals along the way invited him in for meals, often treating him to regional specialties.

“It felt like I was cycling through a ribbon of love that stretches across this country,” he said.

Each stop brought unique memories. 

In Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam, for example, an elderly man invited him in from the midday sun and offered a full meal of local dishes. 

Though Ha did not understand much of the local dialect, he smiled and responded politely, grateful for the kindness.

At night, Ha would find small roadside guesthouses where he could rest and recover.

“Whenever I felt tired, I’d stop, have lunch, then continue. In the evening, I’d plan where to eat and where to sleep based on how far I could go,” he explained.

Ha shared his journey online, drawing support and admiration from followers across the country.

One comment reads, “You’re not just riding a bike. You’re carrying a symbol of resilience from the wartime era. Wishing you a safe journey.”

For Ha, the trip was both a physical challenge and a way to train determination and learn from the real world, discovering the country’s cultural diversity.

He is even planning a cycling trip to Laos for Vietnam’s National Day (September 2) to connect with the people of the neighboring country.

At 24, while many choose comfort and safety, Ha opted for the open road, a vintage bicycle, and the national flag flying high.