Compass Travel Vietnam
On her 27th birthday, the girl who “played big” traveled alone, suddenly joined a stranger
Unable to find friends to go with, Thien Thanh suddenly came up with an idea: ‘How about playing big and traveling alone?’
Travel is something you have to spend money to buy but it makes you richer. So what have you BEEN from your travels? Follow the topic Interest Travel to listen, discover, and be inspired through the open, colorful lens of moving hearts.
Character: Thien Thanh (living in Ho Chi Minh City)
Occupation: Education Consultant
I graduated in 2015, and immediately after that, I worked as a supervisor for a convenience store chain. I still remember that time, I was alone in charge of 7 to 8 stores at a time, all of which were open 24/24. Sometimes in the middle of the night, employees have problems and have to get up to help.
After four years of working with me, although the environment is very happy, one day I suddenly realized: I have no time for myself, in my youth, there was an empty space because I only knew how to do and do.
So I quit my job. I started again with a completely new profession as an educational consultant. Fortunately, with this new job, I started to have a lot of time for myself and gradually “collected” that time to travel.
In just those 3 years, whenever the epidemic eases stress, I pick up my backpack to “make up” for the previous time. The first time I went away was with my colleagues to the North to visit Sapa. From that moment, I fell in love with the North! After many years of traveling to the southern provinces, there are only rivers and seas, until now I have been able to admire the majestic mountains. The days in Sapa, for the first time, I had the feeling of being immersed in unspoiled nature.
Thien Thanh was captivated by the majestic mountains in the northern mountainous region.Photo: NVCC
Just got back from Sapa, I was “crazy feet”. I heard that Ha Giang is very beautiful, so I immediately thought of going to Ha Giang. I couldn’t find anyone to go with, and a thought flashed in my head: “My birthday is coming up. Or go on a big trip alone?”
So I decided to book a plane ticket to Hanoi right away… nothing more.
Traveling with strangers
People who hear this might think I’m brave. But before this trip, I had never gone anywhere alone, even in Saigon to eat and shop with friends.
2 weeks before departure date. I started going to tour groups to read reviews about how to go. I don’t know how to drive a car, Ha Giang road is full of passes.
I was just going to go alone with him, but by fate, I came across a Facebook post of 3 girls in Hanoi looking for someone to go with Ha Giang. I also risked texting asking to come along and suddenly became a team. We decided to book a motorbike tour of a travel company, each car was accompanied by a “driver” who was both a driver and a guide.
Thien Thanh suddenly joined 3 friends who met for the first time.Photo: NVCC
I have to say that the first time I went with a bunch of strangers, I was very nervous, what if I didn’t speak properly or the culture was different? However, as soon as I got on the bus, all the thoughts in my head disappeared.
They immediately recognized me and invited me to sit together. The car that day was a double-cabin sleeper, I was lying next to one of the children in the group and talked about all sorts of things like an acquaintance for a long time.
During the whole trip, there was only one male in the group, and no friends, so everyone kept asking: “Is it okay to eat like this? Is it to your taste?”; “Can Thanh eat MSG?”
The whole group includes 4 girls and 4 extremely dedicated tour guides.Photo: NVCC
The beautiful scenery in Ha Giang made Thanh have to come back here 4 times in just over 1 year.Photo: NVCC
One day I had a stomach ache and ate unsuitable food, so the tour guide was worried that I was hungry, so I went to buy porridge for me to eat. At that time, I was very emotional, people who were just strangers a few days ago now care about me like family.
Going through Ma Pi Leng pass, on the Nho Que river or going anywhere, I never feel lost because there are always new friends by my side. This is a really new experience and changes my whole outlook on everything.
A special piece of youth
That 3-day trip suddenly brought me 3 lovely sisters. Although Saigon people are Hanoians, they still communicate regularly online. Once I had the opportunity to go to Hanoi, I called them again to reunite.
I still remember the day I flew back, a friend ran to the hotel to find me, carefully presented a bouquet of fresh flowers and a handwritten card. The gift made me laugh all the way back.
A bouquet of fresh flowers and a card that a Hanoi friend sent to Thien Thanh.Photo: NVCC
I would like to call Ha Giang “a special piece of youth”. Since my first trip, I have returned to Ha Giang 3 more times with different friends. Each trip is a season: the flower season, the green rice season or when the clouds roll over the top of the mountain are all very beautiful.
I love nature here and above all love the magical moments that have helped me grow in my soul, and know how to love and receive the love of strange good people everywhere.
On her 27th birthday, the girl who “played big” traveled alone, suddenly joined a stranger
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