Buzz
I vividly recall a midday in April when my father said to me: 'My only lifelong wish is to travel across Vietnam, exploring every corner, capturing the beauty, and then compiling it into a small book for future generations.' As I looked at the lines around his eyes when he smiled, I understood that this might be his grandest aspiration as he approached the autumn of his life. I simply laughed and replied, 'Wherever you want to go, Dad, I'll be right there with you.' And so began the tale of our journeys crisscrossing the three regions, 12 island districts, and 63 provinces - the odyssey of my father and me.
Quy Nhơn - The First Destination in Our Journey
Our initial destination was Quy Nhơn, the coastal city of Bình Định province. In my father's memories, Bình Định was a place with humble homes amidst unharvested rice fields. It was where both my parents were born and raised, where they met, fell in love, and then walked hand in hand through the years that followed.
In the stories of yesteryears, the youth of my parents revolved around the struggles of daily life—full today, hungry tomorrow, mornings spent at school, afternoons aiding the family. So, despite having been in Bình Định for over two decades, when asked about the scenic beauty of our hometown, they would still nod with a hint of regret, 'Back then, we didn't get to go anywhere...' We chose Bình Định as the starting point for our small photo collection, not just because it's our roots, but also to compensate for what my parents missed in their youthful springtime.
We chose Binh Dinh as a way to make up for what my parents missed in their youthful springtime.
During this journey, most of our time was spent at Eo Gio - Ky Co, savoring the beauty of the 'seaside paradise' on Vietnamese soil. On the first evening at Eo Gio, my family followed the footsteps of a newly acquainted coastal lad, trekking over numerous hills, hoping to reach the highest peak to fully embrace Eo Gio with our eyes.
With the sea inlet surrounded by a crescent-shaped mountain range, looking down from above, I thought I was witnessing a giant longing to embrace the vast ocean. Day and night, this figure welcomed strong winds from afar, letting them caress the rugged cliffs, and then those winds followed the mountain cleft, returning to blend with the sea waves. Until now, I can't forget the feeling of wanting to soar when standing on the mountain top, marveling at simultaneously seeing the moon rising high while the sun slowly descended behind the hills.
The beauty of the coastal area at dusk.
If the twilight scene was already beautiful, then the sunrise at Eo Gio was surprisingly a thousand times more stunning. I once had a sleepless night, fearing I wouldn't wake up in time to witness the sunrise. On the second day, around 3 to 4 in the morning, our trio was present at the Stone Egg Beach to welcome the sunrise.
Sunrise at Eo Gio.
I chose a spot right by the coastline, listening to the rhythmic waves while eagerly anticipating the distant fiery red sky. We quietly embraced the first rays of the day, watching the sun gradually cast its radiant golden light onto the sea, onto each rock, and then onto us. It wasn't until the sun had risen high that we reluctantly set off for Ky Co island.
I silently welcomed the first rays of sunlight.
To reach Ky Co island, we had to take a boat for over 20 minutes. Sitting on the boat, gazing out, all we could see was the vast expanse of the boundless blue ocean until the island grew larger, prompting us to shift our focus forward. The white sand, the blue sky, and the emerald sea gave Ky Co island the aura of a beautifully poetic painting.
Yet, Ky Co not only carries a dreamy color palette but also boasts vibrant touches created by unique rock formations and strange-shaped mountains. Any traveler visiting Ky Co can't help but marvel at the pristine beauty and inevitably feel the urge to immerse themselves in that crystal-clear sea.
Everyone would feel the irresistible urge to immerse themselves in that crystal-clear sea.
Leaving Ky Co, we returned to the central Quy Nhon city. With the limited time on the third day, we visited the Twin Towers, Queen's Beach, the Sharp Church, but none left as profound an impression on me as the Banh It Tower.
The Banh It Tower is a cluster of four distinctive Cham towers situated on a gently sloping hill near National Highway 1A. Despite being close to the bustling highway, the towers are surrounded by a small lush forest, creating a sacred separation from the dust of the outside world.
Banh It Tower.
All Cham tower architectures face east, and Banh It Tower is no exception. Understanding this reveals that the best time to explore these ancient towers is in the morning when the sun rises, casting its light over the details of the towers, accentuating the unique architecture of the ancient Cham people.
As the sunlight blankets the details of the tower, highlighting the unique architecture of the ancient Cham people.
Our journey to the land of Nau temporarily concludes after three days of sun and wind in the Central region. Clearly, a short trip is not enough to explore all of Binh Dinh, so we return to Saigon with a new regret named 'Couldn't explore it all.'
We leave Binh Dinh with boundless regret.
But ultimately, regret is part of life, a different motivation for people to strive to accomplish, even as they approach the end of their lives. Similar to how my father had a passion for photography in his youth, despite aging, with dimming eyes and shaky hands, he continues to harbor regret. A desire to wield the camera everywhere, like a flame waiting to ignite, spreading to others, involuntarily pulling them in. I am the same, not knowing when I started carrying a fervent flame within, wanting to traverse Vietnam with my father.Author: Vo My Van
* This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program.
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program showcasing beautiful destinations across Vietnam. It's an excellent opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour Contributor. Details about the program can be found at: https://www.Mytour/en-gb/golocal
