Buzz
As of now, the young man has successfully completed a journey on foot through 64 provinces and cities of the country.
Being hearing impaired at the age of 7 was a significant challenge for the young man named Võ Hữu Phúc (born in 1991, former student of the Faculty of Information Technology, Pham Van Dong University, Quang Ngai City, hometown: Tra Xuan, Tra Bong, Quang Ngai). However, Phúc has always been confident, full of optimism, and nurtured a burning passion, which is to travel across the beloved S-shaped country to express his love for the nation, experience the colorful life.
Phúc shares: “Since I was young, I have wanted to travel to see that Vietnam is truly beautiful, Vietnamese people are truly admirable, and life has many colors. At the same time, it is an opportunity for me to experience all aspects of society, to make friends, to improve health, to grow up, to enjoy freedom… or simply when I want to go, then I hit the road…”. So far, Phúc has completed the journey on foot through 64 provinces and cities of the country.
Walking to Deepen the Love for the Country
Phúc once thought that today's youth, like a frog, only need to sit at the bottom of the well and can easily see the whole world, not limited to the sky above the mouth of the well, because the well... has Internet installed! “But one day, this frog began to feel bored with what it knew through the screen and wanted to see, to know directly. So it tried to jump out of the well, to go, to feel the real world outside, regardless of difficulties, hardships…”, Phúc said and admitted that he is indeed that frog!
For an average person, experiencing backpacking by walking is challenging enough, but for Phúc, it's even more daunting. It takes him much more time to communicate, ask for directions from others because he has to use pen and body language.
Since his school days, Phúc has pursued his dream with his first walking trip from Quang Ngai to Da Nang – Hoi An in the autumn of 2011. Not satisfied with that journey, at the beginning of 2014, Phúc embarked on a solo cross-country journey long cherished. The journey went from Ha Giang to Ca Mau through all provinces and cities of the country, covering a distance of over 2,000km. Wherever Phúc went, he tried to learn as much as possible about the local people's lives. With the enthusiasm of youth, Phúc tirelessly walked, sometimes for 18 hours a day, only resting for 6 hours.
The young man said: “These trips bring me a lot of joy, make me love my beautiful Vietnam even more. Each journey also teaches me profound lessons about humanity, how to treat others, how to live without wasting life, as well as to appreciate what I have such as friendship, love, time, and youth…”.
Journeys Filled with Challenges
Each trip is an experience but also a challenge for the young man. There are many paths where one cannot foresee the dangers.
Reflecting on this journey, Phúc recalls: “Last winter, I went to Sapa to climb Fansipan alone from Cat Cat – the peak of Fan – Ton station. Unfortunately, when climbing up to about 2,200m, I got lost because the snow covered the mountain, obscuring the trail, many trees broke and fell, and thick fog persisted all day. I was lost for 2 days and 2 nights, and on the 3rd day, I found the way down the mountain in a state of exhaustion, soaked, and covered in scratches from falling.”
Recalling this route, Phúc recounted: “After finding the way down the mountain, I reached the foothills, near the border of San Sả Hồ commune, where I encountered a H'Mong man collecting firewood passing by. He guided me back to the village. Thanks to the help of the H'Mong guy, Phúc was saved”.
The young man stated that he doesn't take risks or jeopardize his health or life when traveling, but always prepares meticulously before setting off. He shared: “I learn from friends about experiences, interesting things, and places worth visiting. I also learn how to survive, how to live happily every day, and love life more”.
Yearning to walk across Asia
Just 3 years into backpacking, with not much experience, coupled with the challenges of walking, this young man said he has walked no less than 20,000 km, with many journeys repeated multiple times each year.
“Some people have said my trips are crazy… But what's important is that my family and friends all support me, so I'm confident,” the enthusiastic young man recounted.
Phúc also revealed: “I crave to explore the world, and walking across Asia is my first goal. But for me, it's not an easy journey and requires time to consider thoroughly, learn necessary things…”.
Despite being less fortunate than others, the young man remains optimistic and open-hearted, always expanding his horizons. “Traveling to many places, experiencing many things, seeing all aspects of life, meeting people with worse circumstances than mine... That deeply teaches me to be content and cherish what I have, but also to strive in every difficulty and hardship. To live to the fullest, always hopeful and aspiring for the good things in life, knowing how to love sincerely and share faith with family, friends, and anyone whether encountered or not…”, that's Phúc's life philosophy.
“One must live to fulfill their human life so that when returning to the dust, there is no regret for having lived a wasted life!”, Phúc shared.
According to Báo Đất Việt
***
Reference: Travel handbook from Mytour
MytourMay 23, 2014
