The U70 Man Who Drove Across Vietnam 16 Times Takes His Wife on a Trip

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The U70 Man Who Drove Across Vietnam 16 Times Takes His Wife on a Trip

Mr. Ngoc and his wife have taken 16 road trips across Vietnam by car, traveling through all 63 provinces and reaching the country’s four extreme points: East, West, South, and North.

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U70 man cycles across Vietnam

U70 man cycles across Vietnam (Photo: Provided by character)

Nguyen Luong Ngoc (born in 1961, originally from Hanoi) was formerly a high school principal in Lam Dong. Now retired and living in Lam Dong, he has a deep passion for travel. In 2019, as he approached his 60s, he discovered cycling and set a goal to cycle across Vietnam.

In February 2023, two years after retirement, Mr. Ngoc and a friend embarked on their dream cycling journey. Over five days, they covered more than 700 km from Lam Dong to Ca Mau before returning to Lam Dong by car.

After a two-day rest, the duo set off again, this time cycling from Lam Dong to Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son. The journey spanned 19 days and over 1,800 km.

Conquering northern Vietnam

By March 2024, Mr. Ngoc and his friends aimed to conquer the northern provinces.

“We transported our bicycles to Hanoi and started cycling from there to Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh before returning to Hanoi and heading back to Lam Dong by car. The journey lasted 29 days and covered 1,890 km,” he shared.

Unlike his previous trip, this adventure was filled with steep mountain passes and dense forests, with some stretches spanning dozens of kilometers without a single house in sight. “To be self-sufficient, we had to carry cooking equipment, including a gas stove, pots, plates, and food,” he recalled.

Mr. Ngoc feels happy traveling and admiring the beautiful landscapes of the country (Photo: Provided by character)

Mr. Ngoc enjoyed exploring new places and admiring Vietnam’s stunning landscapes. During this journey, he cycled through four districts of Ha Giang’s rocky highlands: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac. He marveled at the breathtaking mountain passes, including Cong Troi Pass, Tham Ma Pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Khau Coc Cha’s 14-tier pass, and Na Tinh Pass.

His remarkable endurance and determination have earned admiration from many. Even young adults in their twenties are in awe of the incredible distances he has conquered on his bike.

Borrowing money to buy a car for a cross-country journey

Mr. Ngoc follows a rigorous training routine to maintain his fitness for long journeys (Photo: Provided by character)

From a young age, Mr. Ngoc had a passion for sports, playing football, table tennis, badminton, and especially long-distance running, which helped him build strong endurance.

Although he took up cycling relatively late, he dedicated himself to intense training. Every morning, regardless of the weather, he cycled 40-50 km.

“Only by training this way could I endure cycling for 10 hours a day, nearly 30 days straight on my cross-country journey,” he shared.

A bold decision to pursue his passion

Speaking with Dan Tri, Mr. Ngoc revealed his lifelong love for cars and travel.

“In 1999, when times were tough and most people borrowed money to buy land or start businesses, I took out a 30 million VND bank loan to buy my first car.

That Tet holiday, my wife, Thieu Thi Ngoc Dung (born in 1962, a retired teacher), and I embarked on a road trip from Da Lat to Son La, covering over 3,600 km round trip,” he said.

Mr. Ngoc and his wife are both retired teachers (Photo: Provided by character)

However, just over 100 km into the journey, their car’s fuel tank was punctured by a rock, leaving a hole the size of three fingers. With no repair shop in sight, Mr. Ngoc had to improvise. He bought a fuel container and some tools, rigging the container to supply fuel directly to the engine.

“My wife had to sit in the passenger seat holding the fuel canister for several hundred kilometers. It wasn’t until we reached Hanoi that we found a place to weld the tank and only the next day could we continue our journey back to Lam Dong,” he recalled.

For Mr. Ngoc, that trip was the most challenging, filled with unexpected obstacles. Yet, it also gave him the confidence to take on even greater adventures in the future.

Traveling the world with his wife

Over the years, Mr. Ngoc and his wife have embarked on 16 cross-country road trips, covering all 63 provinces of Vietnam and setting foot at the country’s four extreme points—east, west, south, and north. He feels grateful that his wife and children have always supported his passion.

“On every journey by car, my wife has always been by my side. I have two daughters, both married, yet they always follow my adventures closely.

My family trusts in my resilience and determination. My daughters also share a love for travel and have even driven across Vietnam themselves,” he shared.

Mr. Ngoc’s wife always accompanies him on road trips (Photo: Provided by character)

Cherished family journeys

Reflecting on his travels, Mr. Ngoc recalls one of his most memorable trips. During the Lunar New Year of 2014, he and his wife, along with their daughters, sons-in-law, and three grandchildren, embarked on a road trip through the eastern and western northern regions of Vietnam.

“Eight of us traveled in two cars, taking turns driving throughout the journey. We marveled at the breathtaking landscapes of northern Vietnam, experienced the warmth and kindness of the local people, and broadened our horizons.

Exploring new places and sharing unforgettable experiences with my family is invaluable. That trip left me with indescribable emotions,” he reminisced.

This year, Mr. Ngoc plans to cycle through the 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta. He also hinted that this might be a solo adventure.