Two individuals from Vietnam and South Korea, pursuing their individual aspirations, came together in a prominent city in Vietnam for a remarkable meeting that serves as an inspiration for others to prioritize their health and engage in running activities.
Nguyen Van Son, aged 38, from the coastal city of Hai Phong in Vietnam, and Besa Kim, aged 55, a citizen of South Korea, had an unexpected encounter in Da Nang City during their running journey.
The two individuals have dedicated several months to running along National Highway No. 1, which serves as a vital connection between the southernmost province of Ca Mau and the bustling center of Ho Chi Minh City.
Recently, there has been significant attention drawn to two individuals spotted carrying backpacks featuring a slogan promoting crossing Vietnam. These images have captured the interest of numerous passersby along their journey.
On February 25th at 10:30 am, they arrived in Ky Anh District, which is situated in the north-central province of Ha Tinh. Their ultimate destination is the capital city of Hanoi.
Printed on Son’s backpack is the phrase “Sơn xe hơi – đi bộ xuyên Việt, Sài Gòn – Hà Nội” (Son the car – walking across Vietnam, Saigon – Hanoi).
“Son xe hoi” (Son the car) is the Facebook account of Nguyen Van Son, a reputable car trader based in Nui Deo Town, Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong.
Son had the idea of walking across the nation three years ago.
On January 11, 2023, shortly before the commencement of the Lunar New Year celebration, he embarked on a journey to Ho Chi Minh City with the purpose of executing his plan.
Before the big day, he diligently trained for this challenge for three years, building up his strength and endurance.
Furthermore, he successfully convinced his family to wholeheartedly support and embrace the audacious endeavor.
Despite being an experienced runner, he openly acknowledged that the initial week presented the most significant hurdle. Adjusting to overnight stays in outdoor settings such as the wilderness or beneath bridge structures along the running path proved to be a challenge.
During numerous days of the journey, he encountered stretches of land devoid of any residential dwellings. Consequently, as the nightfall approached, he had no choice but to independently establish his camp on the roadside.
There were moments when he contemplated giving up his pursuit of running. However, he mustered the determination to shed approximately 10 kilograms of baggage in order to persevere on his journey.
He maintains a steady pace and engages in self-soothing techniques to stay motivated and focused during his run. Additionally, he discovers various strategies to enhance his running experience and derive pleasure from the activity.
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| Nguyen Van Son walks through Vietnam on his personal mission. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre |
“Son commented that navigating through Vietnam poses a formidable challenge that proves difficult to surmount.”
“I experienced intense abdominal pain due to consuming contaminated food during my journey.”
“My physical fatigue was so overwhelming that it brought me to tears, as I experienced an intense sense of loneliness.”
I cannot forget the unforgettable night when I traversed the majestic Cu Mong mountain pass, linking the two south-central provinces of Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.
“I reached the base of the pass at 5:00 pm but was unable to find suitable accommodations for the night. Consequently, I continued walking,” Son reminisced about his indelible experience.
“It was growing dark as I found myself in the heart of the pass.
“I experienced extreme fatigue, causing my hair to stand on end, and noticed numerous altars scattered along the roadside.”
“It wasn’t until I sprinted down the mountain pass at 9:00 pm that evening and caught sight of the shimmering lights emanating from nearby dwellings that I realized I had successfully conquered the challenge.”
The son removes his pair of shoes and exposes his feet, revealing a significant number of calluses and blisters.
The shoes he is wearing are a pair of shoes that he has already worn. This is his third pair of shoes, as the previous two pairs have become worn out and he has kept them as souvenirs.
Son’s backpack is filled with essential items for the trip, including packets of cold and flu medicine, toothpaste, fresh water, a camping hammock, a mosquito net, instant noodles, and a pot for boiling water.
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| Calluses on the bottom of Nguyen Van Son’s left foot. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre |
During his run from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, Son had an unexpected encounter with a fellow South Korean runner who happened to be making the same journey.
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| Besa Kim, 55, is a South Korean citizen, who also has a special passion for running. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre |
He frequently discusses Vietnam on his official Facebook page and expresses his aspiration to one day embark on a remarkable journey running from Ca Mau Province, located at the southernmost tip of Vietnam, all the way to Hanoi.
In early 2023, Kim embarked on a journey from South Korea to Ho Chi Minh City. From there, he proceeded by car to reach Ca Mau, in pursuit of his lifelong dream.
Before embarking on his mission, he meticulously printed a large poster and positioned it on the wall of the residence adjacent to the starting point, thus effectively notifying all individuals of his forthcoming journey.
On the morning of February 28th, the South Korean traveler discovered that another individual, named Son, was also embarking on the journey through Vietnam from Ca Mau to Hanoi. The South Korean’s backpack prominently displayed the phrase “Hành trình xuyên Việt từ Cà Mau – Hà Nội” (The trans-Vietnam journey from Ca Mau to Hanoi).
They engaged in a brief conversation in Vietnamese before resuming their journey towards Hai Van Pass in Da Nang, all with the shared objective of reaching the capital city of Hanoi.
Kim had a contrasting approach compared to Son. He mentioned taking breaks during his run to explore the scenic spots along the route.
The individual from South Korea also documented numerous instances where he received support and encouragement from the people of Vietnam during his running journey.
According to Kim, his recent two-month-long travel experience in Vietnam has left him with countless cherished memories. He describes Vietnam as a country abundant in warm smiles.
In certain locations he traversed, residents identified him based on the Vietnamese phrases depicted on his backpack.
The individuals arrived at a roadside stand, where they purchase several bottles of freshly sourced water. Additionally, as a gesture of appreciation, they kindly offered a monetary incentive to the vendor.
” ‘Good luck!’ they wished me, and I eagerly anticipated resuming my journey,” the South Korean expressed on his Facebook profile.
While Kim enjoys many happy experiences, the most daunting for them is encountering stray dogs during their walks.
“I often find myself being pursued by canines, which may explain my enhanced running ability,” he quipped.
Both Son and Kim have stated that it will take them an additional month to reach the “finish line” in Hanoi. This achievement would mark a significant milestone for them.
“I am determined to achieve it, and I hope that my personal journey will motivate individuals to engage in regular physical activity,” Son remarked.
“I am determined to promote and establish the reputation of resilient and healthy Vietnamese individuals.”
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| Some necessities in Nguyen Van Son’s backpack. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre |
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