A Hanoi teacher and her 12-year-old son embarked on a transformative two-month journey, cycling from the Mekong Delta to Hue.
A few days ago, 12-year-old Ha Khoa returned to Hanoi after a two-month cross-country adventure with his mother. Together, they traveled 1,700km across Vietnam, cycling over 1,000km of the journey.
Ha Khoa and his mother on their cycling journey across Vietnam
Khoa’s “summer homework” was a cycling trip through 19 provinces and cities, from Can Tho to Hue. They braved sudden early-summer downpours in the Mekong Delta, the scorching sun and wind of central Vietnam, and sand-covered hills and steep slopes that obscured the path ahead.
The result of this "course" was breathtaking natural landscapes seen for the first time, which made Khoa shout joyfully, "It’s so beautiful, Mom!" They also met warm-hearted strangers who felt like family. Most importantly, Khoa gained life skills, confidence, and resilience.
Khoa’s mother, Ha Phuong, is a special education teacher. In raising her son, she emphasizes developing life skills in real-world settings.
Khoa enjoying the fresh air in the Mekong Delta
Khoa has a deep love for nature, and the two often jog, cycle, and hike mountains in the northwest on weekends. Over the past year, Khoa began expressing a desire to cycle across the country to explore its beauty. That inspired his mother to plan the journey and rearrange her work schedule to accompany him.
“I talked to him thoroughly. The journey would last two months and involve multiple means of transport, mainly power-assisted bicycles. He needed both stamina and determination,” said Phuong.
Their bikes were equipped with electric assist for steep climbs or fatigue. Still, covering 50–60km a day on such a bike required strong physical endurance and perseverance.
“In each province, we’d stay for a day or two to rest, explore local landmarks, culture, and cuisine. Speed and number of destinations weren’t our goals. We prioritized health and emotional experience. Every turn of the wheels brought excitement, not pressure,” Phuong said.
At the beginning of June, they shipped their bicycles to Can Tho, flew there, and began pedaling through An Giang, Dong Thap, Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, and along coastal roads like Ho Coc, Ke Ga, Nha Trang, Vung Ro, and Tuy Hoa, finally reaching Hue. The total distance cycled exceeded 1,000km.
Khoa especially loved traveling through the Mekong Delta, where expansive rice fields stretched to the horizon, tall palm trees lined the road, and the peaceful countryside offered a sharp contrast to Hanoi. He was also thrilled by the local specialties, including roasted chicken from O Thum and stuffed frog.
During their stay, they met Ba Nam, a kind woman from Can Tho who treated Khoa like her own grandson. She taught him how to make banh xeo and took him fruit-picking in her garden.
Ba Nam’s care made a lasting impression on Khoa.Khoa and his mother faced many challenges along the wayMui Dinh's sand dunes were brutally hot and windy, but Khoa pushed onStunning coastal views helped Khoa forget the fatigue of the road.
Ha Khoa had an unforgettable summer by his mother's side. Photo: Courtesy of the family
On the route from An Giang to Dong Thap, Khoa suffered a minor injury that caused wrist pain and shook his spirit. But within days, he adapted, learned to manage his energy, and instead of worrying about reaching the next stop, he took time to admire the scenery and asked his mother to rest when needed.
From the delta to Ho Chi Minh City, Phuong was nervous about traffic congestion, knowing her son had little experience cycling in crowded urban areas. Yet the 12-year-old adventurer remained calm and even reassured his mom.
“When we reached the Thu Thiem Tunnel, a heavy downpour started. Someone shouted that the tunnel might flood. We had to take shelter at a bus stop and ended up calling a small truck to transport the bicycles to the hotel,” Phuong recalled.
The central provinces posed even greater challenges, with July’s intense heat. Khoa remembered most the climb across Mui Dinh’s sand dunes in Ninh Thuan (now part of Khanh Hoa). The wind howled, the sand burned, but Khoa didn’t stop. He even encouraged his mother to keep going.
Phuong admitted to moments of exhaustion, especially when her son had a mild fever in Vung Tau or when she was completely drained while climbing Lo Dieu Pass in Gia Lai.
“In those moments, I reminded myself to persevere so my son wouldn’t see his mother give up. I was honest with him about being tired, but I didn’t want him to worry. When it got too hard, we’d discuss and agree to rest longer,” she shared.
Despite the hardships, the daily views were rewarding. In coastal fishing villages, Khoa made new friends and was moved by peers who had to grow up quickly. At night, he confided in his mother, saying he felt fortunate to have a comfortable life.
Each day, Phuong was amazed by her son’s growth. Once reserved, he now opened up more, noticed when his mother was tired or ate less, and remained calm when facing unexpected issues like bike breakdowns or bad weather.
“This was a wonderful summer for me. I have so many stories to tell my friends when school starts,” Khoa said with excitement.
Vietnamnet.vn
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