Auntie Takes Son On Bike Trips To Inspire Him, Discovers Her Own Wanderlust

Auntie becomes hardcore traveler after she helped her son follow his passion

Now, we’re probably not the only ones who find supposedly inspirational quotes such as “follow your passion while you’re still young” corny. What’s wrong with following your passion even when you’re not young?

And if someone tells you all those generic reasons such as, “your health won’t be as good” or “you’ll be too busy with your kids”, show them the story of this auntie. Even at 57 years old, she’s still a hardcore traveler who’s overcome some of Vietnam’s most challenging routes on her motorbike.

Better still, she actually discovered her passion for traveling while trying to help her son find his own.

The auntie took her son on bike trips to inspire him

Mdm. Vân and her son on one of their trips
Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

For those who don’t know, scientific subjects such as math, physics, or chemistry are considered the core subjects at school in Vietnam. A lot of the time, parents would encourage their children to focus on those in the hopes they can get into a good university and secure a stable career in future.

She took her son to beautiful natural spots to inspire him
Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

Not this auntie, however. Mdm. Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân hails from Gia Lai Province, Vietnam reacted very differently from what you might expect.

When her son told her he felt miserable studying science and that his true passion lay in arts, she was not only supportive, but also went so far as to take her son on bike trips to beautiful nature spots to help develop his artistic vision.

Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

Several years have passed since the first mother-and-son bike trip that the woman said “had her trembling in fear.” Her son is currently studying graphic design at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture.

Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

The 57-year-old woman is now a savvier traveler than most can claim to be.

She went on a 7,800KM trip by herself

Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

The many bike trips Mdm. Vân undertook with her son ended up leaving her with a newfound love for traveling. Over the years, she went on to embark on several solo journeys when her son was busy.

Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

One of her most impressive adventures happened in August 2020. She spent two months traveling alone – from her hometown Gia Lai in the south, all the way to the most secluded mountainous areas of North Vietnam.

Image credit: Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân

The itinerary was a whopping 7,800-KM one that took her through some of the most dangerous mountain passes and peaks Vietnam has to offer.

“If my future grandchildren ever ask me about that journey, I’ll tell them, ‘I have your father to thank for that,’” Mdm. Vân quipped on one of her posts on Facebook.

57-year-old auntie conquers incredible bike trips

We’ve done our share of traveling around Vietnam, but this auntie’s achievements are truly inspiring.

Massive kudos go to her for her enthusiasm and adventurous spirit. We wish her good health to continue taking on more solo bike trips in the future.

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Cover image adapted from Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân (left) and Nguyễn Thị Bích Vân (right)

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