The new COVID-19 wave, hitting just as summer begins, has probably spelled the untimely demise of many travel plans. For the good of the community, perhaps it’s best to stay put for now. At least we still have photos from old vacations to look back upon to soothe our wanderlust.
This 22-year-old man, in particular, has an especially memorable trip to reflect on. Not only did he travel across the length of Vietnam, but he also did it with an elderly man he barely knew. His reason? To fulfill a promise his grandfather made to his best friend before passing away.
Here’s the story behind their incredible journey.
Image credit: Hoàng Đạt
“I used to think someday I’d travel across Vietnam. I never thought I’d do it not with my family, not with my lover, nor my close friends, but with a 74-year-old man I barely knew.”
That was the opening of the story 22-year-old Hoàng Tiến Đạt shared on Check in Vietnam – a Facebook group of travel enthusiasts.
Image credit: Hoàng Đạt
From what Đạt said, the elderly man was his grandfather’s best friend. They once made a promise to travel together, but Đạt’s grandfather fell ill and passed away before they could go through with the plans.
That was many years ago, but Đạt still felt the need to uphold that promise, both to honor his grandfather’s memory and to fulfill his best friend’s wishes.
But of course, their journey was more than just sunshine and rainbows.
Image credit: Hoàng Đạt
“When I voiced my idea of taking him on a trip, both my family and his objected. They were concerned about our health and safety,” Đạt shared one of the difficulties encountered by the duo.
The elder gentleman, however, bought wholeheartedly into the idea. Đạt described the exact moment he shared the news with him,
“His eyes lit up with excitement the moment he heard the proposal. He stood and ran several rounds around the yard to prove he was healthy enough.”
Image credit: Hoàng Đạt
Eventually, the two were able to set out on their dream journey. Over the course of 25 days, they traveled 4,000KM through 20 Vietnamese provinces. For the most part, they avoided crowded tourist spots and instead prioritized historical sites, museums, and cultural attractions.
Image credit: Hoàng Đạt
“By the end of it, he seemed to have become several years younger,” Đạt said.
Đạt’s amazing adventure with his grandpa’s BFF is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He completed a journey few can say they have, and in the process also helped an elderly man uphold a promise to his deceased friend.
Surely, this will be something they’ll both remember with fondness for the rest of their lives.
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Cover image adapted from Hoàng Đạt
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