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| Representatives of the Department of Tourism and Hue Monuments Conservation Center presenting gifts and encouraging Ms. Ha Phuong and her son upon their arrival in Hue |
Ms. Ha Phuong is a special education teacher based in Hanoi. Her 13-year-old son, Ha Khoa, affectionately known as Khoai at home, is a student at Nguyen Trai - Thanh Xuan High School and is currently on summer break. They share a love for outdoor activities and experiential travel.
According to Ms. Phuong, she has traveled to Hue several times, and she has a deep love for the land of this Ancient Capital. Over the years, she and her son have traveled together using various means of transport. Last year, they completed a 55-day cycling journey spanning about 1,700 km across several provinces in Western Vietnam, with Hue once again serving as their final destination.
Ms. Phuong shared: “This year, my son and I decided to make the journey on foot. I wanted to teach him perseverance and encourage him to slow down and take in the experience. Walking also gave us more opportunities to stop along the way and make connections with local people.”
Each day, Ms. Phuong and her son set off between 4 and 5 a.m. before taking a break around 9 a.m. They then resumed their journey from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., covering an average of about 20 kilometers a day. “Khoai and I have plenty of experience with long-distance walking, so covering 20 kilometers a day is a piece of cake for us. We spend around VND 1.5-2 million per day, including accommodation for both our midday break and overnight stay (usually 2 different places), as well as meals and any additional transportation costs when needed,” said Ms. Phuong.
Before setting off, Ms. Phuong carefully considered her son’s health, as well as weather conditions, the route, his physical endurance, and backup plans for any unexpected situations. Safety measures were put in place before the journey began. Along the way, they constantly “listened” to their bodies to adjust their pace and take breaks whenever necessary. At each destination, they also made the most of technology to map out their route, as well as to find places to rest, take meals, and stay overnight…
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| Ms. Phuong was deeply touched by the warm support she received from the tourism sector and various organizations for their journey |
According to Ms. Phuong, Hue is not only the final destination of their walking journey from Hanoi but also where they will spend the most time, with 4 - 5 days set aside to explore the city’s culture, heritage, people and cuisine. After their stay in Hue, the mother and son will come back home by air.
In recognition of the mother and son’s affection for Hue and to encourage them on their journey, on the morning of July 24, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Hue Monuments Conservation Center, presented them with souvenirs, admission tickets to heritage sites, and vouchers for the Hue - Culinary Capital 2026 program on the morning of July 24. The gesture also reflected the tourism sector’s efforts to promote Hue as a welcoming and attractive destination.
Receiving the gifts, Ms. Phuong was touched by the gesture and said: “I am truly delighted and surprised. Hue is not only blessed with beautiful scenery, but its people are also incredibly friendly and hospitable. Given the opportunity, I will certainly return to Hue for more memorable experiences.”