76-year-old veteran drives a motorbike across Vietnam to watch the April 30 parade

Choosing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification in a special way, Mr. Tran Van Thanh (76 years old, residing in Vinh City, Nghe An) alone drove a motorbike across Vietnam, expected to be in Ho Chi Minh City before April 30 to watch the parade.

On the afternoon of April 22, after 5 days since leaving Nghe An, Mr. Thanh was in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, temporarily stopping by his daughter's house and taking advantage of the maintenance of an old motorbike - a vehicle that has been with him for more than 1,300km.

Sharing about the journey, Mr. Thanh said that it started on the morning of April 17.

At first, he told his family that he would take a bus to Ho Chi Minh City and send it as a motorbike, but in reality, he had quietly prepared equipment including clothes, blankets, pots and pans, alcohol stove and the national flag to directly steer.

"If I knew I was riding a motorbike across Vietnam, my family would definitely stop me, so I had to lie" - Mr. Thanh shared.

As a veteran who fought on the B5 front (Road 9 - North Quang Tri) in the resistance war against the US, Mr. Thanh said that this journey is not only a desire to witness the parade to celebrate the Liberation of the South but also an opportunity to show gratitude to his comrades and look back at the changes of the country after 50 years.

On the way, Mr. Thanh tried to avoid the sun by departing at 6am, taking a lunch break and continuing to run in the afternoon. He travels about 150-200km a day, and in the evening he stays at local motels and hotels.

Sharing about the difficulties, he said that the routes are relatively favorable, except for Ngang Pass (Ha Tinh - Quang Binh) and Hai Van Pass (Hue - Da Nang), which makes the 25-year-old car quite difficult.

He once fell off a motorbike and suffered minor scratches in Phu Yen. Another time, the car ran out of gas in the middle of Hai Van Pass but was fortunate enough to receive timely support from local people.

On the journey, he visited many historical sites, including the ancient battlefield in Quang Tri, to burn incense for his comrades and meet his adoptive mother. In Da Nang, his story spread on social networks, from then on the family learned about the incident and advised him to stop.

"I feel good about my health, want to go and experience, and regularly update my family about the situation, so my children and grandchildren are more assured" - he said.

Along the way, many people invited him to eat and give him gifts, but Mr. Thanh chose to share with the disadvantaged workers he met on the road.

Through this trip, I want to inspire patriotism, remind the younger generation to remember the contributions of their ancestors who sacrificed to protect the Fatherland - the veteran shared.

Mr. Pham Quoc Huong - Head of Block 2, Quang Trung Ward, Vinh City - said that since the beginning of March, Mr. Thanh shared at a veteran meeting about the plan to ride a motorbike to the South to see the parade: "At first, everyone thought he was playing, because at that age, traveling alone on a long road was not easy".

Mr. Thanh's daughter - Ms. Tran Thi Hong Yen, currently living in Nha Trang City - said that at first she was very worried when she learned that her father was a single father on a long journey: "Although worried, the family respected his decision. On this occasion, April 30, my family will go to Ho Chi Minh City to see the parade with our father".

It is expected that after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Thanh will park his motorbike and return by train or bus to help his family less worry.

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