Vietnamese man explores 3 continents in 1 month with 60 million VND.
Báo Dân trí•04/11/2024
(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Vuong Dong (29 years old) has just completed a solo trip to 3 continents in 30 days with only 60 million VND.
Dreaming of exploring the world since childhood, Vuong Dong chose to major in tourism in Vietnam before pursuing a master's degree in France. Currently, he lives and works in Normandy, in western France. The young man, born in the 1990s, says he has been planning to explore three continents since his 15-day bus trip around Europe in 2022. This time, he started from Paris, France (Europe), then went to Marrakech, followed by Morocco (Africa); explored Montreal and Toronto, Canada (North America); Havana, Cuba (Americas), and finally returned to France. Wang Dong has had a passion for travel since he was a child. (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Overwhelmed by the luxurious and peaceful life without internet.
His first destination was France. The classic, elaborate, sophisticated, and fashionable architecture of Paris completely captivated him, leaving him overwhelmed by the magnificent and opulent scenery. The Vietnamese traveler considered the food expensive but delicious and distinctive. Next was Marrakech, Morocco. Looking down from the airplane window, Vuong Dong was surprised to see that the city was more developed and beautiful than he had imagined. Upon landing, Dong was directed to the ticket counter, then followed the number on his ticket to find a taxi. "I was very surprised by the service here. The hotel owner was enthusiastic and always pointed out the best restaurants with the best prices," Dong said.
Vietnamese tourists are impressed with the Medina market selling handicrafts (Photo: Provided by the subject). Walking through the old town of Marrakesh, Dong found a sense of familiarity because the scenery was quite similar to the old town of Hoi An. The male tourist shared that without a map, it would be very easy to get lost here because of the deep, winding alleys. Besides the food , the famous Medina market also sells many handicrafts, various stones, paintings, shoes, and clothes in vibrant colors that attract tourists. After the day's experience, Dong continued his journey to Canada, spending time in Montreal, Toronto, and visiting Niagara Falls. The young man said that Montreal gave him a clean and beautiful feeling, the town of Niagara Falls was peaceful, but Toronto was incredibly modern with its towering skyscrapers, luxurious hotels, sparkling brightly at night. Dong considered Canadian cuisine expensive, especially the tipping in Canadian restaurants, which is quite high. Dong recounted: "A smoked bacon sandwich costs $14 (over 350,000 VND), but when you add taxes, fees, and tips, it can go up to $17-18. However, this is understandable because the service here is good and the staff are enthusiastic."
Toronto's towering skyscrapers impress visitors (Photo: Provided by the subject). The place that left the most lasting memories for him was Havana, the capital of Cuba. Here, the people were open and welcoming. When they learned he was from Vietnam, they even called him by the affectionate nickname "brother." Dong said that Cuba is very safe, everyone is friendly, and he felt at home. During his time in Havana, Dong chose to live without internet. He fully enjoyed every moment there. The male tourist spent more time on himself, exploring the scenery, the food, and relaxing. Dong said he only used the hotel's Wi-Fi to update his family. In Havana, there is a clear distinction between rich and poor; for example, just 100 meters apart, one side is lined with luxurious hotels and the other with simple residential areas. Unlike the old town of Marrakech, the streets in Havana are wide, easy to navigate, and easier for Dong to remember. He was also extremely surprised to find that the food was quite cheap and fresh, with a wide variety of seafood. For just $12 (over 300,000 VND), tourists can enjoy lobster and a paradise of drinks, with inexpensive cocktails perfect for sipping in Cuba's characteristic hot weather. Here, Dong rested and relaxed. In the morning, he wandered around looking for a cafe, took a walk, and had lunch. In the afternoon, Dong drank sugarcane juice with ice and strolled along the beach, returning to the hotel to sleep early in the evening.
The young man enjoyed peaceful days in Cuba (Photo: Provided by the subject).
The secret to traveling to 3 continents with 60 million VND.
Dong shared that he spent a considerable amount of time choosing destinations in each continent because each place had to meet his criteria such as direct flights, low prices, simple visa procedures, and a high level of safety. In addition, he wanted to visit places with rich culture and history or many attractive destinations. After compiling a list of places to visit, Dong began calculating the most reasonable and economical travel plan. Initially, he planned a round trip with one-way tickets, but after reconsidering, he found it unsuitable. Therefore, Dong decided to continue with his original plan. Dong said he spent an extra two days just booking flights and hotel rooms. To have a complete experience, Vuong Dong revealed that it's important to maintain energy levels, especially adapting to time zones when traveling to different locations. Therefore, in his plan, the male traveler chose to visit Morocco, Africa first, because compared to France, these two locations are only 2 hours apart, so time wouldn't be a problem. With the goal of being as economical as possible, Vuong Dong said that his one-month trip exploring three continents cost approximately 60 million VND. Of that, round-trip airfare to various locations cost about 27 million VND. Dong received financial support from his brother for two weeks of accommodation in Montreal, Canada. After this trip, Dong realized that his worldview had broadened, and he gained a different perspective on life. He enjoyed the poetic and romantic beauty of strolling in the rain on a street corner in Paris, France, then was overwhelmed by the glittering lights of skyscrapers at night, the luxury and expensiveness of the metropolis of Toronto, Canada, and then astonished by the dilapidated houses and the poverty and hardship of the people in Havana, Cuba… Dong revealed that his plans included South America. After exploring Cuba, he intended to go to Bogota, Colombia. However, Dong decided to cancel the trip due to security concerns. Through these unique experiences, Vuong Dong realized he needed to strive to improve himself more, appreciate what he has, travel more, and live more slowly. The male traveler shared that Africa is the place he most wants to return to because there are still many new things he hasn't explored yet. He hopes to experience a desert tour or watch migratory animals there. Vuong Dong said he will definitely return to South America on one of his next trips. In addition, Australia and the two poles are also among the exploration dreams of this young man born in the 1990s.
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