For me the year 2023 is a special one, it is the last year of my 20s, and soon I am going to reach the significant milestone of turning 30. I want to fill this year with memorable moments and exciting adventures. And a challenging riding journey would be the perfect way to achieve just that.

This year my company’s annual team building event takes place in Nha Trang, a coastal city about 500km from HCMC. Some of my colleagues had the brilliant idea to ride bikes to the destination, and without hesitation, I decided to join the crew.

At the time of writing this, I’m in Mui Ne, Binh Thuan province, enjoying the picturesque beach and the calming ocean breeze. This morning I also have an online class, in such the environment the quality of the lesson that I convey seems to be higher, it’s surely from the energy I’m getting from Mother Nature. Originally, I had set my goal to reach Mui Ne, which was 200km from HCMC. However, after a restful night and feeling fully recovered, I decided to continue my ride and reach even farther

Day 01 (July 26): HCMC-Phan Thiet City-200km

The journey began at 6:30 AM in Thu Duc City, with a small crew of just two riders – Cuong, the bike assembly expert, and me. Though we wished more friends could join us, we embarked on the long journey with excitement.

We passed through Dong Nai, which is an industrial province with busy roads filled with containers and trucks. It’s kind of dangerous for riders, so if you have any plan on riding thru. the road, be mindful during your riding, always keep in mind safety first. As we moved ahead and reached Dau Giay, the traffic was eased a bit with the opening of the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet highway. Dong Nai is huge area so it took us the whole morning to pass through the province, we had a good lunch and took short a nap, after passing Dong Nai we already reached 110km of riding. In the afternoon, the landscape changed as we entered Binh Thuan, with beautiful scenery and cooler weather as the afternoon clouds rolled in. We even caught in a refreshing rain during the ride.

By evening, we arrived in Phan Thiet city and checked into a hotel with a stunning ocean view. The seafood dinner was fresh and delicious, providing the perfect replenishment after a long day of riding. Despite the exhaustion, I managed to teach my online classes, finding inspiration in my adventures to share authentic Vietnamese stories with my students.

Day 2 (July 27): Phan Thiet – Phan Ri Cua – 70km

The next morning, my friend Cuong continued his ride towards Nha Trang, leaving me to explore Phan Thiet. After a walk along the beach, to be honest the beach at Phan Thiet city is not pristine, I believe that Mui Ne beach is much more fabulous. Then I rode around the city and stopped by a coffee shop with gorgeous ocean view to have breakfast and coffee, also spend time to plan my route to Mui Ne.

A day later…

The second day was truly amazing! As I find myself on the morning of the third day, I am savoring a delightful cup of coffee at a beautiful resort in Ca Na, Binh Thuan. The amusing part is that I arrived at the pick-up point to meet my colleagues at 8:30 am, but they won’t be here until around 11 am. Luckily, this gives me several hours to explore and enjoy my time. While it’s challenging to find a coffee shop around here, I stumbled into a fantastic resort with a lovely restaurant. I decided to order a cup of coffee and relish the experience of sipping it right by the beach. The ambiance is so cool and enjoyable.

The journey from Phan Thiet to Mui Ne was amazing. Riding along the beach, with the ocean breeze accompanying me, I felt a surge of energy. Despite the availability of a shorter route along the 1A highway, I opted for the longer but more beautiful road along the ocean, taking in the mesmerizing landscapes of mountains and the sea.

As expected, Mui Ne beach was a paradise. The fine sand, crystal-clear water, and calm waves made it a captivating sight. On the bike, I spent several morning hours to explore Mui Ne, I visited a peaceful temple named “Mieu Ba” amidst a cemetery, where I found solace in the meditation-like moment, appreciating the present and savoring the experience.

After a delightful time in Mui Ne, I continued my journey to Phan Ri Cua. Yesterday’s weather was a treat for riders as it was a cool and cloudy day—perfect riding conditions. During lunchtime, I made a delightful stop at a coffee shop, relishing both a delicious meal and a cup of coffee. Later in the afternoon, I had a class from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. After the class, I found myself with extra time on my hands, and that adventurous spirit in me couldn’t resist the temptation to explore further. So, I decided to embark on a ride to Phan Ri Cua in Binh Thuan, which was approximately 50 km away from Mui Ne.

The landscape transitioned beautifully from urban areas to the serene countryside with lush dragon fruit farms, for which Binh Thuan is renowned. It was a mesmerizing sight to witness the hardworking farmers were taking care of their crops.

Arriving at Phan Ri Cua around 6:00 pm, I was greeted by a small, charming seaside town that had an authentic, non-touristy atmosphere. The majority of the people here were farmers and fishermen, adding to the rustic charm of the place. Finding accommodation turned out to be a bit challenging, but I eventually managed to secure a place to stay for the night. After the day’s adventures, I decided to take it easy in the evening. I stayed in my cozy accommodation to rest and prepare for my two upcoming online classes, I couldn’t help but feel excited about sharing my adventurous day with my students.

Day 3 (July 28): Phan Ri Cua – Ca Na – 50km

The final day of my 300km ride arrived, and I had only 50km left to reach Ca Na, the pick-up point to meet my colleagues. The road led through the scenic Tuy Phong district, adorned with beautiful rock mountains, making the ride a short but memorable one.

It was my first long ride—a journey of mindfulness, nature’s beauty, and pushing my limits. I fell in love with the challenge and cherished every moment. These three days will forever hold a special place in my heart.

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