It was my escape to Tà Năng – Phan Dũng in February 2019. At the time, I was a lost soul, and fate led me to meet this remarkable gentleman during one of the most challenging periods of my life. This person, and the journey itself, inspired me to keep moving forward. My time-spent with him helped me see the simple beauties of everyday life.
His name is Hoàng. He was one of the trekking guides from Tổ Ong Adventure, leading a group of 12 people on a 30km hike through the mountains, from Lâm Đồng to Bình Thuận. Hoàng was slim, average height, with short dark hair and tanned skin. The first thing I noticed about him were his eyes – full of joy as he shared stories of navigating and surviving in the wild. At the end of each story, he’d always say, “You can ask me anything about trekking.”
It was a colorful journey. It wasn’t just about the physical challenge, but the emotions, perspectives, and survival skills that unfolded with each step. The landscape changed, so did I, my thoughts shifted, I grew stronger, and each moment added something new to the journey.
My first steps on the trail were GREY. My feet were moving, but my mind was still stuck at the office, carrying all the stress with me. I was totally burnt out from work – I left it all behind, but I just couldn’t let go of the tension. Luckily, Hoàng’s voice pulled me back to the present. He pointed to a landmark with rolling hills and said, “Hey sis, look this way, it’s like a Microsoft Windows wallpaper”
I stared at the hills for a while, I slowly began to move my feet. And surprisedly, everything around me seemed more GREEN than I’d noticed before. I became more mindful of my steps, more aware of my surroundings. I could feel the calmness of the trees, the leaves, the flowers, the rocks, even the animal tracks in the dirt. It was as if everything had a presence, a stillness.
As I walked on, the sun grew stronger, beating down on me from above. The terrain became more desolate, and my skin started to turn RED from the heat. The high altitude made me dizzy. I wasn’t good at steep climbs, and my steps grew heavier. I started to feel nervous, like I might not make it to the end of the journey, like I might have to give up.
Then I heard Hoàng’s voice again, echoing behind us “Keep walking forward, everyone. Rest if you need to, but don’t give up just yet!” He guided me on how to breathe, how to pace myself, and how to sip water carefully. With those tips, I felt a new sense of capability and started to keep pace with the others, pushing forward in ways I hadn’t thought possible.
When I told my family and friends I was heading off on a trek with strangers, they looked at me like I was crazy. But I was looking for an escape, so I honestly didn’t care who I was traveling with. What I didn’t expect was that in addition to guiding us through the wild, Hoàng and his team helped me see just how enjoyable it could be to walk with strangers. Some of the group members opened up right away, sharing their life stories, while others gave only small glimpses of who they were. Listening to their stories, hearing about their experiences and perspectives, helped me recognize, appreciate, and empathize with our differences.
After all, it was a chance to reset, find new strength, and appreciate the beauty around me, both in nature and the people I met along the way.
The sunset, the afterglow, and the quiet moments of reflection will stay with me long after the journey ended. Sometimes… the toughest paths lead to the most rewarding experiences.
