Duong Thi Thanh Nga stands on a mountain in Ha Giang
Duong Thi Thanh Nga completed her new challenge in Ha Giang during her three-day journey to mark her 30th birthday.
The images of Nga on crutches standing on Ma Pi Leng Mountain received an instant reaction after they were shared on some social networks.
“I used to wish that I had both legs so that I could go to anywhere I wanted," Nga, who is a single mother from the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. "But now I know that wish can’t come true, l can still do things in my own way."
Thanh Nga shared that she was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2020. And she had to have one of her legs amputated.
"My daughter and my family were the motivation for me to fight against the disease and continue to live through the great pain," she said. "When my condition improved, I continued my online business while taking up yoga, the guitar, reading, and travelling in my free time."
To celebrate her 30th birthday, Nga decided to discover the northern remote mountainous province of Ha Giang on her own. She hired a tour guide who would take her on a motorbike tour in the province.
Nga poses for a photo with some local children
"From Ha Giang City, we started to visit various tourist sites in the area including Dong Van Stone Plateau, Tham Ma Slope, Chin Khoanh Slope, Lung Cam Village in Sung La Valley, and the Mong King's house" she remembered. "The rainy weather turned out to be good fortune as it gave stunning views of the clouds. I also love all the peaks in Ha Giang."
And Nga was given a nice surprise when people at the homestay facility where she stayed organised a birthday party for her.
"I was so happy," she said. "We gathered around the fire and enjoyed some local specialties including chicken hot pot and corn wine."
Nga went to Ma Pi Leng Moutain and made it to A Pao Peak and Nho Que River on her second day.
"My tour guide said that the Nho Que River didn’t have the most attractive colour this season, but I still found it really charming," she said. "I tried to walk on the slippery stones to have a better view of the river."
Nga travelled over 350 kilometres of mountainous road during her three days in Ha Giang, but she said she didn't feel tired thanks to the breathtaking beauty of nature and the encouragement of the tour guide.
Nga said that she planned to return to Ha Giang in autumn to enjoy the beauty of the buckwheat flowers in the locality.
Despite her disability, Thanh Nga has travelled to many places throughout the country including Danang, Da Lat, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau, Hanoi, HCM City, and some of the Mekong Delta region. She said the trips had made her life more colourful and strengthened her.