German journalist Lothar A. Baltrusch shares about his two-month motorbike trip to Vietnam to help support poor children.
The trip is titled "Way to Huyen"
Baltrusch and his friends started the journey on May 17 and went through Poland, Latvia, Russia, Mongolia, China and Laos before coming to Vietnam.
Baltrusch shared he was diagnosed with cancer when he was 18 and even after treatment he was unable to have children. Then, four years ago, he became a godfather via World Vision Organisation, and a sponsor to 13-year-old Pham Thi Thao Huyen, who lives in Quang Tri's Trieu Phong District.. He has wanted to make a memorable visit to the girl ever since then.
Baltrusch and friends travel on motorbike
He further said he did not want to travel by air but wanted to make the trip special so it could also attract public attention to disadvantaged children along the way. Baltrusch said, "Some Vietnamese people in Germany told me that Huyen means miracle or wonderful, and this is a truly miraculous trip."
They travelled through the cold mountainous area of Russia, to the crowded areas of China, then on to Laos, finally arriving in Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu City where temperatures were as high as 36 degrees Celsius. Despite the high temperatures the trip to Vietnam has shown Baltrusch, and his friends, scenes that they have not seen in any documentary films or on the internet.
Baltrusch meets Huyen
"I think Huyen wanted to be a fashion designer two years ago; she is really good at drawing. However, two days ago, she told me that she wanted to be a doctor. She is studying hard for her dream." he said.
Baltrusch said he will give Huyen a computer to help her studies and he hopes that she will be able to help others when she grows up. Before departing, he said this was indeed a memorable trip and he will tell his friends and family all about the journey when he gets home.
