Mr. Huỳnh Thiên Tú, born in 1973 and living in An Khê Ward, has embraced the idea that every resident can serve as a tourism ambassador. Through cycling trips across Vietnam, he has sought to introduce friends at home and abroad to the beauty of Gia Lai, the Central Highlands and the country as a whole.
In April, Tú joined a cycling program that connected border markers along Vietnam’s frontiers with China, Laos and Cambodia. The 42-stage journey began at Sa Vĩ Cape in Móng Cái, Quảng Ninh Province, the country’s northeastern tip, and concluded at Mộc Bài International Border Gate in Tây Ninh Province.
Beyond exploring landscapes at a slower pace, the program provided an opportunity for cyclists to connect, exchange experiences and foster a shared sense of national pride.
For Tú, the journey also represented a personal challenge, particularly on the steep mountain passes of northern Vietnam.
“This was a truly meaningful journey, an opportunity for cyclists to test themselves by conquering famous destinations and landmarks associated with Vietnam’s border markers, while also spreading national pride and love for the homeland”, he said.
During the trip, he navigated winding roads with gradients of 15 to 17 degrees. Some stages required hours of cycling, walking and climbing before participants could reach their destinations.
The route took him to several well-known landmarks, including Sa Vĩ Cape in Quảng Ninh Province, the Lũng Cú National Flagpole, Happiness Road in Tuyên Quang Province, Kilometer Zero of the Hồ Chí Minh Trail in Cao Bằng, and the special national relic site of Pác Bó.
“Our country is so beautiful, the nature is truly majestic. At each destination, seeing the red flag with the yellow star flying high, I was overwhelmed with emotion, national pride and love for my country. I want to share and spread this feeling to everyone”, Tú said.
After completing the cross-country ride, he returned to Gia Lai and quickly embarked on another initiative focused on connecting cyclists from Vietnam and abroad to explore the Central Highlands.
Together with fellow Vietnamese cyclists, Tú welcomed a group of riders from Cambodia for a journey from Lệ Thanh International Border Gate in Gia Lai Province to the tourist destination of Măng Đen in Quảng Ngãi Province.
Starting from An Khê, he and his companions crossed mountain passes and travelled under intense heat to reach the border gate and greet their international guests. The group then cycled together from Lệ Thanh to Pleiku before continuing to Măng Đen.
On the return journey, Tú guided domestic cyclists along the Trường Sơn Đông route from Măng Đen to Kbang and An Khê, a route he believes highlights the distinctive landscapes of the Central Highlands through its varied terrain and largely untouched natural scenery.
“Through these connecting and exchange trips, not only do I help spread and introduce the beauty of Gia Lai and Vietnam to cycling friends, but I also gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty of my own homeland and country, and I want to share that with even more people”, he said.
From border regions to highlands and mountain passes, Tú’s journeys extend beyond sporting achievement. His rides reflect a personal commitment to connecting people, promoting tourism and sharing a deep affection for Gia Lai and Vietnam through authentic experiences on the road.