A company in the central province of Quang Nam is the new owner of the small bicycle that Vi Quyet Chien, 13, used to travel from his home in Van Ho District in Son La, a province in Vietnam’s northern mountains, to the capital city of Hanoi last month.

Vi Quyet Chien at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi on March 26, 2019.

The auction for the bicycle that Chien rode to visit his two-month-old brother, who is still hospitalized in Hanoi, was organized on Facebook by Hanoi resident Dang Nhu Quynh.

Held from Monday to Thursday, the auction attracted hundreds of individuals and firms. Aside from its VND103 million ($4,400) bid for the bicycle, the winner also gave Chien’s parents VND20 million ($896) to support the family. Quynh himself had raised VND50 million ($2,243) from benefactors to help the family.

Vi Van Nam, Chien’s father, said he will spend the money on the hospital bills for the sick baby and pay a loan of nearly VND30 million ($1,345) he had taken for the treatment.

On March 25, Chien left his home to check on his youngest brother after learning that he had been admitted to the Vietnam National Children's Hospital.

The boy did not tell anyone about the plan and chose a different route to get out of the village to avoid being seen by his neighbors. He had no idea where Hanoi was or how to get there, so he followed the national highway and asked people on the way for directions.

Since the bicycle’s brakes were broken, Chien had to use his slippers to break on some downhill sections. He did not have anything with him, not even water, food or money.

The bicycle that Vi Quyet Chien uses to ride from Son La to Hanoi to see his sick brother and the slippers he uses for braking.

When he reached Hoa Binh Province, halfway between Son La and Hanoi, he was exhausted and lay down on the road with his bicycle.

The crew of a passenger bus going to Hanoi noticed him, got him food and gave him a ride to the city.

They also helped Chien contact his mother who was with his father at the hospital.

The story was posted on social media by the doctor treating Chien’s brother and it quickly went viral. Many praised Chien for his determination and his warm heart, but also thought he was lucky to be saved by the drivers.

A local man named Tuyen in Son La bought Chien a new bicycle before asking Quynh for help to organize the auction for the old one. The winner also gets the slippers Chien used as brakes during his epic journey.

Boy, 13, cycles 60 miles through mountains to Hanoi to see sick brother

Without a map or knowing the route beforehand, a 13-year-old boy has cycled from Son La to Hanoi to visit his hospitalized brother.

 

13-year-old boy listed in World Amateur Golf Ranking

13-year-old golfer Dang Quang Anh has entered the list of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Ha Noi Moi newspaper reported. 

 

Designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam: My journey with Ao Dai always filled with emotions

Hanoi-based designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam, Chairman of Vietnamese Ao Dai Club, shared with delight that Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese long dresses) has changed his life, and his journey to bring the country’s cultural symbol to the world is always kept alive in his memory. In an interview, Nam acknowledged that the appreciation from international friends for the elegant Vietnamese outfit has motivated him to work harder in his career.

 

Chu Dau ceramics and the journey to promote Vietnamese cultural quintessence

Chu Dau village is located in Thai Tan commune, Nam Sach District, Hai Duong city, about 80 km from the North West of Hanoi. Chu Dau ceramics are high-class Vietnamese ancient ceramics representing “the rice civilization” dated from the 13th century and were honored as “Royal symbol products” at the end of 17th century.

 

Road to Ha Giang: The journey is the destination

It is spring, and the road to Ha Giang in Vietnam's northern highlands is as spellbinding as the final destination.

 

Source: VnExpress