Mr. Old Man borrows the title of the song Cô Đơn Trên Sofa (Lonely on the Sofa) to talk about Trần Mai, the female cyclist taking on the Monkey Mountain Challenge 2025. However, unlike Hồ Ngọc Hà’s song, where loneliness stems from a broken heart, Trần Mai is “lonely” because she dominates the Vietnam mountain climbing leaderboard, leaving all other …

Trúc Lâm Bạch Mã Zen Monastery is perched atop Linh Sơn Mountain, nestled within the tranquil waters of Tỉnh Giác Lake in Truồi, located in Lộc Hòa Commune, Phú Lộc District, Thừa Thiên Huế Province. It is the first Zen monastery in Central Vietnam, founded and developed by Zen Master Thích Thanh Từ, the head of the Trúc Lâm Zen …

Nestled among pine forests on the south of Hải Vân Pass, a small hotel has been abandoned for years, for reasons unknown. On rainy, gloomy days, when the sky is shrouded in mist, its desolate and eerie appearance easily evokes images of “haunted hotels” from Hollywood horror movies in the minds of those with vivid imaginations. This morning, amidst the …

—————————————————- Update: “Khám phá ‘khách sạn ma’ trên đèo Hải Vân” được Mr. Old Man viết cách đây 4 năm trong một lần đạp xe qua đèo Hải Vân. Bài viết không chỉ kể về một trải nghiệm khám phá mà còn một đề xuất ý tưởng “khùng điên” – khôi phục lại khách sạn bỏ hoang, tạo ra một …

Bốn năm trước, trong chuyến đạp xe đến Tam Kỳ để thưởng thức món mít hông trứ danh, tôi có dịp ghé quán của bà Nam. Khi ấy, tôi ngồi trò chuyện cùng bà và các cô con gái về món ăn vặt dân dã của xứ Quảng. Câu chuyện thú vị đến mức, về nhà, tôi còn viết một …

Along the celestial road that winds through Hai Van Pass, travelers can pause at various spots to marvel at the majestic pass—once honored by Emperor Minh Mang as “The world’s most majestic pass”. Among these stops, one place stands out: Giant Turtle Rock. About 6 km from the foot of Hai Van Pass, a row of hillside cafés clings precariously …

It was a beautiful day when I set out on an 80 km cycling trip to visit Tra Kieu Parish, one of the oldest parishes in the Vietnamese Catholic Church, established around 1630, shortly after Hoi An Parish. Located 40 km southwest of Da Nang, Tra Kieu Parish, also known as the Tra Kieu Marian Center, is an important pilgrimage …

Riding a bike with friends is fun, but cycling alone amidst vast mountains and forests has its own unique charm—it’s like listening to your inner voice, facing yourself, and understanding who you truly are. Pedaling solo on deserted roads, with not a soul in sight, brings an unusual mix of emotions: a touch of excitement, a hint of melancholy, a …

Golden sunlight spills across The Don Ca Bridge’s timeless arch, Its classic curve draped in moss— A patina of days long passed. Along the legendary Hai Van Pass, you might casually glimpse, tucked beneath the northern foothills where the pass meets the sea, a classic-style bridge built by the French over a hundred years ago—the Don Ca Arch Bridge. Situated …

ENJOYING TẾT IN TÂY GIANG* On Tet morning, I woke up beside a long-extinguished stove, and through the window, darkness still reigned except for a faint light from the small electric lamp atop the flagpole at Pơloong Plênh’s house. The incessant chorus of croaking frogs filled the air. Last night, two of my companions had been drinking with some Cơtu …