Female Director Cycles Over Mountain Passes for Travel at 63

February

Female Director Cycles Over Mountain Passes for Travel at 63

From a young age to the age of 63, Nguyen Thi Nguyen, currently the director of a family-owned construction materials business, has consistently maintained a diverse sports routine.

Meeting her in person, many are surprised by her toned physique despite being close to 70. She reveals that she has tried various sports, but it was cycling that truly ignited her passion—becoming the perfect activity for her to persist with daily, alongside her two-wheeled companion.

In 2019, when Ho Chi Minh City implemented disease prevention regulations, Nguyen, unable to go to the gym, came up with the idea of using an old bicycle with her friend to stay active. She recalls how they rode a simple market bike with a front basket—normally used for short trips—to cycle around the city each morning, admiring its beauty at dawn and capturing moments with flowers they encountered along the way.

Before that, she dedicated about 30 minutes daily to activities like gym workouts, yoga, dancing, and walking—building a strong foundation that helped her adapt quickly when she started cycling at 61.

She believes that finding joy in life is essential, no matter the circumstances. Even when away from her children and grandchildren, she actively seeks positivity through work and personal interests. Over the past three years, connecting with fellow cyclists and Ho Chi Minh City’s passionate biking community has helped her start each day with renewed energy, fueling her journey to explore new destinations by bike.

After joining Cao Cao Adventure, Nguyen has participated in every cycling tour, from short-distance rides around the city to longer journeys across the Mekong Delta, Central Vietnam, and the Northwest. Recalling her first ride through Binh Quoi and Thanh Da, she happily shares that it was a moment when she truly felt nature close by.

“I love cycling because it fosters a strong sense of community and is easy to start at any age. If I chose to spend my time at cafes or shopping, I would never experience this deep connection with nature, the chance to listen to my body, and, most importantly, the ability to slow down and appreciate everything around me,” she says with a smile.

Compared to other sports she has tried, Nguyen finds gym workouts too intense, requiring coordination between multiple muscle groups. Walking or running, on the other hand, is not suitable for her joints, as she previously had to undergo surgery due to a dance-related injury. “But with cycling, riding over 30 km each morning is just a routine for me,” she adds.

Since taking up cycling and mastering various terrains—from highways to steep mountain passes—Nguyen has grown more confident in joining longer exploration tours. Most recently, she conquered two of northern Vietnam’s four legendary mountain passes, Khau Pha and O Quy Ho, alongside fellow cyclists. She also completed a three-day, 330 km journey from Saigon to Long An, Ben Tre, and back, tackled the peaks of Khanh Le Pass and Kala Pass in Di Linh, and frequently rides one-day routes to destinations like Can Gio and Vung Tau—all while staying in top shape, she adds.

Cycling tourism offers a completely different experience, requiring travelers to rely on their strength to reach their destinations. According to Nguyen, this form of travel has taught her discipline, provided deeper cultural insights into each region, and helped her become more attuned to her health while strengthening camaraderie with fellow riders.

For her, traveling is no longer about dressing up, wearing perfume, and snapping a few quick check-in photos. The true adventure begins when she pushes herself forward, sweating through the fatigue of the journey.

“I get to witness, with my own eyes, the endless mountains and Vietnam’s breathtaking natural landscapes while connecting with the people I meet along the way. I believe I have traveled with every ounce of my inner strength, leaving no regrets because I have stored all these moments in my heart, right before my eyes,” she reflects.

After years of dedication to cycling, Nguyen shares that she has not faced many difficulties in adopting the sport. Her previous knee injury has improved significantly and has not shown signs of recurring. As a recreational cyclist, she maintains an impressive speed and performance compared to others in the U60 and U70 age groups.

Every morning, Nguyen wakes up early and joins her cycling club at 5:30 AM, riding until around 8:00 AM before heading to work like any other member. Despite her busy role as a company manager, she balances her day as a wife, mother, and grandmother while keeping her spirit strong. She believes that whether at 60 or 70, she will never stop seeking the art of living healthily and purposefully—thanks to her love for cycling and her ability to create joy for herself every day.