Dang Hoang Linh, born in 1982, met his wife Vu Lan Phuong in 2003 in Toronto while they were both working and studying. Fate brought them together, and over 20 years, they have traveled to 40 countries.

For Linh, 40 countries may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but he's proud to have reached this milestone with his beloved wife. Except for one or two trips with friends, every journey over the past 20 years has been together.

Linh and Phuong's first international trip was their honeymoon to Thailand in 2008. It was filled with joy, but sadly, all their photos were lost due to a computer malfunction, leaving only a few printed pictures. This trip inspired them to create many more memories together.

Linh, with his meticulous nature, always takes charge of planning, from booking flights and transportation to accommodations. His wife simply needs to "bring the enthusiasm" and pack her suitcase. They've maintained this planning formula for 20 years, creating the perfect start to every trip. Arguments are rare, except when he has to "struggle" with his wife's overflowing suitcase full of souvenirs at the end of each trip.

Linh and Phuong in Cappadocia in 2022. Photo courtesy of Linh and Phuong

Linh and Phuong in Cappadocia in 2022. Photo courtesy of Linh and Phuong

Regarding travel expenses, they save money and accumulate visa points to book hotels and flights at good prices. Every year, their company attends the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany for 5 days in October. They take advantage of this opportunity to travel for an additional 7-10 days.

Linh said their trips are planned 6-10 months in advance to secure the best prices. When traveling, they often choose budget-friendly hotels or stay with acquaintances to minimize unnecessary expenses.

Their cheapest trip was to Thailand in 2008, costing about 7 million VND per person. Their most expensive trip was a European cruise with a total cost of around 320 million VND for four people.

Of the 40 countries they've visited, Egypt, despite being a dream destination, left a negative impression due to constant encounters with tourist traps. When hiring a horse-drawn carriage to visit the pyramids, Linh agreed on 500 EP for both of them for a full tour. However, after only a few meters, the driver changed the deal, demanding 500 EP per person. They asked him to stop, but he refused until Phuong threatened to call the police.

Their camel riding experience was no better. After agreeing on a price, a camel handler took them to a photo spot. Nearing the return point, he asked for a tip, claiming the owner would take a cut if they waited until the end. Feeling sympathetic, Linh gave him 20 USD, a significant amount compared to the usual 3-5 USD tip. Unsatisfied, the handler kept demanding more money on the way back, even threatening that they might fall off the camel.

"The camel was too tall to jump off, otherwise, I would have jumped down and argued," Linh recounted, half-joking, half-annoyed. He admitted he never wants to return to Egypt because of the constant fear of scams and persistent vendors.

Linh and Phuong's trip to Egypt in 2023. Photo courtesy of Linh and Phuong

Linh and Phuong's trip to Egypt in 2023. Photo courtesy of Linh and Phuong

In 2010, after the birth of their first child, they moved to Vancouver, Canada, to live with Phuong's family and work at the family's travel map production company. Traveling became much more challenging after having children.

During the first two years, despite free international flights for children under two, their trips were difficult due to the amount of baby gear they had to carry. Finding diapers and formula for their child in unfamiliar places was a challenge. If their child got sick or was bitten by mosquitoes, finding a pharmacy was also time-consuming.

During this phase, they mainly opted for cruises because of the readily available food, eliminating the need to search for restaurants. Only after their child turned two did they start taking road trips to provide more exploration opportunities.

Their passion for travel was put on hold when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Their finances and morale suffered. After more than two years stuck at home, they were rewarded with a trip to Turkey in 2022. Linh considered this a new beginning, their first time in a Muslim country, coinciding with his 40th birthday.

According to Linh, Covid-19 significantly impacted the tourism industry, and his family's map production company struggled. They had to cut back on everything, barely surviving on Canadian government assistance. The Turkey trip provided a much-needed morale boost, relieving their stress and restoring their energy for work. Afterward, countries gradually reopened, and orders started flowing in again.

Linh and Phuong's trip to Bali in 2022. Photo courtesy of Linh and Phuong

Linh and Phuong's trip to Bali in 2022. Photo courtesy of Linh and Phuong

Traveling has broadened their horizons. Initially, they held preconceived notions about Muslim countries, but after their Turkey trip, they realized most Muslims are peaceful. However, visitors to Muslim countries should avoid Fridays, as it's a holy day, and most shops and restaurants are closed. They struggled to find roadside food stalls but couldn't find any meat due to religious restrictions.

Their 20-year journey across 40 countries is a testament to their love and companionship. They encourage young people with similar aspirations to start with budget-friendly trips, plan independently to gain experience, and deeply understand the local culture. Linh and Phuong hope to visit Australia and New Zealand soon to continue their "love journey" of travel.

Hoai Anh

Photos courtesy of Linh and Phuong