Arezoo Eskandari, born in 1990, a master of psychology, and an experienced mountaineering and cycling coach, began her trans-Asian cycling journey last month from China, with her home country Iran as the final destination.

During a press meeting in Hanoi today, Eskandari shared that she arrived in Vietnam on 22/12 and plans to spend 30 days exploring various destinations across the country. She had heard from friends and family about Vietnam's beautiful scenery, hospitable people, and kindness.

Arezoo Eskandari in Hanoi. Photo: Embassy of Iran in Vietnam

"Upon my arrival in Vietnam, everything was exactly as I had heard," Eskandari stated, recounting how a family in Lang Son enthusiastically helped her exchange currency, buy a phone SIM card, and offered her local duck pho.

This cycling journey offers Eskandari the opportunity to travel through villages and cities from north to south, allowing her to interact with locals and experience Vietnamese culture and customs firsthand. Born in Isfahan, Eskandari serves as a peace and friendship ambassador from the Iranian people to Asian countries. She intends to complete her trans-Asian cycling trip, traversing 22 countries, over approximately one year. She carries about 100 kg of luggage on her bicycle, including essentials for cooking, setting up a tent for sleeping, and even bike repair tools.

After Vietnam, she will continue through Southeast Asian countries, heading towards West Asia and Central Asia. She mentioned her thorough physical and mental preparation for this solo trip, emphasizing the need to maintain a positive mindset and prepare for unexpected situations.

Iranian Charge d'affaires in Vietnam Mohammad Mirali Mohammadi (right) and Arezoo Eskandari during a press meeting on 26/12. Photo: Ngoc Anh

Mohammad Mirali Mohammadi, Iranian Charge d'affaires in Vietnam, highlighted Eskandari's visit as a form of people-to-people exchange, enabling her to meet Vietnamese people, understand their culture, and share these experiences back in Iran.

Vietnam and Iran established diplomatic relations on 4/8/1973. Vietnam recognized the Islamic Republic of Iran on 13/2/1979, just two days after the success of the Iranian Islamic Revolution, making it one of the first nations to do so. In recent years, both countries have enhanced measures to boost bilateral cooperation across many sectors, promoting people-to-people, cultural, and artistic exchanges.

Ngoc Anh