Happy weekend, my dear friends! Today marks two years since I conquered the peak of Langbiang Mountain, which is the highest mountain, often called “the roof of Da Lat” in Vietnam, standing tall at 2,167 meters above sea level.
Let me take you back to that journey, one of the most challenging, joyful and proud experiences of my life.
Da Lat is a charming city in the southern part of Vietnam, about 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City. With its cool climate all year round, it’s often called the “City of a Thousand Flowers” or the “City of Mist.” Da Lat is not only attractive because of its poetic beauty and refreshing weather but also because of its delicious food that attracts both local and international travelers.
But on that trip, I didn’t come to Da Lat to enjoy the romance, the flowers, or the food. I came with one mission, to conquer Langbiang. It was actually a challenge set by the chairman of our company at that time, as a way for us to bond, and to overcome difficulties together. And it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable memories of my life.
We only had two days in Da Lat. On the first morning, after a quick breakfast, we packed our gear and started the climb. At the beginning, everyone was cheerful, energetic, and full of excitement. We walked calmly, taking photos, laughing and chit-chatting a lot.
But as we went deeper into the trail, the path became steeper and trickier. It became slippery and narrow, making every step harder than the last. I haven't hiked that much, that long before. We kept hiking and still not half way yet. The legs started shaking and the mind got weaker. That time our hiking sticks, bottles of water, encouraging words, and even songs became our source of strength to keep moving forward despite our tired legs.
Later on, a few teammates had to turn back due to exhaustion and health conditions. It was tough to see them go, and it dampened the spirit a little, but the rest of us pushed on with determination.
Hours later, after dealing with a lot of tiredness, exhaustion, even discouragement, we finally reached the top of Langbiang, and our emotions exploded. We sat together on the summit, breathless but overwhelmed with happiness. It felt unreal! We had done something that at times felt almost impossible. Yay, we made it!
From high ground, the city looked so majestic, so cool and beautiful as it rewarded us for our persistence. I feel like the cloud was just above my head, and the moment of triumph, shared with my teammates, was priceless.
After celebrating at the peak, we made our way back down just in time for lunch. Hungry and exhausted, we gathered around to grill chicken and cook sticky rice in bamboo tubes. The food had never tasted so good. My heart just felt so full of joy.
After eating, we headed back to the hotel as later that evening, we enjoyed a gala dinner before going back to Da Nang the next morning. And as to give us a special farewell, Langbiang blessed us with a rainbow across the sky, and a beautiful hilly landscape, a magical sight I’ll never forget.
I was overwhelmed with pride and joy that day. Perhaps climbing a mountain isn’t the greatest achievement in the world, but to me, it was a challenge that tested both my body and spirit, and allowed me to feel deeply connected to the beauty of nature.
That’s my story for today. Thank you so much for reading, and I truly hope it inspires you in some way. I’d also love to hear about your own unforgettable adventures.
Sending you love and joy from Da Nang.
All photos were taken by me!