"Drifting Clouds" and the journey of daring to live authentically.
Diep Thanh•March 27, 2026 19:17
"Drifting Cloud" is the nickname of Tran Nguyen Van Quynh, a girl born in 2001 from Nghe An province. Quynh chose to leave behind the "stable" stereotypes to define happiness for herself on her journey of discovery.
Author: Diep Thanh - Publication date: March 27, 2026
"Drifting Cloud" is the nickname of Tran Nguyen Van Quynh, a girl born in 2001 from Nghe An province. Quynh chose to leave behind the "stable" stereotypes to define happiness for herself on her journey of discovery.
Tran Nguyen Van Quynh was born and raised in Anh Son commune, Nghe An province. Her simple childhood in a poor, mountainous commune not only instilled in her a hardworking character but also instilled in her a strong curiosity about the wider world. After the university entrance exam, Quynh officially became a student majoring in International Politics and Diplomacy at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV).
Van Quynh makes the most of traditional ethnic costumes in her films. Photo: Provided by the subject.
Contrary to Quynh's understanding of the term "diplomacy," very quickly after entering the school, she realized that DAV was a formal, academic environment geared towards careers in government agencies. However, Quynh's soul belonged to freedom and creativity.
Quynh recalled, “Many times I considered retaking the entrance exam for the University of Theatre and Film because I felt I was more suited to jobs that involved more expressive work. But in the end, I still chose to continue on the path I had chosen.” Quynh chose to “live two lives” simultaneously: on one hand, maintaining her studies diligently and seriously; on the other hand, she immersed herself in various professions from MC, voice talent to marketing and livestreaming… These years of “multitasking” honed Quynh’s communication skills and sharp visual thinking – a solid foundation for a future Content Creator.
Graduating from university with honors, Quynh has no regrets about choosing to continue on a path she once wanted to abandon. “I believe that every experience in life has its own meaning. The environment at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam helped me meet many talented friends from specialized schools in various provinces and cities. These friends, along with seniors in various fields such as business, media, and MCing, have significantly influenced my thinking and personal growth,” Quynh confided.
Behind the beautiful footage of landscapes and people lies a demanding work schedule that not everyone can handle. (Photo: Provided by the subject)
With the first 60 million VND she saved from part-time jobs while she was a student, Quynh decided to buy a manual motorbike to begin the journey she truly wanted to take. With that motorbike, Quynh started her month-long cross-Vietnam trip.
The winding roads and cloud-covered mountain passes awakened the little girl's yearning to explore the vast world. The name "Floating Cloud" was born from that desire. Quynh shared: "The word 'Van' in my name means cloud. I also see myself as a cloud, quietly drifting and observing the world from above, not confined anywhere, not following any pattern."
Besides her passion for travel, Van Quynh is also very enthusiastic about challenging herself with extreme sports. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
The first videos Quỳnh posted on TikTok were simply to preserve memories, but the authenticity and emotion in each frame unexpectedly touched the hearts of thousands of followers. That's how Quỳnh embarked on her career as a professional travel blogger.
Since embarking on her journey, Quynh's personal Facebook page now has 46,000 followers, her TikTok account has 68,000 followers, and her YouTube channel has 24,400 followers. These aren't huge numbers, but the quality of each content is highly regarded.
The viral videos created by Quynh and the members of the Tripdi group impress viewers with their natural and innocent style. Wherever she goes, the girl with the kind face and flowing curly hair blends seamlessly into the lives of the local people, from their clothing and customs to their communication and daily routines. In addition, the camera angles are creative, fresh, professional, and elaborate. Behind those moments are grueling work schedules that not everyone can handle.
Being a travel content creator might seem like a luxurious pastime. But for those in the know, it's a job that demands incredible stamina. Quynh shared: "About two years ago, I drove alone nearly 300 km from Hanoi to Cao Bang, and then continued traveling between locations for a whole week to film and experience things. Looking back now, I admire my own version of myself at that time."
Health is the first price travel bloggers have to pay. Back pain after hours of driving, waking up at 5 am to watch the sunrise, and staying up all night editing videos have become a part of their lives. To maintain her online presence, Quynh has to constantly learn skills from industry experts, from filming and photography to high-level editing. In addition, she has to learn how to protect and take care of herself. Quynh believes that it is the "Nghe An spirit" in her blood, the tenacity, perseverance, and hard work of a person from the sun-drenched central region of Vietnam that has helped her endure those challenging and stressful times.
Wherever she goes, Tran Nguyen Van Quynh immerses herself in the local culture. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
Like many other young people, Quynh couldn't avoid the pressure from social and family prejudices. For her grandparents' and parents' generation, the "common denominator" of a girl's dream life was usually a stable job, a permanent position, or working in an office. The idea that a girl with a pleasing appearance and a top-grade graduation from the Diplomatic Academy would choose to travel far and wide, challenging herself with extreme sports, was difficult to accept.
Instead of arguing, Quynh chose to prove herself through results. She showed her family how much she had grown through each trip, and how she appeared on Vietnam Television (VTV) as a guest on various programs. “The most convincing thing isn’t words, but perseverance in the path I’ve chosen and gradually proving that I’m doing well with it. Now, my family fully supports and is proud of their little daughter’s adventurous journey,” Quynh said.
With her professionalism and meticulousness, Van Quynh has been invited to participate as a brand ambassador and promote many tourism products. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
"May's" happiness now lies not in the number of views and followers, but in the moments of living fully with her passion. These are mornings spent seeing peaceful mountains and seas, listening to the simple stories of ethnic minorities, and admiring the beautiful scenery of each region... The most meaningful thing for Quynh is receiving messages from viewers saying that they felt courageous enough to "pack their bags and travel" after watching her videos, and that they loved their homeland and country even more after seeing her beautiful footage.
Despite having traveled extensively and visited many countries, Quynh always felt a deep longing for her hometown of Nghe An. “The mountainous region in western Nghe An boasts pristine and majestic scenery, no less impressive than the Northwest, yet it remains relatively unknown. I've always cherished the desire to return to Nghe An more often, to share the beauty of my homeland in the most accessible way, so that people know that Nghe An is not just about sunshine and wind, but also has many other lands worth exploring,” Quynh said.
Tran Nguyen Van Quynh. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
For Van Quynh - "Drifting Clouds," happiness is a journey of daring to live true to oneself and persevering with one's passion.
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