Russia: Doan Truong's experience hunting for the aurora borealis at -20°C and wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress at the Arctic Circle.
Singer Doan Truong experienced aurora hunting in Murmansk and wore traditional Vietnamese ao dai in Russia, marking a memorable journey in the harsh Arctic Circle region.
During his Lunar New Year trip in the year of the Horse, singer Doan Truong traveled to Murmansk, a region deep within Russia's Arctic Circle. This area is known as one of the world's best destinations for observing the aurora borealis due to its unique geographical location.
Patiently waiting for the ribbon of light in the winter night.
Doan Truong arrived in Murmansk on the 10th day of the Lunar New Year, but it wasn't until the third night that the weather conditions were truly favorable for observation. He said he had to patiently stay up late for many consecutive nights in the biting cold to wait for this spectacular natural moment.
Around midnight, streaks of light began appearing in the sky, displaying vibrant shades of blue, purple, and pink. The singer described them moving softly like silk ribbons against the night sky. To commemorate this special occasion, he wore a traditional Vietnamese áo dài and carried a Vietnamese flag while taking photos under the aurora borealis.
Although the aurora hunting trip lasted until late at night and caused him to catch a cold, Doan Truong still affirmed that it was one of the most memorable experiences. Witnessing this phenomenon firsthand in the Arctic was a dream he had cherished for a long time.
Discover the unique activities at the Arctic Circle.
Besides chasing the aurora borealis, Doan Truong's journey also included many strenuous physical activities. He personally piloted a snowmobile across snow-covered terrain to reach the Barents Sea coast. Notably, this area, located in the Arctic Ocean, does not freeze over thanks to the warm ocean currents flowing through it.
The singer also fully experienced other winter activities such as ice fishing and driving a sled pulled by Siberian Huskies through snow-covered birch forests. These activities require endurance and good cold tolerance in frequently sub-zero temperatures.
The challenge: Sauna and outdoor shower at -20°C.
One of the most impressive experiences was the traditional local form of relaxation. After soaking in a sauna with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius, Doan Truong stepped directly outside to shower in temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius. This is a popular method of exercise and relaxation among people in the Arctic region.
Enjoy Arctic cuisine.
In terms of cuisine, the singer spent time exploring the list of signature dishes of the region. Fresh seafood and game meats were the main highlights of the menu, including salmon, cod, Arctic shrimp, king crab, and reindeer meat.
Revisiting Moscow and memories of the past 30 years.
Leaving the Arctic region, Doan Truong returned to Moscow to visit places associated with his youth. He took the time to visit the university and dormitory where he had studied and lived 30 years earlier.
In particular, the male singer took a series of photos wearing a traditional Vietnamese áo dài at Red Square and the Lenin Mausoleum area. Red Square is an important historical and cultural symbol of Russia, located just east of the Kremlin. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
About singer Doan Truong
Doan Truong, whose real name is Doan Phuoc Truong, is a familiar face in the Vietnamese music scene of the 1990s, famous for his song "Don Coi" (Lonely). He possesses impressive language skills, being fluent in five languages: Russian, English, French, Chinese, and Korean.
After ceasing his artistic activities in 2008 to pursue a management career at foreign corporations, he officially retired in 2016. Since then, Doan Truong has dedicated most of his time to his passion for travel and exploring countries around the world.
