The DIY Guide to Cycling Vietnam
Thứ Tư, 12 tháng 3, 2014
Vietnam Cycling Tours
It 's the question everyone keeps asking us: “Why in the world did you guys, two totally inexperienced cyclers, even want to bike the length of Vietnam?” It’s a valid question, and like most of the big challenges we throw ourselves into, the answer is perfectly straightforward. We decided to cycle Vietnam because it sounded like fun. That’s ultimately it. Our only prior cycling experience was a three-day jaunt down Taiwan’s East Coast, and obviously that was child’s play in comparison to six weeks of adventuring through Vietnam. But we did it. We opened ourselves up to new possibilities and embraced the challenge—both physically and mentally—and somehow, beyond any reasonable expectations, we succeeded. We cycled over 1,000 miles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, and though it proved to be one of the most challenging endeavors of our lives, we wouldn’t have wanted to experience Vietnam any other way.
It 's the question everyone keeps asking us: “Why in the world did you guys, two totally inexperienced cyclers, even want to bike the length of Vietnam?” It’s a valid question, and like most of the big challenges we throw ourselves into, the answer is perfectly straightforward. We decided to cycle Vietnam because it sounded like fun. That’s ultimately it. Our only prior cycling experience was a three-day jaunt down Taiwan’s East Coast, and obviously that was child’s play in comparison to six weeks of adventuring through Vietnam. But we did it. We opened ourselves up to new possibilities and embraced the challenge—both physically and mentally—and somehow, beyond any reasonable expectations, we succeeded. We cycled over 1,000 miles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, and though it proved to be one of the most challenging endeavors of our lives, we wouldn’t have wanted to experience Vietnam any other way.
If we can tour the country of Vietnam by bicycle, you can too. It takes a bit of physical strength and a whole lot of determination, but that’s about it. Of course, you might need some bikes and accessories and want to know where to go and how to do it. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered below. And really, those are all just added bonuses anyway. If you’re interested in seeing the world from the biker’s lane, then this is the guide for you. It’s designed specifically for Vietnam, but a lot of the tips are applicable for cycle touring anywhere! Good luck and happy pedaling!
Buying a Bike
In Vietnam, almost everyone has a bike. Children bike to and from school in herds of 20 or more while old women use their bikes to balance heaps of market goods. Because of Vietnam’s biking culture, it’s easy to find bicycles for sale in major cities and rural villages alike. Of course, not all these bikes are geared towards long-distance cycling and that’s where a bit of bike buying knowledge comes in handy. We bought our bicycles from one of the many bike shops lining Ba Trieu Street in Hanoi. They were new and held up fairly well during the tour. The bikes on this street are cheaper, and therefore require a bit of cleverness to get a good deal. Another option is to visit the Hanoi Bicycle Collective. This shop is owned by a super knowledgeable biking expat who sells mostly high-end Japanese bikes. You’ll pay much more but be awarded with confidence in your purchase.
In Vietnam, almost everyone has a bike. Children bike to and from school in herds of 20 or more while old women use their bikes to balance heaps of market goods. Because of Vietnam’s biking culture, it’s easy to find bicycles for sale in major cities and rural villages alike. Of course, not all these bikes are geared towards long-distance cycling and that’s where a bit of bike buying knowledge comes in handy. We bought our bicycles from one of the many bike shops lining Ba Trieu Street in Hanoi. They were new and held up fairly well during the tour. The bikes on this street are cheaper, and therefore require a bit of cleverness to get a good deal. Another option is to visit the Hanoi Bicycle Collective. This shop is owned by a super knowledgeable biking expat who sells mostly high-end Japanese bikes. You’ll pay much more but be awarded with confidence in your purchase.
Our budgets were pretty tight, so cheap bike street it was. Like I already noted, we only had minor problems with our bikes, all of which were easily fixed in a few minutes (flat tires, loose brakes, etc). We paid a total of $500 for two bikes and all accessories. That was less than the price of one bike from the collective, so we were quite satisfied. Remember, wherever you purchase your bike, bargain on the price!
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