Pam's Vietnam Trip - October 2004

Cycling is an ideal way to visit Vietnam, as the bicycle is still the main means of transport for many people. 

Pam Mann (chair of Spokes) and her sister Sue went on a cycling trip in October 2004 – from  Ho Chi Minh City to  Hanoi . The trip, with 6 others, was organised by Exodus.

She reports:- “Whether we cycled alongside children on their way to school or people going to town or the nearby market or village, everyone we met was friendly and welcoming, keen to know our names and to try out their English.

“Altogether we cycled over 800 kms, which is about half the total distance between the two cities. We used trains, boats and the support vehicle to cover the rest of the journey. It was a real plus having the support vehicle, since it meant we didn’t have to carry all our luggage and it was a good source of snacks and cold drinks at regular intervals.

“The route we took was almost all on road, some of it on Highway 1 and Highway 18, but we also took smaller roads on occasions through rural areas quite off the beaten track and little visited by tourists. In towns the traffic appeared to be manic, but we were advised to be positive and then the traffic would flow round us. It mainly seemed to work!

“Our route was generally undulating, but there were a number of hilly days, including one where we had to go over the Hai Van Pass, which involved a climb of 590 meters! The view was spectacular from the top, but the ride downhill towards the ocean was even better!”