"Cycling NORTHERN Vietnam" Vietnam by skydivefred

Vietnam Travel Guide: 13,555 reviews and 28,538 photos

Why cycling?

There are probably thousands of ways to travel, each corresponding to someone in particular.
Most of the time, when I travel, I cycle. It's got nothing to do with challenging myself although it sometimes become like a challenge from time to time!! It's just that I like to take my time and be autonomous at the same time. Even a motobike goes to fast and whether you want it or not you end up going from one main town to another hardly ever stopping in between. Cycling means going on an average speed of 15 km/h it also means that you can stop each time you are waved at or that someone or something attract your attention. It also compels you to spend time with the local people (which is definitely my travel purpose: meeting people from every horizon) and to stay with them overnight or a couple of day, as you get very often invited. It allows you to go REALLY out of the beaten tracks and sometimes out of any track at all!!!
I met some wonderful people and I remember every single one of them. I saw absolutely amazing and virgin landscapes which were as many rewards for the rough cycling or pushing the bike as a matter of fact!
How do you feel when you want to get somewhere on the map and there is no road? you ask a vietnamese to carry your bike on his small boat along the river to land in a remote tiny village linked to civilisation by a single footpath for instance.
It was not always easy, on my own, I felt fed up sometimes or lonely but never frightened since people were simply wonderfully lovely and hospitable.
I could write so much more and endlessly about this country I fell in love with. But paradoxically, what I experienced (1 month in summer 2002 and 2 months summer 2003) is beyond words. I'd be very willing to share and help out people who intend to travel there. I can surely give them tips. In fact, I'd be very happy to.Just write to me.
Enjoy the photos. I really think they speak for themselves.

How could I choose?

I have edited some travelogue pages with very few of my pictures.
It has been a heartbreaking choice to make so I decided to store more of my photos on my album pages. If you are not too fed up have a look at them. Personal Comments, I suppose, will come later... my VT supporter, KIWI, has encouraged me to do so!!!!!

Pros and Cons

Pros:People-landscapes
Cons:None that I can think of
In a nutshell:WON-DER-FUL !!

Intro Updated Jan 8, 2004
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Reviews (14)

Her husband was a police so it was OK to stay!!!! - Vietnam

Please register !! Warnings Or Dangers (2)

Those of you who have been to Vietnam know that when you stay in a hotel, you have to fill a POLICE FORM in. This is... more travel advice

Quang Ngai police !! Warnings Or Dangers (2)

During my last visit to Vietnam I went to pay a visit to Australian friends who worked in Quang Ngai province( just... more travel advice

Perfume Pagoda ( a smell of sweat!!) Tourist Traps (3)

99% of the time, I visit none touristic places. One day in Hanoi, I met an Australian Girl and I decide to join her to... more travel advice

Say NO!! Say KHONG!!! Tourist Traps (3)

In Hanoi in particular and in touristic places in general, people will come to hassle you to sell you stuff. There is... more travel advice

Travelogues (5)

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Comments (34)

catalysta Jul 15, 2006 at 8:48 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful photos, utterly breathtaking!
Callavetta Jul 14, 2006 at 6:25 PM Report Abuse

Frederic, your photos are so wonderful. This is an amazing presentation. Have you read Catfish and Mandala by Andrew Pham?
elpariente Apr 4, 2006 at 1:27 AM Report Abuse

I really liked your Vietnam pages I think to go on bycicle is one of the best ways to know a country and its people
David92382 Nov 26, 2005 at 10:14 AM Report Abuse

Nice recap of your experience in Vietnam. I've been 18 times as tourist and for business-love the country. Comment: ethnic minorities, were on the "side" of S Vietnam resisting military invasion from N Vietnam. Your tips in your article were great. Thanks
Pawtuxet Oct 19, 2005 at 4:32 AM Report Abuse

I love his motor bike. Cute. Your story was pretty colorful. Guess I won't venture through on my own. Must have been a bit scarey. Glad you did OK>
King_Golo Oct 1, 2005 at 12:49 AM Report Abuse

these are easily the most interesting pages about vn i've seen on vt. your travelogues are really great and i believe that you've discovered vn in the ultimate way! great work!!!
judyintaiwan Apr 30, 2005 at 2:58 AM Report Abuse

lovely pages!!!! though the government of Vietnam is really scary....saw some bad sides of its goverment/staff from TV the other day....thx for sharing!
davequ Apr 3, 2005 at 4:57 PM Report Abuse

Wow, I really enjoyed these pages. They are excellent and inspiring. I want to bike Vietnam someday. Thanks for sharing!
Yogues Dec 23, 2004 at 11:56 AM Report Abuse

Frederic - What an amazing trip - and fantasic photos and stories. You sure got to a lot a places most visitors don't.
SPW Nov 21, 2004 at 6:21 PM Report Abuse

Absolutely beautiful photos and sympathetic descriptions. Excellent glimpse of the soul of Vietnam