Just before noon we reached the Vietnamese side of the international checkpoint at Tay Trang, as the officers were just enjoying their 2 hour break. We did the same, ordered fried noodles with vegetables (for vegetarians) and ate noodle soup…
Some more thoughts about our stay in Northern Vietnam
We found Northern Vietnam suitable for cycletouring. There are many good roads and outside the cities traffic is no problem. The topography is challenging especially together with the hot humidity. We were able to enjoy the beautiful landscape mostly the…
Communism and Marketecomony in one country
Please note, that we can only write about our observations during just 3 weeks. North Vietnam, organised by the communist party, celebrated victory in 1973 at the end of the Vietnam war. Since 1975 then the unified country is a…
Northwest Vietnam
We are glad to have decided to travel in the mountainous North of the country. In the higher altitude we found some cooler nights and fresh winds. In the evenings it started about a week ago with heavy rain and…
some observations on the Vietnamese
The Vietnamese give a joyful face to their towns. They are present in the roads with the businesses and the living rooms open to the streets. More than half of the family life takes place on the side of the…
Markets in the Mountains
In Northern Vietnam live many ethnic minorities mainly from agriculture. Rice, corn, vegetables seem to be produced in quite traditional ways, chooks, buffalo and pigs are held. Syngenta is omnipresent when you look around the seedstores. Once a week in…
Up into the hills
With every day we adapted more and became cleverer with bargaining about hotel and meal prices. Even though the prices are low if converted into western currencies, one doesn’t like to feel cheated. And you always get to know after…
cycling north
After leaving lively Hanoi we only realised how densely populated the country is. There are about 86’000’000 leaving here after all. One town rapidly followed the other with only short stretches in between, used for rice fields. Where there are…
Hanoi – a vibrant city
During 4 days we let ourselves sink into the vibrant live in the old town of Hanoi. We strolled through the narrow roads and lanes, through which there is a neverending flow of Motorbikes with few cars and trucks. You…
out of Australian autumn into Vietnamese spring
At Sydney airport a very efficient lady at the counter of China Southern has kindly taken care of our 2 turkish bags each holding 4 paniers and the 2 hand tailored bike boxes. No extra cost, no overweight, no oversize,…