Bikes of Vietnam

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Bikes are still important in Vietnam. However, the motorbike has taken the lead as the most numerous and popular mode of transport. I think they are also a big problem in Vietnam. They are noisy, belch out much smoke, driven to fast and in the big cities have made the environment so bad I can’t imagine living there all the time.

Some governments in Vietnam have banned the trucks in big cities during part of the day. Some are thinking about banning cyclos. That is the bicycle with two wheels up-front with a small seat between the wheels and the driver sits high in the back peddling his customer around. They have provided much charm to Vietnam and have been a good mode of transportation for almost a hundred years. I think the governments thinking about banning them have it all wrong. The trucks, cars, bicycles and cyclos are not the problem it is all of those smoke-belching motorbikes.

Biking Vietnam puts you in same transportation used by millions of people. It could be an old lady going to market, an old lady taking something to market, kids going to school or a businessman or lady going to work. From the photo easy in this article you will see they are used for about everything.

My Dad thought the bicycle was just about the best invention ever made. He bought bicycles for many people. He bought old bicycles and repaired them and gave them away. That was his humanitarian project. I have about 10 bicycles here at my house. Anytime my Grandkids come they have a bike to ride.

Here are some bikes I observed in Vietnam.

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Photos

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Going to school.

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Banana delievery with a cyclo.

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Cyclo taxi.

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Freight delievery with cyclo.

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Bicycle with both girls on the peddle.

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Colorful dusters for sale.

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On the rode behind some Moms going to market.

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Not a bike but another form of non-poluting transportation.

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Bike with two passengers.

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Big loads, little bikes.

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Bikes used during the war to go down the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

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Bike used during wedding. The war years.
Now, they rent a car.

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Many fish traps on a bike.