Vietnam?

i'm currently living in taiwan, which is pretty bike-friendly, but my girlfriend and i are talking about moving onto the continent (for easier travel and whatnot). anyone been to vietnam? is it bike-friendly? bikeable at all? i've heard that hanoi traffic is comically stampede-like...

i would say bike un-friendly, although some people still ride bikes (more out of necessity i guess). It's madness there, go on youtube and do a search for 'hanoi intersection'

I went there last year on a cycling tour. Yes, the cities can appear mad, however once you're in flow it feels "relatively" safe, just follow eveyone else and do what others do, you'll be fine. Don't freak out, don't try and cycle fast and surprise dirvers of mopeds, cars, trucks and you'll be fine. Bicycles are a way of life in Vietnam, a certain amount of cycle sense is in built to most Vietnamese as soon as they are old enough to ride. Once you're out of the cities however, its a different world, calm, relaxed, people are very freindly and like to wave and say "Hello" in English, school kids like to race you and just generally look at you. Most cycle at a very relaxed pace and its rare to see a race bike on the road - most cycle out of necessity, not for fun. Yes, on youtube you may find many amusing videos of the 5 way intersection with seemigly no traffic control, but it works for them - how many accidents are prevelent in these videos? On the flip side vietnam sees about 33 road fatalities a day, compared to about 8 per day in the UK, you can see that there is an increased risk (Google the stats yourself). Riding fixed (if you do) would work well in the busy streets as you could tender you flow accordingly. Have fun. Stay safe.

-o1

The infamous hanoi intersection seen from a cafe above:

Sharing the road with this little lot can be interesting!

I did some cycling in Vietnam too - never any hairier than Parliament Square at rush hour, but stunningly beautiful. If you're considering it then do it dude you won't regret it.

Vietnam is a superb place to visit though Hanoi and HCM City / Saigon can be overwhelming at first but you soon adjust. It seemed to me that the average speed was low comapred to the UK and people more aware of other road users.

Not sure on how many miles you intend to travel and if you want to stick to the main highway (there was only one running north / south when I was there but maybe they have extended this) but the roads / tracks to the more remore towns and villages especially in Central Nam are steep and rough.

Also the local women floating past on there bikes in the local dress / Ao Dai are superb. Some seriosly good lookin girls.

Just watch out for the crazy stuff on display at the War Museum or was the locals call it - The American War Crimes Museum.

Make yourself as large as the road and you'll have no problem. Saw this fella in hanoi

I was there a couple of years ago and cycled from Da Nang down to Saigon. Lovely time, the coastal road is in a good condition and there's generally a wide enough verge for bicycles to not worry too much about passing traffic. Food was great (presuming you like noodles).

As with most over places, cycling is a great way of seeing places in a non intimidating manner. can remember having a flat tyre at one point and being surrounded by about 15 smiling watching faces.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/run_time/sets/72157600054066548/

Been there more than 10 years ago but since then never came back...thought it was awful...too many people in your face and on your plate...too many people trying to squeeze DOLLARS!!! out of you...and then there is Laos...next door but far away from this....lovely people in a lovely setting...came back to laos many, many times and will be back next year with my new Fixed & Free project....will try a bit of Vietnam again as well... check; www.osmosno.com

Was in Nam for 3 weeks in January, only cycled in the countryside a couple of times, with a guide...

Rules of the road are pretty nuts. Basically if you're bigger than the other traffic you can use the wrong side of the road to overtake whenever you want (so long as you hoot your horn of course). The long-distance buses do this most of time. Even on corners.

A few of my city pics at random... mostly just scooters as usual... yeah at rush hour it was much worse

On the plus side I imagine pedaling out in the countryside would be pretty sweet, and most people are very friendly.... maybe look into touring the Mekong Delta? (nice and flat)

Or cycle from Dalat to Hanoi? (hillier!)

Vietnam looks really nice :)