Back on the saddle again

February 3rd, 2002 at 12:00am

First day of cycling in Vietnam. It’s much different than in Thailand that’s for sure. The roads are pretty bad here – lots of pot holes, dirt section, and no shoulder. And the buses and trucks with their horns were nearly deafening. There were some scenic spots though when I finally got out of Hue’s suburbs…some nice rice fields and surrounding mountains and eventually when I got to Lang Co the South China Sea. The place where I’m staying is right on the beach – it’s a nice spot but the beach here is nothing like in Thailand. It looks a lot like the Jersey shore actually – brownish water with a lot of waves. Cool to see the coast of Vietnam though.

I met 2 guys on motorbikes today (American I think). Other than that it was just me and the Vietnamese. They are definitely not as friendly as the Thai people here. Mostly they just stared at me as I rode past. Not many smiles and far fewer hellos. I have to say that my impression of the Vietnamese people so far is that they are generally unfriendly and extremely greedy. All they want is our money and they don’t make any effort to sugar-coat it. It’s a strange feeling…so many people just sticking out their hand and saying’give me money’ (in a really rude and pretty mean tone) when I walk the streets. Many other travellers that I met in Thailand told me that they liked Vietnam the least of all countries and SE Asia and now I see why for myself. Perhaps it has something to do with their experiences with Americans here during the war…I don’t know. It’s one of those things though that you have to experience and decide on your own. I’m still enjoying seeing the country and learning more about the history and culture. But the people themselves have not impressed me.

Anyway tomorrow I continue south over a killer mountain pass and then into the warm climate of South Vietnam.

Miles biked today: 42.13 (66.6 km)
Time: 3 hour 30 min

Relaxing after my first day of cycling in Vietnam

The beaches of Lang Co, Vietnam

Entry Filed under: Cycling,Hue,Vietnam