Vietnam 2024

The plan is to fly from Manchester at the end of January with my well travelled, white trusty Giant Talon laden with the unused new free-standing MSR Hubba NX Tent, no cooking stuff this time, but definitely with some crushed oats for emergencies (mix with cold water). Land in Hanoi 24th and stay with friends in Vinh Yen where I taught English before rushing home for mum April 2019 (and April 2018). We will travel up to the Northern Province Ha Giang (ZZeeang) on the Chinese border and do the HaGiang Road Loop on motorbikes and BnBs (homestays).

Mid Feb I’ll cycle from Vinh Yen (35km N of Hanoi Airport) south to the Ho Chi Minh Road (not the famous HCM Trail, that goes through Laos) until due west of Hue, then I’ll head East to the coast and follow it down. Time permitting all the way down and around into and thence Northwards along the southernmost part of the mighty River Mekong’s Delta. Thats about 1800km according to a quickly knocked up Google map (17 days walking!!) plus deviations and getting lost. Also, if I find somewhere nice I’ll stay a while (a year or two!)

Stretch Objective Follows for completing the journey. I read that I can get into Cambodia by bike SW of Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City and head up to Phnomh Penh northwards to Thailand (its flatter than Laos & better food apparentlly), Vientiane, Laos and somehow E/NE back to Hanoi. Update Insurance doubles if I visit four countries rather than three, I cannot avoid Laos to get back to Hanoi so Thailand is a no go.

Plans are just that and can be changed.

4000+ KM in three months by an old codger on what is apparently almost a vintage bike who can speak not a clear word of Vietnamese, even with his nose tightly pinched to achieve the perfect nasal pitch. Stretch Objectives are a waste of time:discuss!

This route shows using main roads but I’ll travelling primarily on the smaller winding coastal roads so the expected distances will be higher and of course slowed down by getting lost or going up a track to see where it goes. Or, stopping for a beer and a swim.