Exploring Vietnam by bike sounds like a dream, and most of the time, it truly is. For two weeks, we bravely pedaled through the country, covering 1,000 kilometers in total. The roads? Great. The traffic? Chaotic but surprisingly manageable. Still, as with any good journey, there were moments when things didn’t go quite as planned. Let me share some of those small, chaotic gems with you.
Donate: with€5 per kilometer, you can help us reach our goals. Every kilometer, quite literally, makes a difference!
Obstacles on the Road (Literally)
One day, the road suddenly ended. Why? Because a pipe was being laid across it. No warning sign, no alternative route—just a gaping hole. Our options? None. We had to turn around and find another way.
And then there was the moment when the asphalt ended, and suddenly we found ourselves cycling on a "gravel path." But gravel? No, it was sharp stones seemingly designed to test bike tires.
Sometimes it was a farmer with a water buffalo crossing the road unexpectedly. Or a dirt path that, after a rainstorm, was more like a mud bath than a road. Our tires sank so deep that cycling became impossible. Walking with a muddy wheel? Also an experience.
Then there was the climb. The sign at the bottom promised a 10% incline, but halfway up, it felt like a wall. Getting off and pushing turned out to be just as challenging as pedaling. Bonus points for the extra workout!
Why We Are Cycling
Every night, a different hotel, chosen via Google. Our standard? At least 4 out of 5 stars in the reviews. Outside the tourist areas, this was no guarantee of comfort. Vietnamese standards are... different.
A room without a window? No daylight. Cold water for a shower? A brisk start to the day! Hard beds are the norm here—think wooden planks with a sheet on top.
The most memorable: under-sheets with blankets clearly used by multiple guests. Air conditioning that didn’t do what it promised. And noise—lots of noise. From trucks to buses honking as they passed, often all night long. The window? Not glass, but wooden shutters.Breakfast? Not included. Thankfully, the street stalls were surprisingly good and affordable.
The upside? The price. For €8-15 a night, we managed. Though there were moments when we wished we’d paid a bit more for a window or some peace and quiet. Still, we generally slept well. Maybe that’s the real lesson: with a little humor and flexibility, you can make the best of any situation.
Ko’s Story
Ko is a hardworking student in his final year at the local high school in Ranong. He lives with his single mother in a church and faces many challenges. With support from TCDF, Ko has access to education, school uniforms, and can have lunch at school with his friends. This allows him to focus on his studies. He’s on track to graduate in March. Without a scholarship, his dream of continuing and completing his education would be out of reach.
Ko aspires to become a teacher and give back to his community. He is determined to succeed.TCDF scholarships provide children like him with more opportunities. They break the cycle of poverty and create a future by keeping kids like Ko in school.
KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL – Together, we cycle for brighter futures
Our mission: supporting children in Thailand through education. TCDF (Thai Child Development Foundation) offers scholarships for children with physical and/or mental disabilities who need special care. Donating to TCDF is a sustainable choice; this foundation has been making a real difference for 20 years.
Dries and I support TCDF wholeheartedly, cycling through Southeast Asia and traveling sustainably to promote this important cause. Mieke even lived and worked with TCDF for six months; she’s seen firsthand how every euro is spent.
Join us and donate! With €5 per kilometer cycled, you can help us achieve our Bike4Kids goal. We aim to raise €20.000, and we’ve already hit €9,500! So far, we’ve cycled 1,000 kilometers from Hanoi.
Stay updated through our newsletter, and share this with friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can achieve more—donate now and “ride” with us for this great cause!
P.S. This week, we’ve added a new page with photos to the website. Here’s the link.
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