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Bicycles in Vietnam,they ride them till they are dead

Right now I am still in Vietnam looking for vintage French bikes from the 40s / 50s,i have been here for a two weeks now and the people and history is just great.I went to Dien Bien Phu first that's were my Wife lived and its as old school as it can get,i have met people who never saw white people or blond hair before lol.i I had so many girls who cut hair who wanted just to touch mine .Today I am in Hanoi and took a walk through one of the parks yesterday and guess what,,,yes bike collectors with older vintage French bikes,,they love them and that's like a vintage car to u and me. and rare to have one One guy I met asked me to come back next day same time and I did,,they had bikes set up all along the fence to show then off it was just a great time.Bikes are every place everyone has one and You would think wow tons of vintage bikes right I mean tons and tons of bikes every place right in front of you all the time,but no,no vintage or old bikes why?,,well they use them everyday every place till nothing left to them,it may take 15 years but they ride till no spokes are left ,its how they get to work to the market or to a doctor if you can find one .Most of the people here are poor but they have food its just that you have to work all day to have it and not much money left for other items.My wife sister is a good Doctor and even her life is not as easy as in the usa and though she has more than others she has no car and other nice quality things .Most of the people use what ever money they get to put the kids through school.ok getting back about bikes,to ride a bike here is like no other place I have ever seen,they have to mingle with cars tons of motor bikes and other bikers bad roads, your maybe one foot from a moving car.I have seen to wrecks with bikers piled up with motor bike going over them cars just missing,,some hurt some not but they just get back up on the bike and keep on going,they have no ins and if your arm is broke well its all up to you.Be glad we have what we have when it comes to biking / trails and all.I got talking with some older folks about the war and they think the same as me,the war was no good for the USA and no good for Vietnam,,,,,war sucks ,,,,anyways hope to be home soon peace to all bikers
bicycle-heaven
2014-02-08 06:37:47
Hey bicycle heaven, This sounds like quite an experience you are having--thank you so much for sharing it. It's a good reminder to us here in the US to remember how very good we do have it and to stop for a moment and feel grateful. Enjoy the rest of your visit and travel safely.
shut_up_legs
2014-02-08 08:23:20
Ok, that's pretty damn cool.
edmonds59
2014-02-08 08:24:36
What an interesting way to travel! If you see interesting cargo/working bikes, I hope you can take some photos to share.
pseudacris
2014-02-09 00:12:38
Reminds me of Cuba with their old cars. I wonder if they take of old bikes the same way there?
jonawebb
2014-02-09 19:20:11
yes will get some photos and more info,,or go tp face book craig morrow or bicycle heaven,,
bicycle-heaven
2014-02-10 02:45:43
Nice!!
edmonds59
2014-02-12 22:43:39
Photo is a man I met in the park,he was with a few friends and they all had the older 50s bikes,,they asked me to stop by the next day and I did.What a great time,,over 15 or so bike collectors,,,they love the vintage bikes but are rare to come by.But for most they ride bikes like no others and its a way of life and they depend on them to get to work go shopping just like we do with cars,
bicycle-heaven
2014-02-12 22:55:11