A group of young people cycle 3,700 km to Vietnam
Four International Students Cycle 3,700 km Across Southeast Asia
A group of four international students from Yale-NUS College (Singapore) spent their summer break cycling across four Southeast Asian countries, covering a distance of 3,700 km in two months.
The team consisted of two Singaporeans, Marcus Koe (22) and Daniel Soo (22), along with Kei Franklin (21, USA) and Anshuman Mohan (19, India), who were close friends at Yale-NUS. Before the summer, they came up with the idea of exploring Southeast Asia by bicycle and submitted a travel proposal, which won a grant of SGD 8,000 (equivalent to about 134 million VND) from their university’s travel council. This funding helped finance their ambitious journey.
Planning and Preparation
While Kei Franklin had previously cycled across the United States, the rest of the group were novices to long-distance cycling. To prepare, they sought advice from their professors on interacting with rural communities and even had a Thai-speaking professor draft a sign in Thai requesting permission to stay overnight.
Equipped with bicycles and 20-30 kg of luggage each, including essentials such as sleeping bags, cooking gear, clothes, and repair tools, they embarked on their journey from Singapore on May 15. Their route took them through Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and finally to Hanoi, Vietnam, averaging 70 km per day.
Immersive Experiences
Cycling allowed the group to appreciate the landscapes and engage with locals fully. They observed the contrasts between urban and rural areas, comparing people’s lifestyles in Southeast Asia to those in Singapore.
Daniel Soo reflected, “Singapore is very small, only 40 km across, while other countries are vast with breathtaking natural scenery, especially the mountains in Laos and Vietnam.”
The group encountered numerous challenges, including getting lost in Surat Thani, Thailand, where they were rescued by a local who gave them shelter and food for two days. Kei Franklin recounted a memorable experience when a Thai woman invited them to her home, where they explored durian and coconut orchards, fished by the sea, and experienced rural life firsthand.
Despite the rewarding moments, their journey was not without setbacks. Marcus suffered a fall in Thailand, requiring five days of recovery, and Anshuman fell ill for three days. Mechanical issues with their bikes also caused occasional delays.
Frugal Living and Local Connections
To stretch their budget of about $30 per day, the group often relied on local hospitality and slept in temples, particularly in Thailand, where monks welcomed them warmly. Carrying a letter in Thai to introduce themselves, they were frequently offered free accommodations and an opportunity to learn about temple life.
Their most grueling stretches included cycling through mountainous areas from Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos, and onward to Vietnam. On one foggy mountain road near Luang Prabang, they cycled for 12 hours with no food except their packed supplies, navigating through dense clouds and remote paths.
Journey Through Vietnam
In Vietnam, the group followed the Ho Chi Minh Trail from Hà Tĩnh to Thanh Hóa and Hanoi. They were touched by the hospitality of locals, such as when residents in Nghệ An offered them water and bánh đa (rice crackers), despite language barriers that required Google Translate for communication.
Daniel observed, “In Vietnam, bicycles are used for everything—commuting, working, and transporting goods—unlike in other countries.”
Hanoi marked the final stop of their journey. The group spent over a week exploring landmarks such as Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, and Hạ Long Bay before flying back to Singapore.
Reflections and Future Aspirations
Reflecting on the journey, Marcus Koe encouraged young people to visit remote villages rather than cities to experience local life firsthand. He shared, “The media may portray the world as full of problems and dangers, but it’s important to have faith in the good things.” Kei Franklin added, “Living with an open heart brings you the best life has to offer.”
Inspired by this trip, Marcus plans to embark on a solo journey to the Middle East and South Africa, while Kei is considering backpacking across South America.
READ MORE:
- Top 5 Amazing Cities for Cycling in Vietnam
- Gains and Losses After 24 Days of Cycling Across Vietnam
- Vietnam Ranks Among the Top 20 Most-Loved Countries Globally by Tourists
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