Tips to Help You ‘Survive’ a Cycling Journey Across Vietnam
Always Take Care of Your Bike
On a cycling journey across Vietnam, your bike is your most important companion. It has to operate under intense conditions, covering hundreds of kilometers a day, sometimes at speeds up to 30 km/h. That’s why it needs special attention. You should inspect your bike daily. Every few days (after riding a few hundred kilometers), you’ll need to take it to the tech team to have the chain tightened. After riding in the rain, be sure to oil the chain, or it will start making annoying noises and riding will become more difficult.
Stay Calm If You Get Left Behind or Lost
The technical support team always rides at the back, so don’t panic if your bike breaks down—just wait patiently. You should call your security team leader or your group leader to inform them where you are, so they can assist if needed. If you can’t stop at the breakdown location (for example, if you need to look for water), walk your bike with you and leave a flag on the side of the road. If possible, write your name and phone number on the flag. This will signal to the support team that someone needs help.
Learn to Ride with One Hand
During the long cycling hours each day, you’ll need to multitask while riding. For example, you might get thirsty or hungry but can’t afford to stop, as even a 30-second delay could make you fall behind the group. So, riding one-handed while using the other to drink water or grab a snack is essential. If you’re skilled enough, you can hold a water bottle in one hand and a snack (like dried food or bread) in the other, eat your fill, and still maintain pace. Being able to ride with one hand is also crucial if you want to take photos of the beautiful scenery along the way.
Climbing Mountain Passes Is an Art
You’ll encounter hundreds of hills and mountain passes on this journey. For short slopes, around a few hundred meters to a kilometer, it’s best to pick up speed and ride straight through. Just be mindful of the distance to the rider ahead to avoid braking. For longer passes like Đèo Ngang, Đèo Cả, or Đèo Hải Vân, pacing is key. Don’t rush—go slowly, pedal steadily, take small sips of water, and avoid mouth-breathing to conserve energy. If you’re riding with others, singing motivational songs like Hò Kéo Pháo can boost morale. Even smiling at a passerby can lift your spirits if you’re alone.
Avoid Rush Hours
There are fixed times each day for showering, eating, and personal hygiene, and these times are always crowded. To avoid the rush, try to do these things during off-peak hours. For example, go eat when others are showering, and shower when they’re eating. If the group gets up at 5:30 AM for exercise in the morning, wake up at 5:15 to brush your teeth and wash up. However, always be on time for group activities if you don’t want to be penalized.
Conserve Water
Water can sometimes be scarce, as supply often doesn’t meet demand. So, conservation is crucial. When water is limited for bathing, scrub thoroughly before rinsing. When washing clothes, use only enough detergent to avoid excessive rinsing. Sometimes, a single-use Comfort or Downy fabric softener sheet can be a lifesaver. For example, in 2008, in Dai Lanh, Khánh Hòa, all the bathrooms ran out of water. I found a 40-liter jar of water and was able to wash my hair, shower, and do laundry with just that.
If drinking water runs low, pay attention to the 20-liter jugs used by the logistics team. When water no longer flows from the spout, flip the jug over and pour from the air vent hole. It might only give you half a cup, but that’s more than enough to quench your thirst in an emergency.
If You Don’t Want to Wear Wet Clothes – Bring a Rope
Since you’ll be in a different province each day, drying time for clothes is limited. Bringing a 3–5 meter rope is extremely helpful. You can tie it between any two points (e.g., two trees), and it instantly becomes a clothesline. It’s easy to pack—just roll it up and it’s no bigger than a packet of dried food.
Quickly Observe and Get Used to New Environments
On this journey, you’ll be in a new location almost every day. Quickly familiarizing yourself with each place is important. As soon as you arrive, instead of sitting down and chatting, take a few minutes to scout the area. Try to mentally map the surroundings and identify key locations like restrooms, the dining area, and meeting spots. If you’re male, see if there’s an outdoor bathing spot so you can leave indoor showers for the female participants. That way, you can avoid awkward moments like a boy and a girl fighting over the same shower.
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