Two Dutch men cycle 20,000 km to Ho Chi Minh City
Tienphong.vn – After an 11-month journey, Dutch cyclists Rick Keijzer and Sven Broekhuizen arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, experiencing a memorable welcome from fellow countrymen and new friends in Vietnam.
On the morning of February 16, the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Netherlands Friendship Association and the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam, organized a cycling event with the message “Cycling for the Future.” The event attracted over 400 participants, including representatives from Ho Chi Minh City’s government agencies, diplomatic missions, environmental organizations, and the local cycling community.
Notably, the event featured Rick Keijzer (21, center) and Sven Broekhuizen (25, left), two Dutch cyclists who completed a 343-day journey across 24 countries from the Netherlands to Vietnam.
Over nearly 20,000 km, the two young men from the Netherlands not only pushed their physical limits but also contributed to a community mission by raising funds for Coop Africa, a charity that provides bicycles to people in Kenya and Uganda to improve access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods.
Daniel Coenraad Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed his admiration: “I am very proud of these young men as well as all the cyclists and sports enthusiasts who participated in this event.”
The two Dutch cyclists were delighted to receive a warm welcome from the people of Ho Chi Minh City.
“My impression of Vietnam is that it is a very beautiful country with friendly and wonderful people. On our first night cycling in Vietnam, a local family invited us to eat and even offered us a place to stay. We were truly touched,” shared Rick Keijzer.
During the cycling event, Rick Keijzer and other participants rode past iconic landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City, such as Ba Son Bridge, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee headquarters, Tao Dan Park, and the Independence Palace.
Many participants had an exciting experience cycling alongside the two adventurers who had pedaled tens of thousands of kilometers from the Netherlands to Vietnam.
Le Dieu Hong, a resident of Thu Duc City, said she had a memorable experience cycling with the community, embracing the spirit of sports and spreading positive energy despite the city’s traffic and hot weather. “While cycling, I also had the chance to talk with them and learn more about their journey,” she shared.
From the starting point at the Municipal Theatre to the end of the ride, Rick and Sven received enthusiastic support from participants, who eagerly took photos and exchanged stories with them in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
At the event’s conclusion, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Netherlands Friendship Association presented Rick and Sven with commemorative medals and a handcrafted bicycle model as a token of appreciation for their resilience and dedication.
On this occasion, Rick Keijzer also reunited with his mother, who had flown to Ho Chi Minh City on February 15 to celebrate this meaningful moment with her son after 11 months apart.
Journalist Tran Trong Dung, Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association and President of the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam-Netherlands Friendship Association emphasized that this cycling event strengthened the sincere friendship and cooperation between Vietnam—particularly Ho Chi Minh City—and the Netherlands. He expressed his hope that such activities would further promote sportsmanship and cycling culture, contributing to a greener, more beautiful, and more compassionate Ho Chi Minh City.
Photos: Ngo Tung
On March 10, 2024, Rick Keijzer and Sven Broekhuizen left their homeland, the Netherlands, with an ambitious goal: to reach Vietnam entirely by bicycle. Along the way, they traversed diverse terrains, from modern European cities and the vast steppes of Central Asia to the bustling roads of Southeast Asia.
The two adventurers documented their journey through blogs and social media, sharing unique experiences, challenges, and the beauty of the places they passed through, aiming to inspire the community.
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