Two Dutch men cycle to Vietnam with a special invitation
Starting their cycling journey from home in March 2024, Dutch friends Rick Keijzer and Sven Broekhuizen reached their goal of riding to the other side of the world, with Vietnam as their final destination.
Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of February 16, over 400 cycling enthusiasts joined the two young Dutch men for a short ride around the city.
Freedom on two wheels
Rick Keijzer and Sven Broekhuizen’s journey is a testament to perseverance and a source of inspiration for cycling worldwide. Their trip also aims to raise funds for COOP Africa, a charity supporting communities in Africa.
As close friends with a shared passion for cycling, Rick Keijzer (21) and Sven Broekhuizen (25) dreamed of an ambitious adventure—reaching “the other side of the world.”
“Excited by the idea, we immediately opened Google Maps to see where we could cycle to, and we chose Vietnam,” Broekhuizen told Tuoi Tre about their decision.
On March 10, 2024, the two Dutchmen set off. Despite crossing continents from Europe to Asia, they embraced a relaxed approach, prioritizing the joy of the ride over speed.
For Keijzer, cycling is about moving slowly enough to take in the beauty of the surroundings and fully experience the warmth of local cultures.
“We cycle slowly to enjoy each country, meet people, and immerse ourselves in local life,” he shared.
Before reaching Vietnam, their most memorable experiences were in Turkey and Nepal. In Turkey, locals recognized them on social media, offering food, rest, and even a place to stay.
Keijzer believes that apart from speed, bicycles represent true freedom. They require no fuel, minimal maintenance, and rely only on the rider’s energy. “You can go anywhere you want, even up mountains and hills,” he said.
Speaking of mountains, Broekhuizen recalled cycling the famous Annapurna route in Nepal. Considered one of the world’s most scenic mountain trails, it tested their endurance and strategy as they pedaled through breathtaking landscapes.
Experiencing Asia
During their 343-day, 20,000km journey to Vietnam, Keijzer, and Broekhuizen pedaled from city to city, crossing borders on bustling highways. They carefully planned their route to find the best cycling paths.
In Turkey, Keijzer noticed that cycling wasn’t very common, yet drivers were cautious and gave them plenty of space when overtaking. “It was different in Georgia, where cars passed very close to us. So if I had to choose, I’d say Turkey is more bike-friendly,” he said.
Reaching Asia, they encountered dense traffic with both cars and motorbikes. Keijzer described India’s streets as chaotic, filled with honking vehicles. “It was quite an experience—you have to weave through and find the fastest way forward. In Vietnam, there are so many motorbikes,” he shared.
Keijzer also noted that countries could learn from the Netherlands’ bike-friendly infrastructure. In his home country, bicycle lanes are separated from main roads by natural dividers like grass, making them much safer.
For those hesitant about long-distance cycling, Broekhuizen offered simple advice: “Just get on your bike and start. Begin with short rides, then go farther. The world is big, but it’s not scary.”
Inviting Vietnamese cyclists to the Netherlands
Finishing their journey 20 days ahead of schedule, Keijzer and Broekhuizen hope their adventure will further inspire the cycling spirit in Vietnam and around the world.
They also extend an invitation to Vietnamese cycling enthusiasts to take on the reverse journey to the Netherlands. Keijzer even promised to host cyclists from Vietnam at his home.
“The cycling community is close-knit, and we share a lot in common. Many of us are a bit unusual—after all, who comes up with an idea like this? We’d love to welcome everyone to cycle to the Netherlands,” Keijzer joked.
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