Rider’s Reflections On Vietnam From The Golden Buddha Ride

Paige White is the Content Creator on the 2025 Golden Buddha Ride Cycling Adventure.

On the 2025 Golden Buddha Ride there is a notebook with a race plate taped to it that has been circulating at many of our lunch stops, passed along from rider to rider. In it, we asked our riders to describe their experiences cycling in Vietnam. We invited them to share personal stories, highlights, mishaps, and everything in between. Here’s what they’ve had to say so far.

Martha (Canada)

“There are so many positive things I could say about Vietnam, but what really stands out for me is the kindness of the Vietnamese people. In particular, our driver, Mr. Tang, who was the first person I met in Vietnam. I exited the Ho Chi Minh Airport arrivals building with my boxed bike and duffel bag loaded a bit precariously on the luggage cart. I started sweating immediately from the heat and humidity and all I could see was a mass of people.”

“There were so many drivers holding signs with the names of their passengers. I panicked a little inside wondering how in the world I would ever find my driver. I scanned the crowd a couple times and finally noticed a man waving madly at me, pointing to my name on the sign he carried. There was just something about him that put me at ease. Perhaps it was his huge smile, but I knew instantly that it was all going to be ok. Little did I know then, that for the Vietnam portion of our adventure Mr. Tang would greet me every morning with that same ear to ear, gap-toothed smile. Reassuring me in those early days, that it was all going to be ok.”

Vinnie (New Zealand)

“I am always up for a challenge. Vietnam has certainly provided that, and more! Highlights – traffic – massages – margaritas – cheap beer! – divinity – people – sunny weather – Phong Na – history. Lowlights – traffic! – missing Hoi An, but a fab hotel in Da Nang instead. (We nearly dodged a typhoon and need to re-route). It has been so much more than expected, being on the bike, experiencing local roads, communities, bridges and bike paths. Putting a Vietnamese hat on my helmet created a huge opportunity to interact with local people. I had so many may laughs, and so much fun. Section 1 is done — bring on section 2!!”

Bill (Canada)

“The two most compelling events in Vietnam were the visit to the site of the My Lai Massacre that took place on March 16th, 1968 during the height of the Vietnam war and the visit to the Paradise Caves near Phang Nha. The former included an excellent documentary by Al Jazeera that included interviews and a conversation between a Vietnamese survivor and one of the U.S. soldiers who was deployed. Altogether, 504 men, women and children in the village were killed, and all of them were civilians. Sgt. William Calley was the only individual convicted after the massacre that became public information almost a year and a half later. The Paradise Cave was discovered by a local in 2005 and stretches 31 kilometres long. The stalactite features are extensive and absolutely stunning and unique.”

Paul & Willem (Netherlands)

“Being on my first TDA trip, I’m slowly getting into the early morning routine. When everybody is getting ready to ride, my dutch biking companion needs a little longer to get ready. So, I guess I can take one more coffee. Then, this morning in beautiful Tulan Lodge, there was a red alert. There were no bananas. We decided to stop at a small shop on route to get bananas, but Willem decided these particular bananas were not fit for human consumption. Three stops later I suggested he must buy them at the next stop.”

“This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we discovered a beautiful hidden market that turned out to be very nice and full of giggling locals looking at me and Willem. They were saying ‘hello, hello’ while taking photos together. We were definitely the only tourists there. Willem finally bought his bananas after all. Epilogue: 30 kms after the hidden market, Willem again needed to stop for food. As it turns out the bananas were rock hard, still unfit for his standard of human consumption!”

Karl (Australia)

“Everyone knows that Vietnam is a great place to visit. The people are lovely, the food is excellent, the culture and history are interesting and the scenery is spectacular in both the mountains and the coast. What everyone doesn’t know, is that there are also some unexpected joys to be found here too. One example is the surprising joy of cycling in peak rush hour city traffic. Going wheel to wheel with hundreds of scooters as you flow, merge and change directions is great fun. In a country where the road rules are merely suggestions, and scooters come at you from any and every direction, it’s quite an adrenaline hit to cycle here. Who knew a roundabout or turning left into oncoming traffic could be so exciting, so much fun?”

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Chris (USA)

“The wonderful thing about traveling by bike is the slow accumulation of change: We’ve now left the massive bustle of Saigon; the heat and mud of the climb into the highlands; the cool mists and surprising wealth of the coffee growing region; down into the weird Russian tourist coast; up through the tombs that blanket seaside villages; into Hue, an imperial and colonial city; inland and up into the Northern mountains that are home to massive limestone caves and fast, clear running rivers.”

“The cave system near Phong Na was otherworldly, a place that feels like walking through time down into the millions of years it took to create. Wherever we travel the kids seem so happy to see us. Parents are very affectionate with their kids. Vietnam feels like a place filled with love, respect, and kindness. The biking is hard but the journey is so very fulfilling.”