Cần Thơ to Hồ Chí Minh City | Day 8 Vietnam Cycle Tour
The itinerary:
A feature of the Mekong Delta are the floating markets situated at the main river junctions. An early morning boat trip will take us to visit one of the largest floating markets at Cai Rang where you will see a large variety of local produce being sold from all manner of boats.
Hau river sunrise!
OK, maybe not sunrise but an early start to visit the Cái Răng floating market.
Morning calm on the river.
The boy (left)* was a brilliant tour guide, all done with sign language as he was deaf.
Linda, Me, Christine, Larry, Liz, Mike | Photos above/below by guide Nhan
Woof!
This gap was at least 10cm too narrow, but the boat went through!
Zooming past the standup paddler.
Kites, both commercial and home crafted, are a popular toy.
Cái Răng Floating Market
The floating market comes into view.
Selling to the sellers at the floating market.
Pineapple and melon?
M'mmm Pineapple, fresh and expertly cut (with a machete like knife) in seconds.
Trading in boats of all sizes
One big outboard, you'd need to be careful where you swing that prop!
Drinks seller and assistant.
Happy to sell me a bottle of apple juice. I eat a tonne of apples at home, and it had been a while since had seen any.
Another view of our brilliant guide.
Dad helmed the boat, but seemed Mum was the real boss.
Infrastructure everywhere
Building site near the river, so much commercial traffic on the rivers moving raw materials.
The infrastructure growth is relentless.
Down river another massive cable stayed bridge to soon span the river. The push for growth in a country changing so rapidly.
River traffic signs, is that a "No Jet Ski" sign bottom left?
The current way to cross the river, car ferries to be relegated to history?
Ten, maybe more, on a taxi scooter?
Thriving tropical growth everywhere.
Chùa Phước Hậu Buddhist Temple gardens
Rice Wallpapers for the PC
I took the opportunity to shoot some close-up photos of the vivid green rice plants. They make great images for my PC desktop. ***
This one reminds me of a certain early CGI movie...
Not all the industry is large, mud bricks drying.
Marks of sadness. Often seen and used to document the aftermath of a road crash.
Kids love being photographed. I think this is where we stopped riding before heading back to Hồ Chí Minh City.
Black Eyed John
He did a close visual inspection of the road after hitting a pothole but was lucky to get away with no other serious injuries. It looked painful but, thankfully, no broken bones or worse. These Aussies are tough!
The last cycle
Today's 54km meant a total of 429km cycling for the trip. From here we go North, another week of exploring but no more cycling. A photo us all and the superb cycle support crew.
Back to Hồ Chí Minh City
Another massive new bridge, this one built by Aussies!
Hảo Hảo instant noodles, pronounced like "How How", and means "Good-Very Good!
Last lunch on the road
We visited another fish farm restaurant for our last Mekong Delta lunch.
The deep-fried whole fish was plated vertically, held up by the 4 stakes, and (thankfully) elegantly served for us to make our own delicious Fish Gỏi Cuốn rice paper rolls.
On the road to Hồ Chí Minh City
Even after a week of riding the bizarrely skinny & tall buildings still catch the eye.
A light load with a tractor under it somehere.
Kites & Development a common sight
Hồ Chí Minh City
We went to 'Rex Hotel' (see Day 1) for an end of ride drink.
View from "The Rex"
A wedding in our Hồ Chí Minh City Hotel
Cool Vietnam map on a building
KiWi Shop, Hồ Chí Minh City, was some sort of fashion, accessory, and cosmetic store. I don't think there is any link to New Zealand!
Mekong Delta farewell dinner
We had Bánh xèo (Vietnamese Savory Crepe Wraps), amongst other things, for our final Mekong Delta dinner. It's popular street food thought to be a mix of French, or maybe Cham, and Vietnamese cuisine.
We farewelled guide Binh this evening, as Nahn is accompanying us up North. He was great support, encouragement, and entertainment on the ride. Arrived with his guitar tonight, will be missed on the rest of the trip.
Binh zooms into the night with his ever-present smile.
Day Cycling Total: 54km | Total Cycling: 429km
2023 Amendments
This post was written in 2023, so this section will document any gaps. I had a blog back then but didn't update it while travelling, and it was before I used other social media.
* Wish I could remember his name.
** Apart from the garden photos don't remember anything about Chùa Phước Hậu Buddhist Temple.
*** And more recently phone backgrounds!
Robin Capper
