Do you think you can ride your bike on the street? For the ultimate test, go to Vietnam!
We went on a free bike tour through the streets of Hoi An, and the surrounding Kim Bong Village. Our guide was a university student who wanted to practice and improve her English. We rode through both really busy markets and calm country roads. At first, when we rode in the busy areas, I was really nervous and afraid of being hit by passing cars or scooters, but after some time, I learned that the vehicles just honk and will usually go around you.
As part of our tour, we took our bikes onto a ferry to get to the other side of the river where we could see how the local people live.
The ferry
Yes, bicycles can go on water!
We learned that everyone has a job to do depending on where their house is located. For example, our first stop was at a rice factory where they make rice noodles and crackers. The factory is also their home and includes a nearby rice paddy where they get their rice.
In the backyard of the rice factory, there were many banana trees, cute chicks, and chickens.
The banana trees
The chicks
Look how small and cute it is
We learned how to make noodles and rice crackers. The first and the most important step is to grow the rice and harvest it. Once you have done all that hard work, soak the rice in water.
Next, grind it up either by hand or by using a modern machine. We were able to see both. I preferred the hand grinder because it was fun, but I know the modern machine would be faster and easier.
I am grinding the rice by hand
Mikhaila is grinding the rice by hand
The modern machine
Once the rice has been ground to a fine powder, mix it with water to make a paste.
On a stove, use the paste to make a thin rice pancake.
Spreading the paste onto the stove
All ready
Taa daa!
Mikhaila’s turn
Wow!
The pancakes remind me of dosas in India, and crepes in France.
The fuel for the stove was the dried rice husks which was really neat and innovative.
The traditional way to cut noodles is to use a knife and the modern way is to use a noodle cutter. You can use either one and they will turn out the same, but again I know the modern noodlecuter is much faster and easier.
Cutting the noodles by hand
Cutting the noodles with the noodle cutter
The family sells their noodles at the local market or customers come to their home.
To make the rice cracker, the pancake is set outside to dry in the sun until it’s crispy
The drying rack
All done!
A local snack we were able to try was a combination of the rice cracker and noodles. It is almost like a sandwich with rice crackers as the bread and the whole noodles as a filling. It is then chopped into small squares, and dipped into a hot chili sauce. It was spicy but delicious!
Afterwards, we rode our bikes through the village, passing water buffalo, rice paddies and other beautiful scenery as we made our way to our next stop at a carpentry shop.
The store was full of many beautiful items.
One of the items that I really liked was a tall sculpture with 1000 little detailed dragons carved all over it.
There were also four places in Hanoi carved on the front and back: The Temple of Literature,
and a bridge.
Our bike tour reminded me of when we went bike riding in Belgium and Lucca… The only difference is that in Belgium and Lucca, I felt safer riding on the bike paths and dedicated bike lanes. But now I feel I have passed the test. After the bike tour, I feel a lot more confident in the busy areas. … Maybe I should try riding my bike in India! (Just joking)
This was our first bike tour on the trip, I really enjoyed it and hope to do more.
We had a really great experience biking, visiting the village, and meeting the locals but wait, there’s more! Sorry, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out what else we did!
Comments
9 responses to “So You Think You Can Cycle in Vietnam”
Leaving us in suspense? This was a most interesting day on many levels,Zoe. The bike challenge, the things that you saw while riding and the making of the noodles and the ‘rice cakes’. The wood carving was also fascinating. It is interesting to see how enterprising these people are. One question: does the air feel clean or somewhat polluted?
Hi!
To answer your question, in the village, the air feels clean, but in the really busy city, it was a little more polluted. 🙂
Hi, Zoe, this was a really neat experience and pretty soon you both are the specialists in pancake/crepe/cracker making. So interesting that you get to use the manual and machine way to make the noodles and crackers. I enjoyed seeing the big sculpture with all the dragons close up. It looks like it’s very old. Sounds like you had a fun day. Happy biking. Lots of XOXOXO’s
Hi!
I think if we did a contest, “who can make the best pancakes” I think you would win! 🙂 You make the best pancakes in the world! 🙂
Hi Zoe,
Loved your blog! I saw the rice paddies, but how does rice grow and how do you harvest it? I am glad that you mastered your bike tour, and I loved all the directions on how to make rice crackers and noodles! The country side looked beautiful! Did you notice the “Greek Key” on the Belfry and the bridge? Thanks for sharing. Love, Baba
Hi!
I neer noticed the Greek Key on the belfry and the bridge. You have good eyes! 🙂
The biking sounds like a lot of fun, I wonder how Mikhaila enjoyed being the one in charge! You had the easy ride Zoe! I can’t wait to visit your restaurant, there is going to be so many wonderful things to try. I still think the spring rolls will be my favourite. Safe travels, love to all, Teta Doreen xoxo
Your bike rides sound great Zoe. Was it more fun being in the back or up front? I can’t wait to eat at your restaurant when you get home with all the amazing food you are learning to make. I think the spring rolls will be my favourite. Travel safely! Love to all, Teta Doreen xoxox
Hi!
Mikhaila did a really good job at the front. I liked being at the back better…. There were more chances to look around and it is much easier. I tried going at the front, but it was too hard and wobbly, so I moved to the back and enjoyed it from another view! 🙂