The time was 7.00am we were set to leave Ho Chi Minh city before the traffic gets heavier. We kept some of our stuffs here in the hotel and will be back to this hotel after a couple of days exploring Mekong Delta.
Slowly we rolled out south bound towards our destination. Our target was to reach My Tho by end of the day.
The morning crowd comprising of people buying food in the morning and motorbikes piling up to either going to works or to the market.
Marketing at the roadside is commonly seen in Vietnam despite the heavy traffic flow passing by. The people don't seems to be bothered by the traffic. Honking from the motor bikes and vehicles are just like music to them. A music of caution to the traffic users.
After about 13km of cycling we decided to stop for our breakfast at a place that seems to be popular among the locals.
Most of us were attracted by the BBQ meat rice, the ladies serving the food while a man at the side barbecuing the meat.
My choice of the food for the morning.
After the breakfast we decided to take the secondary roads which are of lesser traffic and quieter.
A group 6 yellow shirt cyclists on small wheels making the the local smiling as we tried to communicate with them.
A typical small town scene with people crowding at market areas doing their daily chores and as usual motor bikes are every where.
At our KM26 we took a stop for fresh coconut water with each a plastic kola and a glass of ice cube to quench our thirst. I simply love the coconut water it's so soothing and tasty. Located somewhere along Nguen Huu Tri road with a GPS location at 10.657465, 106.506222
Hammock rest place is a common thing in this part of the world. It is indeed an excellent place relax and rest before one continues its journey.
Buddhist temple Chua Phouc Bao with a huge Buddha statue standing right in front of the temple GPS : 10.634737, 106.466623 We were here at our KM32.
The was an event going on inside the temple some of the youngsters were attracted by our bicycles and one of them even jumped into my Brompton for a spin around the temple. Fortunately he did not ride it away.
A short while at the rear of the temple before we went on with our journey.
This shade is formed by plants that looks like a building.
Later we saw a big monument with a Vietnamese flag flying from the main road at KM42 and later we found out that it was a Military cemetery at Long An GPS : 10.562386, 106.419037
In the inside of the military memorial park where the cemetery is situated.
Next to the cemetery there is a monument park GPS : 10.559866, 106.418190
We noted that there are many people selling these lottery tickets irrespective whether in the towns or in the rural areas.
All six of us bought our Vietnamese conical hats (sometime referred as farmer's hat) at this shop for 32,000 Dong.
Our first pose with the conical hats in front of a restaurant next to the shop where we bought the hats.
We continued the ride all wearing the hats, all looking like local farmers. The route was pretty quiet and nice to cycle.
Enjoying the view of Bao Dinh Canal while we were waiting of our lunch to be served. Location at Ngugen Cuu Van Road GPS : 10.524554, 106.403818
Playing with a toddler while waiting for our food to come.
By now we have passed the town Tan An and into the rural areas towards to the direction of My Tho with an anticipation of the elements of Mekong Delta to emerge.
The weather was superb we do not to have to fear the chance of raining and thunderstorm as forecast.
There is a lot of coconut productions seen which later I understand that it is one of the main national economy of Vietnam and the country is the world's eighth largest producer of coconuts,
Based on the GPS route we were supposed to cross this bridge but it was closed for repair and we were directed to use another route. And so we have ventured the new route.
We were not sure of the direction we were heading and crossing a narrow bridge that led us to new horizon.
But nevertheless the scene in the area was awesome and the route was a narrow concrete pavement.
Which also led us to vegetation of this farm.
Still on the narrow track as we inched our way out of the farm.
Finally we reached our destination with a distance of 75km to a town called My Tho. We were hungry and could not wait until dinner time.
The noodle soup (pho) was interesting and different from what I have seen earlier in other places. It was indeed a good find and the noodle was delicious.
After knocking a few hotel doors we ended up with Khách Sạn Tấn Lộc 2, Phường 1, Thành phố Mỹ Tho GPS : 10.352915, 106.362538
The route we took on Day 4 Ho Chi Minh to My Tho for a distance of 75km.
The original plan was to cycle from Phnom Penh to Vietnam crossing the border with our bicycles but due to time constraint we have to take a bus. The express bus do not stop places in between the 2 cities hence we have to re-route our proposed exploration of Mekong Delta starting from Ho Chi Minh and will loop back to Ho Chi Minh.
We waited anxiously for the shuttle van to fetch us from the hotel to the the bus terminal.
The express bus we took was Giant Ibis from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh with 3 stops in between at US$18.00 per person. Ticket can be purchased online.
There was panic when we opened the lower compartment and saw that it was almost full. After a quick re-arranging of the luggage we were able to find space for our bicycles. We were charged additional US$5 for bicycle which we think it's an unofficial request and suspected that the money went to a third party. On the bright side the seat was comfortable with provision of power point and free wifi.
Here we were in Giant Ibis bus for a 6 hour journey which has good reviews in the cyber world. The other alternative bus company is Mekong Express. Photo credit : Jotaro Zen
Goodbye Phnom Penh as the bus slowly moved out of the city for the highway.
A stop for toilet use at this petrol station called Tela Station somewhere in the vicinity of Prey Veng Province.
Passing by this 2km-long Neak Loeang bridge which was completed in April, 2015. It is the longest bridge in Cambodia. We were supposed to stay a night at Neak Loeang if we were to cycle instead of the bus journey.
As we approaches Bavet we could see many casinos along the highway which is located close to the international border gate between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Just like Las Vega and its outskirts with many casinos and apparently most of the patrons are from Vietnam. Bavet is the poorest province in Cambodia and these casinos have help to enhance its economy.
Crossing the border at Bavet Border Post with a beautiful building. We had to bring down our luggage including our bicycles to clear the the immigration and custom at Vietnam side. Some of us were equipped with foldable trolley which came in handy to maneuver the clearance.
Stop for a simple lunch at Prestige Duty Free shop within the building of Moc Bai International Border Checkpoint.
The bus stopped at Pham Ngu Lao also known as backpacker street in front of Liberty Hotel Ho Chi Minh. We spotted this corner to set up our bicycle,
We made a few enquires a couple at the nearby hotels and decided to stay at Saigon Hotel 237 (also known as Hanh Hoa).
We were recommended to have our dinner at Asiana Food Town located opposite where we were staying. It was a good recommendation with a variety of foods to choose including dessert and some convenient stores.
Our selection of Vietnamese food for the evening. We enjoyed the dinner with some sweet dessert.
At a comfortable and conducive atmosphere for a decent dinner.
A walkabout at Bui Vien Walking Street, a vibrant atmosphere and many entertainment outlets besides the pubs and eatery houses.
There are many interesting narrow alleys to be combed with many food outlets, hotels and entertainment joints found within this congested space.
Some of the scenes tucked at the narrow alleys of Bui Vien walking street.
On the main section of the walking street.
The many entrances to these compact community via narrow alleys and houses are small with ladder to the upper floors and they are really compact. A good night for Day 3.
