Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Cyclos at sunset

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Cyclos at sunset

Cyclos have been banned inside HCM City and some other areas. Most cyclo drivers have found new careers, but some middle-aged and older men try to hold on to this job. Their current customers are foreign visitors.

They said earnings from this job are low, but they couldn’t give up because they had worked at this job for dozens of years and had no other skills.

Whenever they have customers, mainly foreign visitors, travel firms call the leader of a group of cyclo drivers. This leader will arrange the job for other drivers. A cyclo driver can earn 50,000 dong (over $2) a day.

If they do their job well, they received tips from visitors.

Though they are trying to maintain this job, the sight of old cyclo drivers is disappearing in Saigon.

This cyclo is the entire life of Mr. Tran Minh Anh, 80. He has worked as a cyclo driver for 40 years. He doesn’t have any house or assets, just this cyclo.

Mr. Anh still remembered the golden age of cyclos in HCM City.

Source: SGTT

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.