On 14 April, 25 enthusiastic bikers took on Vietnamese roads for a 400-km journey across Northern Vietnam. After months of fundraising at home, they successfully completed the first edition of the Vietnam Classic. This article shares some of their insights and looks back on an eventful and inspiring 8-days.
Cycling in solidarity : accounts from the first Vietnam Classic
Cycling in solidarity : accounts from the first Vietnam Classic
A fundraising challenge
Since 2010, Vredeseilanden (VECO in Belgium) has organised bike tours named “Vredeseilanden Classics” to raise funds for VECO’s projects worldwide. After three successful editions in Senegal, Vredeseilanden Classics have been organised in Benin, Nicaragua, Tanzania and Sulawesi in Indonesia. Now, for the first time the event is being held in Vietnam to the delight of food-lovers and nature-enthusiasts.
Before joining the Classic, each participant commits to raising a minimum of 3,000€ (72,000,000 VND) back home to support VECO’s programmes. In order to do so, the bikers mobilise their networks to seek direct donations and organise actions such as fundraising parties or bake sales. About 30% of the amount collected goes directly to fund projects in the Classic’s host country while the remaining amount is used to support VECO’s activities in other countries of the network.
From Ba Vi to Cat Ba
For this first edition, the bikers cycled through Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, and Quang Ninh provinces. They left Ba Vi, near Hanoi, on 14 April cycling 60 kilometres towards Van Phu in Phu Tho province. On the way, they visited Tan Duc cooperative in Viet Tri City, locally famous for its safe and quality vegetables. Between 2011 and 2016, VECO supported Tan Duc to set up and operate a local Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) to guarantee the quality of their safe vegetables. This visit was an opportunity for the bikers to get more familiar with VECO’s work in Vietnam and to better understand the challenges facing smallholder vegetables producers in the area. Visiting local partners is a very important element of the Classic. As Bert Wallyn, Classics Coordinator for Vredeseilanden explains: “People see the country, feel the needs and return home as ambassadors. On the other side, they feel confident the money they raised is well spent.”
People see the country, feel the needs and return home as ambassadors. On the other side, they feel confident the money they raised is well spent.
On 15 and 16 April, the Vredeseilanden peloton travelled across Phu Tho, Yen Bai and Tuyen Quang provinces, meeting with local people on the way. The group had the chance to visit My Lam Joint Stock Company, a tea factory where VECO built the capacity of local staff as part of a project on sustainable tea with Rainforest Alliance. After cycling 160km through calf-wrenching hills, the bikers then left to Ba Be National Park, enjoying stunning views of the valley from their mountainbikes. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on their side but that did not discourage the bikers from continuing their trip with more enthusiasm than ever. As one participant puts it: “Magnificent views were the reward for climbing a 10-13% hill in the karst mountains.” The rain didn’t prevent the bikers from enjoying Hua Ma cave and Ba Be Lake’s “blue lagoon”. After a day in the bus, the bikers arrived in Cat Hai for the last stretch of their cycling journey which took them to Cat Ba island and world famous Halong Bay. On Friday 21 April, the group enjoyed a relaxing day, discovering Halong Bay and Cat Ba before going back to Hanoi for a final day of exploration in the capital.
Reflecting back on this experience, Herman Drieghe, one of the bikers said: “What struck me is the enthusiasm of local people who kept encouraging us when cycling. People here are very dynamic and devoted. Vietnam really is the country of smiles.”
I believe that a Classic is really successful when the bikers are not only enthusiastic about their participation but also about the idea behind. A good participant is someone who goes home and is convinced that the end of the Classic is not the end of its commitment.
And now what?
Hopefully, this Vietnam Classic is only the start of a lasting commitment to support VECO / Vredeseilanden’s actions by participants. Jan Temmerman, one of the 25 bikers said: “I believe that a Classic is really successful when the bikers are not only enthusiastic about their participation but also about the idea behind. A good participant is someone who goes home and is convinced that the end of the Classic is not the end of its commitment. VECO deserves support, not only before and during the Classic, but also after and I am convinced that one way or another I will continue to contribute to VECO. If not, this will be against my will!”
In October 2017, 29 new bikers – all entrepreneurs – will join the 2nd edition of the Vietnam Classic with a third group expected to take on the road in April 2018. The Vietnam Classic still has a long life ahead and we look forward to continuing this human and sporting adventure!
