A memory kept quiet for half a century, and still echoing through time. Illustration photo A Message Beneath the Photo Last week, I posted a picture from a bike ride over the misty curves of Hải Vân Pass. Beneath it, a quiet comment appeared. It was from R.I., an American who had once crossed that very road—in the 1970s—when he …

From Forgotten Landmark to Trending Spot The old brick kiln, long abandoned in the middle of the Duy Vinh rice fields, suddenly shot to fame after young travel enthusiasts discovered it and began sharing photos on Facebook. Recently, a young woman with an eye for quirky business ideas seized the opportunity—not only to earn money but to pursue her passion. …

By Mr. Old Man A Farewell Ride Before the Silence This morning, I pedaled out with a few companions for one last ride along the La Son – Tuy Loan expressway before it officially opens to traffic this June. At Km 36, just as the road slips into the emerald realm of Bach Ma National Park, we paused atop the …

The Dreamy Eyes Craze In late 2019, the Vietnamese film Mắt Biếc (Dreamy Eyes), directed by Victor Vũ and adapted from the beloved novel by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh, hit cinemas and quickly became a cultural phenomenon—especially among fans of the original book. Soon after, a new travel trend took off: fans of the film began flocking to check in at the …

Riding a Familiar Road, Yet Never the Same I’ve returned to this route dozens of times—sometimes solo, sometimes with friends. But among all those rides, one stands out in my memory: the day I pedaled through the La Sơn–Túy Loan expressway cutting across Bạch Mã National Park, right in the middle of its construction phase. Back then, convoys of trucks …

Why People Ask Many beginners come into cycling hoping for a better physique. Mr. Old Man often hears questions like: “I’m 1.7 m tall and 60 kg, but my legs are thin. Will cycling bulk them up?” “I’m 1.65 m, weigh 70 kg, and have a belly. Will cycling help me slim down?” “My body feels out of shape. Can …

In Search of a Hidden Path to Hòa Vân Village This morning, I set off with a friend to revisit a rugged trail along the southern side of the Hải Vân Pass. The plan was to explore a little-known path that, according to my gut (and a bit of Mr. Old Man intuition), might lead down to the beach near …

— A Bicycle, a Field, and a Moment in Time — A Chance Encounter Exactly ten years ago, I pedaled into Truong Dinh Hamlet and stumbled upon a group of kids playing tag on a rice field, freshly cleared after harvest. Curious Eyes and a Light Bike When they saw a stranger stop his bicycle by the roadside, their curiosity …

With a population of around 17.4 million people and a staggering 25 million bicycles, along with a world-class cycling infrastructure, the Netherlands rightfully holds the title of the number one cycling nation in the world. Amsterdam, the capital city, truly is a cycling paradise where bikes seem to dominate the streets. In Amsterdam, you’ll see cyclists enjoying absolute freedom — …

By Mr. Old Man Getting lost, but finding a bond I still remember my first time, about ten years ago, when I biked to Ngầm Đôi. On the way back, sun-drunk and disoriented, I somehow ended up all the way in Đông Giang. That “accidental” detour turned into a quiet bond. Every now and then, the memory calls me back—back …