Search
BIKES OF BURDEN
EASY RIDERS
SNAPSHOTS FROM HANS KEMP’S BOOK BIKES OF BURDEN SHOW THE EXTENT TO WHICH MOTORBIKES MAKE VIETNAM’S ECONOMY ROLL
THE SHEER NUMBER OF MOTORBIKES ON VIETNAM’S STREETS ALWAYS captivates visitors to the country. In Ho Chi Minh City, some two million bikes clutter the roads. But times are changing: more cars fill newly widened streets, and slowly but surely the motorbike looks set to make a retreat. Before that happens, we marvel at the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese as they ride their “Bikes of Burden”.
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS Fresh roses, individually wrapped to prevent premature opening, are transported to the market.
HULA OOPS The most efficient and stable way to transport a large number of hoops is to position yourself in the middle.
GIRLS GONE BIKE Schoolgirls dressed in white ao dai, the traditional costume of Vietnamese women, make their way to class.
FINDING NEMO Fish sold as pets along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City are held in plastic bags and skilfully stacked to allow potential buyers an ideal view of the merchandise.
A REFLECTION ON SOCIETY A huge mirror on the way to a barbershop reflects the abundance of motorbikes on a Ho Chi Minh City street.
VIETNAM ON A BIKE
Hans Kemp’s illustrated book Bikes of Burden is published by Visionary World and can be yours for US$24. www.bikes-of-burden.com
Bookmark This Post
