After nearly eight months and 14,000 km across 15 countries, Irish couple Mark (50) and Ellie (45) finally arrived in Vietnam through Móng Cái border gate in September.
Starting from their hometown in Tramore, Ireland, on February 1, they embarked on a world cycling journey inspired by Dervla Murphy, the Irish woman who cycled to India in 1965. Their route took them through France, Germany along the Danube River, snowy camps, the Black Sea, Turkey, and the harsh deserts of Central Asia — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Mark shared that cycling around the world was “the best way to experience the most and live life to the fullest.” Their goal, he said, was not to tick off countries but to embrace new cultures and landscapes.
Their first encounter in Vietnam was a loud karaoke party near the Móng Cái border. Soon after, the couple saw a sign reading “Golden Karaoke King 24 Hours”, which made them laugh and realize: Vietnam was going to be fun.
In Trà Cổ, they joined a local karaoke party, where villagers took turns singing from morning until afternoon. When invited to sing, they performed “Little Boxes”. Though everyone clapped, they suspected it was polite applause — their voices “just weren’t loud enough.”
Cycling along the coast, the couple was deeply moved by the beauty of rural Vietnam and its people’s warmth. “Cycling lets us see the everyday life of Vietnamese people — something most tours can’t show,” Mark said.
They admired the tidy gardens, well-kept homes, and strong sense of community. “Even after long workdays, Vietnamese people make time for family and friends,” Mark noted, adding it reminded them of life back home in Ireland.
In small towns, children waved as they passed. Teenagers offered them drinks; one time, two boys chased them on motorbikes just to give them cold sugarcane juice.
They also met many caring “Vietnamese mothers.” One woman scolded Mark for wearing shorts in the sun. Another stopped her motorbike in the rain just to hand them ponchos, warning them not to cycle without covering their heads. Even in restaurants, owners moved them to cooler seats. “These people didn’t know us,” Mark said, “but treated us like family.”
He believes this warmth reflects the Vietnamese spirit — genuine care and heartfelt hospitality.
Mark and Ellie said Vietnam’s biggest “challenge” was its delicious food. From pho and banh xeo to seafood fried rice, they couldn’t resist eating — sometimes too much to pedal afterward.
While Ellie loved Vietnamese coffee, Mark said he drank it only to keep his energy up — and sometimes they’d race afterward. Seeing rice fields, coconut trees, and bananas along the road fascinated them — sights rare in cold Ireland.
“Vietnam is truly a paradise for cyclists — beautiful roads, tasty food, and affordable living,” Mark said.
During hard days, a stranger’s thumbs-up or a child’s cheerful wave lifted their spirits. “The optimism and kindness of Vietnamese people healed us,” Mark recalled.
Their three-month visa allowed time to rest and explore. They plan to stay in Tuy Hòa, learn Vietnamese, and immerse in local culture before continuing to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond — eventually reaching Canada and cycling across the United States back to Ireland by the end of 2026.
“Vietnam is among our top three favorite destinations,” Mark said. “If you’re planning a cycling trip across Asia, don’t skip Vietnam. You’ll find beauty, generosity, and joy in every kilometer.”
