Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh by Bicycle

THE BACKGROUND
In 1975, following the end of the Vietnam War, thousands of Vietnamese began to flee the country in boats, seeking refuge from rising fear and uncertainty and danger in their homeland. Over the next two decades, 800,000 refugees landed on foreign shores, while a quarter of that figure, at least, never made it back to any shore.

This unfolding human rights tragedy became a passion for Canadian lawyer Ron Poulton, who worked in the Vietnamese refugee camps in Hong Kong for UNHCR in the late 1980s, seeking international protection and resettlement for refugee claimants. Ron developed close relationships with many of the Vietnamese he worked with, and for, and a life-long admiration for the people of Vietnam – a people who were “warm, generous and confident in themselves and in their future. Truly amazing, considering what they had just recently been through”.

THE MISSION
Thirty-five years on, Ron is returning to Vietnam for the first time with his friend and former UNHCR colleague Hai, to cycle from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, covering about 1,700km over a period of 20 days. Joining them is Remy Kawkabani, Ron’s oldest friend and football teammate from High School (Vanier ’78) and University (McGill ’81). The final member of the team is Remy’s son Samuel, who will be capturing the expedition on video and driving the support van.

The rules are strict. The whole mission will be subject to a level of scrutiny.

THE CAUSE
Our aim with this outreach is to raise awareness and funds for the underprivileged Vietnamese mountain people, and the International Red Cross relief effort in Vietnam following the effects of the devastating damage recently caused by Super-typhoon Fung-Wong.

Both causes will benefit from the funds we raise, the former via the charity Ten Tieng Anh, which translates as The Fund for Poor Students in the Highlands, the latter via the British Red Cross.

Both charities have been validated by our friends at Givewheel. We hope you feel inspired by our mission to support these urgent causes, as well as supporting us in our mission to cover this historic route by bicycle in just under three weeks.

THE MOTIVATION
Despite living almost unfathomably different adult lives, Ron and Remy both continue to share the same values that they held all those years ago. After family, friendship and gratitude for our blessings, whether competing on the sports pitch, in the Boardroom or before The Supreme Court of Canada, try to be one of the people that makes a positive difference.

“We (Ron, Hai, Remy and Sam) hope that you will come along with us by following our adventures on this blog. And we thank you in advance for your support, both moral and financial. A single dollar, euro or pound travels a very long distance in the highlands of Vietnam. Just $10 buys a nutritious meal for 5 students. We have been fortunate to secure a sponsor who will match any dollar raised on a one-for-one basis until the target is reached. Any donation given will make a difference for both causes. We promise that.”

THE CONCLUSION
And so, after more than 26 days on the road and almost 2,000km of cycling, which meant embracing mountain passes, mangrove swamps, rice fields, the occasional highway, a few scrapes and the end of the rainy season, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with an incredible sense of achievement, privilege and humility.

It was tough at times, we don’t mind admitting. Rain storms, lorry drivers, bicycle parts, wind and gravity seemed to be conspiring against us at times. But there were incredible highs too – literally in some cases, where the views over the forests and out to the sea were unforgettable. Vietnam is truly a stunning country. Both its visuals and especially its people.

We felt truly humbled by the acceptance, hospitality and friendship afforded us by these profound and resilient people throughout our journey. We have added a few more photo’s to share the joy.

And privileged not just for the memories and experiences that we had just created, and shared together, but also by the generosity of so many people who felt inspired to support our cause..

Thank you so much for your support and words of encouragement. It’s been an experience we will never forget and one that will hopefully make a big difference to the beneficiaries of our two charities. We will leave the site open a bit longer until we can share photos of what your contributions have helped create.