Vintage bicycles and reminiscences of ancient Hanoi

(VOVworld) – In recent years, you can often see a group of people riding bicycles around the West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi. Sometime, bicycle bells rings ding-dong amidst the busy traffic flow and the loud horns of motorbikes and cars. The bikers are members of the “Hanoi vintage bicycles” Club. They gather to enjoy a hobby which reminds them of past memories while also improving their physical health. Members of the “Hanoi vintage bicycles” Club gather at the West Lake every morning (photo: toquoc.vn) Members of the “Hanoi vintage bicycles” Club talk about their bicycles. They passionately discuss details of their bikes, how they repair and preserve them, and their sad and happy experiences with them. Established in 2007, the Club now has 70 members. They meet every morning at Thanh Nien road by the West Lake. Nguyen Viet Bao is one of them. “In the past, these vintage bicycles were very expensive. Only people who traveled abroad or were rich could buy them. We share the same hobby of vintage bicycles so we formed a Club and now we collect spare parts to repair old bicycles. We exchange information and spare parts. I wake up at 5 a.m to prepare my bike, for example I pump the tires, and then I am out of the house by 5.30. We ride together around the West Lake.” Members of the Club work in different sectors and are of different ages. Besides doing physical exercise, they share their passion for…