A. CARS AND MINIBUS
As we have 50% private tour for two persons, we use private car or minibus for touring around the country. Almost cars & buses date from year 2005 to 2008, have air-conditioned and ice box for cool drinking water. We have recently the brand new Toyota Innova and Ford Everest. Date 2005 and 2008.
1. Toyota Zace or Innova
Two front seats for driver and tour guide, 3 seats behind for guests, and there are two more supplement seats behind, but these supplement seats are often folded up for luggage.
2. Ford Everest
Date 2005 and 2008. Two front seats for driver and tour guide, 3 seats behind for guests, and there are two more supplement seats behind, but these supplement seats are often folded up for luggage.
3. Toyota Hiace 12 seats
It's a deluxe Toyota minivan 2007, 3 rows of seats, can take up to 12 persons, but most comfortable will be for 6 persons + luggage. We also use this bus when having private tour for 2 persons only.
In cycling tour, the last row is taken out for loading the bicycles, biking gear, luggage and ice box for supporting along the way. This minibus can take 4 guest + 1 guide and 5 bicycles forcycling tour.
4. Mercedes-Benz 16 seats
Great minibus for big family, can take up to 15 persons, most comfortable for 9 persons + luggage. With cycling tour, this van can take guests & luggage + 1 guide and 5 bicycles for cycling tour.
5. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 16 seats
Great minivan for big family, can take up to 15 persons, most comfortable for 9 persons + luggage. With cycling tour, this van can take guests & luggage + 1 guide and 5 bicycles for cycling tour.
6. Hyundai bus County 30 seats
This bus can take up to 16 guests and luggage. Very comfortable for long distance travel between Saigon, Mekong delta and up to Hue, Hanoi.
For cycling tour group, this bus can take up to 8 guests & luggage and bikes.
7. Hyundai Aero Town 35 seats
Take group from 20 to 25 persons & luggage, comfortable seat.
8. Ford-Transit 16 seats
Great minivan for big family, can take up to 15 persons, most comfortable for 9 persons + luggage. With cycling tour, this van can take guests & luggage + 1 guide and 5 bicycles for cycling tour.
B. BOATS
We did a lot of off road, so we have to use boats for crossing small canal & rivers. However, for long distance cruise up the Mekong river, we use bigger boat, with some bicycles and kayaks available for cycling and kayaking adventure into the islands on both side of the river.
C. OUR BICYCLES
1. Raleigh
Built in Taiwan and China. Strong hybrid bike, adjustable stem, Shimano parallax hub. Deore derailleurs, 24 speeds, suspension seat post, good for touring long distance.
Kenda tyre size: 700x38C(27' x 1-1/4).
2. Rocky mountain
Mountain bike, built in Canada. 24 speeds, Fork Rock shox, Alivio front / Deore rear derailleur etc... Light and strong bike.
Tyre size: 559x40-45. (26'x 1.75).
3. Mistral
Good mountain bike, designed for Austria, 24 or 27 speeds, Deore hubs, derailleurs Deore XT. Excellent for all terrain.
Kenda tyre size: 559x40-45. (26'x 1.75).
4. Trek 7300
Many Trek hybrid bikes from small to large size available. Alloy front / Deore rear hub. Deore derailleur. 24 speeds, suspension seat post, good for touring long distance from Hue toSaigon and Mekong delta as well.
Bontrager tyre size: 700x35C.
5. Road bike
Race bike for pro-cyclist. We have several road bikes: Lemond, Trek, Panasonic. Bridgestone etc... good for touring on paved road from Hue to Saigon.
Tyre size: 700x20-23C.
6. Trek 7200
Hybrid bike from small to large size available. Adjustable stem, suspension seat post. Alloy front / Shimano RM60 rear hub. C102 front / Alivio rear derailleur. 24 speeds, good for touring long distance from Hue to Saigon and Mekong delta as well.
Bontrager tyre size: 700x35C.
7. Kid bike
We also offer family cycling tours - bikes for children are available at all size.
8. Trek 4300
Mountain bike, style 2005 & 2006, built in China. 24 speeds, Fork RST , Alloy front / Shimano RM60 rear, Shimano C050 front / Alivio rear derailleur ... Good and strong for mountain road.
Bontrager tyre size: 559 x 40-50. (26'x1.75-1.95).
9. Trek SU 100
Similar to mountain bike style 4300, but slick tire, thinner tire, very smooth for going fast on paved road. Date 2007 & 2008, built in China.
No front shock. Alloy front / Shimano RM60 rear hub, Shimano C102 front / Alivio rear derailleur. Shifter EF50 8 speeds. Very light bike, good for touring around cities.
Bontrager tyre Satellite plus 559 x 40 (26'x1.5").
10. Balance
High end mountain bike, designed in Austria, 24 or 27 speeds, all Shimano Deore hubs and derailleurs Deore XT. Excellent for all terrain.
Tyre size: 559x40-50. (26'x 1.75-1.95).
11. Genesis
Hybrid bike , extra large size, huge frame for "big guy". Build in Taiwan, good JoyTech hubs. Shimano Deore derailleur.
24 speeds, very good for touring long distance from Hue to Saigon.
Tyre size: 700x38-40C.
12. Specialized
Hybrid bike, small aluminium tube, very light. Alloy front / RM60 rear hub. Deore derailleur. Easy to speed up.
24 speeds, very good for touring long distance.
Continental tyre size: 700x28C.
13 .The 1996-model Minsk
In 1996 two versions of the standard Minsk were made. They look exactly the same but on the inside one is better because its alternator is stronger and easier to fix. If you buy the bike new then for an extra US$10 they will put in the better version. The weaker alternator is easily recognized because it has a number of round holes drilled through its cover.
Both the 1996 models have a more economical carburetor which is fine on the flat but a little short of power in the mountains. This carburetor is easy to recognize because the top of it is circular and can be unscrewed. Again, ask the dealer to put in the older, rectangular-tube shaped one for better performance in the mountains. Also opt for the round shaped head-lamp rather than the square one – it’s easier to remove and replaced if smashed.
14. The Sport Minsk
In addition to the two standard models in 1996, a more expensive, sports version of the Minsk was also released. It has a larger petrol tank, higher front suspension, its seat is higher (but harder) and its more quiet due to a muffler stuffed with glass fibre.
Its fourth gear is larger than the normal Minsk so this bike will go faster on the straight and the engine block is bigger so it handles the heat with more distinction. A good option for taller riders.
15. Wildcat Minsk
A new version appeared in the US (sold at US$1,350!!). It seems to be a new development of the Sports Minsk (same tank and side covers). Engine looks the same but frame and suspensions got a new look.
Unfortunately, the mud cover for the driving chain has gone. Front suspension has been changed as well.
16.Older Minsk models
The easiest way to spot an older Minsk is that the control panel – where the speedometer is – comprises of two round tubes whereas the newer ones just have one rectangular box.
The serial number stamped onto the steering column of the left hand side of the bike has a code to say how old the bike is. The eighth last character – its a letter – denotes the year of manufacture as follows. ‘L’ is 1990, ‘M’ is 1991, ‘N’ is 1992, ‘P’ is 1993, ‘R’ is 1994, ‘S’ is 1995, ‘T’ is 1996, ‘V’ is 1997, ‘W’ is 1998, ‘X’ is 1999 and ‘Y’ is 2000.
The engine is easier to date as the last two characters inscribed on it on the left hand side are numbers like ‘94’ or ‘96’.
About the Minsk
The two stroke, single cylinder Byelorussian Minsk is a 125cc dirt bike capable of getting you anywhere in Vietnam. In its manual it says: "These motorcycles are especially suitable for service in the country-side with bad or no roads."
If you tinker with it, keep it clean and make regular inspections then the Minsk will become a true friend. You will not see many of these bikes in the Hanoi as the locals consider themselves above such an ungainly, oil billowing reminder of past Russian dominance. In the mountains and hills, however, the Minsk rules supreme. Every mechanic knows how to fix a Minsk, and there are places everywhere selling spare parts.
It’s got a top speed of around 85 kilometers an hour, its tank’s about 11 liters which will get you around 200 – 250 kilometers – the reserve will get you around 15 kilometers. The bike has a simple design and has no battery. The tyre’s traction is excellent and capable of covering clay, rock or wet and its suspension is great. The bike is ideal for any trip into the mountains of the north of Vietnam. Its drawbacks are its lack of speed on the strait and its Russian heritage which doesn’t like the heat. In hot weather you really need to keep the engine from overheating. Like other former Soviet classics like the Voxhod, Isch, Ural or Jawa, all you need to do is get a spark, a puff of air and a splash of petrol all together in the same place and you have an engine up and running.
What you should bear in mind when driving a minsk?
- Using mixed fuels (5% oil with petrol)
- In the morning or after stopping for along time you have to pump the choke till fuel is leaking out
- While driving up-hill try to use a low gear and use the clutch as little as possible (save extra wear on clutch)
