Cyclo guy Pham Ngu Lao - Saigon

cyclo guys endangered?

Vietnamese government has announced that cyclo's and other pedal powervehicles will be banned after June. thanhnien news

Cyclo guys have always been a thorn in the side of the communists in Vietnam. A reminder of life before communism, as many of the original cyclo drivers where ex south Vietnamese military officers or other professionals prior to 1975.

Upon the defeat of the south the Hanoi government interned anywhere up to three million ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) military and civilians connected with the defeated government of the south or seving with the US, sending them to prison camps they deemed "reeducation camps" .

People were told they would be gone for a few days to upwards to a couple weeks depending on their prior position and to bring paper, pencils and personal items for their stay. Most, trying to do the right thing, surrendered voluntarily only to end up in forced labor camps or doing dangerous work such as clearing mine fields. Their stays ended up being years that is if they survived. On returning from the camps they were to be laborers and not live that life the life of a professional, so not by choice but by necessity many became cyclo drivers.

Officially the Hanoi government is saying the reason for outlawing cyclo's and other multi wheeled pedal vehicles is to help reduce the traffic problems. Granted Vietnam has a major traffic problem but I just don't see cyclo's or other pedal powered vehicles at the heart of it. However, jumbo buses, trucks, zillions of taxis and an ever expanding array of luxury sedans that scare the crap out of me as I attempt a street crossing might be.