Seventy-two years ago (in 1939), the trip to Sai Gon (Vietnam) from Phnom Penh (Cambodia) by pedicab was completed by Coupeaud, a Frenchman from the Charente region. This was how the pedicab was introduced to Vietnam. It was Coupeaud who invented this special means of transport after consulting with Georges Speicher and Le Grèves, two champions of the Tour de France – the most famous bicycle race in the world.
The pedicab, also called cyclo (in French), was designed with three wheels to transport passengers and goods. It has become a typical cultural feature in urban areas in general and Sai Gon (present-day Ho Chi Minh City) in particular. Although modern means of transport such as cars and motorbikes have developed with an increasing number, the pedicab is impossible to replace because it is very convenient and is a favourite means of transport for tourists. The image of long lines of beautifully-decorated pedicabs that travel on busy streets and carry both domestic and foreign tourists leaves a long-lasting impression on everyone.
 Racers speed up to reach the finish. Photo: Le Cuong  An exciting pedicab race. Photo: Le Cuong  A racing performance. Photo: Le Minh  An accident takes place during the race. Photo: Le Minh  A “tiger” pedicab. Photo: Le Cuong |
In 1995, Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung made a famous film titled “Cyclo”. In recent years, a pedicab race has become an interesting sporting event, attracting the participation of not only Vietnamese but also foreign racers who are visiting or working in Ho Chi Minh City. Thanks to pedicab races, a large amount of money was collected to help poor children, to build schools and to improve the study environment.
Story: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat - Photos: Le Cuong – Le Minh
