Cycle4Girls: How Plan's programmes work locally

These women are grateful for the help from sponsors and donors enabling them to benefit from the multiple programmes (such as Community and school water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programme, Village Savings and Loan programme, mm). 

Read more about the programmes implemented by Plan Vietnam:

https://plan-international.org/where-we-work/asia/vietnam/where-we-work/quang-tri

Cycle4Girls Day 4 Dong Hoi - 80km

We started the day with a quick visit to a different Plan office, Vietnam Plan office in Quang Binh province. Here we learned about Plan's programmes implemented. We also learned about the Ruc people in Vietnam. See my separate post about this mysterious tribe.

Plan Vietnam Program Unit office in Quand Binh Province

From there we jumped on our bikes and enjoyed the ride through beautiful sceneries such as rice paddies. Despite rain and slippery hills (up and down), our mood has not left us. 

rice paddies

We passed by the Phong Nha - Ke Bang, a national park noted for its cave and grotto system and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ruc people still live in this national park. 

More info about Phong Nha Ke Banh National Park.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, we did not get to visit any cave :( Another occasion maybe?

Plan Netherlands Embassador Daphne Bunskoek stopping for a chat and snack break 

wet and cold but smiling

55 km from Laotian border

good mood

Cycle4Girls Day 3 Dong Hiep - 92km

Wednesday 04/02/2015

Big day on the bike today. 92km.
After breakfast, a short transfer to Cua Viet, our cycling starting point. The coastline to Cua Tung was beautiful.
We made a stopping en route at Vinh Moc, a tunnel complex built to shelter villagers from the intense bombing of the Vietnam War.
Vietnamese seafood lunch at a local restaurant by the sea. Relaxing break.
Bus transfer to Ho Xa, where we cycled along the mountainous and scenic Ho Chi Minh Highway to Dong Hoi. Not so relaxing, big trucks honking and wanting to chase us off the road :)

New day tomorrow and another long distance (90kms) awaits. Sore bums guaranteed :)

Cycle4Girls Day 1 Hanoi

Monday 02/02/2015, Hanoi

Arrived in Hanoi on Monday and the temperature said 14C degrees. Guess it's not sandals weather :)

Greet and meet by local tour guide (2 nice Aussie girls and 2 Vietnamese guys). Then off to our hotel for a change, nice dinner and night train to Dong Ha.

Cycle4Girls Day 2 Dong Ha - 40km

Tuesday 03/02/2015, Dong Ha

Night train arrived in Dong Ha at 8.30am. Visited Plan Vietnam program unit office in Huong Hiep, Quang Tri province. Learned about Plan's programmes implemented in Vietnam, met with sponsor children, got engaged with local communities, cycled 40km back to our hotel.

Big day on our bikes awaits tomorrow. 

Good night.

Cycle4Girls Singapore transit

02/02/2015, Singapore Changi Airport 

Transit in Singapore. Getting ready for Chinese New Year, even at airport :)

15 minutes of wonderful massage to crack up my tense back, neck and shoulders.

Hanoi, see you in 3 hours.

Cycle4Girls Departure for Vietnam

Amsterdam, 01/02/2015

A group of 25 excited women (1 non-Dutch speaking) are ready for departure from Amsterdam to Hanoi via Singapore.

Vietnam here we come :)

Stay tuned! 

(Photo courtesy of A.Salden)