Little girl at a parked cyclo in Ho Chi Minh City

by Silva Wischeropp

Analogue colour photograph taken with the Nikon F90X and slide film. The little Vietnamese girl stands alone in an adorable little pink dress by a bicycle taxi (cyclo) parked in the side streets. I discovered this urban motif during my three-month trip to Vietnam in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in 2000.

The cyclo (Xích Lô) is a three-wheeled bicycle taxi that has been an iconic mode of transport in Vietnam since the French colonial era, today mainly for tourists as a relaxed way to explore cities such as Hanoi, Huế or Hoi An, where you can enjoy the culture and city life at a leisurely pace while the drivers often show off local sights. Originally an important means of transport for locals, it is now a cultural icon that offers a nostalgic journey through Vietnam's past.

Invented by a Frenchman (Pierre Coupeaud) and introduced to Vietnam in 1939, it is derived from the rickshaw.
A seat for passengers in the front, the driver pedalling in the back.
In the 1950s and 60s, the cyclo was a widely used, affordable means of transport for people and goods in the cities. Mainly used for tourist attractions to experience the atmosphere of the old towns as it was displaced by motorbikes and cars.

Allows sightseeing and local life to be observed without having to worry about traffic. Drivers often speak some English and can point out places of interest.
It symbolises the harmonious blend of modernity and tradition in Vietnam.

In busy areas it can seem dangerous due to the chaotic traffic, but the drivers are experienced.
In some cities like Hanoi, routes for cyclos have been restricted for traffic reasons.