A group of four female motorcycling enthusiasts from India have reached Viet Nam as part of their journey to cover UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 7 nations along Mekong River.

The four women riders arrive in Ha Noi at the reception of the Embassy of India, Ha Noi. (Photo: VNS)

Their 17,000-km expedition, which started on 11 February from Hyderabad, India, covers India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Bangladesh, in 7 weeks. The team plans to visit 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 5 countries and promote tourism in the 35 UNESCO sites in India by biking through the newly built India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMT) Highway.

The main objective of the expedition, also called Road to Mekong, is to promote tourism in India and showcase the rich culture and tradition of the country, as well as its shared historical and cultural roots with the extended Indian subcontinent.

Additionally, the ride will highlight safe tourism opportunities for women travellers in India, and encourage international travellers visiting other ASEAN countries to include India as an extended travel itinerary through the IMT Highway.

The four riders pose with the ambassador of India to Viet Nam, Parvathaneni Harish (centre), upon their arrival in Ha Noi. (Photo courtesy of Road to Mekong)

On their arrival, the motorcyclists were welcomed by Parvathaneni Harish, India’s ambassador to Viet Nam.

“The expedition coincided with the 25^th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue relations,” said the ambassador, stressing the significance of the expedition’s mission.

According to Jai Bharathi, the Road Captain, it took them nearly 8 months to prepare for the trip, “because it covers many countries and includes quite many people. Everything has to be documented so we wanted the production crew along with us as well. In total, there are 12 people in the trip,” she said.

Besides conquering new paths, the team has been organising evenings and tea breaks at selected pit stops in major cities and district headquarters in which they can interact with locals about India’s culture and history.

The 17,000-km expedition by four female motorcycling enthusiasts from India, which started on 11 February from Hyderabad, India, covers India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam and Bangladesh in 7 weeks. (Photo courtesy of Road to Mekong)

The indispensable companions of the four women riders in the expedition are four 400cc bikes manufactured by India-based two-wheel manufacturer, Bajaj Dominar.

“The bikes are too good and easy to handle,” said Bharathi. “As we are promoting our country’s tourism, it’s important that we use motorcycles made in India.”

The team will have 7 days to drive across Viet Nam after visiting the country’s heritage sites, including Ho Citadel in Thanh Hoa Province, Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, Imperial City in Thua Thien-Hue Province and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province.

They are expected to leave Viet Nam on 16 March, and reach India on 27 March.

(Source: VNS)