· Anyone planning a cycling trip to Vietnam should be aware of how dangerous the roads are. Road accidents are the leading cause of death in the 18-30 age group in Vietnam. The back roads are ok to cycle on, but there are no good maps. The country is beautiful and cycling should be a great way to get around. Unfortunately it can be more than a little scary.
Edward H B Pollard, Hanoi, Vietnam

· Lonely Planet's Cycling Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia is a useful and accurate guide to planning a trip. Just because it is a LP guide it doesn't mean that you're not off the beaten track: I didn't see a single other western cyclist for 2700km. The northwest loop from Hanoi to Sapa is a great trip that can be covered in under two weeks, where you can see a variety of landscapes and encounter the locals at close quarters - don't let the hills put you off! In September they were in the process of widening the road along its length. Highway 1 is too busy to make it enjoyable, with the number of motorbikes on the road having increased dramatically in the last couple of years. The scenery varies little and doesn't portray the best side of Vietnam. Avoid it. Sleeper trains are a great way of getting around the country quickly with your bike, but in two weeks you're best sticking to the same region. Enjoy - or for a better trip go to Cambodia!

Lawrence Friell