Yes, Vietnam is a great place to bicycle once you learn the rules of the road — mainly never think you understand what the Vietnamese person in front of you will do next. They will constantly surprise you when you least expect it.
Anyone coming to Vietnam should bring the loudest horn you can find! I have a 9v battery-powered “Megahorn” manufactured in England which clips on my bicycle.
I use it constantly because I ride much faster than anyone else on a bicycle and people need to quickly become aware that I am travelling at 25-30km/hr. Most bicyclists travel at 10-15, maybe 20km/hr. I always “push” myself — not always to the limit, but always at “training” speeds.
There are not many cars outside of the main cities and most people are surprised to see a Foreigner out in the countryside on a bicycle. Some Foreigners ride outside of Hue on a bicycle; but very few, and usually only to the major Emperor monuments on the outskirts of Hue.
Today, I rode 30-35km, most of it pushing myself as much as possible while riding the foothills. I’ve lost 40 pounds (4″) from my waist since I arrived here at the end of May. I seldom ride the 70cc moto here, I leave it for Mai to ride.