<strong>Minsk makes a comeback: </strong>A new generation of Vietnamese has started hitting the roads on Soviet-era Minsk motorcycles. These smoke-belching dirt bikes were introduced by the former USSR in the 1960s.
Minsk makes a comeback: A new generation of Vietnamese has started hitting the roads on Soviet-era Minsk motorcycles. These smoke-belching dirt bikes were introduced by the former USSR in the 1960s.
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<strong>Minsk madness:</strong> Minsk enthusiasts gathered for an off-road tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November.
Minsk madness: Minsk enthusiasts gathered for an off-road tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November.
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<strong>Championship sticker: </strong>"In 2010 these bikes started to make a comeback among young people, and all of a sudden there were a lot more events and races," Steve Christensen, a tour guide at <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuongs-motorbike-adventure.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cuong's Motorbike Adventure</a>, tells CNN.
Championship sticker: "In 2010 these bikes started to make a comeback among young people, and all of a sudden there were a lot more events and races," Steve Christensen, a tour guide at Cuong's Motorbike Adventure, tells CNN.
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<strong>Team effort:</strong> "Some young people are turning their backs on overt displays of consumerism in Vietnam and instead embracing this vintage motorbike style and their DIY spirit -- embodied in the Minsk," adds Christensen.
Team effort: "Some young people are turning their backs on overt displays of consumerism in Vietnam and instead embracing this vintage motorbike style and their DIY spirit -- embodied in the Minsk," adds Christensen.
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<strong>Gearing up:</strong> Rider Le Viet Bach, 26, practices new tricks on the street in preparation for the off-road event.
Gearing up: Rider Le Viet Bach, 26, practices new tricks on the street in preparation for the off-road event.
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<strong>Cost effective: </strong>Despite being known for breaking down regularly, the retro-looking motorcycle is still favored among Vietnamese students thanks to its economical cost and ability to customize.
Cost effective: Despite being known for breaking down regularly, the retro-looking motorcycle is still favored among Vietnamese students thanks to its economical cost and ability to customize.
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<strong>Modified relics: </strong>Costing between $300-$400 for a well-running two-stroke engine motorbike, some riders further modify the Soviet-era relic during off-road races.
Modified relics: Costing between $300-$400 for a well-running two-stroke engine motorbike, some riders further modify the Soviet-era relic during off-road races.
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<strong>Fine-tuning: </strong>Minsk motorcycle enthusiasts help each other with some fine-tuning before the off-road race.
Fine-tuning: Minsk motorcycle enthusiasts help each other with some fine-tuning before the off-road race.
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<strong>Nation-wide fans: </strong>Gia Huu (center), drove over 1,000 kilometers from Pleiku to Hanoi to attend the off-road tournament.
Nation-wide fans: Gia Huu (center), drove over 1,000 kilometers from Pleiku to Hanoi to attend the off-road tournament.
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<strong>On your marks: </strong>Minsk motorcyclists line up at the racing line.
On your marks: Minsk motorcyclists line up at the racing line.
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<strong>Behind the wheel: </strong>The primitive Minsk motorbikes are a reminder of Soviet influence in Vietnam decades ago.
Behind the wheel: The primitive Minsk motorbikes are a reminder of Soviet influence in Vietnam decades ago.
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<strong>The high road:</strong> Minsk motorcyclists race around the race track, some showing off impressive tricks.
The high road: Minsk motorcyclists race around the race track, some showing off impressive tricks.
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<strong>Mud mania:</strong> Some Vietnamese in far-flung villages have dubbed them "buffaloes." "People describe them as 'iron buffaloes' -- sometimes difficult to start, but once it's running, it will go anywhere," says Christensen. "While driving, they vibrate like crazy -- bits fall off along the way."
Mud mania: Some Vietnamese in far-flung villages have dubbed them "buffaloes." "People describe them as 'iron buffaloes' -- sometimes difficult to start, but once it's running, it will go anywhere," says Christensen. "While driving, they vibrate like crazy -- bits fall off along the way."
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<strong>Mr Popular:</strong> It was the most popular bike in Vietnam for the next 20-25 years, owned by doctors and farmers alike. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR, Vietnam established new international trade deals and began importing American, Chinese and Japanese scooters.
Mr Popular: It was the most popular bike in Vietnam for the next 20-25 years, owned by doctors and farmers alike. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR, Vietnam established new international trade deals and began importing American, Chinese and Japanese scooters.
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<strong>Country life: </strong>Meanwhile, the Minsk bikes -- also known as M1A or M1NSK -- found refuge in the countryside, where they were used like mules. Able to cart around everything from cattle to furniture, the sturdy bikes enabled farmers and villagers to ply the steep mountainsides.
Country life: Meanwhile, the Minsk bikes -- also known as M1A or M1NSK -- found refuge in the countryside, where they were used like mules. Able to cart around everything from cattle to furniture, the sturdy bikes enabled farmers and villagers to ply the steep mountainsides.
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<strong>Fair trade:</strong> "They were more popular in the north, partially because of the connection with Eastern Bloc countries, and the mountain roads were nearly impassable," says Christensen. "Using a scooter like a Honda Dream was not an option for farming communities. The Minsk were strong and could carry heavy loads."
Fair trade: "They were more popular in the north, partially because of the connection with Eastern Bloc countries, and the mountain roads were nearly impassable," says Christensen. "Using a scooter like a Honda Dream was not an option for farming communities. The Minsk were strong and could carry heavy loads."
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<strong>Join the club:</strong> Toward the turn of the century, groups of expats began to re-discover the sturdy old bikes. In 1998, the first Minsk Club was established and the group would take regular country rides together.
Join the club: Toward the turn of the century, groups of expats began to re-discover the sturdy old bikes. In 1998, the first Minsk Club was established and the group would take regular country rides together.
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<strong>Cult status:</strong> "The cult of the Minsk developed with our love of the country and exploring the mountains of the north," says Christensen. "At the time it was the best bike available for driving around the bad country roads (because of high taxes on other imports)."
Cult status: "The cult of the Minsk developed with our love of the country and exploring the mountains of the north," says Christensen. "At the time it was the best bike available for driving around the bad country roads (because of high taxes on other imports)."
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<strong>Gear up:</strong> "It was also a way of connecting with locals and hill tribe people, because we shared the same machines. They can be fixed in just about any village, though they do require fixing all the time ...."
Gear up: "It was also a way of connecting with locals and hill tribe people, because we shared the same machines. They can be fixed in just about any village, though they do require fixing all the time ...."
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<strong>Vintage vets:</strong> In addition to Minsk motorcycles, there are a few other vintage models gaining popularity, including East German Simpsons, Russian Urals, as well as Czech MZs and Jawas. "The town of Bac Kan (in northeast Vietnam) has lots of these Czech MZs -- there must have been a Czech aid project there at one time," says Christensen. "The town was full of them."
Vintage vets: In addition to Minsk motorcycles, there are a few other vintage models gaining popularity, including East German Simpsons, Russian Urals, as well as Czech MZs and Jawas. "The town of Bac Kan (in northeast Vietnam) has lots of these Czech MZs -- there must have been a Czech aid project there at one time," says Christensen. "The town was full of them."
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