Bikes of Burden [Hardcover]

Hans Kemp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2005

In Vietnam the motorbike is the main mode of transport, not only for people but for every imaginable and unimaginable product and produce. Without the motorbike the economy would come to a halt. Bikes of Burden shows in 148 stunning, full color photographs how the motorbikes, the drivers and their loads ride around the cities and countryside in acts that defy your wildest imagination.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(this book) captures a most distinctive aspect of (Vietnam's) streetlife. -- SF Chronicle, November 16, 2006 (books to buy as gift this season)

An amazing collection of wonderful images... ...a truly fascinating book to explore. -- Shutterbug Magazine, July 2006, page 136

About the Author

Hans Kemp, the editor, is a well known photographer and writer based in Asia since the early nineties. His books about Asia and Vietnam have received universal acclaim. Bikes of Burden (9789628563739), illustrating Vietnams amazing motorbike transportation, was even mentioned in a keynote speech by US Senator Max Baucus. It has so far sold more than 45,000 copies worldwide. The Asia Unique series was born from a concept Hans developed during his extended travels across Asia. Besides using a substantial number of his own amazing photographs the books showcase the exceptional work of some of the finest travel photographers currently covering Asia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Visionary World Ltd. (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9628563734
• ISBN-13: 978-9628563739
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Travel > Asia > Vietnam

More About the Author

Award winning Dutch photographer Hans Kemp first arrived in Asia in 1986 at the start of what turned out to be an 18-month sojourn before finally taking the Trans Siberian train from Beijing back to the Netherlands. The nomadic bug had firmly entrenched itself however and Hans soon found himself back in Asia guiding groups across the Karakoram Highway from Northern Pakistan into China's Xinjiang province and onwards into Tibet.

Establishing a base in Hong Kong in the early 1990's allowed Hans to develop his photography skills, traversing and capturing Asia in iconic images published in a wide variety of international magazines and books. He pioneered the creation of quality postcards in Vietnam and stood at the cradle of Visionary World Publishers in Hong Kong.

His latest book to hit the shelves, 'Carrying Cambodia', which Hans co-photographed with Conor Wall, naturally evolved from his most successful book 'Bikes of Burden', depicting the motorbike culture in Vietnam.

'Bikes of Burden' reputation as a facilitator in opening up Vietnam to the outside world has been the subject of rumor and speculation. Truth of the matter is that on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Senator Max Baucus, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, in a keynote speech on U.S. -Vietnam Trade and Economic Relations at a forum in Washington D.C. on bilateral trade between the two countries, mentioned 'Bikes of Burden' as "required reading for anyone interested in Vietnam" and "a vision of a country on the go", a reason why Vietnam should be granted PNTR status - Permanent Normal Trade Relations.
On December 9, 2006 the House and Senate granted Vietnam PNTR-status.

Though a long time has passed, Hans' enchantment and fascination with the vicissitudes of Asia has not diminished. Never short on ideas, from his current base Bangkok, he passionately continues to aim his camera at little known corners of this enervating and energizing continent for his next book.

To follow Hans on the road read his blog at www.nohansland.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, August 5, 2007

By 

K. Stead (Oxfordshire, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bikes of Burden (Hardcover)

This is a fantastic book and brought back some many great memories from travelling in that part of the world. A reccommended buy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Vietnamese picture book, January 9, 2007

By 

Vietnam freak (Eugene, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bikes of Burden (Hardcover)

We first saw this book in Hanoi and decided we had to have it. Hans Kemp has taken some great photos that really capture the every day sights in Vietnam. The Vietnamese rely heavily on their motor bikes the way we rely on big huge trucks. It is always amazing to see what can be carried by bike. This book has been fun to have on our table and always is a topic of conversation among our friends.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great photography, September 21, 2006

By 

Michael W. Messerschmidt "01mesh" (Macungie, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bikes of Burden (Hardcover)

Spending several weeks in Vietnam this past summer I was able to see the images in this book up close and persoanl. The photographs in the book are amazing.