A self-taught inventor in Long An Province treasures a rare antique bicycle made of gleaming brass. Despite offers worth billions of dong, he refuses to part with what he considers a family heirloom and personal treasure.

Every morning, 64-year-old Dinh Van Son from Can Duoc District, Long An Province, works on crafting custom brass spokes at a workshop beneath his ornately carved wooden tea loft. On this particular day, he’s adjusting the spoke system of a unique bicycle he considers one-of-a-kind.

“This brass bicycle is more than a hundred years old, yet it still runs smoothly. I often ride it from home to Tan An City or even Ho Chi Minh City to visit friends,” Son said.

The bike’s shiny gold-like appearance makes it a standout. Mounted on the front handlebar is a vintage headlight powered by carbide gas. The lamp adjusts itself depending on road bumps and vibrations.

Apart from the tires and saddle, nearly every component is crafted from lustrous yellow brass, including the frame, pump, and decorative fittings.

The handlebar also features two horn bulbs that emit sounds resembling wild ducks when squeezed. The rear of the bicycle has a unique saddle design and two asymmetrical rectangular boxes.

Originally, the bike was fitted with a brass chain, which Mr. Son removed to preserve. “It’s a one-of-a-kind piece, and I feared it would break with regular use. I’ve stored it in one of the rear boxes for safekeeping,” he said.

Offers refused

Before reaching Mr. Son, the bike passed through several members of the Dinh family. Its previous owner eventually decided to pass it on to a fellow Dinh family member.

Upon hearing the news, Son - a vintage bicycle enthusiast - immediately contacted the owner. Once he confirmed their shared surname, he was allowed to buy the bike for the equivalent of a residential land plot.

“I felt an immediate connection when I saw the ‘Dinh Lam’ engraving. The former owner also wished for the bicycle to remain within the Dinh family. I was thrilled to own it - not just for its collector’s value, but also for its deep emotional significance,” Son shared.

At first, Son hesitated to reveal the bike to the public, fearing misunderstandings about its golden appearance and possible safety concerns. “People might assume it’s gold-plated or made of some rare metal,” he said.

Eventually, he decided to share it with the community - but only rides it during daylight hours and in crowded areas.

Over time, word of the bike’s existence spread. In 2024, a collector offered Son VND 1.5 billion (approximately USD 60,000) to purchase it. More recently, a gold shop owner also approached him with another generous offer.

“I still couldn’t sell it,” Son said firmly.

Mr. Dinh Van Son, nicknamed the “barefoot engineer,” is well-known for inventing agricultural tools. He has won multiple awards, including a National Farmers' Creativity Contest encouragement prize in 2013, second prize in the Long An provincial contest in 2012 and 2014, and the prestigious Sao Than Nong awards in 2014 and 2015.

He was a delegate at the 2015 National Patriotic Emulation Congress and received a consolation prize in the 2016 Nhan Tai Dat Viet Awards.

Ha Nguyen