While in Vietnam I did the spectacular and at times scary trip by motorbike to the Dong Van region.The Dong Van region is even further north than Ha Giang and I had to get a special permit in order to be allowed in the area. I went on the trip with the sweetest girl named Thu.
Thu, my sweet tour guide and friend!
The drive to Dong Van is picturesque and filled with curves, mountains, rice fields, rocky mountains and wildflowers. As beautiful as all the scenery was, I think my favorite part of the journey was seeing all the Hmong Villages and people going about their everyday lives. The Hmong people are part of the Hmong ethnic group, one of the many different ethnic groups in Vietnam. All the Hmong people that I saw pretty much lived traditional lives. It was fascinating for me to witness their way of life.
Hmong woman
“Their daily chores include tilling the earth with ox-driven ploughs, fermenting corn to make wine and collecting tinder to warm their homes and cook their rice.” (BBC.COM) The women all worked outside with babies strapped to their backs while their older children all helped with the work. Little kids used machetes and had little tools for working. Young children carried and took care of their younger siblings. Villagers in traditional clothing walked along the streets carrying huge loads on their backs.
Hmong sisters
A Hmong boy working
We spent two days on our trip, but I don’t feel like that was enough time. Most people spend at least three or four and many spend even more time than that. We ended up spending the night in the town of Meo Vac, which was pretty close to the town of Dong Van. I did not realize that I was pronouncing “Meo Vac” wrong and I kept saying “milk” in vietnamese instead. When we stopped, Thu tried to buy some milk for me and I figured out what I was really saying!
On the second day we stopped at this beautiful look out and I sprinkled some of my Dad’s ashes. He would have loved it there! I always feel close to him when I am in beautiful places.
Sprinkling my Dad’s ashes
Thu and I
Thu drove the entire two days! I offered to drive but after about 30 seconds of me driving she said that she felt scared and asked if I could please stop! I felt bad because she was tired and had been driving all day! However, I was a little bit scared to drive the two of us along the curves on the side of mountains! I still need to refine my motorbike driving!
At one point we got caught in a rainstorm so we waited under an awning for a while. I watched children, adults, goats and oxen pass by while we waited out the storm.
Waiting out the storm
The Lung Cu Flag Tower was erected in 2010 and it marks the northernmost point of Vietnam.
Shaka love for Vietnam.
Top of the tower
My butt was so sore after sitting on a motorbike for two days! I can only imagine how Thu felt after driving! There is so much more to see! When I go back to Vietnam, I plan to come back to this area and do a lot more exploring!
