Vietnam Top Gear tour day 9 - Mai Chau to Nghia Lo
Our last full day of riding through the mountains today and the country put on an amazing show for us.
Just out of Mai Chau we stopped by the side of the road at some rice paddies and the most amazing morning light - I was in photographic heaven and could have stayed here for hours. If I'd bought my gum boots I would have down there with them.
From here we continued on through winding roads and spectacular scenery until we stopped for a snack and to wait for the ferry. We loaded our bikes into the tiny ferry and head out across the lake - surrounded by more incredible views.
Not long after we got started again we stopped off at a road side market to check out the fresh produce and hand crafted souveneirs - for some reason, nobody was tempted to pick up a fresh rodent. They didn't look very appetising to be honest.
Out last overnight stay was in Nghia Lo as the locals were preparing for a huge festival that was coming up in a few days (The 2026 Mường Lò Culture and Tourism Festival) so there was singing and dancing rehersals going on well into the evening.
Downstairs in the reception area of the hotel I spotted a vintage Hi-Fi setup complete with reel-to-reel tape player and turntable that took me right back to the late 70's. Vietnam really does have a little taste of everything.
One thing from Nghai Lo that will stay with me forever was when I walked past a child care centre early in the morning and they were playing English childrens songs like "B-I-N-G-O" and "10 litle ducks went out one day" - it reminded me that some things really are international and cross the language barrier. I popped in and said a quick hello to the staff and waved at some of the very intrigued toddlers.
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