Cat Lai - Gia Nghia
Distance: 275 kms
This is by far the best way I’ve been to avoid the traffic getting out of the city to the North. The police are rather active in the first 10 km or so from the ferry so watch your speed in that area.
(A) gets you around the first lot at least and a bowl of Pho if you missed breakfast.
(B) keeps you on the right track. A few unavoidable stretches on the QL20 but (C, D, E & F) are all to keep you off it as much as possible.
(C) is a water park you might like to check out for a swim or just a break.
(E & F) get you over the Dam Wall and a great photo stop.
This is always a good stop for a break. Great photos in any direction but often a short lived as no shade so in the gear you’re encouraged to keep at it.
(G) this bridge over the river in wet season if the river crossing is a bit tricky. Once over the other side the map will reroute you back on track. Good option for anyone less adventurous. If taking the river crossing the left side is the trick. Took me a few times to work that out.
(H) takes you around the dam wall over this bridge. Not usually covered in mud but a few years ago a landslide made things interesting. This photo some time later when it wasn’t a foot deep.
The dam wall on the other side is a good photo stop. These blokes look pretty sharp at this point. The night stay to follow as I recall one to remember.
(I) Your destination is a very unique homestay. Most photos taken there with these boys are not ideal for the public domain.