Having been to Vietnam before, Hannah had never set foot in Ha Giang despite hearing countless compliments about this destination. This year, she returned and drove a motorbike 350 km on one of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam. "I had an accident but if I return to Vietnam, I will still take a motorbike trip to see the Ha Giang arc," she shared on Insider, a famous American newspaper.
Ha Giang Loop - is a route that starts from Km0 to places like Yen Minh, Quan Ba, Dong Van, Meo Vac and returns to Km0, known by many international tourists as a dangerous but thrilling journey in the Northwest.
Driving around Ha Giang is a beautiful but dangerous adventure
The adventure takes visitors to the far north of the country, requiring a drive of around 350km to complete. The route is not an easy one and can be particularly dangerous for beginners.
Some cliff-side roads are frighteningly narrow, potentially deadly, and inexperienced motorcyclists will find the experience even more dangerous.
"Even though we knew that, we still rented motorbikes and started the journey," she affirmed.
Most tourists travel in groups with tour guides or on a motorbike with a guide. However, these types of tours require everyone to follow the same schedule, taking away the opportunity for freedom.
“Since my friend and I are both experienced motorbike riders, we decided to take a tour around Ha Giang without a guide. Filled with equal amounts of anxiety and excitement, we started our journey with nothing but a paper map and optimism to guide us,” she said.
Hannah and her friend stopped at a cafe to enjoy the view.
On the first day, she drove straight into the nearest valley, marveling at the surreal scenery that passed by. They stopped at a cafe and spent an hour admiring the stunning view ahead.
The final leg of the first day ended in darkness. The motorbikes' tiny headlights only illuminated the road ahead, making each tight, invisible turn a terrifying experience.
On the second day, she spotted a large wedding in an outdoor public space. Motorbikes and brightly dressed locals filled the streets, and their cheerful laughter aroused the curiosity of visitors from afar. Within minutes, she was invited to the wedding by the bride and groom's families...
“Everyone welcomed us with open arms and didn’t seem to care where we were from. After a brief Google Translate-assisted chat with attendees, we resumed our journey,” she shared.
Nho Que River and Ma Pi Leng Pass in the Ha Giang arc
The two then spent a few hours enjoying the lush green scenery and the strange tranquility of the remote villages. "Driving on the high mountain roads that almost touched the sky, I felt like I was flying through the clouds, with hardly a soul around to see my flight," she said.
However, the danger of the Ha Giang arc route soon became a reality.
"While entering a tight curve, I swerved too far and encountered a local driver coming the wrong way. I had to decide whether to hit the other person or throw myself off the bike to avoid a collision. I chose the latter. My knees hit the ground and I landed with the motorbike on top of me. For a moment, I thought my life was over," she said.
To get out of the shock, she dragged herself out of the car and pulled it to the side of the road while apologizing to the people over and over again. Tourist accidents were probably a common occurrence so he just shrugged and drove away.
After the accident, she allowed herself to indulge in a highland-style spa.
She left the scene of the accident with severe rashes on her arms and legs. Fortunately, neither her nor her car were badly damaged. After applying antiseptic to their bodies, the two drove to the nearest town to find lunch and a mechanic.
Luckily, she found a trustworthy mechanic who fixed her windshield and refused to take any money. Still shaken by the shock, the two ended the day at a remote motel and used the spa services to wash away the day's sorrows.
The next day’s drive began with a steep climb out of the valley, followed by a descent through a quarry. This nightmare drive was even more terrifying than the crash the day before, as every metre of the loose rocks brought with it the prospect of being thrown into the valley below.
While stopping to rest after a stressful morning, her curiosity led her to a storm drain dug under the road. Crawling through it, she found breathtaking views, swung her legs over the edge of a cliff, and had a breakfast of fruit and nuts she had bought along the roadside.
"In the late afternoon, we came to a hidden waterfall near Du Gia village. Seeing that the place was deserted, we swam naked to wash away the dirt of the day," she continued.
The three and a half day journey was extremely worthwhile, she said.
Arriving in Ha Giang city, which is both the starting and ending point of an arc, she calculated that her epic journey had covered 350 km in 3 and a half days.
“I may have seen my life flash before my eyes, but I don’t regret embarking on that cycle. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would love to do again someday. The threat of injury or death was always present, but all I can remember is the freedom of ‘flying’ over the mountains of northern Vietnam,” she concluded.
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