23 December, Binh Gia to Lang Son, 74km
Phuong Thao Guest House 200,000VND

I am in love with Vietnam; I am in love with my life. Bliss is cycling through and amongst hills on an almost-flat road that finds and follows the path of least resistance. The same path no doubt, though now paved, used for thousands of years by livestock and nomads, conquerors and traders. A few hundred kms north of Hanoi and we are back into our thermals on a chilly day, though clear. The 23rd must be an auspicious date for a wedding. Though a Tuesday, we saw around ten wedding parties today. Cars decorated with flowers and tented venues, brave bunting fluttering in the cold weather, music discordant across the browning fields. One tent had been set up on the road itself, taking up one lane, slowing drivers patient and tolerant. The first 60km brought us to Dong Dang on the Chinese border. Love the name, which sounds like an Asian version of a Xmas carol or a mis-wired doorbell.

Between Binh Gia and Lang Son

Between Binh Gia and Lang Son

Between Binh Gia and Lang Son

Van Quan

Between Binh Gia and Lang Son

Between Binh Gia and Lang Son

Wedding car

Wedding venue

Dong Dang church

Sugar cane for sale