Day 4 – Dong Van to Lung Cu, Yen Minh and down to Quan Ba – 140km

The next morning, we went to the most northern village of Vietnam called Lũng Cú, the North Pole of Vietnam. The ‘pole’ itself (entrance fee; 20,000vnđ [$1]) is a tower atop a small hill with excellent views across China from the top.

On the way back, we took a different route, and when I thought I couldn’t be more amazed, we discovered another stunning place! If someone had told me about this view, I would have believed that it was from some fantasy novel or movie. So many hills everywhere! Also, so many kids – some going back home from school and some working. We met three girls carrying baskets with flowers – later that day we got to know that they make special alcohol from it.

In the evening, we arrived at our hostel in a small village called Nam Dam in Quan Ba area. We stayed in Hong Thu homestay (night cost us 70.000 vnđ). It was one of the funniest evenings. The homestay is run by an older couple always smiling and dressed in traditional clothes. They cooked a delicious dinner for everybody, and then they eat with us at the table (100.000 vnđ for dinner per person).

BBQ in style

Dinner without drinking rice wine is not dinner in Vietnam. Soon they start pouring shots after shots. They always try to see if the tourist can keep up with them. The night was so much fun. Lee was competing with one man, and I was competing with a girl of the same age as me. I always had to check whether she was pouring the same amount for herself. Many times, she tried to trick me, but I didn’t let her get away with it, and in the end, she gave up. I felt a bit drunk, and my face was super red, but within half an hour I felt okay again. Then others brought some alcohol with poppy heads in it – it was quite tasty. Later, they brought whiskey and started to sing. What a fun night!