The Mighty Mekong

From there they will head north through kilometres of family tombs and shrimp farms. The road continues past deserted beaches where the only traffic is the occasional cow. Cyclists will pass over the 17th Parallel, the previous border between North and South Vietnam and have the opportunity to explore the Vinh Moc tunnels where the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong hid from the American bombing during the war.

The riders continue along the coast past sand dunes, dragon boats and cactus fences before hopefully stopping for Dong Hoi’s local specialty, delicious shrimp pancakes. Next up is a rest day in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the planet’s most extraordinary caves, including Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest. Claustrophobic riders can choose to go hiking instead. The park features 100 types of mammals, 81 types of reptiles/amphibians and more than 300 bird species.

The route now climbs up into the mountains and joins the fabled Ho Chi Minh trail before turning west and climbing along a spectacular river gorge to the border with Laos. Cyclists now spin downhill on a winding road past towering limestone mountains before arriving for a rest day in the sleepy town of Thakek perched on the banks of the Mighty Mekong River. The last 3 days of this section of The Golden Buddha Ride take the riders through numerous small villages and past seemingly endless rice paddies before arriving in Vientiane, one of the world’s most laid back capitals.

Highlights

• Imperial City of Hue
• Vinh Moc Tunnels
• Limestone Caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
• Mekong River