May…
The rainy season has begun. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it rains every day, or would the earth be soaked in mud like what you probably have seen in some scenes relating to the Vietnam War. The frequency is around 2 times per week.
In an agricultural society like Vietnam where most of the countryside people depend on the cultivation of rice, rain brings life to the crop, rain brings livelihood. In the mountainous regions where little number of water reservoirs could be found, the rainy season is the only time of the year when rice could be grown. With hills patched by the terraced field, this season provokes inspiration among photographers around the country to capture the unique moment of the year. Thus, I gear up for the go. A bag of clothes, a bag of camera and an adventure spirit. I head for Yen Bai province - home to amazing rice fields in Vietnam.
I ride a Minsk, all bikers learn of Minsk’s existence in Vietnam – party because Vietnam is a communist country where Minsk found their way to around the 80s – 90s. Minsk are old folks that need nothing much apart from fuel, a can of oil for mixing with petrol and some spare parts just in case something falls apart from the bike. But above all Minsk is a spirit – a dream alike bike. It conveys an idea of socialism in some way.
The first day…
The distance from Ha Noi – Nghia Lo (a main town of Yen Bai province) is around 200 km. Minsk doesn’t travel much more than 50 km/hrs, and a photographer on bike does not need anything faster. Additionally, the traffic density in Vietnam allow you to ride it your way, as long as you don’t move faster than 30 km/hr. Well, cut it short, it takes 1 day on Minsk to reach the hotel in Nghia Lo.
Pretty much one third of the distance is riding through urban areas, thus, I didn’t stop much. Only when the countryside appears in the golden light of sunset
Apart from that, most of my shots was done while…riding (well, there are 02 of us so that would not violate the traffic law)
After a day riding and listening to the stone breaking sound of Minsk – a good shower and some moonshine at dinner is always appreciated. Food in this part of Vietnam is fresh and cheap, 25 dollar could buy 2 people a good dinner with one whole chicken served with rice.
Good night!
Second day...
The morning was a bit foggy – well, hard to expect much better when the altitude starts to ascend. Some breakfast and a cup of tea, Minsk is ready for another day riding again.
The road from Nghia Lo to Tu Le is around 50 km, fenced by green hill and little tribal communities peacefully rested in palm roof houses. We aimed for Tu Le directly but still, the scenery and people kept us several hours to finish 50 km. Lunch in Tu Le was a good treat with chicken (again) and the sticky rice. If you’re a fan of this type of rice, never skip a meal at Tu Le if possible, best sticky rice of the country could be found here.
Camera ready, soon after leaving Tu Le, a beautiful pass overlooking a green valley reached our sights.
We decided to go down the valley. Things gets clearer as we got closer. It was amazing capturing the local busy with the new season: Uprooting the seedlings, plowing and transplanting.
