30th May - Pho Chau to Hanoi

Another early start and I'm back on Ho Chi Minh Highway heading north towards Hanoi. I've no idea if I can make it in one day and am not really sure why I'm in such a hurry to get there as Anji doesn't arrive until the 1st, but for some reason I have a need to press on.

The joruney from Pho Chau is pretty uneventful. I do have to dodge a number of ox carts and there's an awful lot of hay drying out on the road.

As I get closer to Hanoi it's pretty clear that this section of the road sees a lot more use as the pot holes and lorry ruts start to make a re-appearance.

I start to approach Hanoi at around 17:30-18:00, just as rush hour is at its peak. The traffic here is like nothing I've ever experienced. I though Saigon was pretty mental but this is something else. Cars and bikes are flying everywhere, on both sides of the road. Junctions without traffic lights are just a free for all and I just try to stick near cars or other larger vehicles to shield me from the oncoming traffic where ever possible.

It starts to rain again and everyone on bikes stops to put their rain gear on, and I don't mean pull over to the side of the road and put their rain gear on. I mean stop whereever they are and put their rain gear on. It's complete and utter pandemonium trying to dodge through it.

Somehow I make it to one of the main backpacker hostel areas and find a hotel near to where the bus from the airport drops off.

I am knackered and my ass hurts. I guess that's what 2 days of ~11 hours riding a motorbike does to you.
Get food and fall into a deep sleep.