Bản La Pán Tẩn

With a bit of a heavy heart we had decided that we will not take Babette and Ignazius with us to Laos, but also that before we let them go, we will take them to a last epic ride to Mu Cang Chai in northern Vietnam. The Mu Cang Chai area was recommended to us by a very lovely shop lady in Hoi An as the most beautiful and least touristy area where you can see the famous rice fields of the north. Her recommendation did not disappoint!!
The first day of riding and the first night at a big (but empty) hotel was a flop and threw us off a bit: it was super humid and rainy, the hotel had mold EVERYWHERE (especially on the pillows and certainly also in the aircon - gross) and the beer we were served was all dirty and long expired. However, this made us get up early for the second day of riding and we were rewarded with a beautiful ride up to La Pan Tan. Finding a supercute homestay where we were allowed to stay, even though they were officially closed for bookings because they had their family over, was simply the cherry on the top. Our hosts Nam and Sang and their whole family were kind, excellent cooks and very interesting to talk to. We had a big bungalow with a balcony overlooking the rice fields - a truly relaxing place and exactly what we needed after almost 2 months of the loudness and smog of Vietnam. If you ever visit northern Vietnam, go to La Pan Tan!Read more