NW Vietnam adjoins Laos and China and shares a common family of hilltribes. The Kinh (Vietnam) and the Han (China) dominate the plains, but the steep forested hills are still home to shy  mountain folk. Wild creatures, Tiger, Bear, Monkeys and splendid birds live in the forest but the pressure is now on the village folk and they in turn are putting pressure on the Wildlife.

The ride took three weeks, to Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Moc Chau, Sonla, Tuan Giao, Dien Bien Phu, Lai Chau, Phong To, Sapa and Lao Cai, staying mainly in guesthouses but camping on four occasions. The people are very friendly and curious so camping demands discretion. The food is excellent, of course, from a spicy combination of Chinese, Lao and Thai cuisine to tomatoes and fresh french bread rolls. Excellent, too, is the coffee and the local spirit, Ruou.

The ride crossed several decent hills and followed spectacular rivers. Sapa offered a superb place for a week's rest, from the balcony at Lillian's Cat Cat Guesthouse watching the clouds rise up the valley and the splendid hill folk stroll up the street to the market. Sapa has both welder and internet, so we were able to contact the designer of Bob Yak Trailers who promptly returned advice on how to fix the two fractures to our trailer's frame caused by slamming along the potholed roads.