The last few times I went down this road it was from Dong Hoi and I went all the way to Hue. But this way there is not enough time to admire the graves along the road. This time I broke it down into two parts to have more time. From Phong Nha to Dong Ha on the first day. And from Dong Ha to A Loui on the second day. And if there will be rain I still can stay another day to take some pictures of the tombs. There is another post from the 2016/17 trip with a few more pictures of the beach and some other tombs.
Guess next time I will spend a day or more at the beach as well.
Day one from Phong Nha to Dong Ha
Hoa Phuong Guesthouse in Dong Ha
The room at Hoa Phuong Guesthouse
Took a room at the Hoa Phuong Guesthouse in Dong Ha. A very nice friendly family runs this place. Secure parking for the bike and a good room where you can leave the window open the whole day – thanks to the bars.
Comes with a fridge on top of the usual TV and ACShower and Toilet
Today’s ride – down from the mountains to the coast. Tomorrow the Graves & Rice-field road is waiting.
The Tomb Rider Road from Dong Ha to Hue
This time of the year you might have a blue and sunny day or it is gray and overcast the whole day. I had a mix of clouds and blue sky but you will see that in the pictures that come up now. Left the hotel not to early and took the road towards the beach. The 200 km stretch of coast between Dong Hoi and the former imperial capital of Hue is still untouched and completely empty. If you oversee a few spots along the beach where somebody tried to start some hotels or resorts. Mostly you will see fisherman doing their fisherman stuff on the beach. Repairing nets or get the boats in and out of the water. The beach itself is for the most part quite clean as soon as you get away from the bigger villages along the coast. A bit back from the shore the rice fields begin and in them, you will find thousands of traditional Vietnamese-Chinese royal style tombs. Usually, they are elaborately decorated and well looked after.
At the grave road towards HueRegular graveyardNever saw sunflower fields but it might be because I am only there in winter?Very different from the other onesI like the colorsQuite different with this bowl in the middleThe tomb stone in the backMonumentAnother monument
The Traditional Vietnamese Grave Houses
This one comes with the lions on each sideUsually the entrance from the gate leads to the tomb. Looks like somebody added a second one on the leftA small gate followed by a wallA bit different in styleOnly a fence around itQuite some space between the gate and the actual tombThe birds in front of the tomb – this time GoldenThis one has only a wall and no gateA new one with a bridgeIt looks similar but it is way biggerGraves and houses are all mixed in the fieldsHe / she must be importantIf they keep building the graves they will run out of rice fields soon
What else was there to see Today?
Drove to the beach for a quick look. It is still deserted and has super fine sand!!
Waves on the beachSo calming
30 minutes break from the road!Soldiers cemeteryTo many of those all over the worldCactus next to the roadThe road less traveledShrimp farmI wonder if they burn the trash hereSmaller graves close to Hue on the right side of the roadFisherman houses on the left side of the road
A Night in A Lưới at the Thang Quang Guesthouse
Since I wanted to see Rin in A Luoi there was no need to spend the night in Hue. I continued the road up the mountains to A Luoi and checked into my usual hotel. Usually, they gave me a room downstairs in the Thanh Quang Guesthouse but this time I got one upstairs. The rooms downstairs are bigger and have two big beds. Upstairs they have only one bed which is not too big but enough for one person.
Take a look at the other room in this post here from my 2015/16 trip.
The Thanh Quang Guesthouse in A LouiSmall room with shower and toiletThis time I was at the 1st floor. Quite different from the usual roomVegetarian restaurant at the main road
My mother got me an Eurorail ticket when I was 15, and together with two friends, we adventured into France. This was the beginning of a new addiction. I do like to take pictures, so one thing leads to another. On this site, I want to share some of my pictures and some of my trips with you! Now I am on the road for more than 8 months every year. Visiting old friends and making new friends while exploring this big blue ball.
