Couchfish Day 69: Hanoi to Mai Chau—the long way

I wake to bright blue skies in Hanoi and decide to change my plans. Instead of spending the day eating, I’m going to get out of town and ride the Dien Bien Phu Loop.

The loop runs around the northwest, through Mai Chau and Son La to Dien Bien Phu—the site of an epic battle with the French. From there I’ll head northeast, taking a few days to reach Sapa b…