Bac Son: a spectacular panorama of the valley

That was basically why I wanted to visit the area, so was it really worth it? Just from the photo above, I think you can guess the answer 😉

Find the viewpoint, thanks Google!

While we're at it, we might as well flatter the web's bigwig. Yet it remains true. Without Google Maps, I would not have found this famous "viewpoint" indicated on one of the mountains adjacent to the small town of Bac Son and not indicated anywhere in the area!

Not even a single little sign to say "it's this way, hey!", no, no, otherwise it would be too easy...

We got up early at the base hoping for a nice morning light, but when we pulled back the curtain and saw this depressing grey sky, I won't hide from you that we added a few hours of sleep...

After "studying" the map, I headed towards the small mountain in question, just 2 km from our hotel. We went back through the market again and along this small road lined with rice fields.

Well so far so good. But since there are no signs, we went around in circles a bit in the area. Luckily I am curious and attentive, because I noticed a path that discreetly started at the foot of the said mountain, hidden behind bricks…

And there again, you have to find the access to actually go up... And it is well hidden... But it is located roughly at the level where it is indicated on the car above.

Unlikely meeting at the summit

And the climb is not easy, 45 minutes of a newly developed path, steep and above all, a constant climb. Jitima was not very appreciative of the morning effort but the reward at the end was worth it!

Already on the way up, we could see what the show was going to be like. We were surprised at the top to discover a small house, which seemed abandoned at first glance but no...

We were soon greeted by a frightened and not very happy dog ​​before a guard pointed the right one out of his nose, a small guy who, surprisingly, spoke a little English. He quickly suggested that we follow him to show us THE viewpoint, because from where we were, we couldn't see much... the house being surrounded by fairly bushy and disorganized vegetation.

The fact is that this house is a post to guard the radio/telephone antenna which sits here at the top... The guard made us enter the fenced (and completely rusty...) enclosure where the antenna is located, we climb as best we can the roof of a technical room with a ghostly appearance.

He had taken care to bring with him a stepladder, which came into play to help us climb onto the highest roof. It was a bit rickety, we were surrounded by nothing and my arm was all messed up… but that wasn’t going to make me back down!

And here is the reward!

After this eye wash, we went back down to the guard's cabin, who then asked us for a little snack for his visit... We gave him what he asked for, 50 (about €000), the price of a visit to a site in general... A little frustrated but we remained understanding.

Taking advantage of the fact that he spoke a little English and curious to know more about him, we chatted for a good quarter of an hour, while he offered us biscuits and water.

Although we started the climb shortly after 10:30, it was already 13:XNUMX pm when we got back to the bike. Luckily we had already checked out, so we were ready for our next stop, Thai Nguyen, known for its tea plantations.

So, ready to integrate Bac Son into your journey?