Vietnam Mountain Marathon Pre-Event Activities

En route to Topas Ecolodge, Sapa for the pre-race briefing and collection of bibs on the eve of Vietnam Mountains Marathon (“VMM”) on 20 Sept 2014, the group visited the following attractions:

(a) Museum of Ethnology, the research centre and public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam; 

(b) Temple of Literature, the first University of Vietnam; 

(c) Restored Sword Lake, to visit the Ngoc Son Temple; 

(d) The President Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Do CLICK HERE to view 95 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Extra tour for the group 

(left) PK Chan, Chong YF, Billy Goh, KC Leong, Wilson Liew … (lady) Cheryl Tham and Karen Wu.

 A unique house – climbing up the steep stairs requires fitness and skill.

 A model showing the correct way of holding the hand rail that provide the firm support  :-)

 Visiting another attraction ... (left) Billy Goh, KC Leong, Wilson Liew, Cheryl Tham, ChongYF, PK Chan, Karen Wu.

 Boarding the night train from Hanoi at 9:15 p.m. for a 10-hour journey; arriving at Lao Cai at 7:15 a.m. the next morning. The air-conditioned cabin can comfortably sleep four persons with the luggage tugged below the bed.

 The passage way that connects five cabins in each coach complete with toilet, sink and hot water dispenser; there are 21 coaches in this long train. Yuen Yit standing at the passage way; the view outside showing the country that we were almost reaching Lao Cai town.

 Arriving at the simple train station of Lao Cai town.

 The path leading to Topas Ecolodge is lined with flags representing the countries of the respective participants.

 A scenic view of the padi farm leading to Topas Ecolodge.

 A good feeling to be here at Topas Ecolodge

 Gathering of participants for the pre-race briefing. The gentleman with the blue T-shirt (standing in the middle) is Race Director, Asger Køppen.

 Asger Køppen conducting the pre-race briefing under the circus tent (as quoted by him). After hours of exposing to the sun, it was hot in the tent. He quipped that one must accustom to the heat which is almost similar when running VMM the next day.

 Spectacular view of the lodges overlooking the valleys and the mountains

The Main Square of Sapa Town. Buying of The North Face jackets is very much cheaper here with lots of choices to chose from.

Next … post-VMM activities (visiting tribes, villages; closing ceremony; visiting Halong Bay).

Do click here to view photos of the running trails (on VMM event day; Part 2).

Posted by KC Leong