Can Tho to Long Xuyen

Monday December 4, 2017, 41 miles (66 km) - Total so far: 2,320 miles

(3,733 km)

Having read several accounts of how busy the main road (QL91) to Long Xuyen is, I did a bit of searching and found just one account of someone who went on the other side of the river. We followed suit - this meant taking the same ferry we arrived on yesterday, and then picking up the QL54 once again. I feared bumpiness....but actually, after a wee while, the road is very smooth - incredible. We followed it all the way to the QL80, where you can take a bigger ferry back across to join the QL91 for the last few Ks. For now at least....a large bridge is under construction, but I expect you'll be able to ride over it if the ferry totally disappears!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1301427864

Long Xuyen is quite big and quite busy. I'd read the scare story on Travelfish about all the hotels being either rubbish or brothels, so was a little anxious. However, I am pleased to report that the rooms at the Long Xuyen hotel are no longer 'grim' - very nice in fact. There's secure parking for your bike, a uniformed bellboy to bring your panniers to your room, and breakfast is included. The downside is that the cheapest rooms at 390,000, but hey ho. We ate a very cheap 'chay' lunch and self catered in our room thanks to the kettle. Another benefit of this hotel is that iit is right near Coopmart for all your provisions.

Long Xuyen itself is also perfectly pleasant - not sure there are any 'sights' as such but many streets are wide and tree-lined. It has rained a fair bit, but I suppose that is the fault of the season rather than the location!