The final frontier: Ha Giang, Vietnam
Vietnam’s answer to the Wild West, Ha Giang’s rustic charm and dusty bars provide an escape from hectic Hanoi, writes Aya Lowe
“We would like to invite you to join us,” says a red-faced man to me and my friend.
He gestures to a plastic bottle filled with an opaque substance.
Next to us, a group of men are throwing back beers and chain-smoking cigarettes, and behind them, two men are rounding off a drinking session with Red Bull.
I sit down and wave my hand over the shot glass, to indicate that I am game. The man gleefully splashes two measures, one for the table and one for me. His buddy laughs. We raise our glasses and drink.
I wince and reach for my water, to take away the sting. The minute my glass has touched the table, my new friend is preparing a second round.
There is nothing wrong with this display of friendliness, you might think – except that it is 7am and we came into the cafe in search of a morning cup of coffee.