JANUARY 22 2023
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SMALL MOUNTAIN - HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR

Hares: Mr. T, Bull Ant, Johnny, Have-A-Chat
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: NA
Report: Faulty Brakes

​Chúc mừng năm mới to one and all. On the first day of the Lunar New Year - the year of the cat in Vietnam - approximately 20 Hashers met at Nắng Vũng Tàu. A great turn out considering this is a time for many Vietnamese to spend the day celebrating with their families.

Mr. T and Johnny took the Run Fees and the beer truck was laden with eskies of Saigon Chill and soft drinks, and then it was On-On to the starting point which was at the quaint and quirky coffee shop near the army base on Small Mountain. While the bulk of our Hashers mounted motorbikes to get there, our hardy Hash Lighters took the road to begin the arduous task of walking along the coastal road and then up the steep but picturesque road behind Lucy’s to the destination.

Our paths converged as Hash Light met the Regular Hashers marching along the road, we joined them for the first part of the trail enjoying the magnificent views of the Vung Tau coastline until they reached the entrance in to the jungle that would take along many obstacles up to the lighthouse - it worth checking out the video below to see our Hashers being hoisted, thrown and dragged over a tall concrete wall on to a water tank in the middle of the jungle. 

Back at the coffee shop ice cold Saigon Chill was voraciously consumed as we enjoyed this beautiful rustic spot. A lovely breeze cooled us as conviviality ensued. Fresh, crusty Bahn Mi duly arrived - no mean feat considering pretty much everywhere was closed today. Well done to Chippy for finding not only a place that could prepare the food but also have it delivered on the biggest holiday of the year.

With the sun setting it was time to pack up and head back to base, the beer truck arrived and, in addition to the eskies, three waywards Hashers also jumped in the back (to protect the beer of course!) A pleasant trip back to Nắng Vũng Tàu and with everything neatly stored it, the usual suspects ensconced themselves next door in Mr. C’s where lashings of wood-fired pizza and Saigon Chill were consumed.

Another great day in the life of the Hash!

On-On!

RUN 1044 GALLERY

JANUARY 15 2023
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Mr. T, Bull Ant, Johnny
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Have-A-Chat
Report: Faulty Brakes

The sunset from our vantage point in Tran Phu was spectacular last Sunday to say the least.The last Hash prior to the Vietnamese New Year saw us visit a popular Down-Down spot which we frequented many times in the past. The day began when Bull Ant rode shotgun on our charabang laden with Saigon chill, banh mi and soft drinks to our beach Down-Down location at Tran Phu. A cavalcade of scooters and bikes ensued to this location, 33 lucky Hashers in total including those awfully nice guys known to one and all as "hash-lighters”.

Let the games begin, a walk to the beginning of the Hash at the school named after a former Vietnamese  Prime Minister (a special prize for those who can name him) over the small wall scaling up those rocks to the left and on to the remains of the French military gun battery, a spectacular walk on a hot summers day and down to the return leg to the steps on the Maria mountain in the Catholic enclave in this religious tolerant South East Asian country. 

Return of the "Jedi " we welcomed  back Have-A-Chat after his sojourn in the Emerald Isle and his reacquaintance with JJ (his son) for his graduation and for hash scribes the producer of this week's YouTube video (no animals were hurt in this week’s production of the you tube report). It is the bane of run reporters to describe the ascent and descent of our weekly trail in detail without the men in the "white coats" being called into action..This time of year is special to Vietnamese   and those who are privileged  non Vietnamese to live and enjoy VTH3 unique social placebo.

The Down-Down was masterly conducted by Have-A-Chat  despite Chommers absence and the latest "word on the street" is that there will be a return to the "Valhalla" in the near future or, what we refer to Coco Beach  the "Thinking Man's" ultimate Hashers weekend. The large orange ball (Sun) was inevitably consumed by Poseidon when darkness arrived and it seemed like it was only nanoseconds since we were arriving for registration earlier. Those of a particular ilk continued to enjoy pizza and ribs at “Mr C’s” The other reprobates later resorted to continue enjoying themselves in various “fleshpots”, the one for the road is an expression that laboured terminally on what was another Super Sunday in Vung Tau Hash.

What do I owe you Mr T.. ? Will you be drinking beer.? Does a bear defecate in the forest? The day began as many a Sunday before and continued in the rich tradition of VTH3. The latest on Secs back injury is a slow but steady recovery. The Monday quiz in the office bar was held on a Tuesday as a result of the Thailand and Vietnam football final (no oxymoron intended), the inevitable occurred, yes Secs won again for the 99th time.

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới or Happy New Year to all our Hashers in this special time for Vietnamese folk. Next Sunday’s Run will take place on Small Mountain.

Again Chúc Mừng Năm Mới !

RUN 1043 GALLERY

JANUARY 8 2023
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NUI DINH - NEW TRAIL, NEW VIEW

Hares: Mr. T, Chippy, Johnny
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Bull Ant

​Sunday again, and for some of us this day had been a long time coming. 1pm and it was business as usual at the new Hash HQ, with Mr. T and Johnny taking care of the finances, while Chom Chom gathered the goodies from the very nice and clean store room.
 
With a bus load of Hashers, Saigon Chill, Banh Mi and other essentials, we were off. After what appeared to be a couple of trips around the block, we were soon heading to Seaview to collect more Hashers. It was then on to Nui Dinh where we would be completing a brand new trail set by a brand new Hare, Johnny.

After driving through Ba Ria, we headed to the motorway at the foot of the mountain. It was here the Hash Liter's jumped off the bus and headed towards the peak (this was not the usual Hash Lite trail, it was 6km up a mountain). As the bus continued and ascended the mountain, it barely got out of first gear, such was the gradient. At some stages I'm sure the Hash Liter's were travelling faster.

Eventually we reached our starting point and jumped off the bus. We then gathered around Mr. T who detailed the day's trail. It was to be a trail where we would head up 2.5km to a small clearing with a bit of a view and return along the same path. It had all the usual highlights south Vietnam has to offer as we hiked through the wet sclerophyl forest to the peak of the mountain.

Upon returning it was time for the usual 4 courses, Revive, Saigon Chill, banh mi and watermelon. As dusk approached, it was time for the photo and circle. This week saw Chom Chom as master of ceremonies and we would celebrate the Hares, Mr. T, Chippy, and Johnny with their 10/10 trail, one big returnee, and one sinner, Borneo Bumbiter who was wearing what appeared to be brand new very Gucci General Purpose Army boots.

It was now time to pack up and head back to HQ. Whilst the return was not an overly long trip, it still required a stop, thanks to our big returnee. It wasn't too long before we arrived back at HQ, unloaded the bus and finished our last Saigon Chill, before moving next door to Mr. C's for the down down-down. Here we enjoyed Vung Tau's best pizza and chicken wings, all washed down with copious amounts of Saigon Chill.

All in all, another perfect day...possibly the best day I've had in 5 months. Thank you everyone.

RUN 1042 GALLERY

JANUARY 1 2023
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HAPPY NEW YEAR ON BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Secs, Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom
Ringmaster: NA
Report: Chom Chom

What better way to welcome in the new year with a VTH3 run on Big Mountain. A great opportunity to get out in nature, meet some great people and of course do a bit of much needed exercise.

As the online registrations came in, it was looking a bit different  with 44% juniors, 36% female and 20% male. This was most likely down to the promise of pizza, ribs and chicken at the special Down-Down.

The afternoon started and Hashers began arriving at our Nang Vung Tau home. Whilst Mr. T was collecting the run fees, Secs doing the final preparations of the drinks and selfies being taken around the Christmas tree, it was soon time for the trail to begin.

We assembled outside Mr C’s Speakeasy Pub to do the group photo and video. Sasha had brought a couple of firework style things for the new year celebration that did initially cause some concern – luckily they were just confetti, and certainly enhanced the excitement of the already excited Hashers.

A quick chalk-talk from Secs explaining the trail was made and then it was on-on as we commenced the trail along Le Ngoc Han. We turned off on the fairly familiar road (Hem 105) to take us up the previously moss-covered slope up to Vi Ba where we took a rest to await the remaining hashers.

The trail continued up Vi Ba until we reached the start (or usual finish) of the Waterfall Trail as it is known. I had forgotten how far this steep and rocky path went on for - although certainly preferable to going up the powerlines! With various selfies and breaks during the climb, we made it to the flat section almost at the top. Here Hashers were able to take a break and even push their fitness further with the rustic homemade exercise equipment. The Waterfall Trail continued around the beach facing perimeter of Big Mountain, fairly even, but ups and downs here and there. Some great views over the sea were on offer, together with some beautiful flowers that had recently bloomed.

Eventually we hit Vi Ba once again, and after another break, we headed back down the mountain passing the great sea views, the nuoc mia stalls and the monkey pagoda. This weeks trail took us through the rear of the newly re-opened White Palace and gave several more photo opportunities of the palace itself together with its cannons and other attractions. We got back onto the main beach Tran Phu street and made our way back to Mr C’s Speakeasy pub for our special Down-Down.

Eskies of Saigon Chill, Water, Revive and other softies were placed outside whilst our junior hashers explored this great venue – not taking long to find the pool table! Before long the excitement moved to Randy’s wood-fired oven and the preparation of the ten pizza’s that had been ordered for the afternoon. The juniors particularly loved the pizza’s being prepared and even more once the pizza’s were cooked and removed from the oven, and finally served. Chicken wings and pork ribs were also served making the afternoon quite a feast.

With the volume of food and the excitement in the venue, it was decided that the circle would be put off for this week. There would have been an awful lot of virgins!

As Hashers departed after their Sunday adventure, food was still coming out. Nobody was leaving hungry. A fabulous afternoon that was enjoyed by all, even the trail wasn’t too bad.

I’d like to thank Randy and Tam at Mr C’s Speakeasy Pub for their great work serving us – it’s not often they have to deal with over 40 customers at once.

Finally, as we welcome in the new year, I’d like to wish all a very Happy and Healthy New Year. On On and see you next week.

RUN 1041 GALLERY