MAY 23 2021
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Bull Ant, Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Various Hashers
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Chom Chom

Due to the continuing Covid-19 restrictions, another local trail on Big Mountain was set. Hashers eagily arrived at Tommy’s, wearing their facemasks of course, and registered with Zidan and Bull Ant. Meanwhile eskies of beer and soft drinks were being prepared and cunningly disguised with a healthy layer of crushed ice.

This week’s trail was to start at Hem 192 Tran Phu so we transported ourselves and our supplies to our beach Down Down spot. Here Bull Ant gave the first Chalk Talk guiding our Hashers along Tran Phu to the correct turn-off. So off we went in our masks and social distancing along Tran Phu.

It had been a rather wet week in Vung Tau and the skies were looking decidedly dark, it was only a matter of minutes before the downpour was going to begin. We grouped again once we had reached the correct hem. Here Bull Ant once again explained the real trail ahead. Essentially it was up and through the jungle to the top of Big Mountain and then down and up to the cross statue on Maria Mountain. Surprisingly, the trail was meant to be only 2.5km to the relief of most of us.

So, off we went up, up and away, all happy and gay looking forward to the afternoon of exploration, exercise and Saigon Chill. Minutes later the heavens eventually gave way and we were hit by real, serious, proper rain. No messing around, we were soaked within seconds. Some chose to attempt protection with the disposable raincoats, whilst others carried on regardless.

Whilst the rain did have a refreshing and cooler benefit, it certainly made the trail considerably more challenging and fairly treacherous in parts. We carried up on the initial familiar trail up the mountain and then took a new path along the side of the mountain - a rocky and also now rather slippery path.

We carried on, through the never-ending rain, now joined with thunder taking each step rather carefully. It was inevitable there was going to be some muddy clothing at the end of the afternoon.

Once at the peak, we joined the usual path that took us back down the mountain and then up to the Jesus Cross. Great relief once we finally made it. The 600 steps back down to the main Tran Phu would be a complete doddle after the ordeal of the past 3 hours! The rain had given way at this stage as we neared completion of the afternoons trail. We finally crossed the road and headed to our Beach-side Down Down spot, enjoyed todays food and snacks, Pate So and Fruit together with a selection of nicely chilled soft drinks and of course everyone’s favourite Saigon Chill.
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Another great but wet Sunday. See you all next week for another local trail, on no doubt Big Mountain. On On!

RUN 986 GALLERY

MAY 16 2021
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Bull Ant, Chom Chom, Zidane
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Various Hashers
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: COMING SOON

Run Report coming soon...

RUN 985 GALLERY

MAY 9 2021
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Bull Ant, Chom Chom
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Various Hashers
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Bull Ant

​Run 984 - Same same but different. Same - as per usual, a great trail taking in some of the best views of Vung Tau. Same - a great bunch of people participating. Different - a lot of regular Hashers deciding it was safer not to go out due to government recommendations and Covid restrictions. This week's trail was to be the same as run 983A, but in reverse.

One o'clock at Tommy's and it was business as usual with Zidane and Bullant graciously accepting run fees, while Chom Chom ensured the eskies were full of ice. Thirty minutes later it was the voice of Chom Chom addressing the small crowd and detailing the day's trail. It was then On On.

First we would head to Tran Phu and follow the road to Hem 12 where we would turn right and head up through the "Gucci" properties until reaching some steps taking us up towards the temple. Once at the temple it was time to take in the views on offer overlooking front beach and the ocean. From the temple it was on on up Vi Ba road, past the coffee shops and Army base until we reached the Waterfall trail. From there it was a bit of up and down through the bush and then up towards the power lines. The power lines provides the ideal place to have a rest with rocks to sit on and a cooling breeze, not to mention the stunning view overlooking Vung Tau in it's entirety. Next up was the trickiest part of the day, the descension down the power lines to the golden Buddha. With everyone making it safely down, we were now in the home straight and heading to Tommy's.

After the standard Revive, C2, water, or 7up, it was time to open the beer esky. Also on offer today was a special treat of Randy's pizza which went down a treat! Whilst most Hashers were more than satisfied with the day's menu, others thought there was room for another course. So off went Johnny with her long sticked net and raided Tommy's mango tree whilst Smiley took care of making a sweet and spicey concoction to dip the mango's in. All in all, enough food to satisfy the largest appetites. As is normally the case, the die-hards didn't move for hours, consuming copious amounts of our favourite beer Saigon Chill, and listening the sweet tones of Perfect Jive Solo.

In all, another great day...and night! Thank you all.

RUN 984 GALLERY

MAY 1-2 2021
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BIG MOUNTAIN / LONG HAI - MINH DAM
​VTH3 & SH3 HASH MASH UP

Hares: Bull Ant, Chippy, Chom Chom, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Various Hashers
Ringmaster: SH3 / Chom Chom
Report: Chom Chom

Our second Hash run this weekend as we enjoyed the company of our friends from Saigon Hash on their “Hashaway”. After our local trail on Saturday, we mounted the Hashmobile and took a journey out to Minh Dam mountains in Long Hai.

Hashers began to arrive at Tommy’s to register with Zidan and Bull Ant whilst others got on with the essential stuff of loading the eskies with beer, soft drinks and the all important ice. Once Hashers, eskies and a few extra stools were loaded onto the bus, it was on-on as we departed for the short journey to Long Hai.

We arrived at what seemed like a construction site with countless concrete pipes all stacked up and headed along a sandy path towards the mountain. The sun was beaming and with virtually no wind nor shade, this was not the ideal area to stand around pretending to be interested in the Chalk Chat.

Passing through a grassy field, a plastic recycling factory and finally arriving in a shady wooded area, Secs made the Chalk Chat to our fifty Hashers. The real On On was now underway and we continued our adventure in Minh Dam mountain up a sandy and rocky path. Steep and hot, water was being consumed continuously with many frequent rest breaks. It really was a hot start and to many Hashers amusement, our all creative and inventive Hot Pants found an old white ice box to protect herself from the sun – or that’s what we thought.
As we approached the first temple, things started to get a bit more comfortable. There was an occasional gust of refreshing wind and things seemed a lot cooler. As an added bonus, Hashers were welcomed with fruit and various biscuits in the temple courtyard together with top-ups of cold water, many in desperate need after consuming so much on the way up. Whilst some chose to enjoy fruit and snacks, taking a short nap in the hammocks, others took advantage of the selfie opportunities with the stunning views over Vung Tau, Long Hai and the bay.

From here we progressed downhill for a while on some rocky steps through the lush green forest and leafy path. A colour changing chameleon provided a moment of joy before it ran off out of view. It wasn’t long until we arrived at the second temple, again offering a stunning rock viewpoint. Whilst some were wary of venturing out, others confidently took advantage of the yet more selfie and photo spots.

It was down again, rather steeply in parts as the trail continued with many areas needing special care to avoid any slippages. It was here, things went a little, well, pear-shaped. Whilst the trail had been set perfectly with regular red tapes to guide, a small group decided that it was unlikely for us to be heading back up the mountain and therefore decided to follow blue tape! Wrong Wrong Wrong – how many times do you hear “follow the red tape”?

For those that followed the red tape and didn’t miss turn-offs, it was up again as we ventured towards the final temple and viewpoint of the day. It was turning into quite a long and challenging trail and whilst many took yet more photo’s, most just carried on along the path, following the RED tape in the hope of cold drinks and food not much further away.

The final stage was a gentle walk down a concrete path heading towards the finish line this week, the Minh Dam car park. Super cold Saigon Chills together with various soft drinks, including Chom Chom’s new healthier “Sugar-Free” selections were already waiting thanks to assistance from Faulty Brakes and our fabulous bus driver, Mr. An. It was here concern was mounting for a number of Hashers that were absent. After a few phone calls, the group was located and promptly picked up in Long Hai by our super enthusiastic and co-operative driver. Upon their return we enjoyed very tasty Pateso’s, fruit, snacks and the usual goodies whilst we all relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. This week was Snowball’s birthday and as a very regular VTH3 Hasher, we celebrated this with a large cake whilst singing and dancing to the happy birthday song.

It was getting dark by now, thanks partially to the delay in recovering our missing hashers. A short circle was initiated, mainly to welcome our Saigon Hashers and to hear their feedback about today’s trail and the weekend in general. Nothing but praise, so all good. Clearly the weekend had been a bit different to the usual SGH3 activities, but great to hear the success. It was a fabulous weekend for us too and so good to meet our fellow Hashers from Saigon.

Once the bus was re-loaded, we quickly got on and headed back for a fun journey to Vung Tau. With music blaring, an eskie full of Saigon Chill and soft drinks, we sang and danced. Even the bus went into “party mode” with the multi-coloured lighting. A really fun and happy ending to the long day.

As usual, on our return the Down Down Down commenced as many Hashers continued to enjoy their day with more drinks, Randy’s legendary wood-fired pizza and great entertainment from Russian soloist, Veronika.
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Another great Sunday with Vung Tau Hash (VTH3). On On

RUN 983 A/B GALLERY