28 DECEMBER 2025
BLACK VIRGIN MOUNTAIN / NÚI BÁ DEN
Hares: Chippy
Hash Flasher: Chippy with assistance from the group Asset Wrangler: Chief Stoker , Coyote , Chuck and Fletch Ringmaster: Special performance by Jolly on the bus Report: Chief Stoker
Weather: Sunny and Dry , perfect day
Hash Cash: 5 AM ! Chippy @ Mr C’s Speakeasy, 3b Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 32 Trail: All day trip with very early start at 5 AM gathering at Mr C’s for a 6 hour bus trip to the highest mountain in South Vietnam , Núi Bá Den ( Black Virgin Mountain ) with an impressive elevation of 986 Meters above sea level . Arrived at the parking lot at 11 AM , chalk talk by Chippy and Chief Stoker , the gist was “ group must stay together , because Chippy had all the cable car tickets for everyone on her phone “ . Took the cable car to the half way station at the Pagoda , walked around the outside of the Pagoda to reach the final leg of the cable car which took us to the very top . Reached the top around 12:15 PM . New chalk talk : Everybody meet back here at the cable car by 2:30 PM , Free time to wonder around and explore . Chippy took part of the group for a short trail a short distance down the mountain and back up again . Rest of group wondered around and explored on their own . Highlights: Magnificent view from the top of the mountain . The statue of the Black Virgin is spectacular . Several very well kept gardens to explore .The speed of the cable cars were impressive ! Excellent spirit in the bus Lowlights: Long day with early departure at 5:10 AM and Return at 9:45 PM . Very , very crowded at the mountain as it was the end of the year and the place is popular with the locals Special interest: Núi Bà Den Down Down: Parking lot at the foot of the mountain Refreshments: Saigon Green , Revive , mixed soft drinks , Banh Mi , water melon , Ms Kim’s delicious pastries ! Circle: None of the usual circle speakers were present and only shy people in the group so no circle was held at down down . On the return trip back Jolly had a few beers and shyness had disappeared , speech made on the bus with special thanks to Chippy for organising an excellent day . Returnees mentioned , Chuck , Mr and Mrs Augustin , welcome to two new hashers , Michael the teachers two nephews . On on on: Foot of Black Virgin Mountain Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. If anyone would like to help set trails, please volunteer at registration. PLEASE REMEMBER: Hashmobile seats allocated in order of registration but CAN’T BE GUARANTEED if booked less than 24 hours before run start. Also PLEASE CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION if unable to attend, so mismanagement can adjust/re-allocate seating and/or refreshments. “On On”
RUN 1197 GALLERY
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Hares: Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly
Hash Flashers: Chippy Ringmaster: David Report: Secs with hat tip to Uncle
Weather: Humid, overcast at first with sun breaking through later.
Hash Cash: 11 am run fees Chom Chom @ Mr. C’s Speakeast, 3b Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 30 Trail: Departed nearly 2 hours early for a longer than usual Hashmobile ride to Phu My via Ba Ria and Highway 51, then ~3 km north towards Toc Tien village and Hamlets 3 and 4. Followed a narrow road through tapioca fields to dismount at Ms Tham’s house about 1 km from base of Nui Toc Tien. Chalk talk by Chief Stoker, then followed red marker tapes along sand and grit lane onto and up the mountain. Two Buddhist temples, a huge Banyan tree, a friendly monk’s house and much sweat later and we reached the summit! Most Hashers managed to squirm up tree branches onto the huge lookout rock with elevation plaque for photos. Then reverse route back to a very pleasant Down Down venue at Ms Tham’s house and garden. Total distance ~4.8 km. Highlights: Tapioca fields as far as the eye can see! Giant banyan tree (popular with Harry Potter fans for photos!). Sharing a glass of hot tea with a friendly monk at his mountainside house. Panoramic views over the surrounding area from the summit. Elevation marker on lookout rock for photo ‘proof’ of the climb. Special interest: Landmarks on/near Núi Tóc Tiên (elevation 433 metres) include adjacent mountain Núi Thị Vải (457 metres), Linh Sơn Bửu Thiền Tự and Chùa Trúc Lâm Bảo Sơn (Buddhist temples), Phu My (District-level town earmarked for city status in 2025), Phu My Town Cemetery, and TTVH-HTCĐ xã Tóc Tiên (Toc Tien Community centre). Down Down: Ms Tham’s house and garden about 1 km walk along mostly flat sandy lane with occasional puddles and barking dogs to Nui Toc Tien. Refreshments: Pork banh mi. Watermelon slices, pineapple chunks. Bia Saigon, Revive, softies, mineral water. Circle: One Virgin Ms.Hanlie from South Africa introduced by Royce. One visitor from Pattaya Hash -Wild Wolf. Two Returnees welcomed back Coyote and Fletch Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. PLEASE REMEMBER: We can all help to keep run fees as low as possible by cancelling registration if suddenly unable to attend (mismanagement can then adjust transport and/or food and drinks if necessary). “On On”
RUN 1196 GALLERY
14 DECEMBER 2025
NÚI MINH ĐẦM - HÒN ĐÁ CHẺ (SPLIT ROCK)
Hares: Chief Stoker, Jolly, Chippy (live trail)
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Kelvin Asset Wranglers: Chief Stoker Ringmaster: David Report: Secs with thanks to Uncle
Weather: Broken cloud, fresh breezes on mountain, no rain.
Hash Cash: 1pm run fees Chom Chom @ Mr C’s Speakeasy, 3b Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1. Total Hashers: 24 Trail: Boarded Hashmobile Mr C’s Speakeasy (3b Le Ngoc Han). Collected out of town Hashers. Bypassed main entrance gate to Minh Dam Base and dismounted several hundred metres further along sealed road. Chalk talk by Chief Stoker (edited): “Follow red markers along sand/dirt track into jungle. Relatively short trail (~2.5 km), but steep in parts with a mix of dirt, dead leaves and stone steps. Pass the small house two-thirds of the way to top, then continue over boulders to flagpoles on split lookout rocks. Panoramic views and photo opportunities. Descend on hundreds of stone steps past small museum and Hòn Đá Chẻ regulations notice to Minh Dam Base parking area for Down Down.” Highlights: Helpful rope handrails on steepest parts of trail. Cool breezes at lookout rocks. Historic war relics museum near trail end (closed today). Aggressive monkeys absent from Down Down area – only placid dogs today. Down Down: Minh Dam Base parking area. Circle: Trail rated highly @ 300, 267/10(!). Hares Chief Stoker, Jolly, Chippy, applauded. Hash Virgin John from England introduced. 4 Returnees Nancy and junior Hashers Dennis, Selena and Carrot welcomed back Refreshments: BBQ pork baguettes (“banh mi”), cucumber fillings, dipping sauce. Watermelon slices, pineapple chunks. Biscuits and cakes courtesy Ms Kim. Bia Saigon, Revive, softies, mineral water. On on on: Mr C’s Speakeasy. Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. If anyone would like to help set trails, please volunteer at registration. PLEASE REMEMBER: Hashmobile seats allocated in order of registration but CAN’T BE GUARANTEED if booked less than 24 hours before run start. Also PLEASE CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION if unable to attend, so mismanagement can adjust/re-allocate seating and/or refreshments. “On On”
RUN 1195 GALLERY
7 DECEMBER 2025
SNAKE MOUNTAIN - LONG HAI
Hares: Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly
Hash Flashers: Chippy, Chom Chom Baptismal sprinkles: Bishop Ringmaster: David Report: Secs with thanks to Uncle
Weather: Overcast, humid. Cooling breeze on descent.
Hash Cash: 1pm run fees Secs, Chom @ Mr. C’s Speakeasy, 3b Lê Ngọc Hân, Ward 1 Total Hashers: 36 Trail: Dismounted Hashmobile in Long Hai. Chalk talk by Chief Stoker (edited): “Snake Mtn trail in reverse. Follow red ribbons on long narrow access path through high grass and cassava fields to jungle entrance. Then mostly clay track with occasional steps passing several shrines and religious artefacts to small pagoda near summit, then continue ‘onwards and upwards’ to lookout rocks. Take photos, enjoy the views. “Descend 500+ mostly small rock steps on opposite side of hill to flat clay path then exit onto sealed road for winding downhill hike to Xí Muội Down Down venue at crossroads.” Total distance ~5.5km. Highlights: Panoramic views from both temples and lookout rocks. Welcome breeze on top of hill and descent. Seeing two diligent virgin Hashers collecting trash from the mountain. Down Down: Plum Café, rest area and flower garden (“Xí Muội. Cà phê võng”). Refreshments: Delicious Patê sô baked fresh by our Hash Baker Ms. Kim, water melon and honey melon slices, pineapple chunks. Bia Saigon, Revive, softies, mineral water. Circle: Trail rated 9,8,11/10. “Very good”, “Very well marked” Hares Chippy, Chief Stoker, Jolly applauded. 2 Hash Virgins - Ms. Kim Truc and Mr. Trọng who collected the rubbish from the mountain 4 Returnees incl. Banh Xeo - lazy to come; Julian and wife Quyen - working in Hanoi; Trish and Kaylee - living in Australia; welcomed back. On on on: Mr C’s Speakeasy. Next week: Watch this space, Zalo, facebook page @VungTauHHH and direct emails for details of next week’s run. PLEASE REMEMBER: We can all help to keep run fees as low as possible by cancelling registration if suddenly unable to attend (mismanagement can then adjust transport and/or food and drinks if necessary). “On On”
RUN 1194 GALLERY
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