VTH3# 927

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8 MARCH 2020
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LONG SON ISLAND

Hares: Mr.T, Uncle
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Uncle, Mr. T
Ringmaster: Zidane
Report: Uncle

We arrived at Lily’s Baradise (formerly Tommy’s) to the welcome sight of a gleaming white
50-seat coach – this was going to be a luxurious ride to Long Son island for VTH3 run #927!
Even more welcome was the sight of so many new and familiar faces – 52 in all – chatting
excitedly about the day ahead!

Mismanagement and helpers moved about like a well-oiled machine filling eskies, packaging
food (lots of food!), and storing everything on the Hashmobile. Meanwhile, Hash Cash
Cleaver counted his ‘beans’, handed out change with a smile, and complimented the ladies
on International Women’s Day 2020!

A short but very comfortable drive to Long Son soon saw us parking in the spacious grounds
of restaurant 999, where we disembarked, offloaded, and Lead Hare Mr T outlined the trail:
through the residential areas, then up onto the mountain, down to more residential areas,
and finish at 999. “Follow the red tape” was ringing in everybody’s ears as we headed off for
today’s adventure.

With what must surely be a record number of junior hashers (word about the famous Long
Son chicken must have spread fast!), the pack was soon strung out, with hares front and
rear to make sure no-one ‘disappeared’ on the many narrow dirt tracks along the trail.
As well as the famous wild chicken, Long Son is well known to experienced hashers for its
friendly locals – always ready with a wave and a smile. “Xinh chao” was probably heard
more times than “On on” as we continued onto the mountain and the feast that awaited
beyond!

The trail was very pleasant, with plenty of shady trees and bushes – mostly flat or slight
gradient – and Ailing Hash Uncle eventually shepherded the final group through the
restaurant gates, whereupon they made straight for the colourful eskies and refreshing
contents of ice-cold Sagota beer, softies and water! Many plates of fruit were already
chopped, sliced and served on the tables (thanks, ladies!) along with “enough banh mi to
sink a battleship”, to paraphrase a famous old saying! Meanwhile, the smiling restaurant
staff prepared famous Long Son wild chicken and assorted dips.

Conviviality is defined as “the quality of being friendly and making people feel happy and
welcome” – and that certainly applied to the 52 Hashers tucking into the glorious food and
drinks, introducing themselves and chatting about the day’s trail and other matters of
mutual interest, while several junior hashers staged an impromptu sword fight with
“weapons” from Long Son’s famous old “balloon man” – also well known to hashers from
years gone by.

The fellowship continued with the team photo and “cutting the cake” for International
Women’s Day; then the Circle, called by duty Ringmaster, Zidane.

The trail was awarded full marks, 10 out of 10 (despite attempts by one of the hares to add
a few extra points on top!), then record numbers of Hash Virgins and Returnees were
welcomed and introduced – with nearly a dozen different countries represented (the Circle
was polled for names of countries, but your scribe didn’t have a pencil and still suffers from
fading memory – sorry about that!).

And then the Circle was asked the same question as every week since the need to take
sensible precautions for COVID-19 began: “Home or away trail next week?” The majority
vote was in favour of an away run, ie bus ride – so details will be advised via Vung Tau
Hash Facebook, website and official mailing list with calls for registration to help
Mismanagement control the logistics.

Then the Circle was closed, eskies and assorted Hash assets packed away and it was “On
back” in the Hashmobile (drinks served by Chom Chom!) to Lily’s Baradise, and an end to
what had been one of the best days in memory for 52 very happy Hashers!

Explainer – Hashing in Vung Tau: VTH3 has recently moved to a new Hash kennel at
Lily’s Baradise (formerly Tommy’s), 3 Le Ngoc Han, Ward 1 as a result of securing valued
sponsorship from Sagota Beer. Mismanagement continues unchanged: Mr T, Secs, Cleaver,
Chom Chom, Zidane, Faulty Brakes. There’s another group in the area but it’s a ‘spin-
off/breakaway’ with no official standing and is not supported by VTH3.
The only official Hash communication in Vung Tau remains unchanged: the vungtauhash.com website and associated VTH3 mailing list; anything else can be safely ignored. 

RUN 927 PHOTO GALLERY

VIEW ON GOOGLE PHOTOS

HASH FLASH - CHOM CHOM

HASH FLASH - UNCLE