We moved south on the Ho Chi Minh Road (an upgraded, 2 lane motorway somehow following the famous old Ho Chi Minh trail). We were advised this way would be much more scenic than the coastal route.
The end of the second riding day found us soaking wet (continuous rain!) in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
In the second picture, note the peasant in the far background who is using animal traction for agriculture, while the peasant in the center has upgraded to a lawn mower looking machine.