One of those was photographer Alessandro Di Meo, who was in the area following the breaking news of the resignation.

BBC: Lightning really does strike twice

The gorge road from Dong Van to Meo Vac is the stuff of biker yore, its towering cliffs looming high above and plummeting to the Nho Que River in the distance below.

BBC: Motorbiking in Southeast Asia

Di Meo's camera was in fact balanced on a fence to ensure it did not move during the long exposure, though no doubt a tripod would have been used had one been available.

BBC: Lightning really does strike twice

Choose to travel without one and accidentally stumble upon military exercises in the mountains and you may find yourself a guest of the local Vietnamese police, as I did for one unforgettable night in Meo Vac.

BBC: Motorbiking in Southeast Asia