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Sapa Travel Guide

Sapa is located in the Lao Cai province in the mountainous region in the far northwest of the Vietnam, almost near the border of China.  Sapa was originally a hill station built by the French in 1922 for summer retreats from Hanoi.

Sapa is the home to diverse mountain tribe communities including the H’mong, Tay, Dao and Thai ethnic groups, and visits to the markets and nearby villages of the ethnic tribes are one of the highlights of most trips.

What to Do ?

Surrounded by beautiful scenery, Sapa is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views.  The town of Sapa itself is small and compact and easy to explore by foot, with a visit to the market in the town center a frequent stop.

Sapa is also a good base for trekking, cycling and motorbike trips to explore the mountainous region and visit the villages and markets of the ethnic minorities.  

From Sapa, it is also possible to reach the Fansipan peak, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 meter. Treks to the peak generally take at least 3 days and should only be done with a guide.

When to Go ?

For the most pleasant weather, the best times to visit Sapa is March and May or mid-September to early December.  While trips can be enjoyed year-round, the winters in Sapa get cold, with some fog and drizzle, and the summers have the hottest weather and higher chances of rain, with the rainy season starting in May through September.

If possible, it is recommended to go to Sapa during the week, since the weekend markets can be more crowded with tourists.

How To Get There ?

The most popular way to reach Sapa is by overnight train from Hanoi. The train takes 10 hours, departing Hanoi in the evening and arriving in Lao Cai early in the morning. From Lao Cai, the drive by minibus or car to Sapa is around 1 hour and can be arranged in advance by your hotel.  It is recommended to book train seats in advance, especially for the more comfortable soft-sleepers.  For those travelers who will stay at the Victoria Resort in Sapa, there is also the option of the more luxurious Victoria train carriages.

Travel Tips

The ethnic tribe women and girls in Sapa are getting increasingly aggressive in their selling, in some cases following people and even yelling at those that don’t buy.  It is fine to buy, but if you are not interested in buying, you might want to take care to show lack of interest.

Also please note that many of the handmade articles, while beautiful, are made using natural dyes that are not set.  They should be kept separately within your bag and washed separately in cold salt water, and if you are using or wearing them, expect some color bleading from sweat and rain.

The mountainous roads around Sapa have beautiful views, and going by motorbikes in this region is a popular option.  However, with rocks and cliffs, the roads are dangerous and should be driven only with experienced riders or a tour guide.

 

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