Experience the highlights of Sapa
Sapa, nicknamed the ‘Tonkinese Alps’ by the French, is a wonderful destination if you want to experience any combination of trekking (or light walking), photography, minority village markets, and generally explore a region that’s stayed relatively untouched by modern life.
Located in the far north of Vietnam, just a few miles from the Chinese border, Sapa and the surrounding region offers a completely unique holiday experience, not to be found elsewhere in Vietnam.
This is where those misty, pastoral images of traditional Vietnam are still a reality. Traditional dress is still worn here, with colourful outfits identifying each different hill tribe. Buffalo are farmed in the valleys, while the mountainsides are terraced for miles with lush green rice paddies.
When you realise that the highest mountain in Sapa, Fan Si Pan, is actually the final significant peak in the Himalayan chain, you’ll understand how far you’ve come. Sapa is usually reached by train (Hanoi to Lao Cai), which takes approximately 10 hours, but it’s well worth it. The view en route is wonderful enough, and once you’re here you’ll discover a constantly stunning landscape.
Although most visitors are aware of Sapa’s hill tribes, fewer realise that the region is also home to diverse wildlife. Many rare and unique species live here, in habitats that range from alpine forest to acres of dwarf bamboo, the only vegetation that can survive here above 3000 metres.
During your visit, you’ll travel to remote hillside villages and local markets, which are an essential part of mountain life. Visiting is always a pleasure. Don't be surprised to find villagers from several minority groups bartering hard over a basket of hens whilst sipping locally brewed rice wine.
For many visitors to Vietnam, the paddy terraces of Sapa are often amongst the lead runners on their must-see list.