The hill tribe people of Sapa
Some of Sapa’s surrounding villages, especially the more remote ones, are still largely untouched by modern ways of life. During any visit to the region you will have the opportunity to learn about the various hill tribe cultures, and meet the indigenous Vietnamese people.
There’s the Red Dzao, who live mainly in Dong Van and Tam Doung. Their red hats indicate how “wealthy” the wearers are: the bigger the hat, the better off the person! “H’mong” means “free people”. The H’mong came from China, and their different tribes can be identified by the colour of their clothes.
Ones of the best places to meet with likes of the Flower H’mong and Red Dzao is at one of the local markets, which take place each week in-and-around Sapa. While the markets are a little more commercial than in times gone by, they still form an important part of weekly life and are vital to ensuring that the rich local cultures are preserved. Bac Ha’s Sunday market is especially good, and perhaps the least touristy, although you will need to rise early and catch a minibus to get there.
The village of CatCat is within walking distance of Sapa. It’s hard to get lost - just follow the road out of Sapa, perhaps with some of your new tribal friends, and take the road that goes downhill to your left. It’ll cost a few dollars to enter the village but you’ll be able to see traditional farming and tremendous views.
Avoid taking photos of the tribespeople without asking their permission, but don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with them. You may be surprised to discover that they have an excellent grasp of English - after all, they’ve been exposed to visitors for years, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to interact, and strike a bargain. Bracelets and little fabric items can be bought from them for very little. Children here learn to earn their living as young as five, by selling trinkets and generally being adorable.