Sapa – A Vietnam Traveler’s Mountain Destination

Sapa - Grazing Water Buffalo

Sapa is an ideal destination for almost any Vietnam traveler.  If you’re looking to escape from the summer heat, you could do worse than hop on an overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa via Lao Cai train station. Today, it’s a popular destination for numerous Vietnam travelers – after all, it was created as a hill station by the French in the 19th century.

You will not be disappointed.  Sapa lies about 1,600 meters above sea level and is pleasantly refreshing in summer compared to the coastal lowlands.  You can see the terraced rice paddies from the edge of town or from the window of your hotel room.  You’ll also have a fantastic view of the forest covered Hoang Lien Son Mountains.

Arrange for a guide in advance or search out a local ethnic guide if you feel the need.   Rent a motorbike and visit the Giay people’s village in Ta Van Commune, which nestles in the hills some 10km from Sapa town center along a tree-lined winding road.

Hiring a local guide will allow you to to learn some of the customs of the local minority tribes.  Several of the minority villages you could visit are  Cat Cat, Sin Chai, Ta Van Giay and Lao Chai.  You’ll find these minority villages nested into the sides of mountains by the side of a stream.Home Stays -  experience the daily life of mountain minority tribes.

The “home stay” experience provides travelers a look into the daily life of the minority peoples.  Home stay hosts provide traditional meals consisting of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and free-range cattle and poultry.

In response to the emerging popularity of “home stays” among foreign travelers, a number of houses have added second floors to provide a “private” area to stay when not interacting with their hosts.

Some of the older homes have “resident” wild swallows that have built nests for generations.  Home owners take pride in their feathered guests, often pointing the bird families out to guests.

Another attraction welcomed by some Vietnam travelers:  Some villages offer a break from the busy “marketing” in the streets of larger towns and cities of Vietnam.  Just a quiet day or two in an out of the way mountain village.

You can return to Hanoi by returning to the Lao Cai train station and then getting aboard a night train.  If you have time on your itinerary you can take the loop west to Dien Bien Phu and then south and east back to Hanoi via tour bus … Or if you’re really adventurous – a motorbike.

Sapa travel
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Sapa is a great place to visit.. Wasnt quite what we expected….but was fun tho….

Sapa is a great place to visit.. From Hanoi we have to take train to Laocai first then from there by an hour bus to Sapa. Laocai is located in North-West Vietnam, Lao Cai is surrounded by Yunna (China) on the north, Lai Chau Province on the west, Ha Giang Province on the east and Yen Bai, Son La provinces on the south. Located 38km from Lao Cai City, Sapa is a district of Lao Cai Province. Sapa District is famous for Townlet Sapa, a beautiful and romantic resort in Vietnam. At the height of 1600m above sea level, the …

You’ll find this video informative.. OVERNIGHT TRAIN TRIP FROM HANOI TO LAO CAI ON THE CHINA BORDER AND GATEWAY TO SAPA … TRAIN LAO CAI VIETNAM

Sapa is a great place to visit.. from hanoi its an overnight train journey to sapa highlands. interesting treks to the hills and the valleys with the local Hmong minorities. the sceneries were really great. among all the homestay was unforgettable. sapa open market – full of locals selling their produce. – GO THERE NOW!

You’ll find this video informative.. Just one of many soothing songs played by the Hanoi railroad company on an overnight trip to Sapa.

Luke Nguyen, of Secrets of the Red Lantern fame, is going home. Travelling on a personal and culinary tour through Vietnam, Luke visits his family and friends, and is invited into the homes of local Vietnamese food experts and cooks, to learn more about one of the richest, most diverse cuisines in the world. Be tempted by more than 100 regional and family recipes and vibrant, stunning photographs bursting with colour and texture, capturing the beauty of Vietnam, her people and their deep connection to food.