Sapa, Vietnam (Sapa) - independent travel. Sapa (Shapa) Lao Cai Province, Vietnam - "Practical Tips for North Vietnam

Sapa- the most famous mountain resort in North Vietnam. Sapa is located in the mountainous province of Lao Cai bordering China. It is here that the highest point of Vietnam and the whole of Indochina is located - Mount Fansipan (3143 meters). The provincial capital is the city of Lao Cai. The area of the whole province is 8 thousand square meters. km, the population - a little more than 600 thousand people. In addition to the Vietnamese themselves, numerous mountain peoples live in the Lao Cai province - the Hmong, Tai, Nung, Muong and others. This gives the province a special flavor.
Sapa is located 330 km from Hanoi and 40 km from the provincial center of Lao Cai. To get to Sapa, you need to buy a ticket for the Hanoi - Lao Cai train (4 trains per day, travel time 8 hours; there is a night train, which saves overnight costs). From the station in Laocai every hour there is a bus to Sapa. There is also a bus that goes from Hanoi directly to Sapa. Departure at 5 am, travel time - about 12 hours.

CLIMATE

Sapa is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level. The climate here is not hot: in summer the temperature fluctuates between 15 - 20 degrees, in winter - about 10 (sometimes dropping below zero). Therefore, visiting the sights here is comfortable at any time. The main thing is not to forget to take warm clothes. By the way, Sapa and the areas near it are almost the only place in Vietnam where you can see snow. Most precipitation falls in July-August.

STORY

The French took up the arrangement of the resort here at the beginning of the 20th century. Conquered by the beauty of these places and at the same time by nostalgia for their native lands, the colonialists gave them the name "Tonkin Alps". The first - wooden - rest house was built here in 1905. And by 1943 there were already more than 200 French villas here. Unfortunately, during the wars, almost all of these buildings were destroyed.
A few years ago, Sapa was reopened to tourists and has become one of the most popular destinations for both Vietnamese and foreign travelers.

ATTRACTIONS OF SAPA

First of all, the resort itself, or rather, the fabulous nature of this area. Sapa, like no other city in Vietnam, and perhaps in all of Asia, looks like a city from a fairy tale. This feeling is due to the amazing harmonious combination nature, houses and even people of this mountainous area. While in Sapa, you should definitely get acquainted with the life of the mountain peoples, which differs in many ways from the Vietnamese.

Mount Fansipan - highest peak in Indochina - 3143 meters. Located in the southern part of Sapa in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The relief of this area is very diverse. In the lowest part - 950-1000 m above sea level - the Muong Hoa Valley is located. An ancient stone platform was discovered here, which is considered a monument of ancient Vietnamese civilization.
Higher at an altitude of 1300-1400 m above sea level, a narrow strip of the foot of the mountain stretches. The terrain changes as you go up. The borders pass at an altitude of 1700-1800 m, 2100-2200 m and 2700-2800 m. From the lowest point, the top of the mountain appears as an indistinct, blurry silhouette. Rich vegetable world Fansipan has about 1700 species of plants, many of which are rare and valuable.
This area invariably attracts fans of extreme tourism. Although the top of the mountain is only 7 km bird's eye view from the city of Lao Cai, however, it will take 6-7 days to climb it!

Mountain Dragon Jaw. It is located just 2 km from the center of Sapa. The mountain range resembles a huge dragon curled up in a ball.

Silver Falls (Thac Bak)- one of the most beautiful waterfalls Northern Vietnam. Located 12 kilometers from Sapa.

Bak Ha Fair- the largest fair of mountain peoples in North Vietnam. Bak Ha is a small town located 80 km northeast of Sapa. The fair is organized on Sundays. For the local population, it's not just

a place where you can buy or sell something is a whole culture with its own traditions.
Having already decided that during your trip to Vietnam you will find time to visit Sapa, you need to decide in advance what to see in this amazing province. Features of the mountainous area suggest that most of the attractions will be located high above sea level, and during the tour all new amazing beauty will, as if by magic, appear before you from the haze of a light mountain mist. The best time to visit this area is from May to November.

Highland Sapa (Shapa) is an unforgettable combination of magnificent landscapes, wonderful climate and the original ethnic culture of the highland peoples of Vietnam. Sapa is located in a remote area, it retains its authenticity and special flavor.

Trekking and hiking in the vicinity of Sapa, which allow you to admire the breathtaking landscapes of the highlands and rice terraces and get to know the traditions and customs of local peoples, attract eco-tourism lovers from all over the world to Sapa.

Allocate at least 3 full days to Sapa.

View of Sapa. Photo credit: Bằng Ngọc, Flickr

what to go for

Don't miss in Sapa

Upon arrival in Sapa, take a walk to the little picturesque village Ket Ket, located close to the city for that - this walk is a great way to "first meet" Sapa.
Spend a day or two on long hiking trips to highland villages. Sapa's trekking routes lead through picturesque rice terraces and bamboo groves. In the villages, you can get to know the locals better and enjoy the pleasant and calm atmosphere of the Vietnamese hinterland.
Get up early in the morning to visit Sapa's small but colorful market or visit one of the larger markets in the area.
Rent a motorbike or rent a motorbike and head to Silver Falls, which has great views along the road and surroundings.
Look for decent options among the huge number of fake branded sportswear and equipment offered by shops in the city.
After long walks in the area, the best option for an evening is a foot massage or a traditional hot stone massage, plus a delicious dinner and a glass of local wine.

Lunch in Sapa. Photo (photo credit): Natalie Belikova, FiveStepsPhotoblog

locals

Ethnic peoples of Sapa

Hill tribes are migratory communities, each of which has its own ancient culture, language, traditions, and customs. The way of life of mountain tribes was practically not affected by civilization - mountain people live the same way as they lived hundreds of years ago, pay little attention to the borders and laws of the countries in which they live, wear clothes worn by their ancestors, eat traditional food for the community and engaged in traditional crafts. The highlands of Vietnam are inhabited by quite a few tribes, the most characteristic of which are the Hmong and Tao.

Black Hmong

This ethnic group is the largest in the Sapa region, accounting for more than 50% of the total population of Sapa. The roots of the Hmong people are Chinese, which naturally affects their appearance. The Hmong are very easy to recognize - they wear characteristic dark blue or black clothes made of coarse cloth. Hmong women tend to have beautiful long hair, which they often hide in their traditional headdresses.

The Hmong are a very sociable people who easily make contact with tourists. Hmong women, by the way, are the best local guides, but allowing the Hmong to accompany you, be prepared for after-shopping, there are many local souvenirs for sale in the Hmong baskets, you are unlikely to be able to refuse to buy them after a day spent on the road) .

Black Hmong on the trail to the village of Tavan. Photo credit: PhotosHP (pfoertners), Flickr

Red Dao

This people, whose roots also go back to China, are easily recognizable by the red headdresses worn by local women. Tao women shave their eyebrows and wear massive silver jewelry. Tao make up about 25% of the population of Sapa, so they are much rarer than the Hmong, in addition, the villages of Tao are much smaller, more remote and less visited by travelers.

A Red Tao woman with a baby. Photo credit: Raphael Bick, Flickr

Tai and Giai

In total, the Tai and Giay peoples make up about 10% of the population of Sapa, although in general in Vietnam the Tai ethnic group is considered the largest and most integrated into Vietnamese society. The women and men of the Tai people wear indigo cotton clothing that resembles long Chinese tunics. Bright belts and scarves are also characteristic elements of the clothing of this group. Representatives of the Giay people are quite easy to recognize by their pink clothes, which are combined with bright checkered scarves. Representatives of the Tai and Giay peoples rarely communicate with travelers and are rarely seen in the city. You can meet them mainly in the markets.

In the Bakha market. Photo credit: Gerard Ruiters (pfoertners), Flickr

picturesque places

Markets in Sapa

Sapa Markets - The best way plunge into the colorful atmosphere of Sapa and see representatives of most of the local peoples. The easiest way is to get up early in the morning and visit the local market in Sapa. In addition, almost all guest houses in Sapa offer trips to remote local markets in the region. The largest, most colorful and most popular is the Bac Ha Sunday market, which is located 120 km from Sapa.

Rice terraces on the way to Tavan. Photo credit: Jose Eduardo Silva, Flickr

Trekking in the Tavan valley. Photo (photo credit): Natalie Belikova, FiveStepsPhotoblog

Trekking to Tafin village

This trekking destination is less popular with hikers and is therefore more likely to please seekers of authentic experiences. It is better to take a guide from the local Hmong for this route (ask at the reception of your hotel or find yourself an escort in the city). Tafin is a little-visited village of very pleasant and shy Red Daos. You can also stay overnight in the village - there are some very simple guest houses here.

On the rice terraces of Sapa. Photo credit: Sylvain Marcelle (pfoertners), Flickr

Climb to the top of Fansipan

Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam, the peak of which is located at an altitude of 3143 meters above sea level. The view from the top is absolutely gorgeous, from here in good weather you can even see the mountains Chinese province Yunnan.

To begin with, you can climb to the top of Fansipan by cable car, to which buses run regularly from Sapa. The descent and ascent along the cable car along with the bus will cost around $ 20.

Trekking routes, designed for two or three days, pass along the most picturesque slopes of Fansipan. Most trekking groups start from Tram Ton Pass and spend the night at 2800m before climbing to the top.

Do not try to overcome Fansipan yourself, take a trekking tour. The cost of the tour, in addition to the guides, usually includes the services of porters and all the necessary equipment.

View from Fansipan. Photo credit: Andrey Sulitskiy, Flickr

Trekking tours in Sapa

The most popular and affordable type of tours offered in Sapa are valley tours to Tawan village with optional overnight stays in either Tawan or Lao Chai. Usually such tours are accompanied by Hmong. There are, in fact, two options for organizing - look at and book the available tour options online or book on the spot at the hotel upon arrival in Sapa.

If you plan to take an overnight tour in the valley, it is better to book in advance. Book also in advance long-distance trekking (they are always more expensive, but take you far from the main tourist trails of Sapa).

Another trekking option that we would recommend you book in advance is climbing Fansipan.

Day trips in the valley around Sapa can be easily booked on site. When buying a tour, you will most likely be attached to a group, so check the size of the group when booking.,

See all tour options in Sapa.

Moto and bike tours

An alternative way to explore the beauties of Sapa is to take a motorcycle or bicycle tour.

In the moto-bike tour you are participating as a driver, so the presence of a driver's license and the ability to drive a motobike are required. Bike tours - mountain biking, mountainous terrain, calculate your strength before booking a tour.

guest houses in the villages

Sapa (Vietnam) is a place where travelers from all over the world strive to get, and for whom rest is not just swimming in the sea and lying on the beach. A small town appeared in 1910, it was built by colonists from France to rest from the exhausting heat. In 1993, the country's authorities actively began to develop tourism in this region. Today it is one of the most visited places in Vietnam, where active and inquisitive people come. Why is Sapa so attractive for travelers?

Rice terraces near Sapa

general information

The names of the city are pronounced in two ways - Sapa and Shapa. It is located in the province of Lao Cai, among rice fields, valleys and mountains at an altitude of more than 1.5 km in the northwestern part of the country. Sapa is a border town located near China. The distance to Hanoi is 400 km. The city of Sapa (Vietnam) is interesting for its architectural and historical heritage, beautiful with amazing scenery.

Not far from the town is Mount Fansipan - the highest point in Indochina. The foot of the mountain is covered with dense jungle, but the number of inhabitants of the tropical forests has sharply decreased as a result of the active agricultural activities of the local population.

There are several ethnic groups living in and around the city, which differ in the color of their traditional dress. There are many villages around the city, almost all of them have preserved their medieval appearance. Most of the inhabitants lead secluded lives.

Why you should go to Sapa

First of all, Sapa is a completely different Vietnam - colorful, authentic. In other Vietnamese resorts, everything is different - the climate, the local population, nature and the surrounding landscapes.

On the market

Many come to the city of Sapa to get to know the local way of life, learn about ethnic population and broaden your horizons.

Another reason (albeit not the main one) to visit the town is shopping. There are markets in Sapa where you can buy quality fabrics and handmade souvenirs.

The city is hardly suitable for recreation for the duration of your stay in Vietnam. This is an excursion settlement where you can come for 2-3 days. The infrastructure in the town is quite developed, there are guesthouses and hotels, however, there are not so many entertainments in Sapa. Experienced travelers recommend visiting Sapa only with trekking excursions.

It is important! There is no beach in the town, people come here for hiking, cycling through the highlands densely covered with greenery. The most exotic holiday option - hiking routes to villages and staying in houses local residents.

Attractions in the city

The main attractions of Sapa (Vietnam) are the central part of the settlement and the market. There are cafes and restaurants in the center, they cook delicious food here, you can look into souvenir shops, take a walk near the lake, rent a boat.

Sapa Museum

Here the history of the city is told in detail. The exposition is not too rich, but the entrance to the museum is free, and you can go. The main part of the exhibits is presented on the second floor, and a souvenir shop is located on the lower floor.

Helpful information:

Each visitor is invited to make a voluntary donation;
The museum is open from 7:30 to 17:00;
The attraction is located near the central square.

stone church

The Catholic Church is also called the Stone Church or the Church of the Holy Rosary. It stands in the central square of Sapa, you won’t be able to pass by. The cathedral was built not so long ago - at the beginning of the last century. The building is completely stone, the interior design is rather modest. The temple is active and open to visitors during services. In the evening, the cathedral is illuminated and looks especially beautiful.

Helpful information:

Service times: on weekdays and on Saturday - 5:00, 18:30 and 19:00; on Sunday - at 8:30, 9:00 and 18:30.
the entrance is free.

Mount Ham Rong

The foot is located almost in the center of Sapa, not far from the central square. Climbing to the top is a great way to get to know the unique flora and fauna of the region. It's well maintained beautiful park decorated with gardens and waterfalls. On the territory of the park there is a playground for children, show programs are held here.

Walking will require serious physical training. The stairs lead up and down viewpoint located at an altitude of 1.8 km. To get to the top and view the mountain, it is better to allocate at least 2 hours.

Useful information: the cost of a ticket for adults is 70 thousand dong, the price of a child ticket is 20 thousand dong.

Love Market

Unusual name attractions associated with the history of this place. Previously, boys and girls gathered here in search of a soul mate. Today, the market shows a theatrical show program on Saturdays. Be sure to take money with you, their actors ask in exchange for songs.

Note: Admission is free, but actors need to be given a nominal fee. The performance is shown on Saturdays, in the evening, it takes place on the main square.

main market

The entire central part of the city of Sapa can be called a market, because everyone sells and buys here. However, the main place of trade is located near the church. Here they sell fruits, fast food, household goods, everything you need for a trip to the mountains. Locals sell handicrafts on the tennis court (near the market).

The market is open while it is light, admission is free.

Attractions around Sapa

Thac Bac Waterfall

It is located 10 km from the city, its height is 100 meters. The greatness and beauty of the waterfall acquires only in the rainy season, and in the dry season it is significantly reduced in size.

Not far from the waterfall (which is also called Silver) there is a market, paid parking, and the ascent to the top is equipped with stairs. For greater convenience, there are gazebos on the way where you can relax and do beautiful photos Sapa (Vietnam).

Advice! It is not necessary to leave transport at a paid parking lot, you can drive to the entrance to the waterfall and leave your bike or car by the road.

Entrance fee - 10 thousand dong.
You can visit the attraction daily from 6:30 to 19:30.
Getting to the waterfall is easy - it is located north of Sapa. You can get here on your own or with a guided tour.

Ham Rong Pass

The road passes at an altitude of 2 km through the Fansipan mountain range in the north. From here you have an amazing view of Vietnam. The only thing that can overshadow the view of the landscape is fog and clouds.

The pass separates two zones with different climatic conditions. As soon as you cross Tram Ton, instead of coolness, you feel the hot climate of the tropics. As a rule, tourists combine visiting the pass and the waterfall, they are located 3 km from each other. Near the mountain road there are stalls. The distance from the city to the pass is approximately 17 km.

Tourists with locals in one of the villages

There are regular departures from the city to the surrounding villages. excursion tours. They are sold by travel agencies in hotels and just on the street. Some excursions are conducted by local residents who have already retrained as guides.

Some hiking trails are quite difficult, so it is recommended to go through them exclusively as part of an excursion group. You can also arrange an individual walk with a guide. The cost depends on their duration:

calculated for 1 day - $ 20;
calculated for 2 days - $ 40.

It is important! Climbing to the top and traveling to the villages of Ta Van and Ban Ho cannot be done alone. High risk of getting lost.

visiting the village on average will cost for adults 40 thousand dong for children 10 thousand dong;
it is better to come by bike and rent a room in a guesthouse;
if you are traveling on your own, it is safest to join a group of tourists.

Mount Fansipan

The highest point of the mountain is 3.1 km. This is the highest point in Indochina. Climbing to the top will undoubtedly be an exciting and unforgettable adventure in life. During the trip, you will get acquainted with the amazing flora and fauna, and, having reached the top, you will feel that you have overcome yourself.

There are several tourist routes, which differ in the degree of complexity:

one-day - designed for hardy people who are ready for intense physical activity;
two-day - involves spending the night in a specially equipped camp, which is organized at an altitude of approximately 2 km;
three-day - involves two overnight stays - in the camp and at the top.

All the necessary equipment for spending the night is provided by the organizers of excursion trips.

Advice! You need to have a raincoat, comfortable shoes, socks and sweets with you to provide the body with energy. Things should be at least.

Useful information: the minimum cost of climbing is $30, a tour from Hanoi will cost $150. This amount includes the cost of travel from Hanoi and accommodation in one of the hotels.

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Terraced rice fields

This feature gives the city and its environs a unique appearance and flavor. Terraced fields are located in the vicinity of Sapa. From afar, it seems that rivers of rice are rolling down from the mountains.

Ancient fields were created by the inhabitants for several centuries. They demonstrate the boundless creative potential of man and the determination of people to fight the forces of nature, to conquer territories, but at the same time live in harmony with it.

Water is carried from the top to the bottom of the technology, which is effective and at the same time safe for the mountain, since it does not destroy it.

Peoples of Sapa

Ethnic peoples living in Sapa and the surrounding area are mountain tribes, each has its own dialect, culture and customs. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that for many centuries they have preserved a way of life.

Black Hmong

The largest group makes up half of the population of Sapa. Their way of life is in many ways reminiscent of paganism - they believe in spirits and worship them. If you see a round burn on the Hmong's forehead, know that this is how a headache is treated - they apply a red-hot coin. Typical clothing colors are black or dark blue.

Women have beautiful, black hair, arranged in a fancy ring and secured with many hairpins. Large earrings in the ears are considered the standard of beauty, they are worn in 5-6 pairs. The Hmong are sociable, if you need a guide to the mountains, choose among the women of this nationality. The Hmong sell many souvenirs in the city market of Sapa.

Red Dao (Zao)

Representatives of the nationality wear red scarves resembling a turban, women completely shave off their eyebrows, hair on their temples and above their foreheads. A woman's shaved hair and eyebrows are a sign that she is married. Crane Zao still perform rituals and bring animals as sacrifices to gods and spirits. The Red Dao make up a quarter of Sapa's population. Their villages are rarely visited by tourists because they are quite far from the city.

Representatives of these nationalities marry early - at the age of 14-15. There are many children in their families, by the age of 40 an average of 5-6 children are born. In the vicinity of Sapa there are mixed villages where Hmong and Tao live in neighboring houses, but in in public places they prefer to appear separately.

Tai and Giai

Together they make up 10% of the population of Sapa. However, in Vietnam, the Tai people are numerous. Their way of life is associated with agriculture, rice cultivation and the worship of gods and spirits. Representatives of these nationalities adhere to many taboos, for example, there is a ban on eating birds. It is believed that it was the Tai people who invented and organized the irrigation system for rice fields. Clothing in indigo tones is made of cotton, the style is reminiscent of tunics from China, complemented by bright belts.

Giay's clothes are juicy pink and are combined with green scarves. Representatives of the nationality are uncommunicative, it is difficult to meet them in Sapa.

How to get there

Sapa is a small village in the mountains, where there is no airport, so you can only come here by bus. Most often, Sapu departs from Hanoi. The distance between the cities is impressive - 400 km, the journey takes from 9 to 10 hours. Most of the way passes along the mountain serpentine, so drivers do not develop high speed.

You can travel in two ways.

If you do not want to solve a lot of organizational issues, just buy a tour from Hanoi. The price includes round-trip tickets, hotel accommodation and program. The cost will cost an average of $ 100 and varies depending on the richness of the excursion scenario.

Ride on your own

Buses leave regularly from Hanoi. At the travel agency you can buy a ticket to the city of Sapa. Stop in the tourist area, near the lake. From Sapa transport comes here.

Buses leave day and night. From the point of view of comfort, it is better to go at night, the seats are laid out, there is an opportunity to relax. In Sapa, all transport arrives at the bus station, it is located almost in the center of the city.

On a note! You can also buy a return ticket at a travel agency. If you buy it at the ticket office of the bus station, the bus will take you to the bus station, not to the lake. The cost of a one-way ticket is about $17. On holidays, the fare increases.

You can also go to Sapa from Halong. The fare will be $ 25, almost all flights follow through Hanoi.

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Transport in the city

Considering that the town is small, it is better to see it on foot. It's more interesting and educational. There is no public transport in the city, you can take a motorcycle taxi or a regular taxi. The best solution is to rent a bike. There are rental points in every hotel and on the street. The cost of rent is about $5-8 per day.

It is convenient to explore the city and its surroundings on a motorbike, and besides, it is cheaper than paying for sightseeing tours.

Good to know! There is a bicycle rental, renting a vehicle will cost only $ 1-2, and if you live in a hotel, you can get it for free.

Sapa (Vietnam) is a special place where harmoniously intertwines ancient history, picturesque nature and interesting sights.

More visual information about the city of Sapa (Vietnam) in the video.

Photographers come to Vietnamese Sapa, so that later images of rice fields flaunted on many desktops in laptops. Endless green plantations adorn many postcards about Vietnam, they are dedicated to paintings, stories on silk canvases. Vietnamese cone hats in the middle of rice ears are a real national business card.

Sapa is that authentic peasant Vietnam. Rainy and cloudy. Where everyone works hard, including children.

There are few attractions for tourists, and they are all natural. There are quite a few excursions, and all of them will be interesting. There is no sea in the city, but a cozy atmosphere, small hotels with warm electric sheets, restaurants, bars and squares will make the trip unforgettable.

The place is located in the north-west of Vietnam, in the province of Lao Cai, almost adjacent to the border with China. The place is considered unique for tourists by originality and beauty.

Nature differs from other cities in that Sapa is located in a mountainous area. Compared to Dalat, Sapa is more rainy and foggy. Here the mountainous relief is replaced by plains and rice fields. From here and clean fresh air, warm wind, picturesque area.

The population of Sapa is made up of ethnic groups. Each has its own traditions, customs, religion. The most famous categories are Hmong, Tao, Yao, Vietnamese and others. Casual wear is considered folk, for example, bright and colorful dresses.

Sapa city on the map of Vietnam:

Weather and climate

The city has a temperate climate, rains occur in summer and autumn. Winter and spring are quite dry. Summers are cool with frequent rainfall. Officially, the rainy season lasts for three months - from June to September (in fact, it rains all year round in Sapa, just more during this period).

In winter, the mark on the thermometer can reach minus, and in some places you can see snow. Sapa is one of the few cities in Vietnam where snow falls and impenetrable fog spreads. The snow-capped mountain ranges are something everyone should see.

We arrived in the mountains just in one of the most successful months - in April. The fact is that it is recommended to visit Sapa in September or November, April or May, when a comfortable temperature is set during the day, and rain is at a minimum. However, it rained every day during our weeklong stay. Therefore, it is not worth counting on visiting Sapa and not seeing the rains at all.

A typical April day in Sapa: fog and drizzle

For tourists looking for peace, calm, meditative walks and can not stand the heat, Sapa will become a favorite place.

The rains end and Sapa transforms

See how a city can disappear into the fog in a matter of minutes:

Sights of Sapa

Most famous place in the city, this is a market where you can buy many unique souvenirs, including home-made ones: wallets, flasks, binoculars, dried mushrooms, roots, healing potions, spices, candied fruits and other goodies.

People of different nationalities often meet here. Women of the Zao nationality can be recognized by their red headscarves and shaved eyebrows. The fact is that according to tradition, when a girl of the Dao (or Zao or Zao) peoples gets married, she shaves off her eyebrows.

The Hmong wear black or blue clothes and decorate them with handmade patterns and embroideries.

In addition, in Sapa you can climb the highest point in Indochina - Mount Fansipan (or Fansipan). Its height is 3140 meters. Located at a distance of 19 km from the city. Read about our ascent to the mountain.

The surroundings of the city are a variety of landscapes. Thak Bak waterfall (second name silver waterfall) is located 12 kilometers from the city. Its height is one hundred meters. A huge and powerful stream of water creates an indescribable landscape. Clean air, breathtaking view from above. You can climb up the stairs, there is also a bridge over the waterfall itself, which offers a magnificent view.

Entertainment in the city

The most famous entertainment in the city is trekking. It means hiking in the surrounding villages, mountains and fields. Usually, trekking is accompanied by local Hmong, so that they show the way and, to the best of their knowledge of English, talk about their way of life and customs.

As a reward, tourists buy some simple crafts from local guides. The easiest hiking route is from Sapa to the village of Cat Cat, which is only 3 km from Sapa. There is a long-established and clear path here, which can be overcome without any difficulties.

The distance from Sapa to the village of Sinchay is only 6 km, but you will have to go through serpentines, mountains and narrow paths. There is a waterfall near the village. There is also a beautiful view of the mountains. On the way, you can meet locals, get to know their way of life, customs, buy something as a souvenir or even dine with a family.

Another hike can be made from Sapa to Tafin via Macha. And the distance of this hike will be 10 km. On the way you can see villages with Hmong and Zao tribes. Nearby there are caves, the cost of entering them is 30-40 thousand dongs. The journey by car or on a special motorbike from Sapa takes about half an hour. For transport, the fare is more expensive - $ 15.

We rented a motorbike and drove a little along the way to the village of Lao Chai to take pictures of the famous rice terraces of Vietnam:

Who are the Black Hmong?

As we have said, the bulk of the population of Sapa are Hmong. They look like our Yakuts. The Hmong are separate folk tribes. They are divided into two groups: black and iridescent (or colored) Hmong. Black Hmong wear only black clothes, while Rainbow Hmong only wear multi-colored clothes. The costumes are decorated with handmade embroidery.

The people of the tribe love freedom, and according to ordinary people, the Hmong are considered a proud people. Perhaps their bright embroidered patterns mean symbols of freedom. Most of the Hmong live in China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

Hmong girls are waiting tourist buses to sell more handmade

Nationality has its own language of communication, which resembles the language of Tibet and Myanmar. It is interesting that many Hmong could not learn to write for a long time, even now not everyone knows how to do it. But this does not prevent them from developing the tourism industry and engaging in trade - this is all that you can do in Sapa.

Cuisine features in Sapa

The kitchen is nothing special - everything is in the style of North Vietnam. As befits, in restaurants for breakfast you will be offered pho soup, for lunch - rice noodles with beef (bun bo) and fried (nem). Everything is standard.

It is worth noting that in Northern Vietnam they often prepare a rare drink - coffee with an egg. It tastes like tiramisu, and the lips after it are slightly sticky, like after scrambled eggs.

I also noticed a peculiarity - each region of Vietnam brews its own beer. It also has its own brand - "Lao Kai".

There is another rare feature. In Sapa, porcupines and horses are eaten, and the future dish is often put up in a cage in front of the restaurant.

Visual menu in a restaurant in Sapa

The cost of meals is slightly higher than in Hanoi and 20-30% higher than in southern Vietnam. Here are the average prices in restaurants and cafes in Sapa (scroll through the menu):

Good and cheap hotels in Sapa

The spa hotel is located in the city, near the central church in Sapa. Here are luxurious rooms, made in an interesting design. For visitors there is an outdoor pool, gym, spa and restaurant.

Each room is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style and is equipped with air conditioning, heating and a personal safe. Some rooms have balconies and terraces. Food and drinks can be brought to the room.

Sapa House Hotel

Luxurious hotel in the city center. Each room has a balcony, refrigerator for drinks, plasma TV with cable TV.

From the windows of the rooms there is a beautiful view of the mountains. The on-site restaurant serves Vietnamese and Western cuisines. There is an excellent restaurant and free Wi-Fi for visitors. The rooms are stylish and spacious. Equipped with everything necessary. The reception staff are very helpful, helpful and friendly. Breakfasts are included in the price of accommodation.

Sapa Romance Hotel

The hotel is close to the cable car to Fansipan. As in all hotels, the rooms are comfortable. The bathroom provides hygiene products, cosmetics, slippers, towels. Plasma TV and free Wi-Fi in every room.

The hotel can rent a bike or motorbike (150 thousand VND per day). Nearby is a lake and a park, which is located on Mount Ham Rong.

This is the hotel we stayed at and we really liked it - so we recommend it. Very cozy, clean, highly rated on Booking.com. The room rate includes breakfast (usually pho, scrambled eggs or pancakes + hot drink).

A distinctive feature of the hotel was the presence of carpeting in the rooms and electric sheets, which saved us a lot in the conditions of mountain cold and round-the-clock dampness.

Other hotels in Sapa with the best discounts from booking:

How to get to Sapa city (from Hanoi)

The city can be reached either by slipbus or by train. We recommend the bus (sleeper bus). This option is faster, besides, the bus arrives directly to Sapa, while the train (which takes, by the way, 8-9 hours) goes to the Lao Chai station, from which Sapa is still more than an hour's journey along the serpentine. The only advantage of traveling on the Hanoi-Lao Chai train is that you can sleep comfortably, stretched out on a comfortable shelf.

The road on which fast slipbuses travel today was opened relatively recently, around 2015. Previously, the only way to get there was by train + bus. Now the Hanoi-Sapa route takes about 6 hours, you can take a night bus, but you still won’t be able to sleep during a trip along the serpentine. Therefore, it is better to leave early in the morning and be in Sapa by lunchtime. Distance from Hanoi 300 km.

Public buses leave from Hanoi to Sapa from My Dinh bus station, private bus companies depart from other places. One way ticket will cost around $10-20. You can book them right here.

Sapa is perhaps the most amazing town in Vietnam, as if always floating in the clouds, where time and the lifestyle of local residents stopped many centuries ago, and the landscapes of rice terraces were created with geometric accuracy by nature and man and painted in a variety of colors depending on time of the year.

Here, underneath high mountain Vietnam Fansipan, the last peak of the Himalayan mountain range, you absorb the age-old wisdom and clearly understand that this is the very place that will remain in your heart forever.

Most of the Vietnamese rice exported around the world comes from here. At harvest time, everything comes into play: rice grains are used to make noodles, wine and vinegar, rice straw is used for sandals, baskets, roofs and ropes.
Nothing has changed here for centuries: the same peace, the same buffaloes used for work, the river gives the same fish, serves for bathing and washing clothes.

Have you ever wanted to touch the clouds, and then, having climbed even higher into the mountains, to see them below, under your feet, enveloping everything around in a dense veil? Then welcome to Sapa, it is definitely worth a visit.

Sapa (or Shapa, as the Vietnamese themselves call it) is a small cool oasis, a mountain town located almost on the very border of northern Vietnam with China. This place meets all the expectations of those who want to escape from the suffocating heat of the resort towns and huge metropolises of Saigon and Hanoi.

Sapa, seen for the first time last winter, beckoned me with a beautiful advertising poster with views of rice fields, as if painted by a skilled artist and haunting me for a long time - and I decided.

With all its external friendliness, Vietnam can be incomprehensible, complicated, wild and even dangerous, and for those who decide to get here on their own just like me, I will try to make this task easier and share my experience of independent travel to the very north of Vietnam.

***What interesting things can be seen in Sapa***

this is a small town on the border with China, which was founded by French colonists in 1910. All buildings and hotels built in Sapa are reminiscent of the French colonial past - small buildings and restaurants built in European style, small bakeries with baguettes and croissants, a market, several shops and Vietnamese street food. They speak English and French quite well here, and in the ethnic villages farthest from Sapa, you can communicate using sign language.

Sapa left me with the feeling of a city “floating in the clouds”, and indeed, located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level, it is almost always shrouded in dense thick clouds. Toward noon, the weather clears and the sun comes out. Sapa is notable for its small authentic villages in the highlands, which are included in the main trekking routes.

In Vietnam, there are officially about 54 nationalities, and two, perhaps the smallest of them, can be found in Sapa. I saw here only women working as guides, easily overcoming routes of 30 kilometers with babies on their backs. Those unable to make long walks sell colorful embroidered bags and national dresses in the city center and in front of hotels. Men have their own role to play here - they are only engaged in agriculture.

Khmong girls in national dress, bright as butterflies, are waiting for tourists near hotels in the morning in the hope of giving them a tour of the surroundings. The price of such a tour is $ 10-15 per day, but they still treat money very carefully, offering to buy something from their "crafts".

These two small ethnic groups get along very peacefully with each other and can only be distinguished by their clothes: the Hmong are always in black national costumes with brightly embroidered flowers, and the Dzao girls with a red scarf wrapped around their heads. The marital status of a Zao woman is literally written on her face: those who have their eyebrows completely plucked are married.

I was very surprised that it is customary for them to get married at 13-15 years old and give birth before 50, completely submitting to a man in everything, but under all living conditions and terrifying poverty, they always remain friendly and smiling. The Hmong and Dzao are animists, they believe in the forces of nature and are treated not by doctors, but by shamans, they give birth to 10-12 children and do not care too much about their upbringing.

***Tram Ton Pass Gateway to Heaven***

This is one of the longest hiking trails in Sapa, which is laid at an altitude of 2000 meters and passes at the junction of two climatic zones, the weather here changes abruptly from cool to warm. We walked only 12 kilometers along the pass, and this is only a small part of this route, and given the time and effort, it deserves more attention.

***Waterfalls***

In the vicinity of Sapa, there are two waterfalls Thac Bac (Silver Falls) and Thak Tin (Love Falls), which are more interesting during the rainy season.

Our route passed with a stop at the Silver Falls and, in truth, he did not impress me.

***Small authentic villages***

A must visit place. All hiking trails pass through the villages. Here you can get acquainted with the life of the Hmong and Dzao, have lunch and even stay overnight in the houses of local residents. I did not risk it, although there were a lot of people among our group who wanted to.

***How to get to Sapa***

I planned a trip to Sapa for a long time on my own from the resort of Nha Trang, having studied in advance that tours are organized only from Hanoi and already here, at local travel agencies, they can be purchased for various periods from two to five days with accommodation in a hotel or village house.

The tours include the journey to Sapa by train, but keep in mind that the agency charges twice as much for its services.

From Hanoi to Sapa- 438 kilometers and you can get there by train, which runs daily in the evening to Lao Cai station or by common in Wetnam and very comfortable sleeping bus - a bus with folding seats, which are not much different from a full-fledged wide bed.

Get from the resort of Nha Trang and Mui Ne to Hanoi you can take a plane, train (it goes along the coast across the country and this is a great opportunity to see Vietnam more closely) or on a sleeping bus - a bus with sleeping places.

Ticket price for a bus from Hanoi to Sapa - $ 32 in both directions, the cost of train tickets - $ 42.

I really wanted to ride the Vietnamese train and I chose this path). It is worth noting that Vietnamese trains are not much different from modern Russian ones: the site offers seats of varying degrees of comfort and the ticket price depends on this. There are also double compartments and ordinary reserved seat cars.

***Accommodation in Sapa***

I booked in advance for two nights and three days and considered it only as a staging post. I paid $15 per night for single accommodation. The main condition for choosing a hotel was the availability of hot water and heating, I read that in many hotels in Sapa there are big problems with this.

The location of this hotel is one of the most successful: the hotel is located in a very beautiful place and in clear weather offers an excellent view of the most high mountain Fansipan. Walking distance to the center is 10 minutes. I have no complaints about the hotel, on the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent cuisine, cleanliness and high service.

As an alternative in Sapa, locals offer to stay in their villages, in wooden houses on stilts in the village of Cat Cat or in a house by the river in the village of Laochai. There are a lot of options and they are much cheaper than hotels, but here everyone decides for himself what exactly suits him. I did not consider a home stay in a Vietnamese village at all, despite the fact that this is the cheapest option and many hiking trails start from the villages.

There are many cheap apartment hotels in the city center. The price range is 7-15$ per room and slightly lower than the price of local residents for placing a house. Yet one feels that Sapa is a region not yet spoiled by mass tourism.

***Nutrition***

There are no problems with food in Sapa, in cafes and restaurants they cook everything the same as in resort towns and prices are slightly lower than in Nha Trang.

The most famous Vietnamese soup, Pho Bo, a strong beef broth with rice noodles, is a favorite dish of all tourists and costs $1.5 here.

And for those who like to take risks - a little-known Vietnamese food cooked right on the street

***Route***

I bought a two-day walking route at the hotel, joining a group of European tourists who came with me for $ 25 for two days. On the first day, it included a 12-kilometer trek to the village of Kat Kat and a transition through the bamboo forest to the Silver Falls.

The second day promised us more: 20 kilometers and crossing the Tram Ton pass, viewing the beauties of Sapa at an altitude of 2,000 meters, and after that - a visit to the Dzao tribe in the village of Ta Van and the village of Giang Ta Chai.

So, after having breakfast at the hotel on the first day, we hit the road.

After passing the center, Sapa, we set off on a short 12 km route to the village of Cat Cat, in the bamboo forest, to the waterfall.

Almost always in the morning the city is immersed in thick fog. Rice is grown on such terraces and now they are only getting ready for sowing in May.

I again misjudged the season, postponing the trip to April, but I did not have another chance to see this city. And even despite the fact that sometimes in impassable areas we literally "kneaded the dirt" I do not regret anything).

We approach the village of Kat Kat, there is a school and even a Catholic church.

Passing through the bamboo forest

On the way we meet buffaloes and wild boars

Our group is diverse and from all over the world, it’s a pity that I didn’t meet Russians here.

Guide guide - 47 year old Hmong Mai with her seventh child behind her back. Women age here very early, from constant childbirth and hard work. But how famously she jumps with the baby along the most difficult places for us on the route!

We return to the hotel tired but happy. The next day we have a 20 km crossing over the pass and visiting a village along the way.

The views the next day pleased - it is incredibly beautiful here even in the off-season and it is very easy to breathe, despite the height!

The route is quite difficult and requires endurance. But it's definitely worth the walk.

The traditional village of zao has existed for several centuries with its usual way of life and it is unlikely that anything will change here in the future. Men will also be engaged in sowing and harvesting, women will give birth to many children and try to earn money by making souvenirs with their own hands. For children, the fate is determined for many years to come and rarely is it different.

Lunch in local villages is standard and simple - rice, chicken and green tea.

After lunch, half-dead from fatigue, we set off to inspect the local school.

***Weather and seasonality***

In my opinion, Sapa is beautiful at any time of the year. I got here in the middle of April and it's not the best time for beautiful views and landscape photos, but good clear weather in the highlands is rare at any time of the year. There are about 200 days a year of fog and rain, constant humidity and a clear feeling of "life on a cloud."

The color of the rice terraces varies from month to month depending on which Sapa color you prefer.

Emerald Green Sapa there are only two months of the year, in June and July, when rice shoots are just gaining their strength.

golden orange this place becomes in August-September, when the rice is almost ripe and the harvest takes place in September-October.

in winter in Sapa the temperature drops to zero and sometimes it snows and this is not the best time to visit these places.

well and Spring is the time to knead the mud when the terraces are being prepared for the May sowing.

***Results***

To dedicate a few days to Sapa or not - here let everyone decide for himself. If you, like me, love to walk in the mountains and admire the beautiful views more than the calm and comfortable rest in a hotel, then this is the place for you.

As I wrote above, the route can be selected depending on the degree of physical fitness. There is a wonderful cable car to the top of the mountain, which I left unattended when I decided to go along the route on my own, and it is she who will save you from tedious mountain crossings and allow you to admire the same landscapes.

The impressions of this place for many will depend on the season and you need to proceed from what exactly you would like to see here. Also, you don’t need to know English well, here no one knows it perfectly well, you don’t need to have a lot of money to watch the most Beautiful places in the world - my trip turned out to be very budget.

Happy travels and good mood!

P.S. If you meet this pangolin monster in the mountains of northern Vietnam, do not even think about taking it with you, posters at the Hanoi airport warn.

And it’s even strange that someone could have such desires at the sight of this incomprehensible animal, I wanted to run away from him in the opposite direction.