Sapa, Vietnam (Sa Pa) - independent travel. Sapa (Shapa) Lao Cai Province, Vietnam - “Practical tips for northern Vietnam. Independent travel to Sapa" SaPa developed city

Prepared detailed guide about Sapa in Vietnam. See rice terraces, watch the sunrise in the mountains, ride a cable car above the clouds and meet real Hmong people!

Sapa - what is it?

Halong Bay with its emerald water and bizarre rocks is worth seeing at least once. But I want to tell you a secret: in the north of Vietnam there is an even more colorful and authentic place. Its name is Sapa.

This small town, built by the French in 1910, is located almost on the border with China. From the very first minutes it makes a pleasant impression: neat and clean streets, an abundance of flowers and greenery in the scenery, architecture with elements of European style, many cozy cafes.

It’s surprising that tourism began to develop here only in 1993. Now it seems that it was literally created for tourists. Wherever you look, everything pleases the eye.

However, Sapa's main charm lies elsewhere. From almost anywhere in the city there is a breathtaking view of the mountain gorge. And this is not an ordinary gorge - down there, for many, many kilometers, the most picturesque rice terraces stretch.

It is interesting that all this is perceived as a miracle of nature, but the rice terraces were created by people. Perhaps this is the case when the environment and man live in harmony. And you, contemplating these beauties, created with such love, feel as if you are becoming part of something great and eternal.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to travel to Sapa is from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. You can take the train, but it takes a whole 9 hours and stops in the city of Lao Cai, from where you still need to take a bus/taxi to Sapa.

Personally, I had the experience of traveling to Sapa by bus. And not on a regular bass, but on a slipping bass (from the English “sleeping bus” - sleeping bus). It looks like a classic 2-decker bus. But inside it’s like a big reserved seat! There are not just seats that recline a little, like in our Russian buses and planes. You have full-sized beds with blankets, pillows and shelves for food/drinks.

It was so comfortable that I fell asleep like a baby. And despite the fact that we often drove along mountain serpentine, I didn't feel seasick at all. Travel time takes 5-6 hours. If you go in the morning/afternoon, the bus will make a half-hour stop at one of the cafes along the way. If anything, there is a toilet on the bus itself.

Slipping buses are cheaper than trains. The price is approximately 700-800 rubles. Tickets can be purchased at any travel agency in the center of Hanoi. You may also be offered a two- or three-day package tour to Sapa for about 6-7 thousand rubles.

Where is the best place to stay?

The city has a very large selection of hotels at affordable prices - from 700 rubles per night.

Closer to rural areas and in the villages themselves, the Homestay format is common - living in a house with the owners. In such places, the price for accommodation is generally ridiculous - from 150 rubles per night. The only difficulty is that getting to the city is far and inconvenient. And don’t expect any special amenities - most often, for this price they offer dormitory rooms for 6 or 8 people. But this way you can completely immerse yourself in the local culture and customs, spend a soulful evening with your host family.

I found a hotel within walking distance from the center - Sapa Scenery Hotel. He had a very tempting promotion - a double Deluxe room with panoramic windows and a private balcony overlooking the gorge for 1,100 rubles per day. I decided to allow myself such luxury for one day. And I have never regretted it!

When I got to the hotel, I couldn’t be happier with its location right next to the gorge. And my number was simply royal! In the distance, among the clouds, Mount Fansipan peeked out - the highest point not only in Vietnam, but throughout South-East Asia(3143 m above sea level).

What to see?

1. Cable car and funicular

As soon as I checked in, the hotel owner advised me to take a ride around cable car, leading to Fansipan through the rice terraces. And a funicular leads to the cable car from the center of Sapa. I decided to go explore. As soon as I walked a few meters from the hotel, I saw a high-flying train.

"What is this? The road to Hogwarts? – was my first thought. It turned out that this is the same funicular to the cable car! “No, it’s a sin not to ride like that!” — I decided and enthusiastically ran to look for his departure point.

The funicular boarding station is located in the bright and majestic building of the Mgallery Hotel, which resembles a little Big Ben. And inside there really is a “hello” to platform 9 and 3/4! The only thing missing was young wizards with carts running out of the wall.

The funicular started moving and left the dark tunnel into the sunlit Sapa. Oh, how high we were, as if we were already riding a cable car. And the rice terraces, which were practically below us, created a truly fabulous effect! The train, which reaches a maximum speed of up to 10 m/s, includes two carriages with panoramic windows and a capacity of 200 passengers.

Having reached the station where the cable car to Fansipan begins, I was very confused by the price to the top of the mountain - 2000 rubles, while the cable car cost 200 rubles. Maybe I would have forked out the money if it weren’t for the afternoon, when it was slowly starting to get dark. And the operating hours of the cable car are limited - from 7 am to 6 pm. According to experienced travelers, visibility on the mountain is best in the first half of the day after 9 o’clock.

In the end, I decided to stay and explore the nearby area – Sun World’s Fansipan Legend tourist area. She turned out to be very interesting! At the very least, it’s worth staying here to:

Enjoy the expanses of well-groomed and beautifully decorated flower beds.
Admire the rice terraces from the observation deck
Count the dragons on the roof of the Buddhist temple, which is located next to the observation deck. Here you can listen to the music of the wind, which animates the bells along the temple.
Walk along picturesque trails in the hilly terrain and find funny huts that resemble the houses of fairy-tale creatures.
Meet other tourists in a calm and leisurely atmosphere.

Most of the tourists in Sapa are from Europe. I managed to meet two women from Luxembourg. They turned out to be the most unusual travel companions of the entire trip! These active, inquisitive and cheerful laughs energized me for several days. And when I found out that they were both 72 years old, my world turned upside down. And it will probably never be the same again. It seems that now I am not afraid of getting old at all.

2. The most beautiful sunrises

Waking up early and seeing the city floating in the clouds is something you must do in Sapa.

Despite the wonderful view from the room window, I took the camera and ran outside in search of other shooting points. Sapa greeted me with closed cafes and empty streets illuminated by soft sunlight. The landscapes changed every 5 minutes: the morning fog either dissipated or thickened, the colors constantly flowed into one another, becoming richer and brighter.

Suddenly, I noticed on one of the streets a local old woman selling textiles. The first thought is that everything must be bad for her if she has to get up for work so early. But why then is there a smile on her face? Why does radiance, love of life and peace emanate from her? And her eyes! When you look at them, you absorb all the secrets of existence and age-old wisdom. She happily posed for me and didn’t even ask me to buy anything. Maybe she loves too morning time and was just glad to start a new day?

By the way, this granny is a representative of one of the ethnic groups that live in the Sapa region. I previously read about them on the Internet, and according to the descriptions, she looks most like the Hmong.

3. Mountain villages with ethnic settlements and rice terraces

You can buy a tour of the villages at any Sapa travel agency or even at your hotel. I was offered a 5-hour walk with an English-speaking guide and lunch included for only 600 rubles.

There were 4 other people in the group with me: a young couple from Germany and a mother and son from Ireland. Our guide was a local English-speaking female guide and two other cute schoolgirls. These fragile creatures, no more than 10 years old, helped adults cross precarious bamboo bridges, offered hands during steep climbs, and calmed us down when we stumbled and almost fell.

The female guide told us a lot of interesting things about the local residents along the way. The mountain villages around Sapa are predominantly Hmong and Giao, each distinct ethnic group having its own language (besides Vietnamese), customs, traditional clothing and beliefs.

The Hmong are an ethnic minority whose descendants from China migrated to Vietnam in the 19th century, and today the Hmong live in the mountains near the Chinese border. Their main activities are animal husbandry and rice cultivation. However, many Hmong women are exclusively engaged in handicrafts and selling handbags, belts, bracelets, etc.

Traditional Hmong clothing and the ornamental embroidery on it are sacred. And those who wear it believe that they become protected from evil spirits and everything bad.

The Hmong people are outwardly recognizable - they are smiling, friendly and have expressive faces! This once again confirms that I was not mistaken about that granny in Sapa. True, most often the Hmong use this to melt the hearts of tourists and empty their wallets. Unfortunately, people from traditional tribes make up the poorest sections of Vietnamese society.

Along the way we met a lot of children who were left to their own devices. In one of the villages we went to, there were also only children. The adults seemed to be in the rice fields at that time.

Rice is one of the most difficult grain crops to grow. It is especially difficult for those who cultivate fields on the slopes of mountains, because the rice field must be flat, so they have to create small islands, following each other, like steps of a staircase. This is why the rice terraces in Sapa have such a cascading shape.

During the walk, the female guide regularly asked if we needed a rest. During one of these breaks, she took a knife from her bag and began chopping branches. I really didn’t understand what was happening: are we going to light a fire or what? But after clearing one of the branches, she began to gnaw on it. She offered us other branches. “Thank you, of course, but I’m not that hungry yet!” Fortunately, the Irishman talked some sense into me then, explaining that she was offering to taste real cane sugar.

Only 5 hours of excursion, but it felt like we had been wandering for at least a day. Not a single repeating landscape, not a single dull minute, despite the absence of civilization as such. This land of mountain landscapes, cascading rice terraces, amazing sunrises, friendly people and original streets will remain forever in my heart!

The places I have listed are far from full list what else you can see in Sapa. Therefore, I advise you to plan a full 2-3 days in advance for your trip to Sapa. In my case it took a little more than a day. But even if you have limited time, it’s better to come here for at least a day than not to come at all.

Sapa is not yet particularly popular among Russians, but in Vietnam itself they are very proud of this place. They will always tell you how to get there by train, bus or any other way. Having seen this beauty, you will not regret the time and effort spent on the road. Sapa is worth it!

Photographers come to Vietnamese Sapa so that later images of rice fields can be seen on many people’s desktops and laptops. Endless green plantations adorn many postcards about Vietnam; paintings and scenes on silk canvases are dedicated to them. Vietnamese cone hats among the ears of rice are truly national business card.

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

There are few attractions for tourists here, and all of them are natural. There are quite a few excursions, and all of them will be interesting. There is no sea in the city, but the 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 Lao Cai province, almost adjacent to the border with China. The place is considered unique for tourists due to its uniqueness and beauty.

The nature differs from other cities in that Sapa is located in a mountainous area. Compared to Da Lat, Sapa is rainier and foggy. Here mountainous terrain gives way to plains and rice fields. Hence the 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, Dao, Yao, Vietnamese and others. Everyday clothing 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 with rain in summer and autumn. Winter and spring are quite dry. Summers are cool and there is frequent precipitation. Officially, the rainy season lasts for three months - from June to September (in fact, it rains in Sapa all year round, 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. Snowy mountain ranges- this is something everyone should see.

We arrived in the mountains just in one of the most successful months - April. The fact is that it is recommended to visit Sapa in September or November, April or May, when the daytime temperature is comfortable and there is minimal rain. However, it rained every day during our week-long stay. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect to visit Sapa and not experience any rain at all.

A typical April day in Sapa: fog and drizzling rain

For tourists seeking peace, tranquility, meditative walks and intolerant heat, Sapa will be a favorite destination.

The rains end and Sapa is transformed

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

Sights of Sapa

The most famous place in the city is the market, where you can buy many unique souvenirs, including homemade ones: wallets, flasks, binoculars, dried mushrooms, roots, healing potions, spices, candied fruits and other goodies.

Residents of different nationalities often meet here. Women of Zao ethnicity can be identified by their red scarves on their heads and shaved eyebrows. The fact is that according to tradition, when a girl of the Dao (or Zao or Zao) nationality gets married, she shaved off her eyebrows.

The Hmong wear clothes in black or blue, and decorate them with handmade patterns and embroidery.

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

The surrounding area of the city offers a variety of landscapes. Thak Bak waterfall (also known as 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, where a magnificent view opens up.

Entertainment in the city

The most famous entertainment in the city is trekking. It means hiking in the surrounding villages, mountains and fields. Usually, when trekking, you must be accompanied by local Hmong people, 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 Kat Kat, which is only 3 km from Sapa. There is a long-established and clear path here that can be overcome without any difficulties.

The distance from Sapa to the village of Sinchay is only 6 km, but you will have to walk along serpentines, mountains and narrow paths. There is a waterfall near the village. It opens here beautiful view to the mountains. Along the way, you can meet locals, learn about their way of life, customs, buy something as a souvenir, or even have dinner with a family.

Another hike can be done from Sapa to Tafin via Macha. And the distance of this hike will be 10 km. Along the way you can see villages with the Hmong and Dzao tribes. There are caves nearby, the cost of entry to them is 30-40 thousand dong. The journey by car or on a special motorbike from Sapa takes about half an hour. Transport fares are more expensive - $15.

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

Who are the Black Hmong?

As we have already said, the bulk of the population of Sapa is Hmong. In appearance they look like our Yakuts. The Hmong are distinct people tribes. They are divided into two groups: black and rainbow (or colored) Hmong. Black Hmong wear only black clothes, while rainbow Hmong wear only multi-colored clothes. The costumes are decorated with handmade embroideries.

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

Hmong girls are waiting tourist buses to sell more handmade goods

The 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 can be done in Sapa.

Features of cuisine in Sapa

The kitchen doesn't particularly stand out - everything is in the style of Northern Vietnam. As it should be, restaurants will offer you pho soup for breakfast, rice noodles with beef (bun bo) and fried dishes (nem) for lunch. Everything is standard.

It is worth noting that in Northern Vietnam a rare drink is often prepared - coffee with egg. It tastes like tiramisu, and your lips are slightly sticky after it, 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, they eat porcupines and horses, and the future dish is often displayed in a cage in front of the restaurant.

Visual menu in a restaurant in Sapa

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

Good and inexpensive hotels in Sapa

The spa hotel is located in the city, near the central church in Sapa. The rooms here are chic and have an interesting design. Provided for visitors open pool, Gym, spa and restaurant.

Each room is tastefully decorated in a modern 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 your room.

Sapa House Hotel

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

From the windows of the rooms there is a beautiful view of the mountains. The hotel's restaurant serves Vietnamese and Western cuisine. 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 courteous, helpful and friendly. Breakfast is included in the price.

Sapa Romance Hotel

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

At the hotel you can rent a bicycle or motorbike (150 thousand VND per day). Nearby is a lake and a park located on Mount Ham Rong.

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

A distinctive feature of the hotel was the presence of carpeting in the rooms and electric sheets, which greatly saved us in the mountain cold and 24-hour dampness.

Other hotels in Sapa with the best discounts from Booking:

How to get to Sapa city (from Hanoi)

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

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

Public buses depart from Hanoi to Sapa from My Dinh Bus Station, private bus companies are sent from other places. One way ticket will cost about $10−20. You can book them directly here.

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

Trekking and walking around Sapa, which allows you to admire the breathtaking landscapes of the highlands and rice terraces and get to know the traditions and customs of local peoples, attracts eco-tourism lovers from all over the world to Sapa.

Allow at least 3 full days for Sapa.

View of Sapa. Photo credit: Bằng Ngọc, Flickr

why go

Don't miss it in Sapa

Upon arrival in Sapa, take a walk to the small picturesque village of Ket Ket, located not far from the city - this walk is a great way to “get to know” Sapa for the first time.
Spend a day or two in long walking to high mountain villages. Sapa trekking routes lie 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 the small but colorful Sapa Market, or visit one of the larger markets in the surrounding area.
Rent a motorbike or rent a motorcycle taxi and head to Silver Falls, where the road and surrounding area are famous for its magnificent views.
Look for decent options among the huge number of counterfeits of branded sportswear and equipment offered by city stores.
After a long walk in the surrounding area, the best option spend the evening with a foot massage or traditional hot stone massage plus a delicious dinner and a glass of local wine.

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

local residents

Ethnic peoples of Sapa

Mountain tribes are migrating communities, each of which has its own ancient culture, language, traditions, and customs. The way of life of the mountain tribes has practically not been 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 the clothes that their ancestors wore, eat food traditional for the community and engage in traditional crafts. The highlands of Vietnam are inhabited by quite a few tribes, the most characteristic of which are the Hmong and Dao.

Black Hmong

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

The Hmong are very sociable people who easily make contact with tourists. Hmong women, by the way, are the best local guides, but if you allow the Hmong to accompany you, be prepared for some after-shopping, the Hmong baskets contain a lot of local souvenirs for sale, you are unlikely to be able to refuse them a purchase after a day spent on the road) .

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

Red Dao

This nation, whose roots also go back to China, is easily recognized by the red headdresses worn by local women. Tao women shave their eyebrows and wear massive silver jewelry. The Dao make up about 25% of Sapa's population, so they are much less common than the Hmong, and the Dao villages are much smaller, more remote and less visited by travelers.

A woman from the Red Dao tribe with a baby. Photo credit: Raphael Bick, Flickr

Tai and Giai

In total, the Tay and Giay peoples make up about 10% of Sapa's population, although in Vietnam as a whole, the Tay ethnic group is considered the largest and most integrated into Vietnamese society. Tai women and men wear indigo cotton clothing that resembles long Chinese tunics. Bright belts and scarves are also characteristic clothing items 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 nationalities rarely communicate with travelers and are rarely seen in the city. You can meet them mainly in markets.

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

colorful places

Sapa Markets

Sapa markets are the best way to experience colorful atmosphere Sapa and see representatives of most local nationalities. 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: José Eduardo Silva, Flickr

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

Trekking to Tafin village

This trekking destination is less popular among tourists and is therefore likely to please those seeking an authentic experience. For this route, it is better to take a local Hmong guide (ask at the reception of your hotel or find a guide in the city). Tafin is a little-visited village of very pleasant and shy red Dao. You can also stay overnight in the village - there are several very basic guest houses.

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

Climbing to the top of Fansipan

Fansipan is the most high mountain Vietnam, the peak of which is located at an altitude of 3143 meters at sea level. The view from the top is absolutely stunning, from here... good weather you can even see the mountains of China's Yunnan province.

Let's start with the fact that you can climb to the top of Fansipan by cable car, to which buses regularly run from Sapa. The ride up and down the cable car together with the bus will cost around $20.

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

Don't try to overcome Fansipan on your own, take a trekking tour. In addition to guides, the cost of the tour 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 tour offered in Sapa is the valley tour to Tawan village with optional overnight stays in either Tawan or Lao Chai. Usually such tours are accompanied by Hmong people. There are, in fact, two options for organizing - look and book available tour options online or book on the spot at the hotel upon arrival in Sapa.

If you are planning to take an overnight tour in the valley, it is better to book in advance. Also book long-distance trekking trips in advance (they are always more expensive, but they take you far from the main hiking trails Sapy).

Another trekking option that we would recommend you book in advance is the climb to Fansipan.

Day walks in the valley around Sapa can be easily booked on site. When purchasing a tour, you will most likely be assigned to a group, so please check the group size when booking.,

See all tour options in Sapa.

Motorcycle and bike tours

An alternative option for exploring the beauty of Sapa is to take a motorcycle or bicycle tour.

In a motorbike tour you participate as a driver, so a driver’s license and the ability to drive a motorbike are required. Bike tours - on mountain biking, in mountainous terrain, calculate your strength before booking a tour.

guest houses in villages

As you might guess, people don’t come to Sapa for some man-made miracles, monuments or museums. Tourists from all countries come here (though there are few Russians) for extraordinary nature. You can walk around the outskirts of Sapa with your mouth open - from admiration and from the difficulty of walking due to the constant descents and ascents. I admit, two days spent here were not enough for us. So there are many, many more attractions in and around Sapa, but I will write about those that we managed to see.

Oh yes, on the right is a map of Sapa attractions from our hostel. Click to enlarge.

Attractions in Sapa itself

There are not many attractions in Shapa itself. Apart from the stunning views that continue to amaze even after 3 days, there is a church in the city, Ham Rong Mountain (demo version natural wealth, for those who do not plan to travel outside of Sapa itself), the lake - in a word, places that, given the tiny size of the town, are almost impossible to miss. This means there is no point in writing about them separately.

Despite the limited number of attractions within the city, there is still something to be surprised by. Firstly, European motifs are clearly felt in the architecture of Sapa, and secondly, these restaurants, museums, shops on the edge of the cliff...

Oh, I can’t get away from the beauty of nature. But I'll try.

Population

Lao Cai Province is famous not only for its species, but also for its terribly rare ethnic groups. These guys seem to be neither Vietnamese nor Chinese, but such original people leading a traditional way of life - like a hundred or two hundred years ago. There are a lot of nationalities, they differ in clothes and some habits. Female Red Dao, for example, shave off their eyebrows and shave some of their head hair.

In general, they say that this is window dressing, and in part it is true, many of them have mobile phones and normal modern clothes, and stories that the tribes lead a traditional way of life are a way to attract tourists.

However, outside the city, classical life flows.

Trekking in Sapa

Most likely, after you find yourself in Sapa, not even 10 minutes will pass before local residents in national costumes offer to accompany you to the sights. We would feel awkward around them, but many Europeans use the services of such guides. There's a bunch on the Internet positive feedback about such a pastime, so it’s quite possible to agree. After the excursion they will not ask you for money directly, but will ask you to buy some homemade items. And the landscapes, even next to Sapa itself, are so good that it’s definitely worth a walk.

Ethnic tribal villages around Sapa

The closest of the folk villages, Kat Kat or Ket Ket, is located very close to Sapa. You can and should walk here. If you come in in the evening, you can easily make sure that the guys know what jeans are and are aware that they live in 2016. But despite this, the village is designed quite interestingly, and the nature around, as everywhere else in Sapa, is amazing. It looks something like this.

Impressive, right? But the rest are from there.

Shopping

Many people complain that tribal people are terribly pestering and there is no way out of them, but in my opinion this is not the case. In general, they are no more annoying than in any market in Vietnam. And the things they sell are much nicer. They sell excellent quality fakes of the North Face brand here (it's cold). So you can buy a cool item several times cheaper than in a store in your city.

But of course, another kind of shopping is especially valuable here - things made by hand (or well disguised as handmade products). In general, Vietnam is hell for a shopaholic; things here are of poor quality and not beautiful. Hanoi and especially Sa Pa are the only exceptions.
In Sapa you can find handmade jewelry from 999 silver and precious materials, bone china tea sets for ridiculous prices, as well as rugs, bedspreads and other things hand-embroidered by local residents.

Even on weekends, some of the streets in Sapa are blocked and people come from all the villages to sell their creativity - embroidery, leather and fur products; knives and daggers are especially held in high esteem here. This is not just a great time to buy an exclusive item very cheaply, but it is also a beautiful and interesting sight in itself.

However, 80 km from Sapa there is the town of Bac Ha, where this fair is even larger in scale; if you are not limited in time, it makes sense to go there.

Thak Bak - silver waterfall

And now about places that can only be reached by transport (of course, a motorbike). Just 12 km from Sapa is the stunning Thac Bac Waterfall. The silver waterfall is 100 meters high. Civilized paths lead to it; you must pay to enter.

Initially, we didn’t get to the waterfall a couple of tens of meters, mistaking the winding path up for the road to the waterfall. The half-hour climb under the scorching sun, even in March, was worth it. At the top there was a small artificial reservoir, and inedible (as we learned later) strawberries grew in the fields.

It’s beautiful, and the view from the top is breathtaking, but the climb is quite difficult and if you don’t have a lot of time, it’s better to go to the waterfall by the standard road :)

Here on the map Thak Bak itself is marked, and on the right is the path we chose.

Love Waterfall

Another couple of kilometers from Silver Falls and you will arrive at Thác Tình Yêu.

In fact, the place is not limited to just one waterfall - it is a small park that is simply pleasant to walk through.

In the second photo, the Vietnamese asked to take a photo of his children with a white European woman :)

Go on a motorbike - no matter where

In fact, all the previous attractions around Sapa are a warm-up. All the most beautiful things are along the way. Take your cameras with a large flash drive, charge your smartphones and fill up your tank! These are the most beautiful roads you can drive on. And there are essentially two directions.

Towards Lao Cai

As I already wrote, Lao Cai is the province in which Shapa is located, as well as the city of the same name. Distance between settlements- 37 km. There is absolutely nothing to do in Lao Cai itself - an ordinary small Vietnamese town, which great amount can be found in any area. What's impressive is the path here. It is in this direction that there are a huge number of famous rice terraces with intricate patterns that you simply cannot take your eyes off.

Content with the rich lands of the coastal plains, the Vietnamese never had any interest in inaccessible mountains, lying on the border of the Chinese province of Yunnan. Inhabited by numerous tribes of mountain people, Sapa was “discovered” by the French in the late 1880s. In 1903, a military post arose on the site of the future city - this is how the name “Sapa” first appeared on a map of the area compiled by army topographers two years earlier.

In 1912, a sanatorium for officers of the Tonkin troops appeared here, and since 1914, government officials began to spend the hot summer months in cool Sapa. Since 1917, a tourist office began operating in Sapa, which laid the now famous walking routes. Very quickly, by the beginning of the 1920s, the city grew, adorned with hotels and private villas. The French, who chose this place, called it Shapa, placing emphasis on the last syllable. Following the colonial tourists, the Vietnamese came to Sapa to serve their needs.

With the outbreak of World War II, the resort quickly fell into disrepair - at that difficult time there was no time for relaxation. The situation worsened further in 1947, when the summer capital of French Indochina was first attacked by Viet Minh troops. Two years later, colonial troops finally abandoned the city, and in 1952, French aircraft subjected Sapa to a “farewell” bombing, which destroyed most of the colonial buildings, of which by that time there were almost two hundred. The Vietnamese population of Sapa left the destroyed city for a long time. People began to return here only in the late 1960s. In 1979 Sapa became extreme point the advance of Chinese troops deep into Vietnamese territory. In 1993, due to general changes in the country, the region opened to international tourism. Nowadays there are 44 hotels of different levels in Sapa and its surroundings.

Local indigenous people consists mainly of representatives of small mountain nationalities. 52% are Hmon, 25% are Zao, 5% are Tai and 2% are Ziai. The smallest ethnic group in Sapa is the Sappho. The Viet make up only 15% of the region's 40,000 population. The city itself is home to 7 thousand people, all of them are employed in the tourism industry. Despite the hard times of war and many years of desolation, the French presence is still felt in Sapa: the old layout has been preserved, fragments of colonial buildings have survived, and on the streets every now and then you come across signs for French Auberge (“hotel”) or Lessive (“laundry”).

Location and transportation

There is a city of the same name in Sapa, it is located on a small plateau at the foot of Mount Hamrong (Ham Rong) in the Hoang Lien ridge system (Hoang Lien) at an altitude of about 1500 m above sea level. In the center of the city there is a square, adjacent to a park, a stadium, a market and a small stone church built in 1934 on different sides. small lake- another center of attraction of city life.

The busiest streets in the city - Muong Hoa (Muong Hoa St.) and Kau Mei (Cau May St.). The main market, tourist information center, hotels and restaurants are located here. In a south-easterly direction, Ham Rong Street departs from the church, where the main post office is located and the climb to the top of the mountain of the same name begins, from where an amazing view of the city and the surrounding area opens.

Minibuses depart from Lao Cai Station to Sapa - the service begins with the arrival of the first Hanoi train and ends around 15.00. The journey will cost 30,000 dong. Se om to Sapa will cost about 70,000 VND.

Climate

The coldest time of the year in Sapa is January and February (air temperature generally fluctuates between 5-15 °C, but can drop to 0 °C). The dry season lasts from January to June, with mostly clear and sunny weather in March, which lasts until the end of May (air temperature 15-19 °C). At this time on mountain slopes Various flowers bloom.

From June to August there is heavy warm rain (air temperature about 20 °C), and from September the air temperature begins to slowly decrease. However, the autumn months are considered the best to visit Sapa. The period from mid-October to mid-December is the most best time for trekking and mountain climbing.

Attractions

Alpha and Omega Sapa is a market. Even without leaving the city, here you can meet representatives of all local peoples, take the best pictures and buy souvenirs. Mountain women even today wear colorful traditional clothes and silver jewelry - this is not done to please tourists. Representatives of the Zao people can be recognized by the red scarves tied around their heads. Khmonki wear predominantly black or blue suits decorated with hand embroidery. The distinctive knitted leg warmers seen on women's legs are called la peng pe (la peng pe). The market in Sapa is best visited on Sundays, when residents of nearby villages come here.

Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam (Fan Si Pan) (3143 m above sea level) is located very close - at a distance of 19 km from the city. However, the road to its foot is so difficult that even experienced athletes are forced to spend 2-3 days covering this distance. The lower slopes of Fansipan are covered with forests, and, due to local conditions, the air there is extremely humid. If you rise above 1500 m, you will be cold and cloudy. No special training or equipment is required for climbing (excluding alpenstock, trekking shoes and warm clothes).

In clear weather, Fansipan is clearly visible from Sapa, as are the other peaks of the Hoang Lien chain. It is not for nothing that during the colonial era this mountain system received the nickname "Tonkin Alps". In general, mountain views are the main thing worth coming to Sapa for. On a clear day, get up early and here you can witness the amazing play of the sun's rays on the green slopes. The French poet Georges Ryman, who served in Indochina, while in Sapa, wrote in his diary: “The sun appeared on the same level as me, and if the mountain was large, then my shadow became endless. I never thought I was so great. Alas, it only lasted a minute!

A pleasant excursion can be made by traveling from Sapa to the Tambak waterfall (Tham You, or Silver Falls) and Chamton Pass (Tram Ton). Chamton is the most high pass Vietnam (1900 m above sea level), it is located 15 km from Sapa, on the northern slope of Fansipan. This pass is passed on the way to Laityau (Lai Chau). Although in highest point The pass is cold and foggy, on the slope facing Laityau the sun always shines: the border of two weather zones runs along the pass. The silver waterfall is located 5 km from the pass towards Sapa - entrance to observation deck will cost 3000 dong. Se om to the pass with a stop at the waterfall will cost 50,000 - 60,000 dong (round trip takes about an hour).

Tracking

Many travel agencies can offer a variety of hikes in the mountains of Vietnam, including in the Tonkin Alps. Handspan Travel is considered professional and reliable in this field. (www.handspan.com) Topas Travel (www.topas-adventure-vietnam.com) and Active Travel Vietnam (www.activetravelvietnam.com).

A small one-day trek can be easily organized in Sapa. The shortest and easiest walking route is a walk from Sapa to southwest direction to Sinchai (Sin Chai) through the village of Katkat (Cat Cat). There is a well-trodden, clearly visible trail with no complicated branches. The distance is about 6 km, and the total time for the walk is about 4 - 5 hours. Near Katkat there is a waterfall of the same name.

From Sapa to Tavan (Ta Van) via Lao Tai (Lao Chai). The 9 km long trek runs in a south-easterly direction through the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley. Duration - about 5 hours, cost - 10 USD.

From Sapa to Tafin (Tha Phin) via Macha (Ma Cha). Final destination The track is located 10 km north of Sapa. Here, on the mountain slopes, there are several colorful villages inhabited by black Khmons and Tszaos. (interesting www.taphin-sapa.info). Near Tafina there are interesting caves (entrance 36,000 VND). Traveling by car or motorbike from Sapa takes about half an hour, and walking will take about 6 hours. The cost of the track is 15 USD.

Accommodation

Accommodation prices in Sapa vary quite a lot and depend not only on the season, but also on the day of the week: on weekends the flow of guests increases due to excursionists from Hanoi and hotels become more expensive. Another point that affects the price of the room is the view from the window. Sapa is also unique in that it is the only place in Vietnam, where hotels have heating. In old establishments these are fireplaces and stoves, and in new establishments these are electric heaters.

It is difficult to stay overnight in Sapa: the city is obsessed with a real construction fever. If you absolutely want to stay in the old famous hotel, remember that new “neighbors” have long grown up around them. They often spoil the views that this or that hotel was deservedly proud of in the past.

Helpful information

Not so long ago, it was impossible to find a bank in Sapa, and foreign currency was exchanged only by hotels, which did not forget about the exchange rate “margin”. Now there is a branch of BIDV Bank (Ngu Chi Son St., tel. 020-872569, 7.00-11.30/13.30-16.30) equipped with an ATM.

If you are short on time, Tamdo can be an alternative to Sapa (Tam Do) - national park And mountain resort 85 km northeast of Hanoi. From May to October, you can take walks of varying lengths through the mountains, replete with rivers, waterfalls and rain forests. The services of guides, which can be hired at any hotel, will cost approx. 4 USD. A one-day excursion from Hanoi with a rented car will cost about 50 USD. The road from Hanoi to Tamdo passes the ancient Koloa fortress.

You can get to Tam Do from Hanoi Kim Ma Bus Station (Ben Xe Kim Ma). Regular bus will take you to Vinnyen (Vinh Yen, 20,000 VND), which is 60 km from the capital. To get from Vinyen to Tamdo, you can take this (50,000 VND for 25 km). Nights in Tamdo can be cold (especially in May and September)- don't forget a sweater and jacket. Hotels offer rooms ranging from 8 to 80 USD.

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