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 landscapes.
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 the ethnic population and broaden their 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 vacation option - hiking trails to villages and living 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.
Useful 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.
Useful 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 preparation. The stairs lead up and down observation deck 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 nice pictures 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 mountain road there are shops. 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 they are recommended to be passed exclusively in the 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. There are mixed villages in the vicinity of Sapa, where Hmong and Dao live in neighboring houses, but they prefer to appear separately in public places.
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.
Clothes giay juicy Pink colour, it is 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 path runs along a 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 at 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. IN holidays 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. public transport not 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.
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Sapa (Vietnam)- in Wikipedia, the name is translated - "hoe" - small city, founded in 1910, thanks to the French colony. From the end of the twentieth century, the tourism business began to unwind. Now it is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, where energetic and versatile personalities are sent.
The city is called by a couple of names - Sapa and Shapa. On the map, it is located in the province of Lao Cai, in the north-west of the state, almost on the border with China.
general information
In the county, the population is made up of ethnic groups that differ in the color scheme of traditional dress. Near the town there are a large number of medieval villages. Peoples adhere to a detached way of life.
Why should you visit Sapa? Sapa is a completely different Vietnam - expressive, authentic. It differs in weather and natural conditions, relief, indigenous people. According to the reviews of tourists, there are all conditions for excellent shopping - high-quality fabrics and various hand-made items are sold at retail outlets. This place is perfect for a short trip. There are practically no entertainment establishments, but good infrastructure, a large selection of housing.
Important to remember! There is no beach in the city! Hiking, various walks, guest tours to the villages of local residents.
How to get there? Sapa is a small city in a mountainous area and you can only get here by bus. From Hanoi to Sapa, the distance is almost four hundred kilometers, the duration of the journey is approximately ten hours.
More shipments are from Halong. The ticket price is twenty-five dollars, but they go in transit through Hanoi.
Attractions in the city
The most basic- the center of the settlement and the market. There are cafes and restaurants, various trading shops, a walk along the pond on a rented boat.
Sapa Museum. A detailed account of the fate of the settlement. The exhibit is not large, but the ticket to the museum is not paid, but you can make a donation if you wish.
catholic temple or stone church located in the central square of Sapa. Built at the beginning of the twentieth century from stone, inside is restrained decoration. Worship services are being held. At night, it is lit up with lights and looks unique. There is no entry fee.
Base Ham Rong mountains is located in the central part of the city. Climbing to the peak is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna. This is a tidy, beautiful park, decorated with gardens and waterfalls.
The road is winding - it goes down, then it rises. It takes at least a couple of hours. Price - 70,000 VND, for children - 20,000 VND.
Ham Rong Pass- the path lies at an altitude of two kilometers through the Fansipan mountain range on the north side. The panorama is mesmerizing! But there is often increased cloudiness or nebula, which can make it difficult to see.
Love Market- an interesting name has long roots. Previously, there was a gathering of young people for the purpose of acquaintance and serious relationships. Currently, the market hosts a show on the first day off. Artists sing, collect money in return, but the entrance ticket is not paid.
main market is the center of the town. Here they sell and buy everything possible - ready-made food, household products, mountain equipment. The market operates only during daylight hours, admission is free.
Nearby attractions.
Tha Bak Waterfall(Silver) one hundred meters high is located ten kilometers from the town. The waterfall radiates grandiosity and dazzle mainly in the rainy season, in the drought - the dimensions are rather modest. Not far from it there are stalls and parking. On the way up there are pavilions. They are allowed to rest and take pictures. The entrance ticket costs ten thousand dong. The waterfall is located north of Sapa.
Mount Fansipan has the highest mark of Indochina - 3.1 kilometers.
It is possible to climb to the top by routes of different complexity:
- one-day - designed for persistent people who are not afraid of an increased load;
- two-day - with an overnight stay in a prepared camp at an altitude of two kilometers;
- three-day - with a couple of overnight stays - in the camp and at the top.
All required equipment is provided by tour coordinators. It is advisable to take closed shoes, a raincoat, a change of clothes and energy food (bars, nuts) with you. The price of the tour varies from thirty dollars, the trip from Hanoi will cost one hundred and fifty dollars.
Journeys to the Indigenous People. Excursions often run from the town to the nearest settlements. The price depends on the complexity and duration of the chosen route: one-day - twenty dollars, two-day - forty dollars.
On a note! Self-conquest of the summit and travel to the villages of Ta Van and Ban Ho are prohibited. You can get lost!
Tips: it is better to come to rest on motor vehicles and rent accommodation in a guesthouse; for independent travelers - join a group; get acquainted in advance with the cost of residential properties and, if possible, book!
Terraced rice fields endow the landscape of the area with a special uniqueness. It feels like rice rivers are rolling down from the mountains. The old fields were formed by the population over several centuries. It is a symbol of the immeasurable creative human resource and the courage of mankind to fight against nature itself, to conquer lands, but not to forget about harmony. Irrigation systems are located from top to bottom and do not harm the mountain itself.
Ethnos of Sapa- these are peoples with individual rituals, language, civilization, way of life.
Black Hmong - numerous people. Their way of life is very similar to paganism - faith and worship of spirits. Headache is cured by applying a hot coin. The color scheme of the attire is black or dark blue. In the female half, black hair is collected in a hairstyle in the form of a ring with hairpins. An example to follow is large earrings in the ears in the amount of five to six pairs. They love to talk and are excellent guides to the mountainous regions. The Hmong sell souvenirs at Sapa outlets.
Red Dao (Zao)- Representatives of the tribe wear red scarves that look like a turban. Ladies shave their eyebrows, hair at the temples and forehead. This is a symbol of marriage. The people adopted rituals of sacrifice. The settlements are located far from the city, so excursions to those places are rare.
Tai and Giai account for ten percent of the inhabitants of Sapa. But throughout the country, the Tai tribe is large. They cultivate rice and pray to spirits and deities. Do not eat poultry meat. Indigo-colored robes are made of cotton, similar to Chinese tunics with colorful belts.
Cloth Giay rich pink hue, it is combined with green scarves. The people are not talkative and just do not meet.
Sapa is perhaps the most amazing town in Vietnam, as if always floating in the clouds, where time and the way of life of the locals stopped many centuries ago, and the landscapes rice terraces created with geometrical accuracy by nature and man and painted in a variety of colors depending on the time of 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 small town ok 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 in local travel agencies, they can be purchased for various periods of two to five days with accommodation in a hotel or a 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 $15 per night for single accommodation. The main condition for choosing a hotel was the availability of hot water and heating, I read that in many hotels in Sapa there are big problems with this.
The location of this hotel is one of the most successful: the hotel is located in a very beautiful place and in clear weather offers an excellent view of the highest mountain Fansipan. Walking distance to the center is 10 minutes. I have no complaints about the hotel, on the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent cuisine, cleanliness and high service.
As an alternative in Sapa, locals offer to stay in their villages, in wooden houses on stilts in the village of Cat Cat or in a house by the river in the village of Laochai. There are a lot of options and they are much cheaper than hotels, but here everyone decides for himself what exactly suits him. I did not consider a home stay in a Vietnamese village at all, despite the fact that this is the cheapest option and many hiking trails start from the villages.
There are many cheap apartment hotels in the city center. The price range is 7-15$ 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 the 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 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 a quiet and comfortable stay 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 beautiful cable car to the top of the mountain, which I left unattended by deciding 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.
Sapa is a small city in the mountains in northern Vietnam, 300 km from Hanoi. What is interesting in the city of Sapa? Rice terraces, mountains, unparalleled views and ancient Chinese tribes. Even if you have already been everywhere in Vietnam, Sapa will surprise you.
Photo Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. The distance to the border with China is 35 km. Sapa is one of those must-see places in northern Vietnam.
When is the best time to go to Sapa
The weather in Sapa is a lottery. If you are very lucky, it will be sunny and you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the views to the fullest. But most of the time in Sapa it is foggy and rainy.
On the first day it was cloudy, the fog cleared a little and we were able to see the valley
Guidebooks recommend spring and autumn. It is very cold in winter and rainy in summer. We arrived in Sapa at the end of October and despite the advice that September and October are considered among the best months to visit Sapa, we had fog.
Hat in the fog
On the first day there was almost no fog, and on the second day a white cloud covered the city. Probably better to come in spring or September. In addition, in October, the already harvested rice and rice terraces are not so impressive.
A few views of these mountain rice fields, so that you, our dear readers, have an idea of the main attraction of Sapa, thanks to which the village has become recognizable throughout the world.
SaPa developed city
In the first seconds in Sapa, we almost did not believe that we had arrived in the village. This is not for you, with which we used to compare Sapa. And not even. Everything is developed in Sapa, even more than in some parts of Hanoi.
Daytime photo of Sa Pa Vietnam
Vietnam Sapa in the evening
There is nothing to do without warm clothes in Sapa. The hoodie and jacket are our daily wear. It was warmer in Dalat
In Sapa you will find pharmacies, tourist shops, souvenir and clothing stores, several supermarkets, full-fledged branches of Agribank, MB-bank (ATM without commission), etc., markets with vegetables, fruits and meat.
Hai Yen Mart is one of the decent convenience stores with prices
Sapa in Vietnam turned out to be a full-fledged city in the north of the country, suitable for living. If you have your own apartment here with a kitchen and heating, you can safely live for a month when you get bored somewhere in the cold autumn in Russia. We even saw one such European a couple of times who bought vegetables and meat for cooking at the market.
Catholic Cathedral from the time of the French in the center of Sapa
The inscription of one of the hotels against which everyone takes pictures
Lake with beautiful evening illumination on a foggy evening
The embankment of the lake in Sapa reminded us
Life is teeming everywhere. Vietnamese and Europeans fill cafes and restaurants. Music plays, people take pictures and are glad that they got here. In the center of Sapa, everything is really well-groomed. Garbage does not lie on the roadside, but in the garbage dumps, the streets are clean and do not stink of anything. Only the roads are bad. We so inhaled the mountain air that we both dreamed all night
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - Kiwi Taxi
Ordered a taxi online, paid by card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You have already talked about your experience in this article
Who lives in Sapa
What do we know about Sapa? Yes, almost nothing. Fragments of sources that say that the population of Sapa mainly consists of the ancient peoples of China, the Black Hmong and Red Dao tribes. The distinctive feature of which is clothing. Among the Hmong, it is black, and the Tao wear red headdresses and women shave their hair on their foreheads and at their temples.
Tourism comes first
All residents, whoever they are, are ordinary Vietnamese, who maintain hotels or cafes, live on tourism, in fact, like the rest of Sapa. Women in national dress work with tourists as guides and sell souvenirs. In the city center, dirty tribal kids sell baubles to tourists, but they don't bother much.
In such baskets, local Hmong women carry loads on their backs day after day.
Despite the rice fields, the rice harvest in Sapa is weak and it is not necessary to expect that it will fully provide the people properly. The Hmong and Tao work as guides, needlewomen, housewives and merchants at the same time.
Hmong women are hired by tourists to avoid paying for excursions. She will guide you through everything. interesting places, but at the end of the trip, you are obliged to buy something from her and her friends.
It should be noted that red Daos are much rarer than black Hmong and they are less annoying.
Red Dao headdresses can be seen from afar
The Hmongs follow you, even if not on your heels, but it happens that it is intrusive. They ask to buy something and send children to the same simple work.
We must give them their due, because the Hmong and Tao are still needlewomen. Their outfits and accessories look truly unique. This is a lot of work!
National costumes
In their own incomparable outfits, they walk in everyday life, which makes them different from other Vietnamese.
But to call the way of life of these peoples primitive, my tongue will not turn. The Hmong are already speaking English language, know how to drive up to a gaping tourist at an ATM and enjoy all the benefits of civilization.
In the hands of the Hmong, you can see modern large phones, and children watch movies after returning from school. Not all, of course. Some kids just stop at the restaurant and try to see cartoons on the TV from the side, since they probably don’t have their own TV in their shed.
They all look unusual and strange. You want to look at them, but the wilder Tao and Hmong live in the most remote corners of Sapa, where only a few people reach, or even do not reach at all. It is they who live the primitive way of life.
On the second day, we planned to walk to the distant villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, but fog and drizzle interrupted our walk and we had to return.
So we walk around Sapa, warming up as much as possible and with an umbrella
Cafes and restaurants in Sapa
The north of Vietnam will feed the traveler properly. In Sapa, cafeterias, baguette stalls, simple eateries for locals, decent cafes and restaurants are at every step.
Two-story restaurants overlooking the lake in the city center. Pubs with billiards, where American and European youth like to spend evenings with noisy music
You can go three times a day to different establishments and you won’t get around everything. We had no desire to eat in different cafes every time, as we had already learned from experience with Vietnamese restaurants. Usually, if we find one cafe where it is tasty and inexpensive, we eat there all the time.
Cafe 24 is located on Fansipan Street. The portions are always big and the prices are lower than in Hanoi. Dishes on average from 50 to 100 dong. Our bill for two is about 200 VND ($10). The food is delicious, beautiful, which is already a success for Vietnam, as the Vietnamese usually do not bother with the appearance of the dishes. When ordering a duck, they can bring you a bird right with the head on a plate.
Meat in sesame, Sapa's chip
Fried sizzling meat in a cast-iron skillet is a local northern cuisine. I ate the most delicious vegetable rolls in Vietnam in Sapa. Chicken cream soup was surprisingly without onions. Fried rice with vegetables - this is a serving for three, I didn’t even manage to finish it!
What to eat in Sapa
In Sapa we tried different dishes. Of the traditional ones, I especially liked tea with apple and cinnamon. To warm them up is the most after a long walk.
Apple cinnamon tea is the most delicious tea in Vietnam!
We tried the local beer Lao Cai.
Construction site in Sapa
Hotels are being actively built in Sapa. On still recent wastelands, builders are building huge hotels with panoramic views to the rice fields. People build by hand, with virtually no proper equipment and modern technology. Brick by brick. Wherever you stay in Sapa, you will still hear the construction site.
Animals
It seems that all the animals of Vietnam live in Sapa. After all, it is almost impossible to see walking dogs or cats in Vietnam, as on the streets of Thailand. Cats have always been disliked in this country. But for some reason, there are a lot of animals in Sapa. Here you have chickens with roosters, dogs of different breeds, buffaloes, pigs, large spiders and unusual butterflies.
Faithful red-haired friend entertained us in a cafe while waiting for an order
Large breeds of dogs live in every home. Pigs and hens with chickens roam the villages
Cheap hotels in Sapa with a beautiful view
Hotels in Sapa are a real find for travelers. Most of the hotels have a good view or share a balcony. We recommend choosing hotels in Sapa with a view, for which it is worth paying an extra couple of dollars here. The room rate will usually include breakfast, and the rooms themselves are much more modern than in the capital of Vietnam. And they cost less.
- Phuong Nam Hotel
- Sapa House Hotel
- Fansipan Terrace Cafe and Homestay
- Sapa Center Hotel
- Sapa Hills Hotel
All hotels in the area
Sapa reviews
Probably, for me the above was the biggest discovery in Sapa. Not even so much rice terraces as the city itself, its inhabitants, its atmosphere, food and unpretentious, but at the same time, very difficult way of life. I will not hide the fact that we were imbued with nature. Even in the fog, the colors of Sapa seemed to us the most saturated than in all of Vietnam, and now we drove through it, consider it all.
In Vietnam there is always some kind of dust everywhere. Lacks rich color palette. In the photo it looks like you are in Asia, but not in some tropical colorful country that you draw in your imagination. Here Sapa brought this imagination to life.
Sapa has become for us the brightest spot in northern Vietnam. Of the main attractions of the north, we put Sapa in first place, Halong in second, Ninh Binh in third. Well, Hanoi, of course, is also worth your attention.
This is what Sapa looks like on a clear day
If we somehow find ourselves in Hanoi in the spring, we will definitely go to Shapa again to see the mountains and rice fields in at its best. I only hope that next time we will be lucky with the weather.
In the following articles we will tell you about our hotel and the village of Cat-Cat with a waterfall and a mountain stream.
Have you been to Sapa? Write your feedback in the comments. If you did not know about such a city, write, was it interesting to read? Did you have a desire to go there yourself?
located in northern mountains Vietnam, the city of Sapa is obligatory place to visit visitors to Vietnam because of the beauty of nature, comfortable weather and many attractions. In this article you will find the necessary information for a trip to this paradise.
Sapa is a small town in the mountains of Vietnam
Sapa is beautiful in different seasons. If you want to see the peach blossom you should come here in January or February, the pear blossom in March, in May you will see the water fill the rice terraces, the fruit season here lasts from June to August, and in September you can watch how farmers harvest from rice terraces.
Geographical position
Sapa is located in the province of Lao Cai, northwestern Vietnam, 380 km from Hanoi, near the border with China. Near Sapa rises the most high mountain Vietnam, Fansipan, whose height is 3143 m above sea level.
Sapa is a quiet, mountainous city, as well as a haven for a diverse ethnic group. The total population is 36 thousand people. Most of the locals work on the mountain slopes. The main products are rice and corn.
The geographical location of the area makes it truly unique place for the growth of many unusual plants and exotic animals, which attracts many tourists.
Shapa Map
How to get there
From Kyiv, Moscow and other large cities, you can fly to Hanoi by plane, and then get from it to Sapa using a bus, taxi or train. The latter travels 7–8 hours to Lao Cai, after which you still need to drive an hour to regular bus to Sapa. A regular compartment train ticket costs from 375,000 dong, which is about $17 per person one way. Intermediaries sell tickets more expensive: at least $35. It is much more profitable to get to Sapa by sleeper bus. A ticket costs from 18 dollars (about 360 thousand dong). The bus arrives at Lao Cai station, from where regular buses leave for Sapa.
Climate and weather by months
The climate in the city is mild and rainy in summer (May-August) and foggy and cold in winter. The average annual temperature is +15.4 °C. It is warmest here in July and August, and coldest in December and January. Sapa has subtropical summers, mild winters and 160 days of fog.
The average annual rainfall in Sapa is 2763 mm, the humidity ranges from 75 to 91%, the average is 86% per year.
Important! The rainy season lasts from May to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August.
The prevailing wind direction during most of the year is from west to east, which leads to the formation of clouds on the upper slopes of the Fansipan massif. These areas are covered with clouds most days of the year and have very high humidity. Clouds also penetrate the valleys, but these areas are usually less humid than the mountain slopes.
The main attractions of the city
Visiting any city means familiarity with its sights. Sapa in this regard can surprise even experienced tourists.
Be sure to visit these places:
- This is one of the most interesting ethnic markets in Vietnam and perhaps in the whole South-East Asia. Sunday is a market day in Bac Ha. On this day, the locals gather here in huge crowds to exchange the latest news, gossip, as well as for shopping and a hearty meal.
- Love Market. Various performances and shows are arranged here. He works on Saturday evenings.
- The path leading to this mountain consists of many stone steps on a winding path. About half way you will come across an orchid garden with a wide variety of these plants. Standing on my own high point Mount Hamrong, you will have a breathtaking view of the picturesque city of Sapa. In spring, the mountain is covered with bright flowers.
- located in the very center of the city. On it you can ride a boat or just take a walk near it.
- . Located in the very center of the city, built at the beginning of the 20th century. You can visit it for free, but only during the service.
- terraced fields is a feature of this area. Here the locals grow rice. Using the experience of previous generations, they were able to conduct water from the tops of the mountains to their foot without destroying the mountains themselves.
Did you know? There are a lot of Buddhist temples in Vietnam. Although it is a mistake to assume that the Vietnamese are Buddhists. 80% of them are atheists and only 9% are Buddhists.
What to see for a tourist in the vicinity
Outside of Sapa, there are many beauties to see:
- Field of the Ancients. There are more than 200 inscribed and painted boulders here. They have various shapes and sizes and are scattered over an area of 8 km. The age of the inscriptions and drawings on the stones is more than 2 thousand years.
- Climbing it will take approximately 7 hours. It is better to make the ascent with a guide, as you can get lost because of the fog.
- : located 10 km from the city. This place has ancient rock paintings and mysterious inscriptions. In the Muong Hoa Valley, many travelers choose to walk to explore the life and culture of the indigenous peoples while watching the Muong Hoa Waterfall as it passes through beautiful terraced rice fields.
- Excursion to urban villages. You can see how the locals live and work. Walking through the villages, you will meet many women in traditional embroidered dresses.
- Thak-Bak Waterfall or Silver Falls. It is especially beautiful during the rainy season.
- - the highest in Vietnam. On the way to it, you can enjoy nature and beautiful landscapes.
- Cat Cat and Ta Phin Villages. Those who are interested in local culture will like it here. A visit to Cat Kat is paid, and Ta Phin is free. The locals are very friendly and hospitable, but keep in mind that they expect reciprocity from you, which you can show by buying souvenirs from them. In the village of Ta Phin there is a small hotel for those who want to stay here.
Important!In especially popular places where many tourists often concentrate, you need to be on the lookout: valuables and money can be stolen from you without you even noticing it.
Hotels
Sapa has a good selection of hotels. The room rate usually includes breakfast, and the rooms themselves are comfortable and equipped with heating.
The most popular hotels:
Did you know? Sapa is the only city in Vietnam where hotels have heating. In older establishments, fireplaces and stoves are used for this, and in new ones, electric heaters.
Where to eat tasty and inexpensive
In Sapa, there are cafes, restaurants, pubs, eateries or food stalls at every step.
Popular places among tourists:
What to bring
In numerous souvenir shops or at the local market, you can buy anything you want to remember your vacation in this town. Most big market in the area is the Bak Ha market. Here, locals sell handmade goods: pillowcases, bedspreads, paintings, silver jewelry, handmade clothes. Moreover, not only goods are of interest, but also the merchants themselves, who are dressed in colorful, bright national costumes. Souvenirs can also be bought from locals in the city itself for just a couple of dollars. This is their main income. When buying, bargain with the seller, but avoid aggressive negotiations.
Sapa - amazing place where you should visit when building your itinerary to Vietnam. Here you can enjoy the unusually beautiful nature and plunge into the life and culture of the locals. You will remember this trip for a long time!
