"LAO CAI, let's go !" a Lao Cai Travel Page by Ladyfromasia

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SAPA

This is a wonderful spot in northwestern Vietnam, 350km from Hanoi by road. Sapa stands in a valley with cool weather, you can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. Spring in the morning, autumn in the afternoon, summer at noon and winter in the evening.

How to get from Hanoi to Sapa:
- Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai province:
9 hours, mostly departure at night and arrive Lao Cai in early morning.
Buy ticket at the station : 118 Le Duan, Hanoi (www.vr.com.vn) , reserve in case you plan to visit at weekends or on holidays.
- Car/bus from Lao Cai province to Sapa:
38km far, 45-1hour
Take bus/car at the Station, fix the price with the driver before you get on the vehicle (30-40$). No need to look for the drivers, they will follow you outside the Station :p

Hotels in Sapa:
- Victoria Hotel (4 stars) (170$)
- Chau Long Hotel (4 stars) (85$)
- Bamboo Hotel (3 stars) (26-50$)
- Royal Hotel (2 stars) (16-25$)- Cau May Street, Sapa Town
- Packpacker hotels: 6$/night (except weekend)- you can find alots in main streets of Sapa town, near the church.

Things to do in Sapa:
- “Love market” on every Saturday nights in the center of Sapa town, near the Church: Its very funny watching ethnic men & women to pull & flirt each other by singing, dancing.
- Ancient engraved Stone area (B ãi đá cổ): Muong Hoa Valley, Hau Thao Commune, Sapa.
- Central market: Selling alots of handmade stuffs
- Enjoy fresh vegetables & fruits in restaurant
- Bac Ha traditional market: A famous place for selling animals, chickens, pigs… (3 hours by car from Sapa town).
- Visit Ho village (Bản Hồ): stay & enjoy the meal with the local people there.
Last time I stayed at Mr Dao Ai QUOC’s house, a very nice local family. Phone: 0975565073
- Lavi waterfall (Ho village): don’t try to jump & swim there, very dangerous!
- Hot spring (Ho village): there are 2 places for hot springs relax in Ho village, just ask the direction & walk there, 10.000 vnd per 1 times.

Better to take tour by tour agents in Sapa, many agents for you to choose in main streets of Sapa town.
Or just get a tourist guide along with you, tell him your hobbies & he can take you anywhere. One of the best touristguide I ever met, : Mr Ha (Sapapathfinder): 0984827312/0986168100, call him & tell you are my friend, you will be safe ;)

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FANSIPAN

You should not miss to test your courage & strength with FANSIPAN or “The roof of Indochina”, 3143m height mountain. You will have to climb up 10 mountains to reach Fansipan peak, very rough, trust me!
Hiring a touristguide is the MUST, you will easily loose the way without him.
Best time to climb Fansipan: October-November
Temprature: Summer night 4-50C, Winter night 3-40C (snowing sometimes).

Suggested Fansipan tour take 1 night 2 days:
Day 1: Sapa to Ton Station/Stop (trạm Tôn), 14km far from Sapa town
Climb up to Station 1 (2200 height), sleep in the tent
Day 2: Station 1 to Fansipan peak. Climb down to Station 3 (2800 height), sleep in the tent.
Day 3: Station 3 to Ton Station. Back to Sapa town.
Tour agent take care of meals, tent & others.