Sign in with Facebook"Sa Pa - Insight into Ethnic Minorities of Vietnam" Top 5 Page for this destination Sapa by Brisvegaskid
Sapa Travel Guide: 171 reviews and 588 photos
Sa Pa is a fantastic place to visit if you are into being on the ground, amongst the local people. There are tours which will give you a number of options in approach - various types and degrees of trek, including or not, a homestay.
Sa Pa is about 380km from Hanoi and in the mountains where it is often wet with mist or rain, and can be cold. There are many many different ethnic minority groups who maintain their cultural integrity and independence in the villages around Sa Pa. Their diversity is remarkable.
Trekking, you will see the paddi fields, water buffalo and other farm animals, the village life as you walk through and lots of cheeky children in traditional dress. You will see women working with babies strapped to their backs, weaving, spinning, working in the fields, carrying baskets of goods..somewhere. You will see earthen floored bamboo homes, some with concrete floors.
Getting here, you take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. This is not hard to do. A bus then takes you 38km from here up the mountain to Sa Pa. This is in itself an experience...much to see on the way. The bus has to travel this road with people on foot, on pushbikes, on motorbikes and occasional other vehicles, notably large trucks. So it's a slow journey and takes about an hour and a half. There are a lot of suicidal children and kamikaze motorbikes to avoid.
Once in Sa Pa, there are many shops, the colourful markets and street vendors selling fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, flowers, and all sorts of other goods, including clothing, local handcrafts and jewellery.
Reviews (7)
Homestay - A Never Forget Experience!
Things to Do
(1)
We stayed with a family in their village home. We enjoyed this very much and it was the highlight of our whole Vietnam... more travel advice
Persistent Vendors in Sa Pa
Tourist Traps
(2)
Sa Pa is becoming a bit of a mecca for tourists, if it not already this, and the locals certainly make the most of it.... more travel advice
'Helpful' Trekking Companions Will...
Tourist Traps
(2)
When we were trekking with our guide through the mountains around Sa Pa, before very long we were joined by three or... more travel advice
Travelling by Train to Sa Pa
Warnings Or Dangers
(2)
Commonly tourists take a 4-berth soft sleeper train cabin to Sa Pa. So you share with four other people. There isn't a... more travel advice
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Comments (4)
Great tips Sal....Sa Pa is definitely on the list of "where to explore" this January/February...Cheers!
Great tips! You have really given some thoughtful advise. Thanks, Tracey
I really like your tips, practical and concise.
I'm planning to visit Vietnam in 2008, so i've read your tips with real interest. Being hosted by a local family must have been an experience.
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