Welcome to my article on Sapa – a Highland Adventure. Nestled in the lush mountains of northwestern Vietnam, Sapa is a captivating destination that endears you with its stunning landscapes, tribal cultures, and an undeniable sense of adventure. As you set foot in this charming town, you’ll find yourself enchanted by the rolling emerald hills, terraced rice fields that seem to defy gravity, and the warmth of the local hill tribes. Join me on a journey to Sapa, where nature and culture unite to create a memorable travel experience.
A brief insight into Sapa
Sapa is located 1600m above sea level in Lào Cai Province, northwest of Vietnam, in the Hoàng Liên Son mountain range near the border with China. You will love its gorgeous landscape like intricate terraced rice fields, rolling hills, and towering mountains. Fansipan, the highest peak at 3147m is located in the vicinity. Sapa is home to several ethnic minority groups, with the Hmong and Dao being the most prominent. Visitors have the chance to experience their unique cultures and traditions via trekking and hiking. There are various trekking routes offering lovely scenery and interaction with local communities. Sapa offers a mix of Vietnamese and local ethnic cuisine like “thang co” (a traditional Hmong soup) and “com lam” (sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes). The climate in Sapa has cool temperatures, especially in the winter months when it can get quite cold. The mist and fog add to the mystical atmosphere of the region. Sapa means “town of sand” in Vietnamese but it’s more widely known as “the town in clouds”.
Sapa trip itineraries
Our itinerary involves taking a S’pore Airlines (SQ184) flight to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay, followed by a domestic flight next day via Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, where we catch an overnight train (departs 2200hrs) and arriving at Lao Cai Station the next morning at 0555hrs. A chartered taxi brought us to our hotel in Sapa over a 35-minute drive. For the ride back to Hanoi, we booked a VIP sleeper bus, departing Sapa at 1230hrs, and arriving in Hanoi at 6 pm. An overnight stay at Hanoi Old Quarters, followed the next day by a 30-minute taxi ride to Hanoi Airport at 1230 p.m. for a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City to catch our flight back to Singapore at 8 p.m. (Hanoi time).For transport and trip bookings, you might like to Whatsapp Ms.Daisy (https://govntravel.com/0) at Tel: +84 97 115 74 97.
Villages Trekking
Aside from its natural beauty, Sapa also has a unique culture that’s worth exploring. The local customs are heavily influenced by the ethnic minority groups living in the area such as the Hmong, Dao, and Tay people. Trekking in Sapa is a must-do to experience the beautiful landscapes and tribal culture.
In another group of village trekking of 10, they were tagged along by 8 tribal ladies aggressively selling their tribal wares incessantly. This is one of the tribes’ means of survival. We booked the private trekking (USD44) instead of the group of 10 (USD34), for a more exclusive experience. It’s essential to hire experienced guides who know the terrain well and can navigate you through tricky paths safely. As they say, ‘better safe than sorry.’Typical scenery when we trekked along the 4.6km trail, which gets more expansive as we moved from Y Linh Ho (pronounced Yi ling ho) to Lao Chai and our final destination at Ta Van Village.Lao Chai Village is only 6km away from Sapa town, hidden in Muong Hoa Valley. Here is the home of both the Giay and the Black H’Mong individuals. Lao Chai is situated almost in the middle of paddy terraces, giving travellers the chance to trace along with the narrow path on the fields to enjoy the whole zone.The villages around the area have many B+B and homestays. Perfect for experiencing the local tribal culture and great laid-back ambience. A tribal lady with her buffaloes. Each cost about USD2500-3000. It’s quite a surreal experience seeing her easily manning her buffaloes, a bond developed through the years.A tribal family at Y Linh Ho Village. Generally, you tend to see only the females of the household working or engaging in some forms of activities. One wonders where all the men are. Frequently, we spot tribal women putting labourious effort into producing hemp weavings. Hemp fabric is a necessary part of Hmong clothing. Growing and preparing hemp and then weaving it into cloth is an annual activity for Hmong women. Hemp is a botanical class of Cannabis grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest-growing plants on Earth. It was also one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago.This family also produces their own Indigo fabric. Indigo dyeing is an art that would appeal to many creatives. Thus, Sa Pa is an excellent location, ideal for solo female travellers.Indigo dye is a plant that produces an organic compound with a distinctive dark blue color. This plant is native to the tropics and thrives around Sapa. The Hmong people still use the natural indigo plant to extract the blue compound. The indigo plants are harvested on neat plots of land on the hillsides, always scattered near the Hmong’s homes.We also come across a group of schoolchildren along the way. In the picture above, they are all looking at the ground to navigate the muddy path ahead.Rainwater is the giver of life, and joy, to this primary school girl. Growing up in Vietnam means there is always this red scarf that is a big part of everyone’s childhood. The red scarf is a neckerchief that is worn by pioneers in many communist countries such as China, Cuba, and North Korea.The Vietnam education system involves government and private educational institutions. Education in Vietnam is free and compulsory for children from the age of 6 to 11. However, pupils are required to pay for textbooks and uniforms.An incense shop lady owner made her incense intently, oblivious to the groups of trekkers passing by her shop. The incense sticks’ fragrance comes from combinations of ingredients, including agarwood, cedar, wormwood, patchouli, rosemary, and cinnamon.Without relying on modern technology. Sapa still utilised traditional animal husbandry practices, allowing them to raise healthy and strong animals. During trekking, we saw chickens and ducks almost everywhere.With a spinning plastic contraption above the meat to swat away flies, this is how meat is generally sold at the grocery shops that dotted the streets along the village.Silver jewellery is an important part of the ethnic traditional costumes. Not only for decorative purposes but also to avoid bad luck, and devils, and to protect health. The tribes can also be distinguished by their shapes and designs.Local motorists in the villages generally don’t wear helmets and probably don’t carry valid motorbike licenses. The scooters are more like motorised bicycles. The area is too remote for police to enforce laws.
Cat Cat Village
In the early 20th century, the French discovered and made this land a resort for officials. The beautiful waterfall at the entrance, which is pronounced “Catscat” in French, became the name of the village thereafter (Vietnamese call it Cat Cat). This is one of Sapa’s key attractions you should not miss.
The central hub of Cat Cat Village is both photogenic and quaint. Set in the Muong Hoa Valley, Cat Cat Village is known for its natural beauty, H’mong culture, and traditions. Traditional wood huts, some serving as homestays, overlook mountainside rice field terraces. Visitors will enjoy dining by the gushing river on this combo meal – with 3 types of meats served with a generous serving of greens. Available at most of the diners by the river and elsewhere in the village. Tribal ladies at the Cat Cat Village. Never have I seen a more moody ‘cultural exhibit’. One of the 3 ladies saw me taking pictures of them, quickly walked, and hid behind these two fellow villagers. Costume rental shops lined the steep path from the entrance to Cat Cat Village, for visitors to adorn themselves with ethnic costumes from Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, and many other Asia countries.
Sapa Glass Bridge
The Sapa Glass Bridge (also called Cau Kinh Rong May which means Dragon in Cloud Glass Bridge) with a height of more than 2200m above sea level is located at O Quy Ho Pass which is only about 17km from Sapa town center.The onset of rain and fog took away any mood for photography. Safety is key as we navigate the slippery glass flooring. The fog negated any feeling of height as we felt we were just walking on ‘clouds’.The trail walk also has a fee-payable adrenaline walk for visitors who like more excitement. This wobbly steps bridge cost 500,000 VND (S$28). But the fog makes it less exciting so there were no takers during my time there.
Sapa Town
Sapa town was established by the French in the 20th century. They once used this town as a resort to get away from the heat of summer while relaxing among the impressive landscape. But during the Vietnam War, Sapa town – with all its old infrastructure – was destroyed by bombs. The Sapa town now we see is the new Sapa, which was reconstructed in the 1990s.
We managed to roam the town only from the 2nd last night of our stay here as it was drizzling nightly on the 1st two nights. It was still drizzling when were there but loved the sheen on the wet roads.When night falls, the entire town square is just like a gathering place for local people and tourists here, doing everything, from taking a photo to playing a mini football match with the local children. It is just like the heart of Sapa town, lively and pulsating.The Sapa Town “central” roundabout. There are a few roundabouts, but this is the closest to the heart of town around Ngõ Cầu Mây road. Everywhere you see the eTaxi. Good thing they don’t horn like the motorists from main cities. So it was relatively quiet. It’s 1 price of 50,000 VND per eTaxi, so it’s cheaper if the whole family fills the taxi.In the centre of Sapa Town, is where Quang Truong Square is located. This is a focal point for the locals, particularly in the evenings, where many will gather to meet friends, chat, and generally just hang out. The picture showed the square busy with people celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.A Vietnamese Dragon Float – according to an ancient myth, the Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon and a fairy. The dragon was symbolic of bringing rain, essential for agriculture.One common sight in Sapa is Chestnut cake. Seems every 3-4 steps apart, you will come upon a chestnut cake shop. The cake is round, similar to the southern pie, but the version is larger and flatter. The top of each cake is sprinkled with fragrant roasted sesame. The filling consists of mashed chestnuts, mixed with a little butter and soft green beans. The crust is made from thin, multi-layered flour.Nowadays, the cake is still produced by hand, going through many stages such as kneading the dough, molding the cake, and making the filling. After processing, the cake can be kept for 2-3 days.
Our favourite restaurants and cafes in Sapa town
Our choice of dinner was at the – A Quynh Hàng Khám Phá Việt (Viet Discovery Restaurant)Loads of meats and offals hang up for smoking. We only eat the pork. I was born in the year of Horse, no way will I eat this gentle beast, which is one of the restaurant specialties. Residents of Sapa come here to try their “thang co” dish made from meat and internal organs of horse, beef, buffalo, and pork. Other dishes that shine are bamboo-tube rice, smoking-shelf buffalo, stream fish, sautéed and baked food made from wild boar, and horse hotpot.My favourite dish – the Sapa mustard greens (rau cải mèo) or cat cabbage is very delicious and easy to eat cabbage. It is a main dish that appears very regularly on the dining table of the people here. Sapa cat cabbage has a very strong vitality. They can withstand weather temperatures from 0 – 5 degrees Celsius.Braised pork, similar to the Cantonese “kong ba”. My favourite, very good. The meat was tender, moist, and not overly salty.Our final night dinner was at the O Quy Ho Restaurant. This is one of the prettiest diners in Sapa town in my opinion. It distinguished itself from the rest by its décor, uniformed staff, and ambience.The restaurant’s signature dish is its pumpkin-steamed black chicken. The sweet, fatty, and tender flavour of the famous black Sapa chicken mixed with the fleshy pumpkin makes the trip here worth it. You can scrap the pumpkin flesh and eat it like it’s the starch for the meal. No need to order any rice.The roasted pork cubes at this diner are better than the previous night’s restaurant, more tender, moist, and nicely spiced.The Công Cáphê is the ‘definitive’ cafe in Sapa town. I like to call it the Starbucks of Sapa Town, only better. This is a Vietnamese coffee chain with a cute Vietcong theme. They serve great Vietnamese coffee but they are best known for their ca phe cot dua or cold coconut coffee. Made with condensed coconut milk, ca phe cot dua is basically a coconut coffee slushie. It’s delicious and refreshing and one of my favorite things to drink to cool off in Vietnam.
A special mention
I always have a heavy heart when photographing the less fortunate plying for sympathy business on the streets. These little Hmong tribal children are barely 5-6 years old yet are carrying their much younger siblings on their backs, attempting to sell handmade tribal wares that you won’t need. In this instance, my travel mate advised that no money should be given to them as their parents will take it from them at the end of their walkabout, perhaps to buy liquor or other non-essential stuff. So we handed them packed confectioneries from a nearby bakery.
Trip accommodation
I don’t often include trip accommodation as a topic but among the hordes of hotels at Sapa, this hotel deserves a special mention. Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel is located on a hillside amidst majestic mountains with spectacular views of the Muong Hoa Valley and the impressive Hoang Lien Son mountain range. This hotel location promises a peaceful stay and offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the town, just a quick 4-5 minutes eTaxi ride away.
Owned and operated by CTX Holdings, Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel offers 223 rooms that seamlessly blend Sapa’s rich cultural identity with modern, high-class amenities. With its elegant curves that harmonize with the surrounding landscape, this hotel is a fabulous destination by itself. My room was on level three and faced the valley view. The bed is one of the most comfortable beds I laid on in a hotel and the service and room amenities were superb, The only grouse I had was there were not enough hanging points in the bathroom.
All rooms feature exclusive facilities, airy space, and a private balcony offering views of the magnificent natural scenery of the Tay Bac region.
Conclusion
As our trip concluded with the brief parting of fog and the sun casting a warm glow over the terraced paddy fields of Sapa, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of awe. Although the inclement weather and my sickness during the early part of the part had compromised the trip somewhat, Sapa nonetheless had enthralled me with her enigmatic elegance. As I bid farewell to this enchanting corner of Vietnam, I carried with me a deep appreciation for the cultural tapestry that makes Sapa so unique. Whether it was savouring local dishes, learning about indigenous traditions, or simply taking in the serene beauty of the mountains, Sapa offered a glimpse into a world that is as captivating as it is humbling. I certainly look forward to revisiting Sapa in better weather and in better health. Thanks for coming along with my pixels journey. For othertravel inspirationplease check out my other travelogues here. The link to the Facebook album can be referred here.
Footnote: All pictures used in this travelogue are copyrighted to Jensen Chua Photography and all rights reserved. The opinion expressed is factual, objective, and that of the author.
