Sapa is a Vietnamese city in the land of mountains, waterfalls and rice terraces. Shapa (Sapa): where is it, how to get, where to stay, what to see Shapa vietnam

Sapa (Sa Pa) is the most famous mountain resort in North Vietnam. Sapa is located in the mountainous province of Lao Cai bordering China. It is here that the highest point of Vietnam and all of Indochina is located - Mount Fansipan (3143 meters). The administrative center of the province is the city of Lao Cai. The area of ​​the entire province is 8 thousand square meters. km, the population is just over 600 thousand people. In addition to the Vietnamese themselves, numerous mountain peoples live in the Lao Cai province - the Hmong, Tai, Nung, Muong and others. This gives the province a special flavor.
Sapa is located 330 km from Hanoi and 40 km from the provincial center of Lao Cai. To get to Sapa, you need to buy a ticket for the Hanoi - Lao Cai train (4 trains a day, travel time 8 hours; there is a night train, which saves overnight costs). There is a bus every hour from the train station in Laokai to Sapa. There is also a bus that runs from Hanoi directly to Sapa. Departure at 5 am, travel time is about 12 hours.

CLIMATE

Sapa is located at an altitude of 1.600 meters above sea level. The climate here is not hot: in summer the temperature fluctuates between 15 - 20 degrees, in winter - about 10 (sometimes dropping below zero). Therefore, visiting the sights here is comfortable at any time. The main thing is not to forget to take warm clothes. By the way, Sapa and the areas next to it are almost the only place in Vietnam where you can see snow. Most of the precipitation falls in July-August.

HISTORY

The French began to arrange the resort here at the beginning of the 20th century. Conquered by the beauty of these places and at the same time by nostalgia for their native lands, the colonialists gave them the name "Tonkin Alps". The first - wooden - rest house was built here in 1905. And by 1943 there were already more than 200 French villas. Unfortunately, during the wars, almost all of these buildings were destroyed.
Several years ago, Sapa was reopened to tourists and became one of the most popular destinations for both Vietnamese and foreign travelers.

ATTRACTIONS OF SAPA

First of all, the resort itself, or rather, the fabulous nature of this area. Sapa, like no other city in Vietnam, and perhaps throughout Asia, looks like a city from a fairy tale. This feeling arises thanks to the amazingly harmonious combination of nature, houses and even the people of this mountainous area. While in Sapa, you should definitely get acquainted with the life of the mountain peoples, which in many respects differs from the Vietnamese.

Mount Fansipan- the highest peak in Indochina - 3143 meters. It is located in the southern part of Sapa in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The relief of this area is very diverse. In the lowest part - 950-1000 m above sea level - the Muong Hoa Valley is located. An ancient stone site was discovered here, which is considered a monument of ancient Vietnamese civilization.
Above, at an altitude of 1300-1400 m above sea level, a narrow strip of the foot of the mountain stretches. The relief changes as it rises. The boundaries pass at an altitude of 1700-1800 m, 2100-2200 m and 2700-2800 m. From the lowest point, the top of the mountain appears as an indistinct, blurred silhouette. Fansipan's rich flora includes about 1700 plant species, many of which are rare and valuable.
This area invariably attracts lovers of extreme tourism. Although the top of the mountain is only 7 km of bird's eye view from Lao Cai, it will take 6-7 days to climb it!

Mountain Dragon's Jaw. Located just 2 km from the center of Sapa. The ridge resembles a huge dragon curled up in a ball.

Silver Falls (Thak Bak)- one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Vietnam. Located 12 kilometers from Sapa.

Fair Bak Ha- the largest fair of mountain peoples of North Vietnam. Bak Ha is a small town located 80 km northeast of Sapa. The fair is organized on Sundays. It's not easy for the local population

a place where you can buy or sell something is a whole culture with its own traditions.
Having already decided that during your trip to Vietnam you will find time to visit Sapa, you need to decide in advance what to see in this amazing province. The peculiarities of the mountainous terrain suggest that most of the attractions will be located high above sea level, and during the excursion, all new amazing beauties will, as if by magic, appear in front of you from the haze of a light mountain fog. To visit this area, it is better to choose the period from May to November.

Sapa (Vietnam) is a place where travelers from all over the world strive to get, and for whom vacation 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 sweltering heat. In 1993, the country's authorities began to actively develop tourism in this region. Today it is one of the most visited places in Vietnam, where active and curious 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 Lao Cai province, 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. Distance to Hanoi 400 km. The city of Sapa (Vietnam) is interesting for its architectural and historical heritage, it is beautiful with amazing landscapes.

Not far from the town is Mount Fansipan - the highest point in Indochina. The base of the mountain is covered with dense jungle, but the number of inhabitants of the rainforest has sharply decreased as a result of intensive agricultural activities of the local population.

Several ethnic groups live in the city and the surrounding area, which differ in the color of traditional clothing. There are many villages around the city, almost all of them have preserved a medieval look. Most of the residents lead a secluded life.

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, local people, nature and surrounding landscapes.

On the market

Many people come to the city of Sapa to get acquainted with 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, handmade souvenirs.

The city is hardly suitable for a vacation during 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 is not much entertainment 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 in the mountains, cycling through the mountainous area densely covered with greenery. The most exotic holiday option is hiking trails to villages and living in the houses of 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 they tell in detail the history of the city. The exposition is not very rich, but the entrance to the museum is free, 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 am to 5:00 pm;
• The attraction is located not far from the central square.

Stone church

The Catholic temple 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 decoration is rather modest. The temple is active and is open to visitors during services. In the evening, the cathedral is illuminated and looks especially beautiful.

Useful information:

• Service hours: on weekdays and Saturdays - 5:00, 18:30 and 19:00; Sunday at 8:30 am, 9:00 am and 6:30 pm.
• 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 region's unique flora and fauna. This is a well-kept, 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 training. The stairs lead up and down, the observation deck is located at an altitude of 1.8 km. To get to the top and explore the mountain, it is better to set aside at least 2 hours.

Useful information: the cost of a ticket for adults is 70 thousand dongs, the price of a child's ticket is 20 thousand dongs.

Love Market

The unusual name of the attraction is associated with the history of this place. Previously, young men and women 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, the actors ask for them in exchange for songs.

Note: admission is free, but the actors must be given a nominal fee. The show is shown on Saturday evenings and takes place in the main square.

Main market

The entire central part of the city of Sapa can be called a market, since everyone here sells and buys. However, the main trading place is located near the church. Here they sell fruits, fast food, household goods, everything you need to travel to the mountains. Locals sell handicrafts on a tennis court (near the market).

The market is open while it is light, admission is free.

Attractions in the vicinity of Sapa

Thac Bac Waterfall

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 significantly decreases in size.

Not far from the waterfall (also called Silver) there is a market, paid parking, and the ascent to the top is equipped with a staircase. For greater convenience, on the way there are gazebos where you can relax and take beautiful photos of Sapa (Vietnam).

Advice! It is not necessary to leave transport in a paid parking lot, you can drive to the entrance to the waterfall and leave your bike or car by the road.

• The entrance fee is 10 thousand dongs.
• The attraction can be visited daily from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
• It is easy to get to the waterfall - it is located to the 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 ridge of Mount Fansipan in the north. An amazing view of Vietnam opens from here. The only thing that can obscure the view of the landscape is fog and clouds.

The pass separates two zones with different climatic conditions. As soon as you cross the Tram Ton, instead of the coolness, you experience the hot climate of the tropics. As a rule, tourists combine a visit to the pass and the waterfall, they are located 3 km from each other. There are trade stalls near the mountain road. Distance from the city to the pass is approximately 17 km.

Tourists with locals in one of the villages

Sightseeing tours are regularly organized from the city to the surrounding villages. They are sold by travel agencies in hotels and just on the street. Some excursions are conducted by locals who have already retrained as guides.

Some hiking routes are quite difficult, so they are recommended to be taken exclusively as part of an excursion group. You can also arrange for an individual guided walk. The cost depends on their duration:

• calculated for 1 day - $ 20;
• calculated for 2 days - $ 40.

It is important! Climbing the summit and traveling to Ta Van and Ban Ho villages cannot be done alone. The risk of getting lost is high.

• a visit to the village will cost an average of 40 thousand dongs for adults; 10 thousand dongs for children;
• it is better to come by bike and rent a room in the 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 is sure to be a fun and unforgettable adventure in life. During the trip, you will get acquainted with the amazing flora and fauna, and upon reaching the top, you will feel that you have overcome yourself.

Several tourist routes have been laid to the top, which differ in degree of difficulty:

• one-day - designed for hardy people who are ready for intense physical activity;
• two days - involves spending the night in a specially equipped camp, which is organized at an altitude of about 2 km;
• three-day - involves two nights - 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. There should be a minimum of things.

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 surroundings a unique appearance and flavor. There are terraced fields in the vicinity of Sapa. From a distance, it seems that rivers of rice are rolling down the mountains.

The 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 power of nature, to conquer territory, but at the same time to live in harmony with it.

Water is led from the top to the bottom, the technology is effective and at the same time safe for the mountain, since it does not destroy it.

Sapa peoples

Ethnic peoples living in Sapa and the surrounding area are mountain tribes, each with its own dialect, culture and customs. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they have maintained a way of life for many centuries.

Black Hmongs

The largest group is half of the population of Sapa. Their way of life is in many ways reminiscent of paganism - they believe in and worship spirits. If you see a round burn on Hmong's forehead, know that this is how a headache is treated - they apply a red-hot coin. The characteristic colors of the clothes are black or navy blue.

The women have beautiful, black hair, styled in a fancy ring and secured by many bobby pins. Large earrings in the ears are considered the standard of beauty; they are worn in 5-6 pairs. Hmongs are sociable, if you need a guide to the mountains, choose among the women of this ethnicity. Hmongs sell many souvenirs at the Sapa city market.

Red Dao (Zao)

Representatives of the nationality wear red scarves that resemble a turban, women completely shave off their eyebrows, hair on the temples and above the forehead. A woman's shaved hair and eyebrows are a sign that she is married. Cranes of Zao still perform rituals and offerings of animals as a sacrifice to gods and spirits. Red Dao make up a quarter of the population of Sapa. Their villages are rarely visited by tourists because they are far enough from the city.

Representatives of these ethnic groups get married early - at the age of 14-15. Their families have many children; by the age of 40, an average of 5-6 children are born. In the vicinity of Sapa, there are mixed villages where the Hmong and Dao live in neighboring houses, but they prefer to appear separately in public places.

Tai and Giay

In total, they make up 10% of the population of Sapa. However, in Vietnam, the Tai people are numerous. Their lifestyle is associated with farming, growing rice and worshiping gods and spirits. Representatives of these peoples 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 the rice fields. Clothes in indigo tones are made of cotton, the style resembles tunics from China, complemented by bright belts.

Giai's clothes are juicy pink, they are 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 a mountainous area where there is no airport, so you can only come here by bus. Most often Sapu are sent from Hanoi. The distance between the cities is impressive - 400 km, the road takes from 9 to 10 hours. Most of the way passes along a mountain serpentine, so drivers do not develop high speed.

There are two ways to travel.

If you don't want to deal with a lot of organizational issues, just buy an excursion from Hanoi. The price includes round-trip tickets, hotel accommodation and the program. The cost will cost an average of $ 100 and varies depending on the saturation 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 in a tourist area near the lake. From Sapa, transport arrives here.

Buses run day and night. From the point of view of comfort, it is better to go at night, the seats unfold, there is an opportunity to rest. In Sapa, all transport arrives at the bus station, it is located almost in the city center.

On a note! Also buy a return ticket at a travel agency. If you buy it at the bus station ticket office, the bus will take you to the bus station, not to the lake. One way ticket costs about $ 17. On holidays, the 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 explore it while walking. It is more interesting and educational. There is no public transport 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 rental price is about $ 5-8 per day.

It is convenient to explore the city and its surroundings on a motorbike; moreover, it is cheaper than paying for sightseeing tours.

Good to know! There is a bicycle rental, renting a transport will cost only $ 1-2, and if you live in a hotel, you can be given it for free.

Sapa (Vietnam) is a special place where ancient history, picturesque nature and interesting sights are harmoniously intertwined.

More visual information about the city of Sapa (Vietnam) in the video.

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Sapa is perhaps the most amazing town in Vietnam, as if always soaring in the clouds, where the time and way of life of local residents stopped many centuries ago, and the landscapes of rice terraces were created with geometric accuracy by nature and man and painted in a variety of colors depending on the time of the year.

Here, under the highest mountain in Vietnam, Fansipan, the last peak of the Himalayan ridge of mountains, 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 goes into action: 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 provides the same fish, serves for bathing and washing clothes.

Have you ever wanted to touch the clouds, and then, having climbed the mountains even higher, 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 high-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 stifling heat of the resort towns and huge metropolitan areas of Saigon and Hanoi.

Sapa, first seen last winter, beckoned me with a beautiful advertising poster with views of rice fields, as if painted by a skillful artist and haunted for a long time - and I made up my mind.

With all its outward friendliness, Vietnam may be incomprehensible, difficult, 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 can you see in Sapa ***

is a small town 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. Here they speak English and French well, and in the ethnic villages farthest from Sapa, one can communicate with the help of sign language.

Sapa left me with the feeling of a city "soaring in the clouds", and indeed, located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level, it is almost always shrouded in dense thick clouds. Towards noon, the weather dissipates and the sun peeps out. Sapa is notable for small authentic villages in the highlands, the visit of which is included in the main trekking routes.

In Vietnam, there are officially about 54 nationalities and two, perhaps the smallest of them, can be met in Sapa. I saw only women here, working as guides, easily overcoming routes of 30 kilometers with babies on their backs. Those who cannot make long hiking trails sell colorful embroidered bags and national dresses in the city center and in front of hotels. Men have a role to play here - they are engaged only in agriculture.

Khmong girls in national clothes, bright like butterflies, wait for tourists near hotels in the morning, hoping to give them a tour of the surrounding area. The price of such a tour is $ 10-15 per day, but they are still very careful about money, 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: Hmongs are always in black national costumes with brightly embroidered flowers, and Dzao girls with a red scarf wrapped around their heads. The marital status of the Zao woman is literally written on her face: those whose eyebrows are completely plucked out are married.

I was very surprised that it is customary for them to get married at 13-15 years old and give birth to 50, completely submitting to a man in everything, but under all living conditions and terrible poverty, they always remain friendly and smiling. Hmong and Dzao are animists, they believe in the forces of nature and are treated not by doctors, but by shamans, 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 abruptly changes 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 waterfall and Thak Tin waterfall of Love, which are more interesting during the rainy season.

Our route took place with a stop at the Silver Falls and in truth, he did not impress me.

*** Small authentic villages ***

A must-see place. All hiking trails pass through the villages. Here you can get acquainted with the life of the Hmong and Dzao, dine and even stay overnight in the houses of local residents. I did not dare, although there were a lot of people willing among our group.

*** How to get to Sapa ***

For a long time I planned a trip to Sapa 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 from two to five days with a stay in a hotel or a village house.

The tours include the road to Sapa by train, but it should be borne in mind that the agency charges twice as much for its services.

From Hanoi to Sapa- 438 kilometers and you can get there by a train that runs daily in the evening to Lao Cai station or on the very comfortable sleeping bus common in Wetnam - 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, a train (it goes along the coast through the whole country and this is a great opportunity to see Vietnam more closely) or on a sleeping bus - a bus with sleeping places.

Ticket prices on a bus from Hanoi to Sapa - $ 32 in both directions, the cost of train tickets - $ 42.

I really wanted to take a 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 two-seater compartments and ordinary reserved seat carriages.

*** Accommodation in Sapa ***

I had booked in advance for two nights and three days and only considered it as a transit point. 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 Sapa hotels there are big problems with this.

The location of this hotel is one of the most successful: the hotel is in a very beautiful place and in clear weather there is an excellent view of the highest mountain Fansipan. It is not far from the center, 10 minutes on foot. I have no complaints about the hotel, on the contrary, I am pleasantly surprised by the excellent cuisine, cleanliness and high service.

Alternatively, in Sapa, locals offer to stay with them in their villages, in wooden houses on stilts in the village of Kat Kat 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 Home stay in a Vietnamese village at all, despite the fact that this is the cheapest option and many hiking routes 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 prices of local residents for placing a house. Nevertheless, it is felt that Sapa is a region that has not yet been 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 cities and prices are slightly lower than in Nha Trang.

The most famous Vietnamese soup Pho Bo - strong beef broth with rice noodles - this favorite dish of all tourists costs $ 1.5 here.

Well, for those who like to take risks - little-known Vietnamese food, cooked right on the street

***Route***

I bought a two-day hiking route at the hotel, joining a group of European tourists who had come with me for $ 25 for two days. On the first day, it included a 12-kilometer trekking to the village of Kat Kat and a trek through the bamboo forest to the Silver Falls.

The second day promised us more: 20 kilometers of the way and crossing the Tram Ton pass, an overview of the beauty 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 Jiang Ta Chai.

So, having breakfast at the hotel on the first day, we hit the road.

After passing the center, Sapy, we set off along a short 12 km route to the village of Kat Kat, to the bamboo forest, to the waterfall.

Almost always in the morning the city is immersed in a thick fog. Rice is grown on such terraces, and now they are just preparing for sowing in May.

Again, I misunderstood the season, postponing the trip to April, but I had no other chance to see this city. And even in spite of the fact that sometimes on impassable areas we literally "kneaded the mud" I do not regret anything).

We approach the village of Kat Kat, there is a school and even a Catholic church.

We pass 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 never met the Russians here.

The guide is a 47-year-old Hmong Mai with her seventh child behind her. Women grow old here very early, from constant childbirth and hard work. But how dashingly she gallops with the baby along the most difficult places of the route for us!

We return to the hotel tired but happy. The next day we have a 20 km trek across the pass and visit a village along the way.

The views on the next day pleased me - 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 is definitely worth walking on.

The village of Dzao is traditional, which has existed for several centuries with its usual way of life and it is unlikely that something will change here in the future. Men will also be engaged in sowing and harvesting, women - giving birth to many children and trying to earn money by making souvenirs with their own hands. In children, the fate is determined for many years ahead and rarely is it different.

Lunch in local villages is standard and simple - rice, chicken and green tea.

After dinner, 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 mid-April and this is not the best time for beautiful views and landscape photos, but good, clear weather in the highlands is a rarity at any time of the year. Here, about 200 days a year, fog and rain, constant humidity and a clear feeling of "life on a cloud."

Rice terraces differ in color every month, and it all depends on which Sapa color you prefer.

Emerald Green Sapa there are only two months of the year, in June and July, when the rice sprouts are only gaining strength.

Golden orange this place becomes in August-September, when the rice is almost ripe and 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- this is the time to knead the mud when the terraces are being prepared for the May sowing.

*** Results ***

Whether to devote 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 calm and comfortable stay at the hotel, then this is the place for you.

As I wrote above, the route can be chosen depending on the degree of physical fitness. There is a wonderful cable car to the top of the mountain, which I left without attention, 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. You also don’t need to know English well, here nobody knows it perfectly well, you don’t need to have a lot of money to see the most beautiful places in the world - my trip turned out to be very budgetary.

Enjoy your travels and good mood!

P.S. Having met this monster of a pangolin in the mountains of northern Vietnam, do not even think about taking it with you, warn the posters at the Hanoi airport.

And it’s even strange that someone might have similar desires at the sight of this incomprehensible animal, I wanted to run away from him in the opposite direction.

Sapa is a small town in the mountains in the north of Vietnam, 300 km from Hanoi. What's in Sapa? Rice terraces, mountains, unparalleled views and ancient Chinese tribes. Even if you've already been everywhere in Vietnam, Sapa will surprise you.

Photos of Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. Distance to the border with China 35 km. Sapa, like, 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 can 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

Travel guides recommend spring and fall. It is very cold in winter and rains in summer. We arrived in Shapa at the end of October and despite the advice that September and October are some of the best months to visit Sapa, it was foggy.

Shapa in the fog

On the first day there was almost no fog, and on the second a white cloud covered the city. It is probably best to come in spring or September. Plus, in October, the already harvested rice and rice terraces are not so impressive.

Several 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 all over the world.

SaPa developed city

In the first seconds in Sapa, we hardly believed that we had arrived in the village. This is not for you, with which we previously compared Sapa. And not even. Everything is developed in Sapa, even more than in some parts of Hanoi.

Day 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 shops, several supermarkets, full-fledged branches of Agribank banks, 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 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 is taking pictures

Lake with beautiful evening illumination on a foggy evening

The embankment of the lake in Sapa reminded us

Life is in full swing everywhere. Vietnamese and Europeans fill cafes and restaurants. Music plays, people take pictures and are glad that they got here. Everything is really well-groomed in the center of Sapa. Garbage is not lying on the roadside, but in garbage dumps, the streets are clean and does not smell of anything. Only the roads are bad. We breathed in the mountain air so much that we both have dreams all night long

Where can I book a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online, paid with a card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name. Drove to the hotel in a comfortable car. We have already talked about their experience in this article

Who lives in Sapa

What do we know about Sapa? Almost nothing. Scraps of sources that say that the population of Sapa mainly consists of the ancient peoples of China, the Black Hmong and Red Dao tribes. A distinctive feature of which is clothing. The Hmongs have it black, while the Tao wear red headdresses and the women shave the hair on their foreheads and at the temples.

Tourism comes first

All residents, whoever they are, are ordinary Vietnamese who maintain hotels or cafes, live in tourism, in fact, like the rest of Sapa. Women in national dress work with tourist guides and sell souvenirs. In the city center, dirty kids from the tribe sell baubles to tourists, but they don't pester much.

In these 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 for the people properly. 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 to all the interesting places, but at the end of the trip, you must buy something from her and her friends.

It should be noted that red Dao come across much less often than black Hmong and they are less clingy.

Tao's red hats 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 the children to the same simple job.

We must give them their due, since 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 go about in everyday life, which makes them different from the rest of the Vietnamese.

But to call the way of life of these peoples primitive, my tongue will not turn. The Hmongs already speak English with might and main, know how to drive up to a gape at the ATM and enjoy all the benefits of civilization.

Modern large telephones can be seen in the hands of the Hmong, and the 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 their TV is probably not in their shed.

They all look unusual and strange. I 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. It is they who live a 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 drizzling rain interrupted our walk and we had to return.

So we walk along Sapa, as warm as possible and with an umbrella

Cafes and restaurants in Sapa

The North of Vietnam will feed the traveler as it should. In Sapa, at every turn there are cafeterias, stalls with baguettes, unpretentious eateries for locals, decent cafes and restaurants.

Two-storey restaurants overlooking the lake in the city center. Pubs with billiards, where American and European youth like to spend evenings with loud music

You can go to different establishments three times a day and you can't go around everything. We had no desire to eat in different cafes every time, as we have already learned from the experience of experimenting 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 large and the prices are lower than in Hanoi. Dishes average 50 to 100 VND. Our account for two is about 200 dongs ($ 10). The food is delicious, beautiful, which is already a success for Vietnam, since Vietnamese usually do not bother with the appearance of the dishes. When ordering a duck, they can bring you a bird right with its head on a plate.

Sesame meat, Sapa's feature

Stir-fried poultry meat in a cast-iron skillet is a local northern cuisine. The most delicious vegetable rolls in Vietnam I ate in Sapa. The cream of chicken soup was surprisingly onion-free. Fried rice with vegetables - this is a portion for three, I couldn't even finish eating it!

What to eat in Sapa

In Sapa, we tried different dishes. Of the traditional ones, I especially liked the tea with apple and cinnamon. It’s the very thing to warm up 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

Hotel construction is underway in Sapa. In the more recent vacant lots, builders are erecting huge hotels with panoramic views of the rice fields. People build by hand, with little or 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, like on the streets of Thailand. Cats in this country have always been disliked. But for some reason there are a lot of animals in Sapa. Here you and chickens with roosters, dogs of different breeds, buffaloes, pigs, large spiders and unusual butterflies.

A faithful red-haired friend entertained us in a cafe while waiting for an order

Large breeds of dogs live in every home. Pigs and chickens with chickens roam the villages

Cheap hotels in Sapa with view

Hotels in Sapa are a real find for travelers. Most of the hotels have a good view or a shared balcony. We recommend choosing hotels in Sapa with a view, for which it is worth paying an extra couple of dollars here. The price of the room, as a rule, will include breakfast, and the rooms themselves are much more modern than in the capital of Vietnam. And at the same time they are cheaper.

• 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. Even not so much rice terraces as the city itself, its inhabitants, its atmosphere, food and a simple, but at the same time, quite difficult way of life. I will not deny that we are also imbued with nature. Even in the fog, Sapa's colors seemed to us the richest than in the whole of Vietnam, and we passed it now, consider that all.

In Vietnam, there is always some kind of dust coating everywhere. A rich palette of colors is lacking. The photo shows that you are, as it were, in Asia, but not in some tropical colorful country, which you draw in your imagination. Here Sapa brought this imagination to life.

Sapa has become for us the brightest spot in northern Vietnam. From the main attractions of the north, we put Sapu in the first place, Halong in the second, Ninh Binh in the third. Well, Hanoi, of course, is also worth your attention.

This is what Sapa looks like in clear weather.

If we somehow find ourselves in Hanoi in the spring, we will definitely go to Shapa again to see the mountains and rice fields at their best. I just hope that next time the weather will be lucky.

In the following articles, we will tell you about our hotel and the Kat-Kat village with a waterfall and a mountain river.

Have you been to Sapa? Write your feedback in the comments. If you didn't know about such a city, write, was it interesting to read? Did you feel like going there yourself?

Located in the northern mountains of Vietnam, the city of Sapa is a must-see for visitors to Vietnam due to its natural beauty, comfortable weather and many attractions. In this article, you will find the information you need to travel to this piece of paradise.

Sapa - a small town in the mountains of Vietnam

Sapa is beautiful at different times of the year. If you want to see the peach blossom, you must 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 Lao Tsai province, northwestern Vietnam, 380 km from Hanoi, near the border with China. The highest mountain in Vietnam, Fanshipan, rises next to Sapa, which is 3143 meters above sea level.

Sapa is a quiet, mountainous city and also a haven for diverse ethnic groups. The total population is 36 thousand people. Most of the locals work on the mountain slopes. The main foods are rice and corn.

The geographical location of the area makes it a truly unique place for the growth of many unusual plants and exotic animals, which attracts many tourists.

Shapa Map

How to get there

From Kiev, Moscow and other large cities, you can fly by plane to Hanoi, 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 travel an hour by regular bus to Sapa. A regular compartment train ticket costs from 375 thousand 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 bus "sleeper bass". The ticket costs from $ 18 (about 360 thousand dong). The bus arrives at Lao Cai Station, from where regular buses leave for Sapa.

Climate and weather by month

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 colder in December and January. Sapa has subtropical summers, mild winters and 160 days of fog.
The average annual rainfall in Sapa is 2763 mm, 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 in July and August.

The prevailing wind direction for 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 valleys, but these areas are usually less humid than mountain slopes.

The main attractions of the city

Visiting any city means getting to know its sights. Sapa in this regard can surprise even experienced tourists.

Be sure to visit these places:

1. It is one of the most interesting ethnic markets in Vietnam and possibly all of Southeast Asia. Sunday is Bak Ha market day. On this day, locals gather here in huge crowds to exchange the latest news, gossip, as well as shopping and a hearty lunch.

   
   
   

2. Love market. Various performances and shows are held here. He works on Saturday evening.
3. The path leading to this mountain consists of many stone steps along a winding path. About halfway through, you will encounter an orchid garden with a wide variety of these plants. Standing on the highest point of Mount Hamrong, you will have a breathtaking view of the picturesque town of Sapa. In the spring, the mountain is covered with bright colors.

   
   
   

4. located in the very center of the city. You can ride a boat on it or just walk around it.

   
   
   

5. ... 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.

   
   
   

6. Terraced fields- a feature of this area. Here the locals grow rice. Using the experience of previous generations, they were able to carry water from the tops of the mountains to their foothills without destroying the mountains themselves.

Did you know? There are a lot of Buddhist temples in Vietnam. Although it is a mistake to think that the Vietnamese are Buddhists. 80% of them are atheists and only 9% are Buddhists.

What to see for tourists in the vicinity

Outside Sapa, there are many beauties to see:

1. Field of the ancients... There are over 200 painted and painted boulders here. They are of 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.
2. Climbing it will take approximately 7 hours. It is better to climb with a guide, as you can get lost because of the fog.

   
   
   

3. : located 10 km from the city. This place has ancient cave paintings and mysterious inscriptions. In Muong Hoa Valley, many travelers choose to walk to explore the life and culture of the indigenous peoples while watching the Muong Hoa Falls pass through beautiful terraced rice fields.

   
   

4. 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.
5. Thak-Bak waterfall or Silver Falls. It is especially beautiful during the rainy season.

   
   
   

6. - the highest in Vietnam. On the way to it, you can enjoy nature and beautiful landscapes.

   
   
   

7. The villages of Kat Kat and Ta Fin... It will appeal to those interested in local culture. Visiting Kat Kat is paid, and Ta Fin 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. There is a small hotel in the village of Ta Fin for those who want to stay here.

Important!In especially popular places, where many tourists often congregate, you need to be on the lookout: valuable things and money can be stolen from you without even noticing it.

Hotels

Sapa has a good selection of hotels. The room rate, as a rule, includes breakfast, and the rooms themselves are comfortable and equipped with heating.

Most popular hotels:

Did you know? Sapa is the only city in Vietnam with heating in hotels. In old 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. The largest market in the area is Bak Ha Market. Here, locals sell hand-made goods: pillowcases, bedspreads, paintings, silver jewelry, and 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 is an amazing place to visit when planning your itinerary to Vietnam. Here you can enjoy the unusually beautiful nature and plunge into the life and culture of local residents. You will remember such a journey for a long time!