Why Visit Sapa?
The town of Sapa is in Lao Cai Province in the north west of Vietnam. Located approximately 350 km from Hanoi and very close to the Chinese border. Sapa is 1600 m above sea level and has Vietnam's highest mountain, Fan Si Pan just over 3000 m above sea level. It is a mountain town and has a population of around 36,000 people mainly minority groups. The landscapes around Sapa are breathtaking and a photographers dream.
While visiting Sapa you can experience authentic village life in the minority villages.
The ethnic groups wear traditional clothing in different colours depending on whch group they belong to. Most of the villagers welcom Western tourists as it is helping to bring a better standard of living with the money being spent in the villages. You can usually purchase some locally made crafts which make unique souvenirs to take home. Sapa township has a central market which is on every day. You can go on a treck in the Sapa area and visit traditional Mong Hill Tribe villages or go a little further out and experience the colourful Red Zday Ethnic People.
Most people grow crops of rice and corn. The farms are on terraced hills which look very picturesque when planted out and starting to grow. Water buffalo are still used to do the heavy work of ploughing and are much revered creatures. People still do things as they did for hundreds of years and you take a step back in time while wandering the villages and farms.
There are many quality hotels to choose from in Sapa or you can experience an authentic home stay where you are welcomed into a traditional family home.
The climate in Sapa is sub tropical in the summer and temperate during winter. The wet season is from May to September with the most rain falling in July and August. Sapa's weather is quite changeable. It can snow in Sapa in winter and also during this time many foggy and over cast days. The best time to travel to Sapa is March to May or September to early December when you have the best chance of pleasant weather but this is never guaranteed. Be prepared for all occasions by bringing layers of clothing and a water proof jacket in case of foggy, rainy weather. Some days start off great with sun shining and by lunch time the fog might roll in.
