Lao Cai Things to Do

The price 4 renting a moto-bike is very cheap, ard 7-8$ for 1 hour, I paid only 15$ for all day.

Its really cool when driving down the gently sloping roads around the mountains under the sun. You can visit some villages of ethnic people on the way & can also have meals with them with only 1-2$ :)

Sapa market is a crowdy and lively market.

The ground floor is the wet market; the first floor is where the minority sell their handicrafts.. their blankets, traditional clothes, hats etc.

The hill tribe people dressed in their traditional clothes and buy/ sell in the market. Very colouful and fascinating. I especially like the kids living here, they have curios eyes and red cheeks, very sweet.

To visit this waterfall is a must when you are in Cat Cat village. There are minorities, particularly black hmong gathered at this rest point, talking and selling stuff to the travelers.

A lot of minority kids, some are infant carried by their mother or sisters, receiving candies or cookies from travelers.

Travel agencies do the trip but you can do it yourself. Pay the entrance fee and there are road leading you in the village.

Of course with tour, they might bring you to visit the black hmong house; and of course, in this way the black hmong will welcome you more than those did it alone.

According to Lonely Planet, if you only have a few hours in Sapa, dont forget to visit Ham Rong Mountain and most importantly, climb up the trail to the radio tower. It says that this is where you can get the rewarding nice view..

The picture is the radio tower.. however, too foggy to have any view other than foggy view..

This is weird.. when i go in i need to pay the entrance fee.. there was a lady sitting on the road up the mountain and collect money..

but..

when I came down from the hill at around 1pm.. the whole counter just gone!

may be there are different batches? Morning batch need to pay but afternoon batch dont?!

On the way of our trekking path, we stopped at this waterfall spot for a rest. It was very nice. Didnt expect to see one up here.

Also, here there will be the hill tribe girls waiting to sell you, again, braclets, blankets..the usual stuff they make.

I think its a better idea to hire a local guide to take you to trek in Sapa. Simply cos they know the way better. They will take you through the mountains to two main villages - Lao Cai and Cat cat. Along the way, you will go through rice paddies, cross some streams and water falls. The view is fascinating. You will see the hill tribe people along the way. Some are out in the fields collecting corns and sugar canes.

Our guide was friendly. He could actually walk without having to watch his steps while I was kinda clumsy and had to watch almost every single step. I got to enjoy the views once in a while though. Even so, it was a nice experience.