Sa Pa Favorites

Favorite thing: Was a bit surprised when a Vietnamese from Hanoi at a hotel up in Sapa was "badmouthing" the local Hmongs. Apparently there is an element of mistrust between the groups. It was said that the many of the hill tribes had sided with the French against the Vietnamese. But that was history.

Out of the over Vietnam's 70 million population, 6-7 millions are from over 54 ethnic groups.

Ethnic minority groups with members numbering upwards of 500,000 include the Tay (Tho), Tai (Thai), Hmong (Meo or Miao), Muong (Mol) and Nung.

Favorite thing: If your schedule is possible, try to visit Sapa on weekdays when there are fewer tourists. On weekends, you will run into tourists who may outnumber the locals.

I went on a weekday and got all the attention of the local trying to sell me something.

It is nice to share the mountain air with less people.

Favorite thing: If you want to take photographs of green lush rice fields, it is important you come at the right season. I was there in August, it was green and wonderful. Another friend went on a different time of the year and saw brown empty fields after harvest instead.

So check on the rice planting season if you have a choice of which month to go to Sapa.

Favorite thing: I bought my Sapa train+van+hotel+tour package in Hanoi. I was shown pictures of a nice new hotel overlooking the valley. When I arrived at my hotel in Sapa, the only room left was a windowless room. I decided to protest and finally upgraded my room by paying more and got a fantastic large room with a balcony and wonderful valley view.

So be sure that when you pay for your package to specify that you want room with a balcony and a valley view. It is worth it.

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Favorite thing: Almost all the hotels at Sapa have good locations overlooking the mountains and towns, including Royal View Hotel which I stayed. The views from my room balcony were fantastic as well as the restaurant of the hotel. I was very lucky that the weather was clear and sunny during my visit :)

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Favorite thing: When you are in Sapa, it is very likely that you will see or be approached by children of the ethnic minority groups. These children are very cute but some of them will ask for money or some gifts from you. You will also see many children during you trek to the various villages.

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Favorite thing: Because Sapa is in a mountainous region, there are many beautiful valleys and rivers in this region. During trekking, you will be able to experience their beauty and might, and they will make your trekking tougher because you need to go up, down, sideways and crossing the bridges across the rivers :)

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Favorite thing: Besides the water buffalos and black pigs, you will be able to see lots of poultry at the villages and rice terraces of Sapa. You will see the mother hen and her chicks walking around, the ducks swimming in the water or sun-tanning and there are also horses roaming around in these places (you will sometimes see the horses galloping, very beautiful indeed).