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While chewing the Betel Nut is done throughout Vietnam I noticed it more in the Hill Tribe areas.
Betel nuts are fruits of a palm tree and are chewed and never swallowed. I hear they are quite strong...rather like chewing tabacco
Evidence of years of contant chewing can be seen in the red stained lips and black teeth of the chewers.
Written Nov 24, 2003
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Please be sensitive to people’s wishes and ask before taking photographs. I found that some people loved to get their photo taken (especially when they can see the result immediately…digital camera see my travelogues for some great stories about this) while others didn’t
I found children were the most receptive and the older the adult the less receptive they were. I have found that if I have candy, pencils or small gifts or toys I normally have a line of kids waiting to get their picture taken.
Most vendors will allow you to take pictures of them if you buy something from them. This is probably the prefered way since the goods are often inexpensive and since this is a relatively poor area your money can make a real difference in their lives.
Updated Nov 24, 2003
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The French dubbed the hill-tribe people the “Montagnards” (high landers or mountain people since the biggest congregation in Vietnam live in the mountains. The present government prefers the term “national minorities” another term often used is Moi…while many of the Vietnamese use this term…don’t use it yourself…it means savages and is a totally derogatory term for such wonderful people
Written Nov 24, 2003
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Dogs in this area are not considered pets, so they are not used to being handled and petted like dogs are in Western Countries....so it's safer not to try to pet or handle them
Dogs in this area are considered a delicacy and are breed for meals during special occasions. I was in Sapa in October/November and saw tons of puppies but no adult dogs...my guide told me that all but a few breading dogs had been eaten
Just some fun trivia…do you know where the term “Chow” came from (as in I’m ready for some Chow….or even the Chow Hall as in a military cafeteria) ? It came from the Chow Chow dog that the Chinese breed for food.
In Vietnam eating dog meat is totally acceptable. There are restaurants throughout the country that specialize in dog meat. There is no reason to worry that you’ll accidentally order dog meat in a restaurant since dog meat is considered a delicacy and is normally quite expensive (by Vietnamese standards). If your still worried (or if you want to give it a try) the Vietnamese word for dog meat is “Thit cho”
Updated Nov 24, 2003
Reviews and photos of Sa Pa attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Sa Pa sightseeing.
Dogs in this area are not considered pets, so they are not used to being handled and petted like dogs are in Western Countries....so it's safer not to try to...
Q: We are thinking of going to Sapa on the overnight train, spending the day, probably a Saturday and then back on the overnight...
A: Yes, you could do this. Its a chance for you to see some of the Vietnamese ethnic groups, and the scenery is lovely as well. I arrived on the early train, and booked a...
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1
Sapa - Mountain Magic of Northern Vietnam
Sapa is a small and picturesque hill town (former French stronghold) located in the mountainous area of Northern Vietnam close to the border with Yunnan province of China. This town is a main tourist...
2
Sapa - A Surprising Highland Wonderland
At first, I dread of the thought of going to Sapa because one has to take an overnight train to and from to Hanoi. and
3
Visited Vietnam in the midst of summer - guidebooks tell of rain storms, potential typhoons, leeches in the mountains... Fully geared with waterproof equipment to last me through Sapa. Was definitely...
4
The mountain views in Sapa (when the mist clears) are absolutely stunning. Chill out, enjoy the tranquil scenery and fresh air over a cup of coffee and french pastry; rough it out, hiking along muddy...
5
The premier destination of NW Vietnam - Sapa!
It used to be a hill station built in 1922. Nestled in a beautiful valley close to the Chinese border, the spectacular scenery that surrounds Sapa includes casacading rice terraces that hug the...
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