Prepared detailed guide about Sapa in Vietnam. See rice terraces, meet the dawn in the mountains, take the funicular up above the clouds and get to know the real Hmong!

Sapa - what is it?

Halong Bay with its emerald water and bizarre rocks is worth seeing at least once. But I want to reveal a secret: in the north of Vietnam there is an even more colorful and authentic place. Its name is Sapa.

This Small town ok, built by the French in 1910, is located almost on the border with China. From the very first minutes, it makes a pleasant impression: neat and clean streets, an abundance of flowers and greenery in the scenery, architecture with European-style elements, and many cozy cafes.

Surprisingly, tourism here began to develop only in 1993. Now it seems that it is literally created for tourists. Wherever you look, everything is pleasing to the eye.

However, the main charm of Sapa is different. From almost anywhere in the city, a breathtaking view of the mountain gorge opens up. And this is not a simple gorge - down there, for many, many kilometers, the most picturesque rice terraces stretch.

Interestingly, all this is perceived as a miracle of nature, but the rice terraces are created by people. Perhaps this is the case when the environment and man live in harmony. And you, contemplating these beauties, created with such love, as if you become a part of something great and eternal.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to go to Sapa is from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It is possible by train, but it takes as long as 9 hours and stops in the city of Lao Cai, from where you still need to take a bus / taxi to Sapa.

Personally, I had the experience of traveling to Sapa by bus. And not on the usual, but on the slipping bass (from the English "sleeping bus" - sleeping bus). It looks like a classic 2-story bus. But inside it is like a big reserved seat! There are not just seats that recline a little, as in our Russian buses and planes. You have full-fledged lying places with blankets, pillows and shelves for food / drinks.

It was so comfortable that I fell asleep like a baby. And despite the fact that we often drove along the mountain serpentine, I did not get sick at all. Travel time takes 5-6 hours. If you go in the morning/afternoon, the bus will make a half-hour stop at one of the cafes along the way. Toilet, if anything, is in the bus itself.

Slipping basses are cheaper than trains. The price is about 700-800 rubles. Tickets can be bought at any travel agency in the center of Hanoi. You may also be offered a two- or three-day package tour to Sapa for about 6-7 thousand rubles.

Where is the best place to stay?

The city has a very large selection of hotels at affordable prices - from 700 rubles per night.

Closer to the countryside and in the villages themselves, the Homestay format is common - living in a house with the owners. In such places, the price for accommodation is generally ridiculous - from 150 rubles per night. The only difficulty is getting to the city is far and inconvenient. And do not expect special amenities - most often, for such a price they offer shared 6- or 8-bed rooms. But this way you can completely immerse yourself in the local culture and customs, spend a sincere evening with your host family.

I found a hotel within walking distance from the center - Sapa Scenery Hotel. He had a very tempting promotion - a 2-bed deluxe room with panoramic windows and a private balcony overlooking the gorge, for 1100 rubles per day. I decided to allow myself such a luxury for one day. And never regretted it!

When I got to the hotel, I could not get enough of its location right next to the gorge. And my number was simply royal! In the distance, among the clouds, Mount Fansipan peeped out - the highest point not only in Vietnam, but throughout South-East Asia(3143 m above sea level).

What to see?

1. Cable car and funicular

As soon as I checked in, the owner of the hotel advised me to take a ride on the cable car leading to Fansipan through the rice terraces. And a funicular leads to the cable car itself from the center of Sapa. I decided to go explore. It was worth walking a few meters from the hotel, as a high-flying train opened up.

"What is this? Road to Hogwarts? – was my first thought. It turned out that this is the same funicular to the cable car! “No, well, it’s a sin not to ride like that!” I decided and enthusiastically ran to look for the point of its departure.

The funicular boarding station is located in the bright and majestic building of the Mgallery Hotel, reminiscent of a bit of Big Ben. And inside, it’s true “hello” to platform 9 and 3/4! All that was missing was young wizards with carts running out of the wall.

The funicular started and left the dark tunnel into the sun-drenched Sapa. Oh, how high we were, as if we were already riding a cable car. And the rice terraces, which were practically below us, created a truly fabulous effect! The train, which develops a maximum speed of up to 10 m/s, includes two carriages with panoramic windows and a capacity of 200 passengers.

Having reached the station from where the cable car to Fansipan begins, I was very embarrassed by the price to the top of the mountain - 2000 rubles, while the funicular cost 200 rubles. Maybe I would have forked out, if not for the afternoon, when it began to slowly get dark. Yes and opening hours cable car limited - from 7 am to 6 pm. According to experienced travelers, the visibility on the mountain is the best in the morning after 9 o'clock.

In the end, I decided to stay and explore the nearest space - the tourist area of ​​Sun World's Fansipan Legend. She turned out to be very interesting! At least it's worth stopping here to:

• Enjoy the expanses of well-groomed and beautifully decorated flower beds.
• Admire the rice terraces from the observation deck
• Count the dragons on the roof Buddhist temple located next to the lookout. Here you can also listen to the music of the wind, which enlivens the bells standing along the temple.
• Take a walk along the picturesque paths in the hilly area and find funny huts resembling the houses of fairy-tale creatures.
• Get to know other tourists in a calm and unhurried atmosphere.

Most of the tourists in Sapa are from Europe. I managed to meet two women from Luxembourg. They turned out to be the most unusual fellow travelers of the whole trip! These active, inquisitive and cheerful laughter girls charged me for several days. And when I found out that they were both 72 years old, my world turned upside down. And it will probably never be the same again. I don't seem to be afraid of getting old anymore.

2. Beautiful sunrises

Waking up early and seeing the city floating in the clouds is what you should definitely do in Sapa.

Despite the wonderful view from the window of the room, I took the camera and ran outside in search of other shooting points. Sapa greeted me with closed cafes and empty streets lit by soft sunlight. The landscapes changed every 5 minutes: the morning fog either dissipated or thickened, the colors constantly flowed one into the other, becoming richer and brighter.

Suddenly, I noticed a local old woman selling textiles on one of the streets. My first thought was that she must be in a bad way if she has to get up so early for work. Why is there a smile on her face then? Why does it emanate radiance, love of life and peace? And her eyes! When you look into them, you absorb all the secrets of life and age-old wisdom. She happily posed for me and did not even bother asking me to buy anything. Maybe she also loves the morning time and was just glad to start a new day?

By the way, this granny is a representative of one of the ethnic groups that live in the Sapa area. Previously, I read about them on the Internet, and according to the descriptions, it looks most like the Hmong.

3. Mountain villages with ethnic settlements and rice terraces

In any travel agency in Sapa or even in your hotel, you can buy a tour of the villages. I was offered a 5-hour walk with an English-speaking guide and lunch included for only 600 rubles.

There were 4 other people in the group with me: a young couple from Germany and a mother and son from Ireland. Our escorts were a local English speaking guide and two lovely schoolgirls. These fragile creatures, who are no more than 10 years old, helped adults cross unreliable bamboo bridges, gave hands during steep climbs and calmed us when we stumbled and almost fell.

The female guide told a lot of interesting things about the locals along the way. The mountain villages in the vicinity of Sapa are predominantly Hmong and Ziao, each separate ethnic group has its own language (in addition to Vietnamese), customs, traditional clothing and beliefs.

The Hmong are an ethnic minority whose descendants from China migrated to Vietnam in the 19th century, and today the Hmong live in the mountains near the Chinese border. Their main activities are animal husbandry and rice cultivation. However, many Hmong women are exclusively engaged in needlework and selling handbags, belts, bracelets, etc.

Traditional Hmong clothing and ornamental embroidery on it are sacred. And those who wear it believe that they become protected from evil spirits and all that is bad.

The Hmong people are outwardly recognizable - they are smiling, friendly and have expressive faces! This once again confirms that I was not mistaken about that granny in Sapa. True, most often the Hmong use this to melt the hearts of tourists and empty their wallets. Unfortunately, people from traditional tribes make up the poorest sections of Vietnamese society.

Along the way, we met a lot of children who were left to their own devices. In one of the villages where we went, there were also only children. The adults seemed to be in the rice fields at the time.

Rice is one of the most difficult crops to grow. It is especially difficult for those who cultivate fields on the slopes of the mountains, because the rice field must be flat, so you have to create small islands that follow one after another, like stairs. That is why in Sapa the rice terraces have such a cascading shape.

During the walk, the female guide regularly asked if we needed a rest. During one of these breaks, she took a knife out of her bag and began to cut branches. I really didn’t understand what was happening: are we going to burn a fire or what? But having cleared one of the branches, she began to gnaw at it. She suggested other branches to us. “Thank you, of course, but I’m not that hungry yet!” Fortunately, the Irishman then enlightened me, explaining that she offers to taste real cane sugar.

Only 5 hours of excursion, and the feeling that we wandered around for at least a day. Not a single repetitive landscape, not a dull moment, despite the absence of civilization as such. This land of mountain landscapes, cascading rice terraces, amazing sunrises, friendly people and original streets will remain forever in my heart!

The places I have listed are far from a complete list of what else you can see in Sapa. Therefore, I advise you to book in advance for a trip to Sapa a full 2-3 days. In my case, it took a little over a day. But even if your time is limited, it is better to come here at least for a day than not to come at all.

Among Russians, Sapa is not yet very popular, but in Vietnam itself they are very proud of this place. You will always be prompted how to get there by train, bus or any other way. Seeing this beauty, you will not regret the time and effort spent on the road. Sapa is worth it!

Sapa- 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 the whole of Indochina is located - Mount Fansipan (3143 meters). The provincial capital is the city of Lao Cai. The area of ​​the whole province is 8 thousand square meters. km, the population - a little more than 600 thousand people. In addition to the Vietnamese themselves, numerous mountain peoples live in the province of Lao Cai - 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 night Train which saves the cost of lodging). From the station in Laocai every hour there is a bus to Sapa. There is also a bus that goes from Hanoi directly to Sapa. Departure at 5 am, travel time - 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 near it are almost the only place in Vietnam where you can see snow. Most precipitation falls in July-August.

STORY

The French took up the arrangement of the resort here at the beginning of the 20th century. Captivated by the beauty of these places and at the same time 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 here. Unfortunately, during the wars, almost all of these buildings were destroyed.
A few years ago, Sapa was reopened to tourists and has become one of the most popular destinations for both Vietnamese and foreign travelers.

ATTRACTIONS OF SAPA

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

Mount Fansipan - highest peak in Indochina - 3143 meters. 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 platform was discovered here, which is considered a monument of ancient Vietnamese civilization.
Higher at an altitude of 1300-1400 m above sea level, a narrow strip of the foot of the mountain stretches. The terrain changes as you go up. The borders 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, blurry silhouette. Rich vegetable world Fansipan has about 1700 species of plants, many of which are rare and valuable.
This area invariably attracts fans of extreme tourism. Although the top of the mountain is only 7 km bird's eye view from the city of Lao Cai, however, it will take 6-7 days to climb it!

Mountain Dragon Jaw. It is located just 2 km from the center of Sapa. mountain range resembles a huge dragon curled up in a ball.

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

Bak Ha Fair- the largest fair of mountain peoples in North Vietnam. Bak Ha is a small town located 80 km northeast of Sapa. The fair is organized on Sundays. For the local population, it's not just

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 features of the mountainous area suggest that most of the sights will be located high above sea level, and during the tour, all new amazing beauties will, as if by magic, appear in front of you from a haze of light mountain fog. The best time to visit this area is from May to November.

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

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

There are several ethnic groups living in and around the city, which differ in the color of their traditional dress. There are many villages around the city, almost all of them have preserved their medieval appearance. Most of the inhabitants lead secluded lives.

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, the local population, nature and the surrounding landscapes.

On the market

Many come to the city of Sapa to get to know the local way of life, learn about ethnic population and broaden your 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 and handmade souvenirs.

The city is hardly suitable for recreation for the duration of 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 are not so many entertainments 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, cycling through the highlands densely covered with greenery. The most exotic vacation option - hiking trails to villages and living in houses 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 the history of the city is told in detail. The exposition is not too rich, but the entrance to the museum is free, and 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.

Helpful information:

• Each visitor is invited to make a voluntary donation;
• The museum is open from 7:30 to 17:00;
• The attraction is located near central square.

stone church

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

Helpful information:

• Service times: on weekdays and on Saturday - 5:00, 18:30 and 19:00; on Sunday - at 8:30, 9:00 and 18:30.
• 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 - lovely way to know unique flora and fauna of the region. It's well maintained 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 Observation deck located at an altitude of 1.8 km. To get to the top and view the mountain, it is better to allocate at least 2 hours.

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

Love Market

The unusual name of the attraction is associated with the history of this place. Previously, boys and girls 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, their actors ask in exchange for songs.

Note: Admission is free, but actors need to be given a nominal fee. The performance is shown on Saturdays, in the evening, it takes place on the main square.

main market

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

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

Attractions around Sapa

Thac Bac Waterfall

It is 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 is significantly reduced in size.

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

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

• Entrance fee - 10 thousand dong.
• You can visit the attraction daily from 6:30 to 19:30.
• Getting to the waterfall is easy - it is located 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 Fansipan mountain range in the north. From here you have an amazing view of Vietnam. The only thing that can overshadow the view of the landscape is fog and clouds.

The pass separates two zones with different climatic conditions. As soon as you cross Tram Ton, instead of coolness, you feel the hot climate of the tropics. As a rule, tourists combine visiting the pass and the waterfall, they are located 3 km from each other. Near mountain road there are shops. The distance from the city to the pass is approximately 17 km.

Tourists with locals in one of the villages

There are regular departures from the city to the surrounding villages. excursion tours. They are sold by travel agencies in hotels and just on the street. Some excursions are conducted by local residents who have already retrained as guides.

Some hiking trails are quite difficult, so it is recommended to go through them exclusively as part of an excursion group. You can also arrange an individual walk with a guide. The cost depends on their duration:

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

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

• visiting the village on average will cost 40 thousand dong for adults and 10 thousand dong for children;
• it is better to come by bike and rent a room in a 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 will undoubtedly be an exciting and unforgettable adventure in life. During the trip, you will get acquainted with the amazing flora and fauna, and, having reached the top, you will feel that you have overcome yourself.

There are several tourist routes, which differ in the degree of complexity:

• one-day - designed for hardy people who are ready for intense physical activity;
• two-day - involves spending the night in a specially equipped camp, which is organized at an altitude of approximately 2 km;
• three-day - involves two overnight stays - 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. Things should be at least.

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 environs a unique appearance and color. Terraced fields are located in the vicinity of Sapa. From afar, it seems that rivers of rice are rolling down from the mountains.

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 forces of nature, to conquer territories, but at the same time live in harmony with it.

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

Peoples of Sapa

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

Black Hmong

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

Women have beautiful, black hair, arranged in a fancy ring and secured with many hairpins. Large earrings in the ears are considered the standard of beauty, they are worn in 5-6 pairs. The Hmong are sociable, if you need a guide to the mountains, choose among the women of this nationality. The Hmong sell many souvenirs in the city market of Sapa.

Red Dao (Zao)

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

Representatives of these nationalities marry early - at the age of 14-15. There are many children in their families, by the age of 40 an average of 5-6 children are born. In the vicinity of Sapa there are mixed villages where Hmong and Tao live in neighboring houses, but they prefer to appear separately in public places.

Tai and Giai

Together they make up 10% of the population of Sapa. However, in Vietnam, the Tai people are numerous. Their way of life is associated with agriculture, rice cultivation and the worship of gods and spirits. Representatives of these nationalities 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 rice fields. Clothing in indigo tones is made of cotton, the style is reminiscent of tunics from China, complemented by bright belts.

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

You can travel in two ways.

If you do not want to solve a lot of organizational issues, just buy a tour from Hanoi. The price includes round-trip tickets, hotel accommodation and program. The cost will cost an average of $ 100 and varies depending on the richness 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 the tourist area, near the lake. From Sapa transport comes here.

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

On a note! You can also buy a return ticket at a travel agency. If you buy it at the ticket office of the bus station, the bus will take you to the bus station, not to the lake. The cost of a one-way ticket is about $17. IN holidays 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 see it on foot. It's more interesting and educational. public transport not 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 cost of rent is about $5-8 per day.

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

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

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

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

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Sapa (Vietnam)- in Wikipedia the name is translated - "hoe" - a small town founded in 1910, thanks to the French colony. From the end of the twentieth century, the tourism business began to unwind. Now it is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, where energetic and versatile personalities are sent.

The city is called by a couple of names - Sapa and Shapa. On the map, it is located in the province of Lao Cai, in the north-west of the state, almost on the border with China.

general information

In the county, the population is made up of ethnic groups that differ in the color scheme of traditional dress. Near the town a large number of medieval villages. Peoples adhere to a detached way of life.

Why should you visit Sapa? Sapa is a completely different Vietnam - expressive, authentic. Differs in weather and natural conditions, relief, indigenous people. According to the reviews of tourists, there are all conditions for excellent shopping - high-quality fabrics and various hand-made items are sold at retail outlets. This place is perfect for a short trip. There are practically no entertainment establishments, but good infrastructure, a large selection of housing.

Important to remember! There is no beach in the city! Hiking, various walks, guest tours to the villages of local residents.

How to get there? Sapa is a small city in a mountainous area and you can only get here by bus. From Hanoi to Sapa, the distance is almost four hundred kilometers, the duration of the journey is approximately ten hours.

More shipments are from Halong. The ticket price is twenty-five dollars, but they go in transit through Hanoi.

Attractions in the city

The most basic- the center of the settlement and the market. There are cafes and restaurants, various trading shops, a walk along the pond on a rented boat.

Sapa Museum. A detailed account of the fate of the settlement. The exhibit is not large, but the ticket to the museum is not paid, but you can make a donation if you wish.

catholic temple or stone church located in the central square of Sapa. Built at the beginning of the twentieth century from stone, inside is restrained decoration. Worship services are being held. At night, it is lit up with lights and looks unique. There is no entry fee.

Base Ham Rong mountains is located in the central part of the city. Climbing to the peak is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna. It's tidied up beautiful park decorated with gardens and waterfalls.

The road is winding - it goes down, then it rises. It takes at least a couple of hours. Price - 70,000 VND, for children - 20,000 VND.

Ham Rong pass- the path lies at an altitude of two kilometers through the Fansipan mountain range on the north side. The panorama is mesmerizing! But there is often increased cloudiness or nebula, which can make it difficult to see.

Love Market- an interesting name has long roots. Previously, there was a gathering of young people for the purpose of acquaintance and serious relationships. Currently, the market hosts a show on the first day off. Artists sing, collect money in return, but the entrance ticket is not paid.

main market is the center of the town. Here they sell and buy everything possible - ready-made food, household products, mountain equipment. The market operates only during daylight hours, admission is free.

Nearby attractions.

Tha Bak Waterfall(Silver) one hundred meters high is located ten kilometers from the town. The waterfall radiates grandiosity and dazzle mainly in the rainy season, in the drought - the dimensions are rather modest. Not far from it there are stalls and parking. On the way up there are pavilions. They are allowed to rest and take pictures. Admission ticket worth ten thousand dong. The waterfall is located north of Sapa.

Mount Fansipan has the highest mark of Indochina - 3.1 kilometers.

It is possible to climb to the top by routes of different complexity:

• one-day - designed for persistent people who are not afraid of an increased load;
• two-day - with an overnight stay in a prepared camp at an altitude of two kilometers;
• three-day - with a couple of overnight stays - in the camp and at the top.

All required equipment is provided by tour coordinators. It is advisable to take closed shoes, a raincoat, a change of clothes and energy food (bars, nuts) with you. The price of the tour varies from thirty dollars, a trip from Hanoi will cost one hundred and fifty dollars.

Journeys to the Indigenous People. Excursions often run from the town to the nearest settlements. The price depends on the complexity and duration of the chosen route: one-day - twenty dollars, two-day - forty dollars.

On a note! Self-conquest of the summit and travel to the villages of Ta Van and Ban Ho are prohibited. You can get lost!

Tips: it is better to come to rest on motor vehicles and rent accommodation in a guesthouse; For independent travelers- join a group get acquainted in advance with the cost of residential properties and, if possible, book!

Terraced rice fields endow the landscape of the area with a special uniqueness. It feels like rice rivers are rolling down from the mountains. The old fields were formed by the population over several centuries. It is a symbol of the immeasurable creative human resource and the courage of mankind to fight against nature itself, to conquer lands, but not to forget about harmony. Irrigation systems are located from top to bottom and do not harm the mountain itself.

Ethnos of Sapa- these are peoples with individual rituals, language, civilization, way of life.

Black Hmong - numerous people. Their way of life is very similar to paganism - faith and worship of spirits. Headache is cured by applying a hot coin. The color scheme of the attire is black or dark blue. In the female half, black hair is collected in a hairstyle in the form of a ring with hairpins. An example to follow is large earrings in the ears in the amount of five to six pairs. They love to talk and are excellent guides to the mountainous regions. The Hmong sell souvenirs at Sapa outlets.

Red Dao (Zao)- Representatives of the tribe wear red scarves that look like a turban. Ladies shave their eyebrows, hair at the temples and forehead. This is a symbol of marriage. The people adopted rituals of sacrifice. The settlements are located far from the city, so excursions to those places are rare.

Tai and Giai account for ten percent of the inhabitants of Sapa. But throughout the country, the Tai tribe is large. They cultivate rice and pray to spirits and deities. Do not eat poultry meat. Indigo-colored robes are made of cotton, similar to Chinese tunics with colorful belts.

Cloth Giay rich pink hue, it is combined with green scarves. The people are not talkative and just do not meet.

Nestled in the northern mountains of Vietnam, Sapa City 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 necessary information for a trip to this paradise.

Sapa is a small town in the mountains of Vietnam

Sapa is beautiful in different seasons. If you want to see the peach blossom you should 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 the province of Lao Cai, northwestern Vietnam, 380 km from Hanoi, near the border with China. Near Sapa rises the most high mountain Vietnam, Fansipan, whose height is 3143 m above sea level.

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

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

Shapa Map

How to get there

From Kyiv, Moscow and other large cities, you can fly to Hanoi by plane, 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 on a regular bus to Sapa. A regular compartment train ticket costs from 375,000 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 sleeper bus. A ticket costs from 18 dollars (about 360 thousand dong). The bus arrives at Lao Cai station, from where regular buses leave for Sapa.

Climate and weather by months

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

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

The main attractions of the city

Visiting any city means familiarity with its sights. Sapa in this regard can surprise even experienced tourists.

Be sure to visit these places:

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

   
   
   

2. Love Market. Various performances and shows are arranged here. He works on Saturday evenings.
3. The path leading to this mountain consists of many stone steps on a winding path. About half way you will come across an orchid garden with a wide variety of these plants. Standing on my own high point Hamrong Mountains, you will have a breathtaking view of picturesque city Sapa. In spring, the mountain is covered with bright flowers.

   
   
   

4. located in the very center of the city. On it you can ride a boat or just take a walk near 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 is a feature of this area. Here the locals grow rice. Using the experience of previous generations, they were able to conduct water from the tops of the mountains to their foot without destroying the mountains themselves.

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

What to see for a tourist in the vicinity

Outside of Sapa, there are many beauties to see:

1. Field of the Ancients. There are more than 200 inscribed and painted boulders here. They have 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 make the ascent with a guide, as you can get lost because of the fog.

   
   
   

3. : located 10 km from the city. This place has ancient cave drawings and mysterious inscriptions. In the Muong Hoa Valley, many travelers choose to walk to explore the life and culture of the indigenous peoples while watching the Muong Hoa Waterfall as it passes 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. Cat Cat and Ta Phin Villages. Those who are interested in local culture will like it here. A visit to Cat Kat is paid, and Ta Phin 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. In the village of Ta Phin there is a small hotel for those who want to stay here.

Important!In especially popular places, where many tourists often concentrate, you need to be on the lookout: valuables and money can be stolen from you so that you don’t even notice it.

Hotels

In Sapa a good choice hotels. The room rate usually includes breakfast, and the rooms themselves are comfortable and equipped with heating.

The most popular hotels:

Did you know? Sapa is the only city in Vietnam where hotels have heating. In older 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 turn.
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 handmade goods: pillowcases, bedspreads, paintings, silver jewelry, 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 Vietnam itinerary. Here you can enjoy extraordinary beautiful nature and plunge into the life and culture of local residents. You will remember this trip for a long time!