Your Sapa tours are undergoing a splendid landscape of natural greenery and ethnic savory. The spectacular scenery that surrounds Sapa includes cascading ice terraces, vigorously lively hill-tribe ethnic villages and peaceful valleys. Sapa, said former Sapa travel fans, is a gateway to another world of mysterious minority cultures and luscious landscapes, revealing something different for your Vietnam tours.

The common sentiment among Vietnam travel folks seems to be: 'this place is beautiful - hope it doesn't lose its charm.' Yes, in Sapa tours, you would witness how the charm is kept in the smoothing greenery.

Once a remote hill station, Sa Pa is now the premier spot for Northwest Vietnam tours. In the center of town is the spectacle of Sa Pa's famed market, which has become a fixture on standard Indochina travel itineraries. Local H'mong girls approach travelers with high fives and questions in English; suspicious travelers assume this to be the lead-in to a sales pitch, which it often is. However, their kindness and spirited enthusiasm is genuine. To escape the capitalistic frenzy of it all, more and more visitors choose to come mid-week to see Sa Pa's true idyllic beauty. Trekking through the surrounding mountainside has an opportunity to visit picturesque villages and most notably those of the H'mong and Red Dao people. With the recent inundation of tourism, many of these villages have transformed into glorified shops where locals sell traditional garments to sweaty trekkers. A little respect on the part of travelers goes a long way. Leaving Sa Pa, though, might just be the best part, although be sure to leave the right way; the Sa Pa valley's magnificent mountains beckon dramatically westward to the untamed splendor of the provinces beyond.

Hikes to ethnic villages, past waterfalls, and through green rice fields offer magnificent views and an escape from Sapa's commercialism. H'mong people are easy to make friends with and can be the best insight into the customs and life of local minority for your Sapa vacation. Ma Cha and Ta Phin are two little cute villages tour showcases, where you would find the verdant fields and cultural splendor throughout the Sapa area. The Thac Bac Waterfall not far away, is also worthy a skip.

Sapa is the favorite summering place for not only the Vietnamese but also international travelers. To explore its hidden charm and undying hospitality, you might need IOT, the professional Sapa tour operator for an ideal Sapa vacation itinerary.


HO CHI MINH PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1. Getting there & away

Bus, minibus & motorbike

Train

2. Getting around

The best way to get around Sapa is to walk, and almost everywhere it’s steep! Anyone training for the Tour de France can rent a bicycle for the day, but you might spend half the time pushing it up steep, steep hills. For excursions further afield you can hire a self-drive motorbike from about US$6 a day, or take one with a driver for about US$10. Cars, 4WDs and minibuses are also available for hire through hotels, guesthouses and travel agents. Rates vary widely depending on the destination and the distance

3. Money & costs

Money