sapa trekking tour
Sapa is home to a wealth of colorful, diverse hill tribes, who have
steadfastly resisted integration into Vietnamese society and modern
life. In fact, the hill tribes, including the Hmong, Dao (Dzao), Tay,
Day (Dzay) and Xa Pho, comprise the majority of inhabitants in the
area, outnumbering the Vietnamese (Kinh) who prefer the warmer low
lands.
Sapa almost seems frozen in time because of its remoteness from the rest of the world. Even though many tourists visit it now, local customs prevail in Sapa. And no where is this manifested more vibrantly than in the attire of the people of Sapa. You can identify the tribe of a woman from her headdress. Dashing H'mong youth wear embroidered caps and waistbands that hold bone-handled knives. Children always look beautiful, more so when they are attired in little dresses that reflect ancient customs and traditions.
The hill station Sapa (also spelt Sapa), located 1,500 metres above sea level in the Fansipan Mountains, was set up by the French in 1922 as an outpost to China. Located near the Chinese border, it is 350 kilometres northwest of Hanoi. This area is also called the Tonkinese Alps.
This Sapa Destination Guide together with our Sapa Tour Suggestions will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit in Sapa. For tips on how to get around in Sapa, read our Sapa Transportation guide. For more interesting things to do in Vietnam, check out our Vietnam Destination Guide.
Ham Rong Mountain
Located just 1.5 kilometres from Sapa at a height of 1750 metres, the Ham Rong Mountain offers a panoramic view of Sapa. You can walk up to this vantage point - the trip to and fro will take you around 2.5 hours. The artificial orchid garden here is worth the trek. For 20,000 VND you can even attend a performance here by an ethnic community of Sapa. The programme starts at 10.30 daily and at 12.30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sapa Love Market
An ancient tradition that still finds an echo in the modern age, the Sapa Love Market attracts young Montagnards from neighbouring villages, in their best attire, on Saturdays. Red Dao people look especially stunning in their best red dresses, and the girls sing love songs to attract the boys. They try to hide in the dark shadows but not too carefully!
The boys are supposed to find these hidden girls. If they like each other, they spend three days in the forest, and once they return, they can get married if they'd like to. The market also attracts people who want to meet old paramours, or who just want to spend some time in the romantic surroundings. You have to wait till nightfall, around 8 p.m. for the Love Market to gather steam, but then love always makes you wait, right!
Bac Ha
Located northeast of Sapa, Bac Ha is famous for its spirits - it produces rice wine, cassava wine and the rather potent corn liquor. The Sunday market in Bac Ha is an institution by itself. You can pick up handicraft goods produced by the local people here. Visual appeal is provided by the colourful and beautiful traditional attire, especially the dresses that the H'mong women wear. The adventurous may want to drive up 20 kilometres to visit Can Cau market, but be prepared for quite rudimentary roads.
Travel Guide 
