Sapa – A Step To Heaven
- Hoang Giang Nguyen
- Oct 13, 2019
- 2 min read
Sapa is town located in the Northwest region of Vietnam, and it is home to Vietnam’s highest peak (Fansipan mountain). My family visited Sapa during winter last year, which is probably the best time. As a matter of fact, you can hardly see snow anywhere in Vietnam but Sapa.
We traveled by bus from Hanoi and it took around 5 hours to get there. One important fact which I was unaware of is that if you travel by a big bus, the bus will not be able to take you to the central of the town. Instead, you will have to walk for a further 2km from the bus stop.
One factor that makes Sapa special is that it’s home to several ethnic minority groups. You are more than likely to see local people dressed up in their traditional outfits walking around this town. As this is a relatively poor town, many kids don’t even have shoes and just walk barefoot.
These people are special not only in their clothes but also in their skills. As I rode motorbike to the edge of Sapa, I discovered its magical terraced rice fields. These rice fields with the shape of the stair lie on the flank of the mountains. They look so neat and well organised to the point that you would start wondering about the effort of the farmers.
If you visit Sapa, you should not miss the chance of reaching the highest point in Vietnam – Mount Fansipan. The height of this mountain is 3.143m, making it the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula (comprising Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia). There is cable car service offered by Hotel De La Coupole that will help reduce the effort of getting to the top of the mountain. The wind is very strong and it’s very cold once you are up there, so remember to dress warmly!
Sapa will not let you down if you are looking for some great photos. It is close to O Quy Ho Pass, one of the most magnificient peaks in Vietnam. Riding along this pass, you will have the chance to admire the sea of clouds floating like a fairyland. You will also be immersed in the majestic mountain view that O Quy Ho Pass offers. However, if you are driving, remember to keep your eyes on the road because it is quite a dangerous route, especially in the turns.
Although my trip to Sapa was quite short, I still had a great experience there. I had the chance to learn more about the culture of some ethnics and exploring an amazing part of Vietnam. For several reasons from the scenery to budget, I strongly recommend Sapa for your next travel destination.
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