Enjoying a mix of moderate and subtropical climate, Sa Pa is an attractive destination for those who love mountains and forests and for those who wish to discover the culture and tradition of local ethnic groups.
For those who like “phuot”, a type of travel similar to the anglicism “road trip”, Sa Pa is a place not to be missed.
To take advantage of the night time, I take the train from Hanoi at 10pm to go there. Thanks to this night transportation, I can sleep during my 8.5 hours trip before waking up at dawn among the beautiful mountain scenery of Sa Pa. Taking the train from Hanoi to Sa Pa is an original experience, it is quite comfortable and safer than a bus or a motorcycle, and much cheaper than renting a car.
The train stops at 6:30 am in Lao Cai city, a border city with China. From Lao Cai station, it takes one hour to drive to Sa Pa. Note that the ticket for the night train is 650,000 – 750,000 dongs per person for a one-way trip.
Sa Pa is also accessible by bus, faster but less comfortable and less safe.
The accommodation system in Sa Pa is divided into three areas: the area near the lake, the highland area of Câu Mây – Muong Hoa and the city center. The most beautiful hotels are located in Câu Mây – Muong Hoa and offer a magnificent view of the hills and in particular of Mount Fansipan – the highest mountain in Vietnam with a peak of 3,143 meters.
The rate for a night in a good comfortable 3 star hotel in Câu Mây – Muong Hoa varies between 700,000 dôngs and 1,000,000 dôngs. There are also luxury hotels such as Silk Path resort, Victoria, Aira boutique with more than two million dôngs for one night.
For my first trip to Sa Pa, I stayed in a hotel in Câu Mây – Muong Hoa at 30 dollars per night with beautiful view on the hills.
My first day passes quietly. After lunch, I take advantage of my free time to visit the Hàm Rông (Dragon’s Jaw) park ranked in 2015 among the “best eight places to watch a sunset in the world”, published by the American newspaper The Huffington Post.
The park of Hàm Rông overlooks the city of Sa Pa from where we have a nice view. I take the time to make a small test of panoramic photo. Currently, the mount Hàm Rông shelters many cultures of orchids.
Back to the hotel I do not forget to pass by the stone church of Sa Pa. Tomorrow, after breakfast, I will leave for another tourist destination, the village of Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho, below Sa Pa, in the valley.
Here, the climate is pleasant. You can have four seasons in one day: cool spring in the morning, summer with the sun, light at noon, autumn in the late afternoon, and the coldness of winter when the night falls.
Although I usually prefer to do walks alone, I decided to do a guided trek because it is the first time I discover Sa Pa. I keep a good memory of this first day of trek in the heart of the rice terraces because I was accompanied by a nice guide who told me a lot of anecdotes related to the culture of the ethnic groups of the region, which is interesting.
After breakfast, around 9:00 am on the second day, I meet my guide “Son” for the visit of the village of Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho . Along the way, I have the opportunity to contemplate for the first time rice terraces as far as the eye can see. It is an extraordinary landscape in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The rice fields are bright green, almost unreal. They are filled with water, the sun rays are reflected in them which gives the place a fairy-like image. I literally fall under the spell of this place!
On the way to Y Linh Ho, I observe the ingenious method of irrigation. The design of the rice terraces allows the water to flow from level to level and to water the entire field without too much effort.
In the village, I meet the Black Hmong and the Red Dao in traditional dress who try to sell me either bracelets or bags that they make themselves.
For the third day, I walk in the mountains and cross very diversified landscapes and Hmong and Red Dao villages, isolated in the mountains.
With my guide “Son” we spent the night at a Red Dao family’s home. Before starting the meal, we take a bath with medicinal herbs that this charming family prepared for us.
Then we shared the meal with the extended family, as is the tradition when they receive guests. The evening is obviously washed down with the local rice alcohol.
After dinner, we light a fire in the fireplace which does not warm the room at all but creates a very special and mysterious mountain atmosphere.
This first trip to Sa Pa was a wonderful stay that will leave me with beautiful images and emotions for a long time. The trek in Sa Pa is really an authentic tour in Vietnam.
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