Sa Pa

Sa Pa is located at an altitude of 1,600m above sea level near the Chinese border in the north‐western Highlands, the former French hill station of Sa Pa is home to more than 30 ethnic minorities and the highest mountain of Vietnam, Mount Fansipan (3,143m). This area, with its spectacular mountain scenery and rice fields terraces, is a perfect spot to explore authentic hill tribe villages and for trekking opportunities.

Other great mountains like Aurora & J, where Sa Pa sees the first rays of sun, make up a very steep valley. As a result of a recent surge in popularity, Sa Pa has become a tourist hotspot. Throngs of vendors can be found in the streets, aggressively selling their wares. Don’t be put off by the rush, your explorations of the surrounding countryside will be worth the trouble.

In winter (the four months from November to February), the weather in Sa Pa is often cold, wet and foggy. When it is like this there really isn’t very much to do. The rice paddies are brown and empty (they are planted in spring), the paths very muddy and slippery and the glorious vistas of summer are completely hidden in the mist.

Sa Pa is a colourful town due to the H’mong and Dzao people from the local hill tribes who head into the town’s market every day to trade their produce. There’s a main market every Saturday when the place is packed but there’s a lower key one every other day during the week. These people will have undergone no formal education but the arrival of foreigners has made them well aware of the value of money and many of the youngsters have picked up a basic level of English. They sell clothing and handicrafts which are popular with tourists.

Overnight stays in minority villages such as Sin Chai are also popular options for tourists.