SAPA

SAPA lies on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border . It is called as "the Tonkinese Alps" Can see many hill tribe people, their villages, rice terraces, lush vegetation, and Fansipan, highest peak in Vietnam...home to many ethnic minorities, including the H'mong, Tay and Dao. Overnight train journey to Lao Cai followed by van transfer up to Sapa. Train departs from Hanoi nightly at 9pm.
Cabin in the train. 4 person per cabin.

The hotel we stayed... Royal View Hotel.
Nice and spacious.

Upon arrival, breakfast at hotel. Very cold. Day time temperature about 25C and during night time can drop to about 17C.
Nice view from hotel.

Streets in Sapa.
The minorities selling handicrafts in front of hotel.

Checkpoint/starting point for a 3 hours hike/walk to Cat Cat village of the Black Hmong ethnic group.

Next morning, hike to Ta Van village. Beautiful scenerary along the way.

Minotities kids selling local souviners.

A quick stop at Stone Art Centre.
After about 4 hours walking/hiking...finally its time for lunch. Picnic lunch by the river.

At the local market.

Sunset in Sapa