Sapa, Lao Cai

Area: 8,057 sq. km.
Population: 639,300 habitants (2003)
Regional code: 0510
Capital: Lao Cai Town.
Districts: Muong Khuong, Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Bao Thang, Sapa, Bao Yen, Van Ban, Si Ma Cai.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), H'Mong, Tay, Dao, Thai...

Lao Cai is one of several provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese border in the northwestern part of the country. Apart from the Kinh people, the province has several ethnic minority groups, including the H'mong, Tay, Dao, and Thai. The average temperature in the high mountainous area is between 18 and 28oC, and between 20 and 22oC in the lowlands. Economic potentialities: fruit gardens, cattle breeding.

In the winter, European people visiting Lao Cai may feel nostalgic at the site of the picturesque snowcapped mountain peaks. one may feel lighthearted when spring comes and many white peach flowers are in bloom.
Other famous sites include Fansipan Mountain, at 3,141m above sea level.

Transport: Lao Cai is 340km from Hanoi and can be reached by bus, car, or train.
Train: Two trains depart from Hanoi daily. one leaves at 6.05 am and arrives in Lao Cai at 3.30 pm; another train departs from Hanoi at 10 pm and arrives in Lao Cai at 7.10 am the next morning. From Lao Cai to Hanoi, the train departs at 10.20 am and arrives in Hanoi at 7.20 pm. The second train departs from Lao Cai at 6.45 pm and arrives in Hanoi at 4.00 am the next morning.

Bus: Minibuses leave Sapa for Lao Cai (38 km, 2 hours, costs about US$ 2 per person). Buses depart from Lao Cai for Bac Ha daily (63km) and costs about US$ 5. Sapa to Bac Ha (110km) costs US$ 12 (Sunday minibus tour includes transportation, guide and trekking to the village of the Flower H'mong). on the way back to Sapa, it is possible to stop in Lao Cai and catch the night train back to Hanoi.

Sapa & the Far North
Sapa, nestling in a beautiful valley on the border with China, is northwest Vietnam's most colourful destination. Vivid green rice terraces are sculpted into the mountain sides while in the fields H'mong and Dao women work dressed in colourful traditional clothes. At the end of the week the H'mong, Dao and other ethnic minorities trek into town from the surrounding countryside to trade goods at the weekend markets in Sapa, Bac Ha and other small towns.

Cao Bang, to the northeast of Hanoi, is surrounded by some breathtaking mountain scenery and the nearby Ban Doc Waterfall is Vietnam's largest. Not far from Cao Bang is another area of outstanding natural beauty, Ba Be Lakes, located within the national park of the same name. Lakes, waterfalls, rivers, caves, lush tropical rainforest and ethnic minority villages are all to be found in Ba Be National Park.

Travel to Sapa
The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May, Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin air. Located at 1,500m above sea level, Sapa lies on the side of the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, 333 km northwest of Hanoi. Sapa's flora is diverse, ranging from flowers to tropical fruits; among the most popular fruits produced in Sapa are apples, pears, peaches, and plums. Sapa has many natural sites such as Thac Bac, Thuy Cung Grotto, Gio Cave, Troi Gate, and Truc Forest. Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143m. Hoang Lien Son Mountains is also called the Alps of the North Sea area since Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations. To reach Sapa, one can take a train to Lao Cai and then a bus to Sapa from Lao Cai. on Sundays, Nung, Dao, Tay, Cao Lan, Paxi, and Xa Phong minorities ride down the mountain in their colorful clothes to take part in the Sunday market at the foot of Fansipan Mountain.