Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is a beautiful town located 1500 meters above sea level in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam. The town and and its surrounding areas is home to ethnic minorities, with picturesque landscape featuring rice terraces, lush vegetation, and Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam.

We visited Sapa years back in July for a 2-day private tour with guided trekking. Trekking may not be the ideal activity on a honeymoon most will like but we did just that. We took an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai Railway Station, which is a gateway to Sapa, and back. To ensure our comfort, we took soft sleeper berths both ways.The trains had a couple of black-outs though but nothing major. In Sapa, we trekked for around 6km on first day and 8km on second day, during which we visited a resident’s home and a local school. The tough condition of living was humbling when we thought of life back home.

The charming countryside scenery we took in was definitely worth the walks. Regardless of the trip being taken years back, we would like to share the beauty of Sapa. And now we will let the pictures with a little commentary tell the story of our two days’ trek.

Day 1

A local minority family selling hand-woven textiles and clothes.

Inside a villager’s house.

A family with their livestock.

Stream and waterfall.

Rice terrace.

Day 2

Lunch was included in our trekking tour. A lunch of baguette with ham, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and bananas. It may be simple to us but hearty to local standards. We felt uneasy to have our guide waiting for us outside while we were eating. She came in and finished up the little we had left after we were done. Had we known that, we would have kept more for her. There were little kids touting handicrafts around the area too. Can see life was really tough for them.

The local school with basic furniture and old school chalk board.

P.S. This trip was taken way back so things may have slightly different now, but we don’t think the change will be too drastic.