Onwards to Sapa

Sapa - My trip to Sapa, located in the far north of Vietnam, was an unforgettable experience filled with striking landscapes, cultural richness, and a glimpse into traditional Vietnamese life. Sapa sits at the head of a deep valley filled with magnificent rice terraces, still farmed today much as they have been for centuries.

The adventure began early as we boarded our tour bus at 6:40 a.m., setting off for Sapa from Hanoi. The drive was long, but we made several stops for coffee along the way, giving us the chance to stretch our legs and prepare for what was to come. After a scenic six-hour journey, we finally reached our hotel in Sapa at 1:30 p.m.

Fried spring rolls

Our tour package included lunch at the hotel, and the meal was both hearty and delicious, a welcoming introduction to the local cuisine.

Vegetables

Chicken with onions

Soup

Hiking Walk through the Black Hmong Village (Lao Chai)

At 4 p.m., we embarked on our first guided tour of Sapa, eager to explore the landscape that had been so vividly described to us. Our first stop was the Black Hmong village, known for its vibrant culture and stunning rice terraces. The most prominent tribe is the Hmong. These people are dressed in their black or indigo.

Scenic view of the rice terraces

Hmong tribe selling vegetables

3 little ducklings

We were accompanied by a friendly tour guide, along with a group of Hmong women who greeted us with warm smiles. They were dressed in their traditional clothing, an integral part of their heritage, and their presence added a personal touch to our hike.

While agriculture is the main economy, many make their living selling their hand-made fabric, jewellery and handicraft to tourists.

Rice terraces of Sapa

As we walked along the narrow trails, surrounded by towering green hills, the beauty of the rice terraces came into full view. These terraces, carved into the mountainside, are truly a marvel of human ingenuity, with each step of rice paddies reflecting the light of the afternoon sun. The gentle breeze carried with it the fresh scent of nature, enhancing the serenity of the scene.

However, as beautiful as the landscape was, it also bore the scars of nature’s wrath. The devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi was evident along the way, with several landslides disrupting the otherwise flawless scenery.

Huge chunks of earth had slid down the mountainsides, leaving gashes in the landscape. While the damage was sobering, it also served as a reminder of the resilience of the people who live here.

Despite the hardships posed by such natural disasters, life in the villages continued as it had for centuries, with farmers working the fields and children playing nearby.

We crossed the bridge of a huge dam.