On my first time to the Northern of Vietnam, I am constantly being told “you have to see Sapa if I want see a colorful mix of unique cultures and a landscape of 4 seasons in a day”. And of course, it is my dream, so why I have to hesitate not to enjoy a Sapa tour.

Take a night train from Hanoi, we get to Lao Cai at around 5 a.m and then take a minibus to Sapa. We have a time to take a rest and have breakfast together. The food is quite nice. The guide then introduces to us about the trekking itinerary in Sapa this time and some instructions as well.

 

Trekking to Cat Cat Village

The trek in Sapa is absolutely gorgeous, one of the most incredible scenic hikes I've ever experienced. The massive mountain range with the vast rice terraces seems to stretch on forever. At first, we stop off at a village or two. We see the locals and pull faces of super-cute children in their house. I remember this village has a funny name, perhaps Cat Cat. It offers some breathtaking rice paddy views as well as a glimpse into the daily life of a big Trekking to Cat Cat Village ethnic minority in Vietnam. They are really friendly, let us take photos without any refusal but with a little bit lovely shame. The hike through the mountains and rice paddies is just picture perfect. There is a nice waterfall about half-way. And with this village, we have chance to see how the local people really live and work, and do their farming with buffalos.

On the way we catch Lao Chai village, a village lying in between mountains and grass hills, with houses looking like colossal mushrooms on all sides. I wonder why they can live in such a lack of facilities like that. But on the other way, there have fresh air and very large space. Maybe, it is somehow lucky to live like this. Well well.

We stop in this village for an overnight in a home-stay. This night is also a new interesting experience, just staying among the nature, hearing the sound of nature; I am really being compassed by nature. Recall it still makes me smile. Our guide was fantastic, He speaks great English and is interesting, relaxed and quite playful, and imitating my accent…He tells us




 

about the simple life of the local people there. He knows many things in many fields. That makes our Sapa trip this time more interesting.

The next day, we trek to a small village name Ta Van set in a picturesque valley. In this village we have a welcome feeling at any house of the hospitable people we meet. A picnic lunch in the village with the local people was wonderful. My friend is a vegetarian and she gets her private menu of all. Michael with his sense of humor makes every in my group smile. I’m so happy to get a good time together in this trip. Continue the trip we walk to have some other looks and then come back to the house of the host. We can see the way the H’mong people cook the meal in the normal day, and then a delicious meal is served. One day in Ta Van is really wonderful with various things discovered despite a little bit tired.

                                           
                                                                          A Black H'mong woman in Sapa

The last day is with a long and rough trekking in the thin and poor soil road. But it cannot stop us from discovering the uniqueness of Sapa. Along the way, we meet the locals, share cultural experience with the ethnic families and see the rudimentary houses built on the rocky farmland. This is like a sight of the traditional Vietnam. Lastly, come back to Sapa for an overnight train back to Hanoi.