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Sapa

Built in the 1920s as a hill station for the French armed forces, Sapa was re-discovered in recent years as a tourist destination. A mountainous area on the Vietnam-China border, Sapa sees 160 days a year of mist and rain, and is home to a wealth of ethnic minorities and hill tribes. Among them are the H'mong, the Dao, and the Montagnards, the "Mountain People", who cooperated closely with American forces in the Vietnam War. Many French-era colonial buildings remain in the area, lending Sapa a genteel, nostalgic air.

EXPERIENCES

Cat Cat Trek

Trek to Cat Cat, which sits about a mile and a half outside of Sapa. Cat Cat is a sleepy place filled with authentic hill tribes, and is home to a thriving series of cottage industries, selling all the manner of products, including embroidery, sculpture, and art - perfect for souvenirs and mementos.

Colonial Walking Tour

See the buildings established by the French, which include the town hall, the church and the town square. Don’t forget to stop in at the Sapa Culture Museum as well to learn about local traditions and customs. Afterwards, eat at the Hill Station Restaurant, which features pate, ham, wine and cheese - a legacy of the French. For coffee lovers, there’s a special Italian coffee blend.

Heaven’s Gate

Trek near the mountains by Heaven's Gate, for a stunning view overlooking the valley, with its jagged mountains, verdant forests, and elaborate, terraced rice paddies.

Ta Phin Village

Ta Phin Village is five miles from Sapa. Visitors will be able to meet the Red Dao, who are known for their elaborate, special headgear. Visitors can also embark on a 6 to 7 miles (10 to 11 kilometers) circular trek that will pass through both Red Dao and Black Hmong villages.

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PREFERRED HOTEL

Hotel de la Coupole Sapa

Sapa is a verdant, mountainous town located in northern Vietnam known for its rich ecological and cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the Chinese border. With picturesque rice terraces and forested hills surrounding the town — and the Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, located nearby — a stay in Sapa will leave visitors feeling like they’ve escaped to an old-world settlement that dates back to the colonial era of French Indochina. The Hotel de la Coupole Sapa, a luxury hotel that fuses design elements of elegant French colonial style with the colorful touches of native hill tribes, stands as the only five-star international hotel in Sapa. The Hotel de la Coupole features 249 accommodations, an on-site shopping mall, and a selection of bars and restaurants. Other amenities include air conditioning and heating (more sought-after than one might think in a mountain climate famed for occasional “four-season days”), numerous meeting and banquet rooms, and a Spa and Fitness Center complete with a sauna and massage parlor. And for those wishing to venture out and explore the surrounding mountains, waterways, and lush slopes, local guides are easily hired, and transportation is conveniently arranged either through the hotel or by local means.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa

The four-star Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, the only luxury hotel in the region, was built in traditional chalet style with wooden décor. The Resort overhangs the village, blending in perfectly with its natural surroundings. Its 77 rooms and suites feature private terraces with views over the Sapa village, the resort’s lush gardens or Mount Fansipan, and the property comes with all the modern amenities one would expect from a four-star hotel. The resort's Ta Van restaurant combines French and Vietnamese cuisine around a cozy central fireplace, as well as traditional dance performances every Saturday. Guests can travel between Hanoi and the resort on the luxurious Victoria Express sleeping train.

Pao's Sapa

Nestled in the romantic Muong Hoa valley among majestic mountains and moss-green rice terrace plots lies Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel. This modern hotel of 223 rooms seamlessly blends the Sapa cultural heritage with high-class accommodations and stunning vistas. Rooms start at 98 square feet and all feature balconies with views of the surrounding mountains and rice terraces. Air conditioning, LCD television, and complimentary Wi-Fi are standard, while upgraded rooms include full bathtubs. Suites offer additional space and king-size beds, and the 515 square feet of the expansive Presidential Pao's Suite is fitted with two bedrooms, a living room, and an inviting Jacuzzi. The hotel's A Linh Restaurant starts the day with a buffet breakfast and ends with a selection of genuine local dishes. There is also the Lobby Lounge, which serves Western dishes, and the MK Rooftop Bar where guests can enjoy colorful cocktails and Asian-inspired light bites. The on-site Fitness Center is well-equipped for cardio and strength training; it also includes a swimming pool on the second floor that looks out across the mountains of Sapa through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Topas Ecolodge

Located 18 kilometers from the town of Sapa, Topas enjoys an idyllic mountaintop location with stunning views over Sapa Valley. Its 25 individual lodges offer double or twin occupancy, and come with traditional thatched roofs and hot water. Amenities are kept to a minimum to ensure the hotel does not generate too much waste. The restaurant specialises in hearty Vietnamese fare and is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner, on a buffet or set menu basis. The lounge offers drinks, books and games.

Victoria Express Train

Reminiscent of romantic eras gone by, the Victoria Express Train brings history and passion to life, featuring a luxurious sleeping carriage alongside the intricate dining carriage on an exciting overnight journey. Guests travel between Hanoi and Lao Cai and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience through Northern Vietnam. From the moment they board the train, guests are transported back in time: their evening begins with a four-course meal in the dining carriage, Le Tonkin, where they can sample both Western and Vietnam cuisine and wines from around the world. After dinner, they may retire to their sleeping cabin, each wood-paneled and equipped with air conditioning and reading lights, where they are lulled to sleep by the sound of the train - and wake up refreshed, ready to take on a new city.

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TRAVELOGUES

Why Sapa and Lao Cai Will Transform your Vietnam Experience

Author : Travelogues

Whether it's getting from Hanoi to the north in style or trekking with tribes, Sapa and Lao Cai give travelers unique opportunities to experience an authentic Vietnam.

Hill Tribes and Caves: Hiking in Vietnam

Author : Remote Lands

Curving around Cambodia and Laos, its east coast reaching all the way up to China, Vietnam is a country of intriguing history and glorious and varied landscapes.

Remote Lands’ Dozen Dream Destinations in Asia 2016

Author : Remote Lands

We’ve compiled the very best destinations in Asia - places guaranteed to pique your interest, ensnare your senses and captivate your imagination this year.

Into the Mist with Sapa’s Authentic Hill Tribe Culture

Author : Jay Tindall

Sapa or "Sa Pa,” is situated near the border with China in Lao Cai province. It’s a difficult place to reach -- the most popular way in is by overnight train

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