Sapa

Riding to Sapa you´ll go though  spectacular landscapes of various North-west passes, misty mountain ranges, terraced fields that locals are working, little villages nestled amidst them.

Ethnic women wearing their traditional clothing tend to sloping fields, their houses or livestock. From Lai Chau towards Sapa  you´ll creep up to the magnificent Hoang Lien Son mountain range, also know as the Tonkinese Alps. The views are breathtaking all the way but the road a little congested as you get closer as bus loads of tourist are entering or exiting.

Once a French Hill station  Sapa its now a tourist magnet and rapid growth is consuming it´s once peaceful community. Large modern hotels around the lake and hanging of the hill sides compete for valley vistas. Sapa is a  market town for local ethnic minorities who bring their wares here to sell. Market stands are filled with beautiful woven fabrics, souvenirs and crafts, teas and coffee, other locally grown produce, herbal remedies and meats.

Local tribes women known as ´touts´will hound you to stay in their homestay or to try and sell you trinkets all while their babies sleep quietly strapped to their backs.

• It broke my heart to see westerners haggling with them over what would amount to a few pennies. Many walk for miles to sell the little items they have to sell. Delicately  hand-made bracelets that cost less then an imported chocolate bar!  

So if you need gifts here is a good place to stock up on them. Trekking in Sapa is the biggest tourist draw and their are plenty of paths. For more information about trekking in Sapa check out Thatbackpacker blog for Sapa Trekking tips.