Sapa

Sapa was settled by the French in 1922 as a hill station and an outpost to China. It is 350 kilometers northwest of Hanoi in the Fansipan Mountains and 3,000 meters above sea level. The French refer to this area the Tonkinese Alps.

Sapa is a remote and very isolated town. Their customs have changed little even with the influx of tourists (mainly backpackers). The women wore exquisite head dresses in the tradition of their individual tribes. The Hmong young men were dashing in embroidered caps and sashes with large, bone handled knives in the waistband. The children were stunning in their miniature versions of the traditional outfits.

Dont's:
Shoes are to be removed when visiting homes or Buddhist Temples. Do not point the bottom of your feet towards other people or Buddhist statues. This is not universal so watch what others are doing.

Shorts are considered inappropriate attire and are allowed to be worn by children. In recent times in the main cities, it has been considered fashionable by women. However, it is still not widely accepted and has not yet filtered to the hinterlands. Again, check what people are wearing around you.

Leaving chopsticks sticking upright (vertically) in a rice bowl is not appreciated as this is a powerful death sign. In doing so this indicates incense sticks which are burned for the dead.

Guides are available in Sapa for day or overnight trekking through the mountains. Due to the climate being so cold the area boasts peach, plum and other types of cold climate fruit and vegetables.

Vietnam's weather is tropical in the south and monsoonal in north with a hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September) and a warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March). Sapa is a cold climate are for most of the year. It is advisable to take appropriate mountain clothing.