6 must-do things when visiting Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is mountainous town in Northwestern Vietnam, blessed with a cool climate throughout the year. Just venture out a little to nearby indigenous villages and you will be rewarded with views of stepped paddy fields, emerald ripples that flow across entire stretches of valleys. Here are 6 things you should do when you are in Sapa.

Climb Fansipan, ‘Roof of IndoChina’

Fansipan is called as “the Roof of Indochina” with the height of 3143m, the highest peak of the Indochina Peninsula. Although the summit of Fansipan is less than half of Mount Everest, this place is a good choice for those who are eager to conquer high peaks and test their muscular power.
It is definitely not an easy trek but it promises marvelous views of the Hoang Lien mountain range and pristine natural beauty. Climbers have chance to explore the diverse flora, enjoy beautiful orchids and wild flowers along the way or listen to the musical concert of insects.

Visit Cat Cat village

Cat Cat village is a typical village of ethnic minority. The old H’Mong hill tribe village attracts tourists from all over the world for its distinctive culture and unique practices which have been lost recently.

Tourists will be impressed by the peacefully picturesque sceneries of pristine nature, the traditional cultural and unique original architecture. You can admire waterfall and an old Hydro Electric Power Station built by the French. Moreover, the image of young women in traditional costumes, sitting by looms and making colorful pieces of brocade with designs of flowers, patterns, birds has been a symbol of this mountainous land.

Traditional wood house style is also a featured beauty that should be mentioned. Apart from that, you can try to do weaving fabric, purchase some traditional souvenirs and handicrafts as gifts.

Trek Muong Hoa Valley

You can only truly appreciate the beauty of Muong Hoa Valley if you take your time to trek it and spend a night at a local village homestay. Sometimes women from the regional ethnic minority tribes may even approach you while in town and offer a trek and homestay. Often these are more authentic than the ones done through tour agencies. Taking muddy trails through terraced fields, drinking water out of streams, sleeping on the floor in traditional long tail houses, and spending time hanging out with local families and drinking rice wine are typical things.

Hang out with members of the different ethnic tribes

The H’Mong are the predominant minority tribe in Sapa, but you will come across Yao and Zay people as well. Striking up a conversation is easy, as most of them are well-versed in English, having learned from other tourists they have bumped into, or at school. Get to know them and their stories and you will probably be invited to their home to share a meal and laughter. It is a humbling experience to live with them, even if it is just for a day, and you will leave Sapa with appreciation for life.

Drop by the Sapa Love Market

This is a unique experience in Sapa, and only happens on Saturdays. The Sapa Love Market is where young ethnic tribes people would come to meet one another, fall in love, and get married. Because villages in Sapa are sparsely populated, those living in far-away villages would make the journey days ahead so they can arrive in time to find someone. You will see boys and girls hanging out, laughing, drinking, eating, doing traditional dances and playing traditional games together.

Read more: Shopping in Sapa’s markets

Explore the Silver waterfall

Located in National Highway No 4D, Silver waterfall is about 12km from Sapa Town’s centre. Thanks to water source from the Lo Sui Tong mountain peak, this beautiful waterfall is formed. The waterfall looks like a white dragon looking down from the sky. You can travel to the Silver Waterfall by motorbike or by car for half an hour. It would worth a stopping by with the award of a stunning view of spectacular mountains and the forests in Hoang Lien National Park.

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The love market, unique culture of Sapa

Only taking place on weekly Saturday evening, Love Market in Sapa used to be the place for ethnic people to find a partner to get married. At this market, visitors have chance to enjoy the real life of H’Mong and Red Dao ethnic minorities.

What makes it special

The love market of Sapa used to be the place to find a partner to get married. With the tourism, the real love market does not take place anymore. Currently you can only see a representation of the love market. Do not miss it anyway if you are staying here a Saturday night. Young Red Dzao tribe used to come to Sapa to sing songs to the opposite sex. Girls sang the songs hidden in the dark, when a boy found them, and if they matched together, they disappeared into the forest for three days. Some of them got married after that.

How it is held

The market is held only on Sunday morning for people coming here to exchange or buy and sell the necessary utensils for daily life so it is always very crowded. Because villages in Sapa are sparsely populated, people living in far-away villages had to go in advance from Saturday to be able to join the market on Sunday. They arrived at the town on Saturday evening, and take a rest.

In the market, youngsters would have a chance to get to know others by joining activities such as playing traditional games, playing leaf-horns, singing and dancing. The performances of them were full of romantic melodies expressing wishes for an eternal love. Not until the market finishes, happy memories are left in the minds of many mountain people. After that night, some can luckily find out their match and make a promise to date on the next market. Many of them later become husbands and wives. It is the reasons why that night called the Love Market - a beautiful cultural feature of the Sapa region.

Why you should visit the love market

Love market is the place where all traditions, customs and beliefs of Dao, H’Mong and other ethnic groups are presented. It is where you can join with their activities and feel the unique features in their traditions by yourselves, not just watch and listen it from tour guides. And it is where you can approach the friendliest, the plainest and the most hospitable local people.

Moreover, you can visit the market and buy some specialties or some souvenirs for your beloved. They are displayed in many stalls and you have a wide range of choosing what you like.
About 10:30 pm or 11:00 pm, you also enjoy the sound of Khen and Sao, join the love market and perhaps you want to try using these popular musical instruments.

Read more: Shopping in Sapa’s markets

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8 snowy destinations in Asia for mountain and winter lovers

When people talk about Asia, some of the first things come to mind are the spectacular islands, crystal clear waters, beach parties, or anything that you can incorporate into summer and tropical weather. While this is not surprising as this is what Asia, particularly southeast part is mostly known, tourism wise, did you know that Asia can also be a great destination for a snowy getaway? Here is a list of some of the best snowy destinations in Asia for those who love the winter.

1. Sapporo, Japan

There are many places in Japan to experience snow, but one of the most popular is Sapporo. This city has a lot of ski resorts only 20 to 60 minutes ride away by car, so adding that to your day trip itinerary would be bearable.

If you’re a beginner, you could try sledding or snow-tubing, on the other hand, if you’re not interested in snow games, you may want to time your visit during Snow Festival which usually takes place in February. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, more than 2 million people go to the Hokkaido capital to witness the snow come alive annually and Japan is well-known as one of the snow countries in Asia.

See more: Visit Japan in Winter

2. Yunnan, China

The second one is Yunnan Province where the small mountain range of The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – one of the most beautiful snow places in Asia is located. Soaring throughout the headwaters of the Yangtze River, this mountain range is famous for their far-fetched views and is a portion of a high altitude nature reserve.

3. Yongpyong, South Korea

Another place to go if you are looking for some ice adventure in Asia is Yongpyong, South Korea. This place has a lot to offer for those who are looking to go skiing or snowboarding. You will find a trendy ski resort on the slopes on Mount Balwang. Some other popular activities here include floodlit night skiing and a cross-country hiking. Just like in Sapporo, they also hold a snow festival every February.

See more: Best winter activities in South Korea

4. Sapa, Vietnam

Being surrounded by many top summer destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Boracay, it may come as a surprise to you that Vietnam also experiences snow. Even though snowboards and toboggans aren’t common places to Vietnam, you will surely fall in love when what used to be green fields of rice in summer turn to white during the winter.

Sapa located in northwestern part of Vietnam is now becoming more and more popular among visitors from all over the world. The natural beauty of rugged mountain ranges along with the interesting cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities living in the regions is what attracts many tourists here all year round. 

5. Taichung, Taiwan

Another unpopular winter destination is Taiwan. Located in Heping District, Taichung, Xueshan or Hsuehshan or all known as Snow Mountain is the second-highest peak in the country standing 3,886m. This mountain is often ignored by many tourists who opt for Mt. Jade hiking as it is the tallest one. However, Snow Mountain offers a more scenic and interesting hike.

Hiking here is pretty safe even during the winter and the scenery is spectacular. However, you have to make sure to sign up months prior if you are planning to hike as they limit the number of hikers during the snowy season.

6. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

A few hundred miles away from Beijing, Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar is another place ideal for all the winter lovers out there.

If you’re an adventurous soul who wants to try something exciting, you are able to enjoy snowboarding and skiing just outside the city at the mountain called Bogd Khan Mountain, which is a protected mountain range that lies in the southern part of Ulaanbaatar. Keep in mind, though that temperature here tends to be very low. During the months of November to March, the temperature can get as low as -35°C, positioning Mongolia as one of the coldest snowfall countries in Asia.

7. Putao, Myanmar

Another country in Southeast Asia where you can experience snow is Myanmar. Famous for Bagan and Inle Lake – pictured above – what might not be so well-known are its snowcapped mountain ranges. Putao which is located in the northernmost town of Kachin State is a dream place for nature lovers. The region also has some of the tallest mountains in this part of Asia, one of which is Khaka Bo Razi, standing splendidly tall at 19,296 ft.

8. The Himalayas mountain range, Nepal

The Himalayas is a landmark of the earth. This mountain range is the most famous and also the most beautiful mountains in the world. Dates back to 80 million years ago when dinosaurs still exist, The Himalayas is the youngest and highest of its kind.

Every year, The Himalayas attract thousands of adventure seekers, nature lovers, and explorers who follow innumerable trails among wonderful forests and icy peaks searching for prehistoric monuments and spectacular panoramas. Himalayan mountains show an exhilarating range of mountain backdrop that will surely take your breath away. You will be stunned with various snowcapped mountain peaks, ever popular alpine grazing land, several stunning lakes, numerous high glaciers, and some of the gorgeous snow-fed rivers.

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10 best places for cycling in Vietnam

Vietnam is well-known for its diverse nature, ranging from vast rice paddies to long coastline of mesmerizing beaches and enormous mountains after mountains.

But what makes biking adventure in this country possible and interesting is the dense network of roads that can get tourists anywhere they wish, be it remote or central.

1. Sapa

Sapa belongs to the mountainous northern area of Vietnam. The place possesses heavenly beauty with hovering soft clouds among mountain ranges. Along the biking route, tourists will have the chance to see the change in nature going up to higher altitude, encounter many ethnic minority people and experience the treacherous paths. Owing to the special feature of mountainous area, the rice paddies here are made as terrace along the slope of the hills, which turn to a beautiful yellow in during harvesting.

2. Moc Chau

Moc Chau is a small peaceful town of Son La province in Northern Vietnam. The place produces some the best tea in Vietnam. The place is becoming a tourist attraction among the avid travellers owing to its immense green tea plantation, situating on ranges after ranges of hills. The place possesses heavenly atmosphere when, during spring, wild flowers are blossoming everywhere amid the hovering mist.

3. Ba Be Lake and National Park

Ba Be belongs to Bac Can province, which is situated in the North of Vietnam. The landscape here is marvelous with towering limestone mountain, deep valleys, dense forests, waterfalls, caves and lakes. In addition, the national park possesses a rich biodiversity with hundreds of unnamed plants species and other hundreds of wildlife species.There are scenes of stilt home of the ethnic minority Tay along with Dao and Mong people. The most famous tourist site is Ba Be Lake. With a size of 8km in length and 400m in width, the lake deserves its title “the emerald of Northern Vietnam”.

4. Mekong Delta

The road in Mekong Delta (South of Vietnam) is much more comfortable for cycling than the mountainous parts. But the scenery is just as idyllic with rice paddies expanding to the horizon.There is a particularly dense network of rivers, canals and streams where people have their house, their boats and even markets floating on. Cyclers can experience quaint riverside towns, a dazzling variety of greens and colorful floating fruits on the rivers.

5. Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park is located in the South of Vietnam, roughly 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh. It possesses rich biodiversity of lowland tropical rainforest. Therefore, the park is the ideal place for mountain-biking and wildlife-spotting. Hours of cycling among the dense forest and breathing in the fresh air will definitely energize your souls and, at the same time, work up your muscles.

6. Cham Island

Cham Island is an unspoiled island about 18km offshore from Hoi An. The island has amazingly rich biodiversity and is recognized by UNESCO as World biosphere reserve. There are many ways to do cycling on the islands: you can either cycle along the coast and around the island to experience both the seascape and the green forest on the sides, or you can get visit a few fishing village by going deeper into the island.

7. Hai Van Pass

If you are looking for more adventure, Hai Van Pass should be on your cycling list. You can start off from Hue and aim to reach Da nang by passing Hai Van. The roads are paved but built on very winding road along with heavy-load trucks. However, the view along the road is terrific and worth the effort. There are imposing green mountains on one side and sharp cliffs against the ocean on the other side.

8. Da Lat

Da Lat is a city situated on the Langbian Plateau of Central Highlands of Vietnam. Most cyclers will choose to ride to the base of Langbian Mountain, then o along the forest trails to reach Victory Lake and Valley of Love. Cycling trip comprises of alternate uphill and downhill rides, through different territories and nature. What is more, there is some chance of passing waterfalls along the way as well.

9. Hoi An

Hoi An should deserve your consideration if you seek for a relaxing cycling trip. Cycling through the rural areas and into the city is an easy biking tour but can still provide you ample chance for nature sightseeing and opportunities to experience Vietnamese rural landscapes and lifestyles. Rice paddies, water buffalo, bamboo houses and bamboo ranges are the iconic images of Vietnam and now appear in front of your eyes. Hoi An city, however, offers a different view: a city once was thriving and prosperous and now is pretty and poetic.

10. Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park is based on an island in northern Vietnam and east of Hai Phong. This park is one of the most important nature reserves in Vietnam with large collection of animals and plants, some of which are unique to Vietnam. What is special about Cat Ba National Park is the wide ranges of experience you can get cycling around the park. There are plenty hidden beaches, waterfalls, caves, mountain by limestone and stunning valleys.

Source: https://hiasia.xyz/10-best-places-for-cycling-in-vietnam-v2.php