The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is a magical place. The landscape itself is reason enough to make the 7-hour trek from Ha Noi, but this place is much more than just a beautiful landscape. This mountainous town is home to five ethnic minority hill tribes who still dress in traditional garb and speak in their own dialects. Come to Sapa, defeating Fansipan, seeing countless pieces of clouds and green fields. There are many interesting experiences waiting for you in this foggy town.

Observing the world’s most wonderful grained fields

Terrace fields located in Sapa are said to be one of the greatest terraced fields all over the world. Nature’s mother not only gave the locals this significant landscape and perfect weather, but also provided them dexterity in hands. During the period of many years passing, they created masterpieces which are just like stairs heading towards the sky. Wheat harvest in September, when the green fields turned yellow. This is an appropriate time to come to Sapa.

Climbing the highest mountain in Vietnam, Fansipan

The highlight of Sapa has to be the Fansipan Mountain. With an elevation of 3,143m, it is the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and a triumphant embodiment of the ‘Roof of Indochina’. If you are up for a challenge, the climb is doable in a day, approximately within 10 to 12 hours. Most guide treks, however, suggest a two or three-day climb to pace the trek and minimise exertion especially for those who are less physically fit. Trekkers who stay overnight have the opportunity to mingle with other trekkers which makes the experience more uplifting as you share your struggles. The breathtaking view of Fansipan Mountain is one that you should not miss.

Spending a night at a local house

Homestay at a local house, having traditional dishes, getting up in a remote village would be a wonderful experience you cannot forget whenever arriving in Sapa. Homestay services in Sapa are modern, you can absolutely assure about sanitary and food.

Walking and living slowly in the land of Sapa

Wandering in Sapa will gives you unforgettable memories. Sapa is a tourist destination having the longest walking street all over the world. If you come to Sapa, you may walk a dozen of kilometers, from morning to the afternoon, passing over the town and the villages, paddy fields, bridges and small streams. Walking in order to live your life slower, watching and learning more about the life and the local culture of people living here. Some attractive destinations have to be mentioned are Sapa Ancient Town, Village of Cat Cat, valley of Muong Hoa, Ta Van.

Read more: 8 must-see places in Sa Pa in the morning

Taking a leisure stroll near Sapa Lake

Tired of shopping or walking around? Take a breather at the Sapa Lake which emanates a blend of tranquility and marvellous grandeur. You can walk along the stretch of the lake or alternatively enjoy your food at the benches provided and wallow in the repose of your mind.

Exploring the non-touristy side of Sapa

If conquering Fansipan, wandering around the center of the town and villages does not makes you feel fresh, then, there is one corner in Sapa that has no tourist, un-noisy, un-dusty, un-trading, such as villages located in the region of Thanh Kim or Nam Sai. There will be only be you with the peaceful forest, the green fields and magnificent Lien Son ranges of mountains. A normal Sapa which is 2 - 3 km away from the center through ancient road and valley of Muong Hoa.

Source Eastasy

A guide about Vietnam's traditional dresses

With such rich and diverse culture, one will find a unique clothing pattern in the traditional dress of Vietnam. With roughly sixty different ethnic groups, Vietnam has a vast variety of clothing styles, similar only in their affinity to bright, contradictory colours and vibrant patterns.

1. Traditional Vietnamese Dress for Men

The traditional Vietnamese dress for men is known as the Ao Dai. It is a long silk tunic with a conventional looking snug collar and is buttoned down on the left side. The male tunic falls to the knees and is generally worn with loose pants underneath.

In the past, the colour of the Ao Dai in Vietnam indicated a man's position in society. Gold is the colour that represented royalty in ancient Vietnam. The Kings' Ao Dai was embroidered with dragons to represent their strength and might. High Ranking officials wore purple Ao Dai's and the commoners wore various shades of blue.

Today, The Ao Dai is not worn commonly, on an everyday basis. However, The Ao Dai is a symbol of purity and grace and the Vietnamese wear it in large numbers on traditional occasions such as weddings and Tet (New Year).

2. Traditional Vietnamese Dress for Women

The Ao Dai, Vietnam's traditional dress, has a feminine version as well. Vastly similar to its masculine counterpart, the female Ao Dai has one striking difference - this silk tunic flows down to the ankles. The Ao Dai has two major varieties - a four-part variety, which consists of flaps in the front that women button up, and a five-part variety, which consist on an extra flap on the right to secure the Ao Dai.

3. Traditional Thai Dress in Vietnam

The Thai ethnic dress in Vietnam is elegant and demure. It consists of a plain blouse and a long skirt, which are embroidered with motifs of the sun, flowers, and dragons. The costume is accompanied by belts and Pieu scarfs and a few pieces of silver jewellery.

4. Traditional Dress of the Hmong in Vietnam

The Hmong people in Vietnam prefer to dress in a more sophisticated, yet vibrant and colourful fashion, with a bohemian flair to it. Their clothes are made of linen and consist of many colours and embroidered motifs. The outfit is made up of a black shirt, a colourful skirt, leggings, and headgear. The women often attach silver beads and jewellery to their dresses, to add a sense of individuality and spirituality.

5. Traditional Cham Dress in Vietnam

The traditional clothing of the Cham women may not be as colourful or bright as the rest, but it has a certain charm to it. The costume consists of a tight-fitting tunic shirt, a skirt the colour of the shirt and a gorgeous headscarf. The highlight of the costume is the waistband that is tied across the chest and around the waist and is prominently designed with golden iridescent shades and meticulous detail.

In the mountain regions, the most commonly worn costumes include trousers or skirts and indigo vests with motifs of wildflowers or beasts. These trousers and skirts are designed to enable easy navigation through the mountain slopes and to make farming easier. Most of the traditional Vietnamese dresses are made intricately by hand and are often sold by the locals to curious foreigners.

See more: Discover traditional costumes in Asia

How to experience Japanese culture while you are in Singapore

Are you curious about Japan or love the Japanese culture, but lack the time or money for a trip to Japan? Don’t fret, here are 5 things you can experience Japan without having to hop onto a flight.

Experience Anime and J-pop at C3AFA (Anime Festival Asia)

Experience the best of Japanese pop culture in C3AFA (Anime Festival Asia), which will be taking place at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will feature anime showcases, industry guests, professional cosplayers, and the grand I Love Anisong concert, hosting popular Japanese rock bands such as SPYAIR.

Boasting over 100,000 attendees last year, C3AFA has grown into the most iconic J-pop festival in Singapore today. With their trendy and hot content in store for you, this is something you just cannot miss if you are an avid fan of Japanese pop culture.

Hunt for Japanese snacks and delicacies

There are more Japanese food stores here in Singapore than you might think. First off, the more well-known places to shop for Japanese treats include the food halls of Takashimaya and Jurong Point, where you can go on a walking food tour of Japanese cuisine. That aside, you can head to Sakuraya Fish Mart for fresh Japanese seafood, including live king crabs that are specially air-flown from Hokkaido. You can also try out the takoyaki, ramen, and sushi while you are there.

Another stop for Japanese food is Emporium Shokuhin, with Singapore’s first live and chilled seafood market, which is probably the closest you can get to a real Japanese market experience. They also have a gourmet section where you can explore aisles of Japanese seafood, fruits, sauces, condiments and more. And for Japanese snacks and other goodies, Meidi-Ya has got you covered with pretty much every Japanese treat you could want.

Go on a shopping spree in Daiso

Shopping in Daiso is quite a unique experience as you get to take a look at some Japanese products. Japanese products are known for being quite intriguing sometimes and the products at Daiso are no exception to this rule. For example, you can get things like banana cutters in Daiso, right here in Singapore. How cool is that?

Take a stroll at the Japanese Garden

Last but not least, the Japanese Garden would certainly come to mind when you are thinking of a place in Singapore that gives you a taste of Japan. One half of the Jurong Gardens, the Japanese Garden is connected to the Chinese Garden with the photo-worthy Bridge of Double Beauty.
The picturesque garden is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and most of all, a distinctly Japanese design that was inspired by Japan’s Muromachi and Azuchi–Momoyama period. Traditional bridges and rest houses dot the area, and there is also a Turtle & Tortoise Museum within the grounds of this garden as well.

Visit Cat Cafe Neko No Niwa

Japan and cats. It is the best of both worlds in one cafe, folks. Owning the title of being Singapore’s first cat cafe, the concept of having these lovely animals in a dining setting was inspired by Japan, which has countless cafes that feature pedigree cats. However, with a little tweak, the owners of Neko No Niwa only adopt their cats instead of buying them. A good cause isn’t it?

Read more: First time in Singapore? Here are 8 of the top things to do

Source Internet