SAPA
Sapa is located in Vietnam’s remote North West Mountains; it is famous for both its fine, rugged scenery and also its rich cultural diversity. Its lush, deep river valleys, in the shadows of Vietnam’s tallest peak Mount Fansipan, are home to Blue H’mong and Red Dao communities, who continue to maintain their strong traditions and warmly welcome visitors to their homes. Sapa is also famous for its street market, which attracts villagers from the surrounding hills and is particularly busy on Saturdays. The unique embroidery, jewellery and clothes of the H’mong and Dao are good buys here, and the sight of dozens of minority women in their traditional clothing is a memorable part of any stay in Sapa. Let Focus Asia introduce you to the cultures and landscapes of this unique region. We visit nearby minority villages, take a walk to the river below Cat Cat, see the Thac Bac Waterfall and spectacular valley views up the nearby Tram Ton Pass. Bring your sweater, even summer nights can get cool up there. January and February are the coldest months with a slight chance of seeing snow. The best time to visit is from March to May, or September to December, although autumn is much rainier.