Moving North

Sapa is located 380 kms north of Hanoi in the very north west part of Vietnam near the Chinese border. Most people choose to take an overnight sleeper train to get to this remote town and that is exactly what we did.

We left Hanoi at 8:30 pm and arrived at Lao Cai railway station at 5:00 am. Lao Cai is located on the Chinese border and is a 45 minute drive from Sapa. The 45 minutes were like a life time. What a change in culture!

The main attraction of this area, apart from the natural beauty of Sapa, is the fact that this part of Vietnam is home to the largest concentration of ethnic groups in the country. Many of their traditions, dress and lifestyles have changed very little over the past 100 years.


As soon as we arrived at our hotel we were surrounded by the group of women from the Hmong tribe. These women walk 25 kms to Sapa to sell their handicrafts and they can be a little aggressive.


We ate a quick breakfast, checked into our room, showered and went on a 3 km hike to the village of Cat Cat. The walk was only 3 kms, but it felt like it was straight down. Only a short way and my buns were burning and Fred's calves were speaking to him.

We walked beside rice paddies and met water buffalo face to face. Pot bellied pigs are also a common sight. Children were on the prowl for hand outs and will do anything to get your attention. I tried to teach a young girl a few words in English, but she was only interested in selling her mother's craft work.


The scenery was specatular and breath taking. I know the camera can not do it justice, but I think you can get an idea of the area.


On the way down to Cat Cat we had met a young man called Hon who assured me we would need his motorbike for the trip home. He was so right! The climb back up just to get to his motorcycle was tough and as the mist kept burning off, the temperature kept rising. This was all before 10:00 and remember the train had arrived at 5:00 am.

After Hon and his buddy dropped us off, we walked to the market area and had some lively conversations with the Hmong tribe. All you hear is "what is your name, how many children do you have, where are you from, buy from me and I will go". Fun, but tiring.