Sapa "The Tokinese Alps"

Sapa in the local language means that the sand pool. Today the town formerly known as Red Lake (Red water springs) is located at an altitude of 1.500m above sea level with an area of about 25km2 between the Hoang Lien Mountains and Can Thang mostly inhabited by Hmong people.

Sapa, nicknamed the ‘Tonkinese Alps’ by the French, is a great option for visitors looking to enjoy trekking, walking, photography, market visits and the general exploration of a region relatively untouched by modern life. Located in the far north of Vietnam just a few miles from the Chinese border, Sapa and the surrounding region offers a completely unique holiday experience not to be found elsewhere in Vietnam. Travel across mountain passes and valleys, covered with incredible rice terraces as far as the eye can see, and pass through remote hillside villages to reach local markets. These markets are an essential part of mountain life, don't be surprised to find villagers from several minority groups bartering hard over a basket of hens whilst sipping locally brewed rice wine.

Early 20th century discovered the advantages of Sapa with excellent topography, terrain, climate and resources, the French have accrued to local Hoang Lien Son mountain foot and the planning and construction of resorts Sapa. The early 1940s there were over 200 villas with many different architectural styles built by the French in Sapa. Through the years of war most of the villas were destroyed and damaged, only about about 20 villas left.

Close to Chinse border, Today Sapa is still one of the most attractive spots in Vietnam, especially at weekends when people crowd for the famous "Love market" which has become legendary, take an adventure into the villages of ethnic people in the mountain or climb up Fanxipan, the highest mount in South East Asia.

On Saturday nights, young people from remote villages gather at the market, they court each other by playing music, dancing, drink rice wine, after the market, many boys and girls become close friends, many couples find their partners from the Love Market.

There are about 6 ethnic groups living around Sapa, the two biggest are Red Dzao and Black Hmong, others are Dzay, Xa Pho, Tay...Most ethnic women are very hardworking while men spend their time with opium, rice wine or hanging around.

Coming to Sapa it is a must to buy some item embroidered products made by local ethnic people such as Hmong or Dao. Many young girls beautifully dressed follow their mothers to market selling souvenirs or posing for photos with tourists.