Vietnam Sapa – Vietnam Sapa Travel Guide

The town emerges in the thin mist, with residents of vibrant and contented mountain tribes strolling through the streets – this is Sapa, tranquil and leisurely. Sapa is a highland resort and summer retreat in northern Vietnam, near the border with Yunnan Province of China, only about 39 kilometers from the mouth of the river. Situated at the foot of Vietnam’s highest peak, Fansipan, at an altitude of 1650 meters, Sapa is home to various ethnic minorities. Among Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, over half reside in Lao Cai Province, with Sapa mainly inhabited by branches of the Hmong and Yao ethnic groups. In contrast to other tourist areas that have long been developed, the mountain dwellers in Sapa maintain a very traditional way of life, neither rejecting nor getting too close to incoming tourists. Sapa retains a strong influence of French and European colonial culture, while the distinct charm of the Black Hmong tribe remains intact. Coupled with its pleasant highland climate, Sapa is considered a summer retreat in Southeast Asia and a favored destination for Western tourists seeking a relaxing holiday.