From Hanoi we move on to one of my favourite places in Vietnam — the world — Sapa. The first thing I did when I stepped out of the coach in front of our hotel was take a deep, slow breath of pure, fresh air (a much-desired contrast to the heavy, polluted air of Hanoi). The third thing was meant to be a run to the restroom, however, it was disrupted by the stunning view right in front of my eyes. Our hotel was on top of a hill and right opposite was a valley with mountains, hills, rice terraces, streams, green and golden beauty… I stood there for a few minutes, forgetting everything else.
Sapa was out of our route and required a long drive from Hanoi, so we were quite close to giving it a miss. Out of all the people we knew who went to Vietnam before us, only two included Sapa in their trip — and they insisted it was a must. We were both extremely happy we took their advice. My only regret is that we only spent one night there. If I had to go again, I’d definitely make it a three-day stay.
Trekking tips
If you plan to do trekking (which is a must!), and you’re new to trekking, make sure you practice a bit before — ideally in muddy lands. I went there completely green, thinking that as long as I was fit and wore in my new trekking shoes I’d be ok. Big mistake. One of my laces got caught in the hooks of the other shoe and I fell. I had blood running from my knees and elbows, covered in mud, in the middle of nowhere.
Luckily I had some antiseptic gel and water, so we cleaned and disinfected the wounds. Our guide — one of the most awesome human beings I’ve ever met — rubbed some grass on my wounds to stop the bleeding. Don’t be silly like me. Practice trekking before you go to Sapa, and always carry some essential first aid items.
Favourite moments
- Fresh coconut water under the trees next to a small waterfall in the wilderness
- Our guide, who picked up his excellent English from tourists and knew how to use my DSLR — a man who grew up in the wilderness with no formal education but was so sharp, positive, and incredibly knowledgeable. When I shook his hand on our last day I had tears in my eyes.
- Walking in a field full of flowers on my own and getting lost in the peacefulness
- Massive red butterflies that were so close and within reach
- The sheer happiness of children running freely and playing in the streams
- Divine tofu and morning glory for lunch in a shed in the middle of nowhere
- The blackness of the night and the clear starry sky from the bar window
- Women and children from tribes (Hmong group) in their colourful clothes selling earrings and bracelets
If I had to go to Vietnam again, Sapa would definitely be on my list — and this time, for longer. It’s a perfect place for breathtaking landscapes, trekking, fresh and genuine food, and relaxing. I’d also consider staying with the locals instead of a hotel next time.
With a slightly broken heart, I left Sapa to catch the coach to one of the most popular places in Vietnam: Ha Long Bay. Follow this space for my next account!