The Comprehensive Mountain Range of Sa Pa, Vietnam

If you have something for an upscale tourist area, then look no further but Vietnam's Sa Pa. Nature truly never lies—it's really phenomenal. The view from all angles clearly shows that the 350 kilometer mountain in northwest Vietnam is natural. With more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, pristine beaches, dynamically developing cities, mountainous areas, and various cultural and historical landmarks, Vietnam's tourism industry continues to be one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world.

This small mountain town is located in the city of Hoang Liên Son and observes the extent of rice fields in the Muong Hoa Valley. Hoang Liên Son is a mountain with Fan Si Pan, the highest mountain in Vietnam. Hoang Liên National Park is home to many animal species, wooded slopes, and dwarf bamboo in the highest mountains. Those interested in receiving trekking maps at Fan Si Pan's tourist information center can do so without hassle.

The quiet city of Sa Pa is located near the peak of Phang Xi Pang (3,143 m), so you can easily go up and down with your hands and feet. This can be done with the help of tilting or stiffening by the guide. Special attention must be given, especially when climbing a hill that requires a lot of skills. Maybe you should plan for good shoes to hold the smoothness or the height of the steep slopes.

No one will run out of this amazing greenery that has many things to offer tourists.

Therefore, having a better Sa Pa guide helps ensure a safer experience. Sa Pa is a place where many other ethnic groups; such as Tay, Dao, Hmong, and Pho Lu; live. Thanks to the large number of people facing Sa Pa and the living nature of this tourist site, it has one of the most important market cities in the area, selling almost everything needed during the visit.

Every week, many tourists from various circles visit Sa Pa to witness the high mountain attractions, symbolic rice fields, and walk in the forest. With more than 10,000 residents, there is a border between China and the capital of the Sa Pa district in Lào Cai province in Vietnam. I was fortunate to have several people who speak English. So we had a pleasant conversation about Sa Pa. In our journey, we found a small museum and a cathedral with unmatched architecture. No matter how nice the stroll was, we met other friendly women who, after our interrogations, were tribal women who were traders and sellers. And it was great to talk to them as we learnt many other secret things that are clearly unknown to most visitors. They have been here for years, you can imagine how authentic their information is.

Brief Story Behind Sa Pa

In the 19th century, France came to a suburb called Tonkin in Vietnam, and after examining this amazing mountain landscape, they determined that this place should be a tourist area, and added Sa Pa to a national map to make it known worldwide. Sa Pa became an important location for the French army and their missionaries. Decades passed and no one knew of this podunk. People have heard of it, but could not find the exact place. Until 1993, when Sa Pa became accessible to humans and was officially known as a tourist destination, it was hidden. After the Second World War, nearly 200 colonial buildings were demolished in Sa Pa. Here, you have the opportunity to see the rest of the destroyed property and sample debris, plus learn more about the French colonial history itself. Many people gathered here during the official opening of Sa Pa for the public.

Transportation To Sa Pa

Getting to Sa Pa is optional when it comes to how to get here. Choose from buses, taxis, or even trains to Hanoi. By car, 50 minutes to Lao Caithe and then straight to the final destination. It takes nine hours by car from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train. Tickets are booked in advance before you embark on the journey.

Of course, naturally, the town is very small, with steep roads, but is easy to navigate.

Fees To Pay

Travel entertainment is always charged, so you can enjoy a 5 day trip between $259 and $260 per traveler. Rates for three days are $195 and $200 per adult. Roll your eyes around and you would understand how beautiful nature is. Prepare, relax, and enjoy the most spectacular attractions in the area called Fan Si Pan, around Sapa. This is actually the highest mountain in Vietnam. It's better to prepare for this short but complicated trip. Well, it's only 19 kilometers from the city, but the rough and striking rock formations and unpredictable weather conditions are just a few features that can be found here.

How About Accommodation?

For visitors who do not know where to look for these crossings, most hotels in Sa Pa offer half-day and one-day trips. Sa Pa Legend Hotel, Auberge Hotel, Cat Cat View Hotel, Mountain View Hotels, and several other similar entertainment facilities will help anyone through the process. Besides the latter, these hotels have excellent facilities and incredible customer service, which means you can stay longer than expected. Some of these hotels offer a 24 hour airport shuttle at an additional cost. Free parking is available on site.

The Meals

Unless you came visiting with your packaged food prepared from home, it is clear that after walking a long way through beautiful Sa Pa, you definitely need restored energy with food and drink. Luckily, on one of the roads, Cau May, there are a number of restaurants, cafés, and local markets. What's interesting about their menu is that they are prepared with lots of fresh ingredients and are also beneficial for vegetarians. There is almost every food (local and continental) at very affordable prices for all, especially foreign visitors. In the evening, you can meet local and foreign tourists at the pool bar and make friends with them. Karaoke is offered at the nearest wooden bar, which keeps getting interesting by the day. Live group music is only available on weekends.

• Country: Vietnam
• District: Sa Pa
• Province: Lào Cai
• Coordinates: 22°21′N 103°52′E
• Area Total: 24.02 km2 (9.27 sq mi)
• Density: 373.6/km2 (968/sq mi)

Proper Time To Visit

However, if you're planning a trip, it's good to check certain data and information to avoid surprises. Given the meteorological conditions at Sapa, visitors must know that they vary depending on the weather. As a result, travelers must comply with this before they travel. The dry season starts in January and lasts until June, so the best time to travel is from March to May. January and February are the coldest and foggiest months of the year. There are times when the temperature is almost freezing and visitors sit in a tower surrounded by thick smoke walls. Ideally, for a week, when the city is less crowded, you can have fun to the fullest. All you have to do is bring the necessary equipment, which is appropriate for the moment; durable shoes or rubber boots, coats, hats, and other needed goods.

Extra Attraction

Touring Sa Pa offers totally different entertainment. Sa Pa has many traditional festivals in various ethnic groups. This includes the Hmong's Gau Tao Festival, which is held every year in January with singing and costume competitions. Others are the Tay Long Tong Festival, which takes place one month after Hmong Gau Tao in February. This is where beautiful ceremonies, games, folklore, and dance meet. These activities attract many curious people who like tradition.

At the same time, Love Falls and Thac Bac Waterfall are close to San Sa Ho attractions, which can be reached in 30 minutes by bicycle and one hour by car. Don't forget to get close to the beautiful architectural design of the Holy Rosary Church of Sa Pa.

Apart from all the good things, Vietnam as a country has several tourism challenges that need to be diligently worked on. The number of international tourists in Vietnam tripled from 5 million in 2010 to 15 million in 2018. However, the lack of human resources, infrastructure, branding, and airport capacity are some of the problems that must be addressed. Lack of skills is also a major challenge that requires high-quality training.

But all things considered, Vietnam is an extremely safe country to travel in. The police keep a pretty tight grip on social order and there are rarely reports of muggings, robberies, or sexual assaults. Scams and hassles do exist, particularly in Hanoi. For a more comfortable experience in Vietnam, it's best to estimate around $50 per day. That way, you will have more money for things like food, drinks, activities, and hotel rooms. For the experience of the Vietnamese middle class, it is best to pay $60 to $100 per day for all costs.

Anyway, I just finished my cacao coffee after a valuable trip to Sa Pa.

About the Author 🇬🇭

Osei Agyemang is a passionate, creative writer and editor with a zeal for creating exciting and innovative content. Osei is also a junkie fan who loves to visit and tell interesting sites around the world. He is a useful national artist who has studied Psychology and Journalism. Osei is also a Fashion enthusiast.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter

LinkedIn