This is a travel journal.
- Recommended for those looking for a niche destination.
- Please read this when you have a little free time.
The place introduced here is a town called Sapa in Vietnam.
I went there based on information on the Internet that it is a peaceful town with clean air.
In fact, when I visited there, I found it to be quiet and relaxing compared to the capital city of Hanoi.
The town is famous for its rice terraces and the best season is autumn.
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Location of Sapa
Sapa, in northwestern Vietnam, is a town about 290 km from the capital Hanoi, with a population of about 60,000.
The high elevation of around 1,600 meters makes for a cool climate.
In winter, it is likely to snow, so be careful what you wear.
It takes about 6 hours from Narita to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
It takes about 5 hours to get to Sapa from there by bus at the bus stops around the airport.
It takes almost 12 hours in total from Japan, including waiting time.
If you are a tourist, two full days are enough to visit major tourist attractions.
Trekking is also popular, and if you want to do that, you will want more travel days.
Sapa Highlights
This time, I visited three major spots in Sapa.
・Cat Cat Village
Rice terraces (terraced rice fields) are famous.
Sightseeing of the life of a minority tribe (Black Hmong).
・Fansipan mountain
At 3,143 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in Vietnam.
Take the ropeway and cable car to the top.
・Ham Rong Hill
A hill overlooking the town of Sapa.
A very relaxing place.
I personally recommend this hill.
Access by bus
The bus stop is about a 20-minute walk from the airport.
It does not feel like a bus stop like in Japan, and it is dark.
I was worried that the bus would really come, but it did.
Bus tickets can be purchased online even from outside of Vietnam.
Unlike the darkness of the bus stop, the interior of the car is glaring with flashy lights.
The seats are called sleeping seats and are more comfortable than expected.
There is even a blanket provided for a good night’s sleep.
There will be one or two 10-minute breaks during the bus trip.
It is important to note that there is a possibility of changing buses, even direct buses.
I found myself cringing when I was dropped off in the middle of the road, not even knowing what town I was in.
And the bus driver speaks in Vietnamese.
I had no idea what they were talking about.
All the passengers were getting off, so I decided to get off anyway.
A short time later, a transfer vehicle arrived.
I was able to get to Sapa in this vehicle.
In Asian countries, it is quite common for passengers to be dropped off on the way to their destination even if the bus is a direct bus.
The same was true in India.
If you go, do not be reassured that you are going directly there.
Town of Sapa
The bus ride took about five hours.
I arrived a little after 6:00 a.m. local time, and the place was bustling with activity from the morning.
Merchants are everywhere, asking you to buy something.
From the bus stop, walk toward the town and you will find the lake of Sapa.
And the church of Sapa in the center of town.
It is a country town, but the transportation is by car and motorcycle, so it is noisy in its own way.
It has a very Vietnamese feel to it.
Sapa Attractions 1: Cat Cat Village
If you visit Sapa, you will want to visit Cat Cat Village and Fansipan mountain.
In Cat Cat Village, visitors can see how the Black Hmong ethnic minority people live.
The rice terraces here are famous and best viewed in autumn.
I went this time in May, which was not during the rice terrace season, but I still enjoyed it.
Pay the admission fee at the entrance and enter.
Souvenir shops line the street as soon as you enter, and food is also available.
When you buy fruit, they put a lot of it in a bag.
The fruit on the left in the photo is sour and tough, although the locals munched on it.
A large number of motorcycle cabs are waiting for you across the exit bridge.
Sapa Attractions 2: Mt. Fansipan
Mount Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam.
It is 3,143 meters above sea level, but you can easily reach the top by ropeway and cable car.
The photo above is the mountain railroad station. It is a magnificent building from which you can reach the ropeway station.
On Mt. Fansipan, the paths are marked with stone steps, and no special mountain hiking equipment is required.
There were also plenty of kappas near the entrance for free use.
The day was so foggy that we could hardly see the scenery…too bad.
The summit elevation is 3,143 meters.
It must be a wonderful view if you go there on a clear day.
Sapa Attractions 3: Hamrong Hill
Hamron Hill is located up the mountain from the church in Sapa.
It is very relaxing and overlooks the town of Sapa.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
I recommend the delicious iced coffee sold at the top.
Beer was also sold.
Hamron Hill was a good tourist spot with locals enjoying themselves in a relaxed atmosphere.
Vietnam is inexpensive and the food is delicious.
Restaurants are expensive in Sapa due to its tourist location.
Still, it is much cheaper and more voluminous than in Japan.
And they are all delicious.
Coconut curry is especially recommended.
Beer is available at restaurants for about 120 Japanese yen. (less than $1)
If you buy it at the supermarket, it costs less than 50 Japanese yen(less than $0.5).
I drank three kinds of beer, but Saigon beer is the easiest to drink.
Fried spring rolls are about 250 yen ($2) and fried noodle-like dishes are about 350 yen ($3). All are delicious.
Stylish guesthouse
The place to stay is a guesthouse.
At about 600($4.5) Japanese yen per night, it is also inexpensive.
The sleeping area was reasonably clean, but the common areas were very clean and comfortable.
There was also a bar counter and billiards.
Most of the people staying there were Westerners and their luggage was left unprotected on the beds, but there didn’t seem to be much theft. Peaceful.
The showers and toilets are clean. And there is toilet paper here, which was helpful.
The sleeping area smells a little sweaty, but I can live with that.
Finally.
I felt that two full days in Sapa would be sufficient for sightseeing.
It takes about 12 hours from Japan, but if you have the time, this is a place you should definitely visit.
If you also want to do trekking, you can afford to have about 4 nights and 5 days, including travel from Japan.
If you’re going on a tour, you’ll need to
Klook can be useful.
Search for “sapa” to see tours.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Klook.com
