since i was too lazy to go for hikes in lao i decided sapa is one of the last nice opportunities to do so and signed up for a hike to 4 villages organized by my hotel..
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since i was too lazy to go for hikes in lao i decided sapa is one of the last nice opportunities to do so and signed up for a hike to 4 villages organized by my hotel… something i usually not do but it was worth a try, cost me 10 usd including a guide, lunch and ride back into town
we were only 3 people and a guide. 2 american/isrealis and a villager lady as a guide. on the trek were loads of other groups though and many villagers walking around (obviously selling stuff, but also chatting). english is spoken very very well by the villagers, especially kids, which is quite surprising as they don’t learn it in school.
school is only vietnamese writing & reading btw, no math, no english, etc. teacher earns 500′000 dong a month, around 31 usd
the walk was amazing! rice terraces wherever you look, nice scenic landscape and funny villagers… everyone just joking around.the girls work tough around here.. while the men are loitering around the villages, repairing motorbikes or watching tv, the women are wearing their heavy dark dresses, guide the tourists and carry the merchandise they sell.
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| Favourite spots: |
Pha Long Market - Saturday
From 6 am to midday
Very rural market, ethnic groups include, the H’mong, Tou Zi, Pa Zi and Tou Lao. Along the road can be found several Nung and Mong villages, often consisting of traditional houses constructed with baked earth tiled roofs.
Can Cau Market - Saturday
Saturday morning 6 am to midday
In the middle of paddy and corn fields. Visitors are generally H’mong groups from highland villages. The local H’mong are the famous variegated or Flower H’mong due to the intricate and colourful nature of their costumes. Travel is often made by horseback as a way of carrying the heavy loads to and from market.
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| What's really great: |
Coc Ly Market - Tuesday
From 7 am to lunchtime
Off the beaten track. Several groups of Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung and Phu La groups can be found in this secluded mountain market. Return back by boat down the river Chay and marvel at the untouched natural beauty of the region.
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| Sights: |
Sapa, nestling in a beautiful valley on the border with China, is northwest Vietnam’s most colorful destination.
Vivid green rice terraces are sculpted into the mountain sides while in the fields H’mong and Dao women work dressed in colorful traditional clothes.
At the end of the week the H’mong, Dao and other ethnic minorities trek into town from the surrounding countryside to trade goods at the weekend markets in Sapa, Bac Ha and other small towns. Here they sell silver jewellery, traditional embroidered fabrics and authentic articles of hill tribe clothing at the markets. more at http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/city/sapa.html
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| Accommodations: |
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Sapa Golden Sea hotel at www.sapatowntravel.com
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| Restaurants: |
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Bamboo Restaurant
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| Other recommendations: |
Can Cau Market - Saturday
Saturday morning 6 am to midday
In the middle of paddy and corn fields. Visitors are generally H’mong groups from highland villages. The local H’mong are the famous variegated or Flower H’mong due to the intricate and colourful nature of their costumes. Travel is often made by horseback as a way of carrying the heavy loads to and from market. More http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/city/sapa.html
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Published on Thursday December 11th, 2008
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Thu, Dec 18 2008 - 07:16 AM
 by bineba
| Interesting report. A few more photos and detailed information on would lift it to 5*. |
Fri, Dec 12 2008 - 08:32 PM
by robynallen
| Great shots of the locals. |
Thu, Dec 11 2008 - 11:15 AM
by pesu
| Good pics - a report interesting to read. |
Thu, Dec 11 2008 - 10:27 AM
by jorgesanchez
| Short but interesting and nice report. |
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