Sa Pa

Sa Pa (Lao Cai province) lies in the Hoang Lien Son range at about 1,500 – 1,600 m above sea level. The climate is cool all year with frequent fog. It is home to the H'Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho peoples, whose villages and terraced fields stretch along the Muong Hoa Valley.

Top sights

• Fansipan – 3,143 m, reached by cable car from the town plus about 600 stone steps to the summit.

• Cat Cat Village – a H'Mong village about 2 km from the town, with a waterfall, brocade weaving and silver smithing.

• Ta Van – Lao Chai – Ta Phin – easy trekking routes through terraced fields and Giay and Dao villages.

• Silver Waterfall and O Quy Ho Pass (Heaven's Gate) – one of the four great passes of northern Vietnam.

• Sa Pa market, Coc Leu market and Bac Ha market (Sundays) – where highland people sell brocade and produce.

Local food

Thang co stew, grilled "pig under the arm", Sa Pa salmon and sturgeon, smoked buffalo, garlic stir-fried chayote shoots, five-colour sticky rice and sweet apple-wine.

Best time to visit

September – October for golden rice; May – June when the terraces are flooded; December – February for clouds and fog, with temperatures sometimes below 5°C and occasional frost. Sa Pa is cloudy, so the view from the Fansipan summit is not always clear.

Getting there

From Hanoi it is about 320 km via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway, 5 – 6 hours by limousine or sleeper bus; or take the night train to Lao Cai Station and drive about one more hour up to Sa Pa.