Travelogue from Vietnam: Sapa

Read Michelle’s travel journal from Sapa in Vietnam, which she visited in January 2018.

The guide helped us in to Hanoi train station with our bags. The night train to Lao Cai rolled into the platform and we carried our bags onto the train and found our sleeping compartment for 4 people. We were to share the compartment with two women from France. The train was nice and clean. Inside our compartment, the beds were made with freshly washed sheets, pillow and duvet covers. There was a lamp by each bed and the possibility of charging our phones and cameras. There was also a small basket containing complimentary water, toothbrushes and some snacks. We were both tired, so we soon went to bed.

On our arrival at Lao Cai station, we were picked up by a guide and a driver who drove us to our hotel in Sapa. It was foggy when we got to Sapa and the temperature was no more than 8 degrees. Fortunately, we were not planning to go out until the afternoon, so the chances of the weather clearing up by then were pretty good. This meant we had plenty of time to have breakfast, shower and unpack.

After a little rest, we went for a stroll in the village, up the main street, which is lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. At the end of the road is the central square where the village’s catholic church is also located. The square is a meeting point for the locals and sometimes also used as a marketplace where the ethnic hill tribes sell their wares. On a clear day, you can see Vietnam’s highest mountain, Fansipan.

We found a good restaurant a little further up the road where we enjoyed a nice lunch. Then we returned to the hotel, where the guide and driver were ready to drive us to the outskirts of the village to explore Sapa’s scenic landscapes and ethnic hill tribes.

When we got out of the car, it didn’t take long before we were greeted with “How are you?” and “What’s your name?” by two Hmong women dressed in traditional clothes but with modern winter jackets. The two women walked with us and, in broken English, told us their names, age and about their husband and children. We didn’t mind at all because, when we travel, we love meeting the locals and hearing about their lives and culture.

When the communication between us became a little too complicated, the guide translated. The two women also talked about their upbringing and about life here in Sapa, which made a big impression on both of us. When we went our separate ways after around 2 hours, we walked away with huge smiles on our faces. We admired these two strong, beautiful women. They may live a highly primitive life, but they were filled with joy and infectious laughter. Again, we were reminded that it is the small things in life that matter.

In January, it’s winter in Sapa, so it was not the green rice fields we got to see, but it was still incredibly beautiful. In mid-January, the rice terraces are greenish brown, but once the fog lifts and the sun pokes through, you can imagine how beautiful it must be here in the spring and autumn. And you can’t help but be a little envious of the Hmongs’ view when you sit at Mrs Moo’s with your feet in a lovely herbal foot bath, looking out over the valleys and rice fields.

Michelle, TourCompass