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Sapa Travel Guide
Shrouded in mist most of the time, Sapa was originally a hill station built by the French in 1922 as a retreat from the hot and muggy summers of Hanoi. There they could relax and enjoy the breathtaking views.
In spite of the onslaught of commercialization in the last few years, Sapa still retains much of its old charm, and is a must-see destination when visiting northern Vietnam.
Nestled in the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range (also called the Tonkinese Alps) near the town of Lao Cai, it has steep terraced rice fields, towering mountain ridges, wild rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and you can still see traditional houses clinging to the hillsides.
Nowadays most visitors from the capital come on weekends to see the famed "Love Market," and take a look around local hill tribe villages.
The town of Sapa has become a kind of jumble of old French colonial architecture, new hotels, and small mini-hotels. It has been somewhat neglected, and wouldn’t be considered much of a town if it were not in the incredibly beautiful and scenic area of Sapa. Because of its being in this paradise-like setting, it actually seems quite picturesque and fitting. The most prominent hotel is the four-star Victoria Sapa, a large hotel on a hillside in town.
There are some eight ethnic groups in Lao Cai Province: Hmong, Dao, White Thai, Giay, Tay, Muong, Hao and Xa Pho. In the town of Sapa, the Red Dao have the coins hanging from their red headdresses, and the intricately embroidered waistcoats worn by the women. The Hmong wear somewhat less elaborately embroidered royal blue attire. Groups of Hmong young people and women can be seen carrying very heavy loads of wood, stakes, bamboo, bricks, and produce in baskets on their backs. The Muong Hoa River courses through narrow valleys around Sapa, passing small ethnic settlements and bright green rice fields.
Sapa is a base for trekking, climbing, cycling and motorbike trips to the surrounding mountainous regions, and visits to other ethnic markets in the area that are not so tourist oriented are also highly recommended. Many kinds of treks to ethnic villages are offered by travel agents, with visitors sleeping in tents or in a home-stay situation.
Love Market
Sapa is famous for its so-called "Love Market". On Saturday nights, both male and female Red Dao hill tribe youths congregate in a kind of weekly courting ritual, and sing tribal love songs to impress the opposite sex. The songs tell of the singer’s physicality, domestic abilities, their work ethic, etc.
Getting Around
The best way to get around Sapa is by walking. Of course being on a hillside, the streets are steep. Most local people ride on motorbikes around town. However, this can be an exhilarating and hair-raising experience. Be sure that you ride with a safe and sane driver.
When To Go
The best times of the year to visit Sapa are in the spring and fall. In the summer it can be rainy, and it gets quite muddy. In the winter, temperatures can drop to freezing or below, and it does snow sometimes.
Because the scenery is so spectacular here, the weather really can make a difference. It can be disappointing if the beauty of the mountains is obscured by clouds, fog and rain. Travel Tips
In Sapa, there are many ethnic vendors, selling all manner of handmade articles. You can look at what they are selling, but be advised that if you show any interest, they will follow you all around trying to get you to buy something.
Also be advised that most local Hmong and Dao people now expect to be paid to have their picture taken. Always ask in advance if you can take their picture, and if you have to pay them.
Cambodia
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produce in baskets on their backs. The Muong Hoa River courses through narrow valleys around Sapa, passing small ethnic settlements and bright green rice fields. 
sometimes.