Breathtaking Landscape Photographs of Sapa

If you are a nature lover, Vietnam is definitely a destination for you. Vietnam has a wide range of beautiful sightseeings that attract lots of tourists from all over the world. One of which is Sapa – the breathtaking natural landscape in Vietnam.

Lies in the misty highlands of Lào Cai, Western North (or Tây Bắc, as the Vietnamese call it), nearly 300 kilometers away from Hà Nội, is a small town called Sa Pa (Sapa).

Sa Pa is one of the first places in the highlands to be discovered. Upon the arrival in Vietnam, the French built mansions on the high mountains of Sa Pa, alongside with Đà Lạt for the holidays due to the cool temperature they had. At present, these 2 places have many vintage-styled buildings for visiting, and sometimes, ‘ghost seeking’.

How to get to Sapa?

Sapa is a nice place for you to travel, far away from the exquisites of the crowded cities, hence lots of new things to explore.

Where to go in Sapa?

For anyone looking to experience the local lifestyle, Sapa has hill-tribes along the mountains.

A common thing of the Northern Highlands is that they are home to many Vietnamese ethnic minorities like Tày, Nùng, Dao Thái Mông, etc. The locals make their living by farming, specifically growing crops. What makes it special, is the contour farming method that they use. Along with the harvest, these ladder-organized crops, together, build up unique land structures, creating the enticing landscapes of Vietnamese mountains. Therefore, the highlands are best known for 2 things: the agriculture, and the picturesque mountain scenery that it has.

Sa Pa is filled with attractions. You can have nostalgic goosebumps in the old mansions, or take a trip through the farmlands, which are colorized with the light yellow of malt crops in the harvest. But don’t miss one thing: the highest place of Vietnam, the Fansipan mountain peak, is located here. The so-called ‘Indochina Rooftop’ now has cable cars to transport, but if you want to be more adventurous, climbing up the mountains is another way. But remember to be well-prepared though, as danger and myths that lie beneath the rocks awaits.

After a trip in eyegasm, remember that Sa Pa is home to many minority ethnics? Get to the small villages. This is where the locals welcome you and give you a tour through the farmlands. If possible, buy the old women’s handmade souvenir crafts as a ‘thank you’.

Note: do not buy the children’s one, as it may encourage them to drop school in order to sell these.

Read our full Travel Guide to SAPA here. It covers advice and suggestions from accommodations, tourist attractions, local foods to nightlife activities and more.

SAPA TRAVEL GUIDE

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Photos and words by Khoi Nguyen