Trekking in Sapa

Just got back from a fantastic 4 day trip to Sapa Valley. Sapa is located in the north-west of Vietnam. To get to the trail head at Sapa, we took an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, followed by an hour's drive.


We spent 3 days trekking through rice terraces and villages around the valleys, and stayed at the homes of local hill tribes for a couple of nights.

Most of the local hill tribes survive on small-scale subsistence farming. In Sapa valley, they can only grow 1 crop of rice a year. They are currently cultivating young rice saplings in anticipation of the rainy season in June and July.

On the first night, we stayed in the Ta Van village, with the Dzay minority people. Here are the proud grandparents of the household with their granddaughter.

Tired trekkers! Our entire 3 day trek route was 30km in total. It was great to get some fresh air up in the mountains.

On the 2nd day, we trekked down to the valley to Ban Ho village to stay with the Tay minority tribes. This is the local provision store.

I didnt get a picture of the Tay house we stayed in though - because it had been pouring all day, up until we'd left. They rear some pigs, ducks, chickens, and grow crops like rice, bittergourd, sweet potatoes, etc. Its definitely an educational trip for city people! The Tay tribes stay in stilt houses -don't think matchstick houses. Ours had 2 levels, plus an attic. The house comes complete with TV, dvd player and posters of Korean soap stars! Globalisation -what can i say ;-)