Xin Chao!
Thoughts drift back to the times
when the piercing cold of Hanoi comes to mind – the other extreme of the
current heat in most states in Malaysia. If you’re looking at a cold or cool
getaway, just 3.5 hrs away is the vibrant city of Hanoi and quaint town of
Sapa!
Arriving at Noi Ba – Hanoi
International Airport, grab a limo ride to Sapa! It is a smooth 5hr drive up
through the highway that connect Hanoi to Sapa. Stop for refreshments along the
way, and if you get a chance to chai
with the locals, do try your hands at their local shisha!
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| Try their Shisha |
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| Meet the Locals |
Awake early as the it gets bright
around 530am in Sapa.
Book a bike from your Hotel, ride to the nearest petrol
kiosk (there is only 1 in Sapa town – YES! You read it right!). Take a ride up
to Fanxipan Mountain.
You can trek your way to the peak
or you can get a tram and cable car to the Peak. The peak is also known as a
sacred peak and you will find yourself surrounded by soothing Buddhist chants
at the end of the cable car ride. You will come across a few little monasteries
and then the magnificent Big Buddha!
Move on to the Peak on the tram
ride. Summer will be an excellent time to view the entire Peak sitting above
the clouds at 3219 feet above sea level. For those of you who have health
problems, it is advisable to take it slow as the oxygen level can get thin at
the top. Come prepared with your winter clothing if your visiting during year
end – otherwise it is a comfortable 15 – 18 degrees.
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| Sunworld Fansipan |
Spend some time at the peak or
the little café at the top before you head down back to Sapa town. Food is
mostly steamboat in Sapa with variance of fried rice and abundance of
vegetables. MUST TRY is the
Vietnamese Spring Rolls. You also have a choice of a few pizza outlets.
In Sapa town, you will come
across the tribal community or you can head down to the local market to
purchase souvenirs and local produce.
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| The quiet Sapa town at night |
Other attractions around Sapa are
the waterfalls, Cat Cat Village, and authentic tribal communities.
Your return journey from Sapa to
Hanoi is between a chartered limo, overnight train and a bus ride. We opted for
the overnight Train ride and that journey took us a 1 hr van shuttle from Sapa
Hotel to Lao Cai station. There is only one train ride to and from Hanoi, both
at night.
Check in at the various train
designated train lounge. Our precious ride was on the Chapa Express!
Comfortable private cabins and
budget shared berths are available on the ride. Light snacks are provided and
ready in your cabin. Shared washrooms are allocated at the end of the
compartment. And at the approval of the station master, the train begins
troooting..
The ride is comfortable and one
of a kind! At around 530am, you will get your wake up call as the staffs knock
on each cabin to inform that you are arriving in 10 minutes! At the train
station, find your way to the Hanoi station waiting area and hail a Grab to
your hotel or onward destination.
Sapa is relatively new to
Tourism, nevertheless, is an experience not to be missed! Sapa and Hanoi can be
done in a 4 days 3 nights trip with the following itinerary.
Day 1 Hanoi – Sapa ~ Day 2 Sapa
Fanxipan ~ Day 3 Sapa Villages ~ Day 4 Sapa - Hanoi
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| See you in our next stop! |
Stay tuned to our next edition of
north Vietnam : HALONG BAY
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