Sapa

Where would you like to go with Indochina Pioneer?

Please click on the countries below to read more about your desired destinations in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. These pages provide first-hand local travel information regarding transportation, accommodation, attractions, food & drink, entertainment ... together with some suggestions on ready-made tours to and from those places.

Vietnam

Hanoi

Halong

Hoian

Nha Trang

Ho Chi Minh City

Can tho

Sapa

Phu Quoc

Phan Thiet

Dalat

Danang

Qui Nhon

Vung Tàu

Cambodia

Seam Reap

Phnom Penh

Sihanoukville Beach Town

Laos

Luang Prabang

Viang Chan

Overview

Important Information

Gallery

A small market town that has been a gathering spot for many local hilltribes for nearly 200 years. Hmong and Dao people, among others, still come here to conduct trade, socialize, and attend an ephemeral "Love Market" where young men and women choose one another for marriage (these days, it's unlikely you'll see anything more than a staged re-creation of it). But seeing this as early as 1860, French missionaries said "Mon Dieu!" and set up camp to save souls; their stone church still stands sentinel and is well attended at the center of town. Sapa, with its mercifully cool climate, became a holiday escape for French colonists, complete with rail connection, upscale hotels, and a tourist bureau as early as 1917. The outpost was retaken by the Vietnamese in 1950, attacked and destroyed later by the French, and left in ruin, only briefly occupied by Chinese troops in 1979. The town reopened for tourism in the 1990s.

Now connected by luxury train with Hanoi, Sapa boasts good accommodations and is a great jumping-off point for trekking and ecotours. Even a 1- or 2-day trip, bracketed by overnight train journeys from Hanoi, will give you a unique glimpse of local hilltribe culture. Trek out to nearby villages with a guide (it's actually illegal to trek without a licensed guide and you may find yourself a very unwelcome guest in a village that does not accept tourists), or meet with the many hilltribe people who come to town to sell their wares.

The Tonkinese Alps are a feast for the eyes; hills striated by terraced rice farms in vast, green valleys are like a stairway up to Mount Fansipan, which is Southeast Asia's tallest mountain at 3,143m (10,312 ft.). Climbing Fansipan is a multiday trip, requiring a guide and gear -- best arranged through one of the tour operators listed, and only for the hearty. Note: Bring a few layers; it can get quite chilly here, especially in the winter months.

Railway Station: Now connect by the comfortable overnight train from Hanoi. Sapa is 23,5 miles (35km) from Lao Cai station. You'll need to transfer by bus for the 1 1/2- to 2-hour ride from Lao Cai station to Sapa town. The road is cut into the hillside and is bumpy and windy, but the views of the terraced rice farms of the valley are beautiful as you ascend (ride on the left side).

Clothing: Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is advised for much of year, although warmer clothing is needed during the chilly winter between Octobers to Febuary. Rainwear is advisable in any season.

Electricity: Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz AC (some 110V, 50HZ AC). Two-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adapter socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.

Health: A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. For the latest immunisation requirements please contact your GP.

Language: Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn. Based on tonal variations, it is difficult for a short term traveler to speak easily. It comes from the Chinese, although the two languages have diverged. Vietnamese has six tones, so a word can be said six ways, imparting six different meanings. There are also regional variations, so what is polite in Saigon may be just the opposite in Hanoi. In the 17th century, Alexander de Rhodes. Jesuit scholar and missionary, created the romanized script which was used only by the educated. In 1954, under Ho Chi Minh, the romanized script became the official written script for the Vietnamese language. Today, English and French arethe most common second languagesin Vietnam, so someone is sure to help you out. And, even though it is a difficult language, give it a try. your efforts will be appreciated!

Tipping: If you are happy with services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip, though not compulsory, is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, it inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across destinations. Here are our suggestions;

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Visa Requirements: Almost all visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country, although some qualified exemptions apply for citizens of those countries with bilateral reciprocal agreements with Vietnam. Depending upon the nationality and passport of the applicant, a tourist visa may be granted for either a fifteen (15) or thirty (30) day stay in Vietnam.Click here for more details…

Best Buys: The list of bargains is endless, but to whet your appetite, here are a few examples: Emboidery clothind, silver jewelery stone carvings…….!

Accommodation

3 Star	4 Star
Bamboo Sapa Hotel	Victoria Resort
Chau Long Hotel
Eco - Lodge Sapa

HANOI

Hanoi is relatively small and runs at quite an unhurried pace for a capital city. Resting in the Red River delta region, the centre is a mixed of tree-lined avenues, maze like back streets with lively merchants stores, temples and lakes and has many fine colonial buildings.

Brief history:

A village existed here at least as early as the 3rdth century. century AD, and a defensive citadel was established in the 8. The official origins of this great capital city go back to the year 1010. According to legend, while the new king, Ly Thai To, was in his royal barge on the river, he saw a golden dragon fly up towards the heavens. This was a good omen, so he moved his court from Hoa Lu to here, renaming his new capital city, Thang Long, “City of the Rising Dragon”. The heart of Thanh Long Citadel was the king’s sanctuary in the ‘Forbidden City’, but a growing collection of villages of commoners grew up around the walls.

More name changes over the centuries, and in 1802, the Nguyen dynasty moved their capital from here to the central city of Hue. In 1831, Emperor Tu Duc changed the name of the former royal capital to ‘Ha Noi’ - “City in a bend of the River”. While Ha Noi was no longer home to royalty, it was destined to soon become an important political centre again. The French colonialists occupied Hanoi in 1883, and it became their main administrative centre for all of French Indo-china (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos). Hanoi became the capital of their new colony of Tonkin (northern Viet Nam). Cochin-china (the southern 1/3rd of Viet Nam) had become a French colony in 1862. The Nguyen dynasty continued to rule from Hue, nominally at least, until 1945, but the French ‘pulled the strings’, dethroning any patriotic kings who opposed them.

On September 2, 1945, the free and independent nation of Viet Nam was proclaimed in Hanoi by Ho Chi Minh, before a huge crowd gathered in Ba Dinh Square, near Ho’s mausoleum today. The August Revolution had seized power throughout the country. The last king, Bao Dai, abdicated power to the new revolutionary republican government, led by Ho, thus ending the feudal monarchy. This independence was short-lived. The French eventually fought their way back to reclaim their colonial power, with increasing support from the U.S. The Viet Minh had to fight a bloody 9-year war against the French, finally culminating in the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu, which ended French colonialism in Indo-china. In 1954, after the Dien Bien Phu victory, Ho’s government returned to Hanoi, greeted by excited crowds. But yet again, foreign interference conspired to deny them the victory they had won on the battlefield, and in Geneva. So began the 21-year American War. In 1965, US aircraft began to attack Ha Noi, culminating in the infamous B52 bombing campaign of 12 days and nights of Christmas, 1972. Even this could not defeat Ha Noi’s fighting spirit, any more than the many earlier invasions by feudal Chinese, Mongols, Japanese, Nationalist Chinese or the French.Finally, on April 30, 1975, Viet Nam won its independence and reunification, as the Ho Chi Minh Campaign liberated the south.

In July 1976, Hanoi was officially declared the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Ha Noi – the heart and soul of Viet Nam - was named City of Peace by UNESCO in the year 2000. Now, Ha Noi is preparing to celebrate its 1000th Birthday, in 2010 – the oldest continuing capital city in S.E. Asia.

Airport: The international airport is Noi BaiInternational Airport and is located 16miles (25km) from the capital city. You can exchange currency for your taxi fare at the airport, however, some drivers accept U.S. currency. The exchange rate is 19.500 to $1 U.S..Hire a metered taxi outside the terminal. The journey should cost roughly $15U.S. including toll fee. NoiBai InternationalAirportis about 35km north of the city center.

Clothing: Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is advised for much of year, although warmer clothing is needed during the chilly winter between Octover to March. Rainwear is advisable in any season.

Electricity: Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz AC (some 110V, 50HZ AC). Two-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adapter socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.

Health:A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within 6 days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. For the latest immunisation requirements please contact your GP.

Language: Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn. Based on tonal variations, it is difficult for a short term traveler to speak easily. It comes from the Chinese, although the two languages have diverged. Vietnamese has six tones, so a word can be said six ways, imparting six different meanings. There are also regional variations, so what is polite in Saigon may be just the opposite in Hanoi. In the 17th century, Alexander de Rhodes. Jesuit scholar and missionary, created the romanized script which was used only by the educated. In 1954, under Ho Chi Minh, the romanized script became the official written script for the Vietnamese language. Today, English and French arethe most common second languagesin Vietnam, so someone is sure to help you out. And, even though it is a difficult language, give it a try. your efforts will be appreciated!

Tipping: If you are happy with services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip, though not compulsory, is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, it inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across destinations. Here are our suggestions;

Meals (restaurants): the average amount is $1
Guides: We recommend $2-$5 per day for local guides (depending on group size),
Drivers: You will have a range of drivers on your trip. Some will be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for few days. We would recommend a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of $1 to $2 per day would be appropriate (depending on group size).
Bellboy: the average amount is $1
Chambermaid: the average amount is $1 per day. For larger groups and adventure trips you may want to increase this. But please remember that it’s totally up to you, these are guidelines only

Best Buys: The list of bargains is endless, but to whet your appetite, here are a few examples: Silk painting, silk sheets, silk shirts, t- shirts, coffee filters, ground coffee, tea, ceramics, embroidered pictures, and table cloths, marble carvings, lacquer-ware, rattan furniture, beaded bags and shoes, a new season wardrobe tailored in Hoi An and so much more…….!

Currency Exchange: US Dollar is widely accepted and ATM can be found in all tourist attactions. ANZ ATM and Bank, Le Thai To St (near Hoan Kiem Lake); Vietcombank: Tran Quang Khai St or HSBC ATM: on Le Thai To St ( Hoan Kiem Lake)

Communication: Tin Tin’s Café (Hang Hanh), Queen’s Café (Hang Be) in the old quarter. Emotion Cybernet Café (52 Ly Thuong Kiet) near Hanoi Towers.

Places to see

Hoan Kiem Lake “Lake of the Restored Sword”
The name refers to a famous legend of the great Vietnamese hero, king Le Loi, who led a successful uprising against the Chinese in the 15th century. The Lake is still famous for its rare species of very large turtles , that occasionaly appear!

Ngoc Son Temple, “Temple of jade Mound”
Founded in the 14th century, and dedicated to Van Xuong, the God of Literature. Also worshipped here are the national hero General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongols in 1288; the physician La To; and a martial arts practitioner, Quan Vu. The red bridge was constructed in 1875

The Old Quarter“36 Streets”
Known as “Venice of the Far East” by early explorers and traders, due to the constant flooding. From the 13th century, 36 distinct guild areas set up. Streets are named after the original merchandise - ‘Hang’ means selling. While the various streets started out as villages, usually specializing in one particular craft or product, today the Old Quarter, with some 100,000 people in only 100 h ectares, has one of the highest population densities in the world.

Under feudal law, houses were limited to 2 storeys and could not be taller than the Royal Palace. Note the typical tube houses, which can be as little as a couple of metres wide, but extend back as far as 150 metres! Hang Bac (“Silver Street”) is perhaps Vietnam’s oldest urban thoroughfare. Hang Ma Selling paper products for at least 500 years burnt offerings to the ancestors. Hang Quat - Bright red prayer flags for funerals and festivals.

Night Market
The outdoor Night Market is very different from workaday Dong Xuan, mostly because it's more of a social event. Locals stroll the streets shoulder to shoulder, perusing inexpensive goods sold at the lighted stalls. It's fun and colourful, and definitely not about the shopping.

Temple of Literature
Ha Noi’s most revered temple complex and Viet Nam’s principal Confucian sanctuary, dedicated in 1070. Viet Nam’s first university was founded here, in 1076, but most of the buildings were destroyed by French bombs in 1947, leaving few traces among the weeds. One of the few remnants of the Ly king’s original city, despite past reconstructions. Many reconstructed buildings rose from the rubble as part of Ha Noi’s 990th birthday celebrations in 2000.

Museum of Ethnology
Located on Nguyen Van Huyen Street, about 20 minutes by taxi, this museum features about 15,000 artefacts made and used by the 54 ethnic minorities of Vietnam, and is highly recommended.

Museum of Independence
(48 Hang Ngang) Uncle Ho’s first house in Hanoi, where he lived for a short time after the success of the August Revolution, and where he wrote Viet Nam’s Declaration of Independence in 1945. Significantly, Ho Chi Minh used the opening words from the American Declaration of Independence, and referred to the French Revolution principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Food and drinks

There are more restaurants than one could stomach along the main strip, Pho Cau May; they all have nearly the same menu, with many of them offering, oddly enough, Italian as well as Vietnamese fare. Tread with caution.

Rose Garden Sapa - a middle-ranged restaurant. The restaurant is located on phanxipang street, on the way to Cat Cat Village. They have freshly baked baguettes and hamburgers right off their own bakery. The desserts - ice cream, cakes and cookies are sweet delicacies yet at an affordable price.

Little Sapa - a popular, low-priced restaurant on the hill leading out of the main tourist.

Baguette and Chocolat (Thac Bac St., near the hilltop terminus of central Cau May St, Around Town)
The folks from Hoa Sua, a popular restaurant designed as a training center for disadvantaged youth, have done an excellent job with this cozy café. Open sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and omelets top a fine menu heavy on good French cuisine. Seating is in a cool "no shoe" area with rattan couches and white pillows (be sure to tidy-up if coming from a day in the hills) or you can sit outside. Elegant presentations are made on large white platters. But what really attracts folks to this little cafe are the pastries and good strong coffee; you won't find espresso and cappuccino like this elsewhere in town.

Delta Restaurant (33 Cau May St, Sapa)
Come here for the post-trek or post-long-haul-to-Sapa pizza. Right in the center of town on the corner across from the Royal Hotel, this place has wide glass doors that they can close on windy or foggy nights. Upstairs is a chic little wine bar with booths: cozy and romantic. The menu features the likes of gazpacho, bruschetta, good fresh salads, pasta, lasagna, ravioli, Australian steaks, and chicken dishes, but the pizza reigns supreme. Thin crust topped with light and fresh ingredients and real cheese. The Cappriciosa pizza I ordered was topped with tomato, eggplant, mushroom, olive oil, and gobs of good mozzarella. Prices are high for this little backpacker town, but that just keeps the backpackers out.

The Gecko (Ham Rong St. (east of the old church), Around Town)
This small restaurant just west of the old church serves hearty, but forgettable French food. Staff members speak little to no English and the atmosphere is a bit on the bland side. They have a sister restaurant called Le Petit Gecko serving similar fare just across the street.

Tavan (At the Victoria Sapa Hotel, Around Town)
This is the most elegant dining in the Tonkinese Alps. The menu is rich with imports; everything from lamb to filet to salmon steaks. They serve all the right dishes to keep you warm on a chilly evening. Be sure to try the cheese fondue. The dining room is candlelit and romantic, done up with burgundy walls and rich wood floors and local hangings surrounding a central fireplace. There are good Vietnamese specials on an evolving menu, and the pastas are homemade and delicious.