Tracing Sapa, Vietnam: The City at the Foot of Mount Fansipan
What's it like traveling to Sapa Vietnam, a city with four seasons in one day? Who says Southeast Asia doesn't have a winter destination? Vietnam, has beautiful snowy places.
Besides Mount Phia Oac and Mount Mao Son, the Sa Pa area attracts many travelers every year. The falling snow forms a beautiful landscape painting of the mountains.
Sa Pa is the most beautiful tourist spot in the world that offers very beautiful views. Here you can see beautiful views similar to paintings, see neatly lined mountains, green rice fields on the slopes of the mountains, and around Sa Pa you can also see colorful plants.
Sa Pa is located in Lao Cai Province, approximately 380 km from Hanoi. This city can be reached for 5-6 hours by road trip. The Hoang Lien Son mountain range which is still part of the Himalayas dominates the city of Sapa. Including Mount Fan Si Pan, which is 3,143m high.
Located at the foot of Mount Fan Si Pan, Sa Pa has a relatively cooler air compared to several other big cities in Vietnam. Sapa Vietnam is also known as a city with four seasons because of its frequent change of weather.
Sa Pa is home to six different ethnic groups with different cultures and languages in Vietnam. The majority ethnic group is Hmong followed by Tay, Dao, Dzay and Xa Pho. They are known to be friendly to tourists and they can communicate in both English and French.
Winter in Sa Pa begins in November to April. Snow usually falls in December to January, when the weather is very cold reaching below 0 degrees Celsius.
Usually, snow falls during the coldest period in Sa Pa between December 15 and January 1, with temperatures reaching -17 degrees Celsius.
Snowfall can also last for about one to two days.
It only snows in some high elevation areas of Sapa. For example, Y Ty Pass, Hoang Lien Son Mountain, O Quy Ho Pass, Heaven Gate, Silver Fall and Bat Xat Commune.
The most recommended place for snow viewing is Y Ty Pass, as it snows more frequently. The terraced landscape which is usually green in this place will also provide a different view when the snow falls.
Travelers can also hike to the top of Ham Rong, San May to see the panoramic view of the city of Sa Pa which is covered in snow fog. Another way to enjoy the view of Sa Pa city is by taking the cable car at Fansipan.
Housing and roads will also be covered with snow, just like in Europe. Residents do not hesitate to offer traditional Vietnamese hot food and drinks for tourists who pass by their homes.
When enjoying a snow tour in Sa Pa, make sure to wear thick and warm clothing such as hats, scarves, wool, gloves, jackets, and waterproof shoes.
Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa
You can reach Sapa from several big cities in Vietnam, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The most convenient and quick way to reach Sapa is from Hanoi. A variety of transportation options are available to reach Sapa. Trains can be an option with the route from Hanoi to Lao Cai. The length of the journey by train is about 8-9 hours. From Lao Cai, you can continue your journey by bus or taxi for an hour to Sa Pa.
Alternatively, you can use a bus with a travel duration of around 6-8 hours. There are a variety of bus operators, prices, and schedules. There are morning, afternoon and evening departures, including the Sapa Express sleeper bus. Sleeper buses, especially the departure schedule at night, have become a lot of choices for travelers. You can save the cost of accommodation for one night.
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