The destination of this trip is "SAPA," a city of valleys, a city of mist, a city with good weather all year round. Many people have heard of this city for a long time, and so have I. But in the past, I never had the chance to experience it. This time, I have been preparing for a year, thanks to a promotional ticket from Air Asia that cost a little over 2,000 baht for a round trip. So I booked it a year in advance.

Sapa, a small town in Lao Cai province, is located approximately 350 kilometers from Hanoi. It is currently one of the most popular natural tourist destinations in northern Vietnam. With its stunning landscapes, surrounded by high mountains, Sapa boasts a diverse terrain, including lakes, waterfalls, and terraced rice fields. It is also home to Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina. The town enjoys a cool climate year-round, with the possibility of snowfall during the winter months, typically from December to January.

This trip, I planned for 5 days and 4 nights. There were 4 of us in total. How will this trip be? Let's follow along with Let's Journey: Let's Travel Together

Day 1: This time, I took an early morning flight. The plane departed at 6:40 AM and arrived at 8:30 AM.

After successfully clearing immigration, the first thing we did was exchange money. If you're visiting Vietnam, it's recommended to exchange USD in Thailand and then exchange USD for Vietnamese Dong for a better rate. After exchanging money, we were literally holding millions of Dong! Next, we bought a SIM card. Viettel is recommended, costing around 11 USD. We then took the bus to the city center. I took bus number 86, which stops in front of the airport. After exiting the airport, walk to the left and look for sign 02, where the bus stop is located. The fare is 35,000 Dong per person. Our destination was the Old Quarter, similar to Khao San Road in Thailand, a popular tourist area.

After getting off the bus, we walked to the agent's office to pay for the bus tickets we had booked and leave our luggage.

[My group booked a round-trip sleeper bus to Sapa through an agent named Ms. Huong. The round-trip price was 24 USD per person.]

After completing all the arrangements, I had time to explore Hanoi until the evening. Our bus company would pick me up at the office around 9:00 PM to take me to another pick-up point. I had booked a sleeper bus for 10:00 PM so that I could arrive in Sapa early the next morning.

Before we start, I need to grab a bite to eat. I haven't had anything since I landed. For my first meal in Vietnam, I'm going to try Bun Cha. The restaurant is called "BUN CHA DAC KIM" and it seems to be quite popular, as there are a lot of people dining there. The restaurant has three floors.

Each person ordered a set, which cost around 80,000 dong. Bun cha consists of marinated grilled pork served in a sweet broth, accompanied by rice vermicelli, similar to Vietnamese pho. It is typically eaten with a variety of fresh herbs and vegetables. The taste was quite good. We also tried the spring rolls, which were also delicious.

After a satisfying meal, it's time to explore. Our first stop is St. Joseph Cathedral, located on the north side of Hoan Kiem Lake.

St. Joseph Cathedral boasts stunning French colonial architecture. This Gothic-style cathedral serves as a prominent landmark in Hanoi and is also the city's oldest church.

Continuing on, it was observed that this area primarily sells bags and clothing. Notably, almost every store carries the North Face brand.

After a short walk, we arrived at The Huc Bridge (also known as the Sun Bridge). This bridge crosses Hoan Kiem Lake and leads to Ngoc Son Temple on Jade Island. The bridge is considered one of the iconic landmarks of Hanoi.

Upon crossing the bridge, you will find the Ngoc Son Temple, a small temple with a single-story hall. The temple's architecture is reminiscent of Chinese architecture, as seen in Chinese martial arts films. The architecture of the hall clearly demonstrates the influence of China on this country. Inside the hall, there is an altar for worshipping deities, similar to shrines in Thailand. The inner hall houses an altar for worshipping deities, as Vietnam has been influenced by China for centuries, including religious beliefs.

Looking out to the center of the lake, one can see an ancient pagoda emerging from the water. This ancient pagoda, built in the 18th century, is called Thap Rua, which means "Turtle Tower".

After a tiring walk, we decided to find a place to rest and enjoy the cool air conditioning. We walked to the roundabout near the lake, where there are many cafes. However, one particular cafe caught our eye, as we expected it to have a good view.

The Highland Coffee shop is located on the third floor of a building near the lake. The shop is quite large and crowded. We sat there for a while to enjoy the air conditioning, as the weather in Hanoi is **extremely hot**.

After enjoying the scenery and observing the local way of life, it was time to return to our accommodation to shower and have dinner in preparation for our journey to Sapa tonight.

Ms. Huong's office is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The ground floor is a clothing store, so it's easy to miss. However, it's directly opposite Pho 10, so you can use that as a landmark. If you're using GPS, you can set it to Pho 10.

At approximately 9:30 PM, a minibus arrived at our office to transport us to the bus boarding point.

Day 2: Arrival in Sapa

We arrived in Sapa around 5 am, but we continued to sleep on the bus until around 6 am when we got off.

Wow, it's cold! The weather is great and there's a lot of fog.

After getting off the bus, we hailed a taxi to take us to our hotel. The hotel, "Sapa Eden Hotel," cost 660 baht per night for our two-night stay. It is located on the way to the Cat Cat village. Fortunately, there was a room available upon our arrival, and the hotel allowed us to check in immediately without any additional charges.

After packing our belongings, we went out for breakfast at a restaurant conveniently located across from our hotel. The restaurant was called Café in the Cloud, but the heavy morning fog significantly obscured the view.

I ordered a breakfast set, which included bread, fried eggs, bacon, and hot coffee. After breakfast, we went to find a motorbike rental shop. I rented a motorbike for two days for 200,000 dong. Once we had the bikes, we were ready to hit the road.

The first stop is a quick motorbike ride to the city's central lake for some photos.

The morning atmosphere here is undeniably reminiscent of Europe.

Next, we headed to "Cat Cat Village", where the entrance fee was 50,000 dong per person. They also provided each of us with a map of the village.

The Black Hmong village of Katt Katt is a place where life moves at a slow and easy pace. There is no need to rush or worry, and the air is fresh and clean. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the simple things in life.

As you walk from the entrance, it feels like you are walking down stairs to a lower level. Along the way, there are souvenir shops selling a variety of items, mostly from the local hill tribes, such as clothes, bracelets, and bags.

This is a hike that follows him down to see the mountain views and the way of life of the people here. It is recommended to come in the morning. If you come when it is sunny, it may be hot.

The majority of the villagers here are Black Hmong, who are primarily engaged in agriculture, cultivating rice, corn, and raising livestock.

I encountered a charming child who was enjoying a lollipop in front of their house, so I captured a quick snapshot.

After a long walk, we came across a stream and waterfall below.

Throughout their lives, the residents have embraced a simple way of living, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, both crafted by human hands and arising spontaneously from nature itself. This unique combination sets this village apart from all others.

In addition to the stream, there is also a beautiful waterfall that flows down for you to enjoy. If you want to experience this kind of slow life, or want to experience the fresh and clean air, you must come here.

We then walked back the way we came, taking in the various sights of the village. It was truly simple, peaceful, beautiful, and the atmosphere was truly wonderful.

This angle gives a slightly Japanese feel.

On the way back up, we stopped to take pictures of the mountain views and the rice terraces. During the rainy season, everything is so green as far as the eye can see.

The golden rice paddies, resembling a staircase, are nearing harvest. The rice stalks are a vibrant yellow, indicating their ripeness.

After leaving Cat Cat village, we headed out of town for about 30 minutes to reach the Silver Waterfall. The entrance fee was 30,000 dong per person. #The water was high and flowing very strongly when we visited.

As dusk settled, I rode my motorbike back to town, feeling the cool evening air. For dinner, I decided to try the barbecue that was so popular in Sapa. The taste was decent, but the portion was small and the price was high. I ended up having to visit a convenience store to find something more filling.

Day 3: The day started with pleasant weather, a light mist hanging in the air, but the sky remained overcast.

This is the view from the hotel's breakfast room. I must say that the hotel has a great view. It faces the mountains, and the view from my room is the same. My room number is 305. It should be the best view room in the hotel. If you are staying here, you can try to ask the hotel for it.

After breakfast at the hotel, it was time to continue exploring Sapa. Today's agenda was to ride the cable car up Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam and the Indochinese Peninsula. From the hotel, I rode my motorbike towards Silver Waterfall and then turned left at the sign that said "Sun World." I followed the road until the end, and I arrived at my destination.

After parking the car, I walked inside and saw a Chinese temple-like structure across from the entrance.

Upon arrival, purchase a round-trip cable car ticket for 700,000 VND per person. Subsequently, descend the escalator to the cable car boarding point located below.

This is the cable car, a three-cable gondola that is the longest in the world, with a length of 6,292 meters, or approximately 6 kilometers. The ride takes about 15-20 minutes.

The journey offered breathtaking panoramic views of vast, verdant rice terraces in hues of green and yellow, creating an unforgettable experience.

The cable car gradually ascended, the terraced rice fields giving way to a mountainous vista.

After a while, we could no longer see the view outside due to being in the middle of the clouds. #Flying through the clouds

We soon reached a sea of clouds. Looking back, it was breathtakingly beautiful. The air was also starting to get colder. For those who are going to climb Fansipan, please prepare raincoats and warm clothes. The weather up there changes constantly.

Upon exiting the cable car, the first sensation was intense cold. The air was frigid, and thick fog obscured the surroundings, rendering visibility almost impossible.

After walking for a while, we reached the point where we had to decide how to get to the top of Mount Fasipan.

1. There is a funicular available, round trip price per person is 150,000 dong.

2. Hike up the stairs yourself, several hundred steps.

For comfort, we recommend taking the tram.

A short tram ride brought us to the top. Strangely, the air at the summit was not cold at all, unlike the chilly air we experienced on the way up.

Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam and the Indochinese Peninsula, with an elevation of 3,143 meters above sea level. It is known as the "Roof of Indochina".

This Vietnamese brother is meditating on the top of the mountain.

It was time to go downstairs and drive into town for lunch. After that, we continued on to Muong Hoa Valley to see the terraced rice fields, which are said to be the most beautiful in Sapa. The route is via Ta Van village, and the road is quite difficult to navigate, being made of rocks, dirt, and mud. If you are not comfortable riding a motorbike, I would not recommend it. It is better to rent a car.

Our initial plan was to continue to Ta Van village. However, as rain threatened and evening approached, we became concerned about the challenging road conditions and the potential difficulty of returning. Therefore, we reluctantly decided to return to the city. If you plan to visit Ta Van village, be sure to factor in travel time.

We arrived back in the city just as night fell, so we went straight out for dinner. We decided to try the local specialty, salmon hotpot, which everyone says is a must-try. It cost around 600,000-700,000 dong for four people. The taste was okay, but not particularly impressive. Considering the price, it felt a bit expensive, or perhaps there are better restaurants out there. After dinner, we returned to our accommodation to rest.

Day 4: Our last day in Sapa.

Today is our last day in Sapa, so we woke up a little late. After breakfast at the hotel, our program for the day is to relax in the city. We will start by going up Ham Rong Mountain to see the view of the entire city of Sapa. The entrance fee is 70,000 VND per person.

The initial section of the trail involves a significant ascent, with some steep sections.

Following the stairs, the path levels out. The area features various landscaped gardens to admire. However, our destination, the Sapa city viewpoint, requires further walking.

We have finally arrived at the viewpoint. This angle offers the best panoramic view of Sapa town.

We descended back down and continued our stroll through the city, observing the local way of life. There is a significant population of hill tribe people residing here, and many of them are engaged in commerce.

After a half-day walk, it was time for lunch. Today, I decided to try Vietnamese curry rice. I ordered salmon stir-fried with sauce, which tasted slightly sweet, and served with boiled vegetables. It was delicious!

After filling our stomachs, we continued to explore the city center. We arrived at a wide-open space that seemed to be the city's activity square. In the evenings, various activities take place here, such as exercise and leisurely walks. On weekends, there is also an evening market in this area.

Adjacent to the square is Sun Plaza, a new landmark in Sapa with a European-style design. The mall primarily houses shops selling clothing, bags, and shoes.

Before heading to the bus stop for Hanoi, I took a quick detour to photograph the Sapa Town Church.

On the way back, we took a sleeper bus at 4:00 PM. It was a Green Bus company bus, and we arrived in Hanoi around 10:00 PM.

Day 5: Hanoi, the end of the trip

We arrived in Hanoi around 10:00 PM last night and rushed to our hotel, forgetting to take any pictures to share with you. We stayed at the Crystal Hanoi Hotel, which cost $20 per night and included breakfast. This morning, after breakfast, we set out to explore the rest of Hanoi.

Today, we will take a taxi to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located a considerable distance from our accommodation.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum houses the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, displayed in a glass case at the center of Ba Dinh Square. This is the same location where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence on September 2nd, 1945.

Inside the mausoleum, soldiers in full white ceremonial uniforms stand guard with fixed bayonets at all times. Entry is free.

Dress code: Visitors must wear respectful attire. Officials monitor dress code throughout the walking path. Photography is prohibited, and visitors must maintain a respectful demeanor while paying their respects to Ho Chi Minh.

Nearby is Uncle Ho's residence, where he lived from 1958 until his death. It is also a historical site where Ho Chi Minh held meetings with the Politburo and key military figures to plan the war against the United States during the Vietnam War. Upstairs are Ho Chi Minh's library and bedroom.

Continuing our walk, we soon encountered the One Pillar Pagoda, known as Chùa Một Cột in Vietnamese. This unique structure, built in 1049, consists of a small, single-story pavilion resting on a single pillar in the center of a square lotus pond. The pagoda was erected as a tribute to the Buddhist goddess Guan Yin and houses a statue of her with ten arms inside.

After passing the One Pillar Pagoda, you will find the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Inside, there are exhibitions of black and white photographs from the war era and stories of battles during the Vietnam War. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND.

We continued our journey by taxi to Tran Quoc Pagoda (Chua Tran Quoc), located on the shores of West Lake. However, upon arriving at noon, we discovered that the pagoda was closed for the day. As a result, we were only able to admire its exterior. Tran Quoc Pagoda boasts one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, featuring a pink stupa with approximately ten tiers. Each tier is adorned with an overhanging roof, reminiscent of Japanese pagodas. White Buddha statues are enshrined in niches surrounding each level.

The Temple of Literature: A Legacy of Education and Confucianism

The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), established in 1070 under Emperor Lý Thánh Tông, stands as a testament to Vietnam's deep-rooted respect for education and Confucianism. Situated adjacent to the Quốc Tử Giám, the nation's first university and a prestigious academy for scholar-officials, the temple served as a center of learning and intellectual pursuit for centuries. During the Trần dynasty, the Quốc Tử Giám was renamed Quốc Học Viện, further solidifying its role as a cornerstone of Vietnamese education. The entrance to the complex features an impressive stone archway inscribed with intricate carvings, inviting visitors to delve into the rich history and cultural significance of this revered site. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND.

After a day of sightseeing, it was time to return home. We went back to the hotel to retrieve our luggage. However, our plan to take the bus to the airport hit a snag. Due to an event, the road was closed, and we were unsure where to catch the bus instead. Consequently, we had to take a taxi to the airport, which cost around 300,000 dong. Despite this setback, I would still recommend Vietnam as a travel destination. Sapa has a fantastic climate, and I encourage everyone to visit if they have the opportunity.

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