Sapa

Tucked high in Vietnam’s northern mountainous region close to the Chinese border, the former French military outpost of Sapa offers some of Vietnam’s most colorful experiences. Vietnam’s highest peak, the 3,143m Mount Fansipan, looms overhead, while the surrounding valleys feature terraced rice paddies and blazing green fields, riddled with fast-flowing streams. The region is home to several ethnic minority groups, all wearing their traditional and colorful attire. To reach Sapa, one can take a train to Lao Cai and then a bus to Sapa. Travelers can visit the colorful Bac Ha Hill Tribes in the Sunday market where the Nung, Dao, Tay, Cao Lan, Paxi and Xa Phong minorities in their colorful clothes also take part. The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is from April to September. The beginning of the year, the weather might be cold and foggy and it is the rainy season from October to December