Travel Answers

i will be travelling from hanoi to sapa around 25th november 12. there appears to be a number of train carriage and i was wondering which is the best other than Victoria. also what is the weather like then? cold? there is a lot of references to trekking around sapa. i am not the fittest being an office worker are the walks steep or gradual rises.

Hey... I know this is a longshot but I stupidly left my camera in one of the bar/shops on the ascent from Cat Cat to Sapa (literally one of the last shops before you reach the first hotels at the bottom of Sapa}. It was a Panasonic Lumix TZ10 (or maybe TZ8 - I forget!}. I returned to the bar 40 minutes later and as expected the camera had gone. The owner asked some of the kids who frequent the place whether they had seen it - one of the children couldn't look me in the eye when this was being explained and I am certain one of the kids there knows its whereabouts. Anyway if any of you kind souls are offered a panasonic camera that still has pictures on it (I am wearing a white t-shirt with "scottish widows" written on the front, my girlfriend a plain white t-shirt}, please take the camera and I will refund your costs and some! I have about 7 weeks worth of pictures on there, only backed up half. I am obviously devastated to lose the pictures ( I really dont care about the camera, I would gladly take just the memory card back} and don't hold much hope of seeing them again but thought I should try every avenue to retrieve them. Finally, remember to double check you have everything before you leave an establishment or suffer like me! Thanks, Shaun

Hi, will be visiting Sapa late Feb. Had read a forum people saying, the cold weather will last until late April. Don't know whether is it reliable. Was told that in Feb & March, weather hit a low of 4-6oC and average is just a 9oC. Can anyone comment on this? I'm trying to pack as light as I could.

Even if we know that this is not the best period to visit Sa Pa, we have no choice. My husband and me will arrive in Hanoi and wanto to have a two-three days trip in Sapa. We want some advise about the mean to get there. We've been told that night train is safer, but you lose most of the magnificent scenery. What about hiring a 4x4 jeep? Too much expensive? And safety?

Hi, I'm hoping to travel to Sapa mid November and was thinking about renting a small 4x4 - instead of a motorbike. Any advice would be appreciated. British driving license.

I plan to visit Sapa in October and join the tour to visit Cancau market on Saturday and Bac ha market on Sunday. Is it worth both markets ? First day arrive Sapa and visit village around Sapa. 2nd day to Cancau and overnight in Bacha. 3rd day visit Bac Ha market on Sunday and take the train back to Hanoi from Laocai in the evening. Is it a good plan ? Thanks.

I was wondering if I should be booking a homestay in Sapa prior to getting there, or it'll be easy to find a tour agency to book once I'm there? Also, what's the recommended no. days of stay in Sapa? Thanks in advance!

How is the weather in Jan/Feb in Sapa? Ave temperature? Does it rain a lot around this time?

Can someone tell me specifically where to find a tour guide once one has arrived in Sapa from the Railway Station and if the treks are very far. We would like to see some of the villages and market and will do a 2day 3 night trip from Hanoi. I would like to book the train and the accommodation myself and then see if we can get a guide in Sapa. It would be a Wednesday/Thursday and I understand there are markets at Cao Son (wednesday) and Lung Khau Nhin (Thursday), is it possible to do those two villages from Sapa without too much trouble?

I am going to spend a couple of days in SaPa in October. Do I need hiking boots or will my trekking sandals suffice?

hi every one, i had many usful advices from my friends on this forum. can you recommend me which tour operator i should contact with? and is it better if i book a package Hanoi - Halong - Sapa or book saperatedly? I do look forward to hearing from your, Axian

hi all does anyone know how difficult it would be to book a trek up fansipan in sapa, and if it would work out cheaper than booking in hanoi? if so can you recommend anywhere in sapa that can do 3 days two nights for less than85 per person? thanks!! ant and grace

I'm planning a trip to Sapa during the Tet Holiday period (14th to 17th Feb 2010), is it advisable as it's a holiday season? Are the markets in Sapa open during this time of the year? Would appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

In February 2010, I'm planning a trip to Vietnam and am considering a side trip (2 days r/t) to Sapa. I've read about it and it sounds intriguing and not at all a glitzy tourist trap. However, I'm a "mature" (60's) female traveler with mild back problems. Can probably trek 2 miles w/o a problem. My travel buddy thinks it's too far and perhaps too difficult. Any insights this forum can provide will be much appreciated. Thanks.

Hello I ll go to Vietnam soon, and I am planning to go to the north for a few days. I'd like to ask you what you think about my potential plan. I ll arrive by the night train from Hanoi in the morning, and find a GH in Lao Cai. After a short rest, I would like to go and see Bac Ha during the day. Do you think it worth it to go to Bac Ha, and also is it possible in a day? I m not sure, I ve been very clear on that one, haha. Sleep in Lao Cai, and next morning, catch the bus to Sapa: spend a day there relaxing, and next day, go trekking, and sleep in Sapa. Next day, go back to Hanoi by the day train to enjoy the landscape. I m really grateful to those who will answer that post. I have 18 days holiday with a tight budget (I live in Thailand) so I am trying to plan something great.... Have a great day everyone!!

Can someone advise on whether footprintsvietnam tours are reliable? Have found a 3 day 4 night tour leaving Hanoi for Sapa, covering the market on the Sunday. Am looking to visit Hanoi in August and have limited time

we are considering a 2night 3 day trip to sapa including private driver ,hotel stay and transportation for320 .Is this a good price? thank you

Anyone recently on either of these train? Appreciate feedback on which train is better in terms of cabin comfort? Which is newer? From the pictures of the trains, Livitrans seems to be a better choice but I rather hear from her passengers....... Price wise, Livitrans 4-berth sleeper is 10USD lesser compared to the Et-Pumpkin. Thanks in advance.

Hi, do I have to join a 2D/3N Sapa Tour on leaving Hanoi on Friday night in order to visit the local market? Are these specials markets only operating on weekends? Will I still be able to visit the local market on Thursday and Friday? I may have to change my plan for the Sapa tour, i.e. to join on a Wednesday night train instead.

Can we travel in Sapa in June-July or is it too muddy? we know it's the monsoon but it is the only time we can travel!

Just researching places in Sapa (and Hanoi) and came up with web sites that say that Baguette & Chocolat in both places is part of a cooking training school for disadvantaged youths. If this is so then I will be there as soon as I arrive in Sapa! Good on them. Any comments welcome. Regards, David

Hi, I will be arriving early in the morning and leaving late night the next day. WHich excursions are a must? Is it necessary to speak to any trekking guide to cover any of those excursions? Do you know anyone or have a contact in the area? Do you think that the excursions could be done by our own or will we be missing something? Thanks a lot!!

Hi, I would like to know if you can help me... When does the train from hanoi arrive to Lao Cai, and how long does it take by car from Lao Cai to Sapa. When does the train leave to hanoi from lao cai? When and where are the markets? Is it enough arriving by train day one, sleep, day two leave at night? Thanks a lot!!!

I am traveling to Sapa in March thru a tour company called Handspan. I asked the person helping me arrange the trip if it would be possible to bring some clothing and supplies to donate to a school there. She advised me that it is very complicated for a foreigner to get permission to do this and it would be better to leave the items at the booking office in Sapa and they would be responsible for delivering them. Can anyone tell me if this is really the case? I just want to make sure that the items go where they are supposed to. Any advice is appreciated.

Has anyone out there taken the day train from Lao Cai to Hanoi. What is it like? The scenery, comfortor lack thereof, anything? Thank you, Stuart of Oz

Hi There, We arrive in Sapa on Feb 6, in the early AM, which I understand is the start of Tet. Will the markets be open that weekend? Can we still book tours or does everything shut down and if so for how long? I really wanted to travel around and see the markets but we're only there till the 13th so I hope the markets are open. Also, are there any cultural activities that we could take in? If anyone could give us any advice we'd really appreciate it as we've never been to Vietnam before. Thanks.

Anyone stayed at the Cat Cat View Hotel in Sapa? Or done a 3-4 day trek around the area, any comment welcome and if you're in Melbourne can be repaid in beer.

Hi All, Can someone who has stayed in the hotels mentioned above share their experience? I would like to know particularly, the clealiness, service and the condition of the hotel. Which one is more satisfactory? Thanks :)

Request advise on mid range hotels in Sapa thanks

I am arriving solo to Hanoi in early February, and I am wondering what it's like to travel in Sapa, and surrounding region during that time. I have been told the weather is less than ideal. I would love it if anyone could share any first hand experiences. Thanks/Ernest