Tinh Lao Cai Travel Forum

My sister and I will be touring Sapa in September/October and aren't sure of the best way to organise our trip. We will leave from Hanoi and would like to visit ethnic villages, markets, see the sights in the area and have some time to watch the world go by. If we go on an organised tour from Hanoi we may not get any time to ourselves; these tours are often full to the brim with activities and we prefer not to be rushed. Is it possible to get a train up there, book into a hotel then organise day or half day trips? We can go for 3 or 4 days. How can we travel around if we don't want to go on a motor bike? Which are the best markets? Do any of the tour companies do a more relaxed tour of the area with plenty of time to wander or is there not much to see if you don't want to go treking? Any information,ideas etc would be greatly appreciated!

I would recommend just catching a train up to Sapa on your own and do not go with a tour. I did this and it was a good choice. Of course I ended up staying for 7 days so no tour lets you hang out as long as you want. All the hotels offer like 10 different types of treks to choose from. We actually just met some local tribes girls and had them take us on a trek and paid them. If you see a girl named Vu tell her thanks for the friendship bracelet.

W/ the tour, you probably see more of the different ethnic villages beside the Hmong people that you wil encounter most in Sapa town center. They, the tour will trek from one village to another village. Typically, the tour starts in the morning and will end around 3-4pm so you still have plenty of time to xplore on your own. If you book tour w/ them, and you want to stay more than few more days, just ask them when you book, and they will leave the tour open (train ticket back to hanoi).
- It is possible to book the train on your own and there will be tour guide in Sapa to take you around. However, you need to arrange the transportation from Lao Cai (train station) to sapa town center and vice versa.
- I agree w/ the earlier post that you can find many Hmong girls in Sapa to be your tour guide also.
- There is only one main market in sapa town. However, try to arrange your stay in sapa during weekend. It is when you see more of different colors/outfits of the other ethnics.

Use train to go from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Just go to train station to buy a ticket. In Lao Cai, easy to buy a ticket for a bus to Sapa (only buy tickets inside Train Station).
Sapa is a small town and easy to take around to see all Sapa . Ham Rong mountain, Sapa Market, Sapa church are inside Sapa . It's very enjoyable to strolling in Sapa to see a real life in Sapa in the afternoon.
Just trekking far from Sapa (3km-5km)to Cat Cat and Xin Chai , to visit ethnic villages. Just only using motor bike to take there or you must trek.
I think in Sapa, you can contact with a tourist company in Sapa to ask more about a "one day tour".
Have a nice trip
Vinh

Thanks everyone for the information !

i am planning the same trip in November. can you let me know what your experience is when you finish. i would like to go to ethnic villages, possibly buy some fabric and find some peace and quiet. i'm not really into trekking that much but have money to use taxis and buses.
stephen

is the trekking difficult? my ankles restrict very difficult terrains or long distances. can one base in sapa for a week? are there better villages to base in? like Lao Cai; Muong Sai; Lai Chau; i'd like to buy some good quality weaving that is not with fake dyes that run when washed. any advice?
stephen (hawaii)

Hopefully I'll come back with some useful information that I will be happy to share. I get back about Oct 10 so email me for info if I forget. Jo