Anucha Charoenpo
GETTING THERE
From Bangkok, you can catch a cheap flight with AirAsia to Hanoi. From there, you can travel to Sapa by either train or bus. Trains run overnight from Hanoi to Lao Cai station. After disembarking at Lao Cai, minivans continue on to Sapa for 50,000 dong (about 100 baht) per person. The journey takes about 90 minutes. More information is available at www.traintosapa.com. Alternatively, you can travel by bus or van from Hanoi to Sapa, also via Lao Cai. It takes around seven hours if using the expressway. You can look for more information at www. sapabuses.com. Taxis can take you from Sapa town to the peak of Fansipan, a 30-minute drive each way.
WHAT TO DO
Sapa town is famous for its spectacular natural scenery, including a lake surrounded by mountains which you can walk around. You can go trekking along mountains and walking in terraced rice fields. The cable car to the peak of Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina, is a must-do.
WHERE TO STAY
Sapa Freesia Hotel has comfortable and good-value rooms with mountain views. It also has a swimming pool and is located near the lake. For more information, visit www.freesiahotel.com.vn. Otherwise, Sapa has lots of hotels for all price ranges.
WHERE TO EAT
There are a lot of both Vietnamese and international restaurants in Sapa. There are many vintage and hi-end coffee shops congregated around the lake. I suggest you go to Le Petit Gecko, a chic coffee shop.