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Home to many of Vietnam's northern minority tribes, the picturesque village of Sapa is located high in the hills some 400 kilometres northwest of Hanoi, nestled between the peak of Mount Fansipan and China's southern border. It also finds itself bridging the gap between an ancient cultural heritage and the development of a popular tourist destination.
Sapa is especially popular with trekkers who will take advantage of the many trails leading to remote outposts of traditional life almost untouched by western society for millennia, and the town is famous for its market, and the famous love-market where younger members of local hilltribes gather to choose a spouse in the traditional manner.
Sapa is also home to some charming hotels and guest houses, and some equally inviting restaurants, bars, boutiques and even spas. The range of facilities (and prices) is wide, so most visitors should be able to find something suitable for both taste and budget. Getting to Sapa is probably easiest on an organised tour, which can be easily arranged in Hanoi. One decidedly luxurious way to travel is on the Victoria Sapa Express - a beautifully-converted train with opulent appointments reminiscent of a bygone era. The train is operated by the French Victoria Hotels group which also operates the town's most up-market hotel. To explore Sapa further, and to find any special offers for ElephantGuide.com users and members, simply select your channel of choice at left and let the Elephant Guide you!
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