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Exhausted from the rush of Hanoi? Sapa Valley in the north of Vietnam is your answer to tranquillity. Set amongst the rice fields, this relatively easy two-day hike will immerse you in the local culture and get your heart pumping, and obviously, there is rice wine involved if you so wish.
Hanoi to Sapa
I pre-booked our Sapa Hike with a company before we left but you don’t have to if you want to be a bit more flexible with your dates.
The company created a joined-up transport plan featuring a taxi, train, and minibus to get us to the town of Sapa where we met our trekking company.
The overnight train is pretty comfortable as long as you are happy with lights out immediately.
The only downside is that you arrive at around 6 am and there may be locals who wish to drink rice wine with you over breakfast…
Since you arrive in Sapa around sunrise, there is plenty of time to wander around the Sapa tourist markets.
Be careful with your belongings, we heard of a few pickpocket incidents in Sapa.
Note: Here is how to plan this leg of the trip independently.
Sapa Valley Treks
After another minibus ride to the start of the hiking point, we were greeted by local Hmong women.
These fit ladies walk three-quarters of the trek with you, asking lots of questions about our lives and answering our questions about theirs.
What makes every trek?
The guide!
Our enthusiastic tour guide, Quang from Sapa Pathfinder Travel, taught us the differences between the Hmong tribes.
Quang told us that it is common for Hmong ladies to be kidnapped by admirer’s families!
Families then make payment in French coins and animals, the woman does have a say in whether she likes him or not thankfully!
It rains intermittently during the hike, so it is best to wear appropriate walking gear.
Check out my kick-ass female packing list for tips.
Do not wear Converse like some of our new hiking friends.
More Rice Wine With Locals
The day ended at a homestay where we were greeted with chips which was ideal because I was starving!
After a dip in the water, we dined and were encouraged to drink a lot of rice wine and the boys were asked if they wanted to smoke tobacco out of bongs which nearly made them vomit.
Our shower isn’t too shabby…
Day Two Sapa Hiking
On the second day of the trek, which is only half a day, I wasn’t sure if it was a mirage, but I was thrilled to come across a makeshift shop selling ice lollies.
We reach the top of the rice hills and dine together once last time; I’m going to miss this group of cool people!
A bus takes us back to the station in time for the train to Hanoi, waking up in time to see the Hanoi market stalls open for the day’s business.
More Vietnam Tips
Be wary of taxi drivers in Hanoi!
One of our new friends was tricked by a taxi driver when he arrived in the city and was made to pay a ridiculous fare, be wise.
Watch your ankles when on mopeds, I managed to burn myself!
From Hanoi, you can visit Sapa and Halong Bay.
Visiting Sapa without a tour looks tricky, but you can check out Lauren and Ben’s post on Sapa Trekking to see how.
If you have more time to explore the country, here is the Vietnam bucket list.
Note: We have no affiliation with any companies named, just a review of our great experience.
Our Southeast Asia Guides
- Halong Bay and Hanoi, Vietnam
- Sapa Valley, Vietnam
- 24 Hours in Singapore
- Phnom Penh
- 2 Weeks in Thailand