The Vietnamese town of Sa Pa sits at 1,650 m above sea level and is located in a cold and mountainous region approximately 350 km northwest of the capital city of Hanoi. It is home to various ethnic minority groups and attracts many travelers hoping to enjoy hiking or trekking while taking in the magnificent natural scenery.

Sa Pa is inhabited primarily by eight ethnic groups including the Hmong and Dao peoples. The nearby traditional Cat Cat Village, home to the Hmong, has become very popular for trekking as it allows travelers a closer look at the lives of one of Viet Nam’s larger ethnic minorities. Visitors can appreciate the wonders of nature and the balance struck between the villagers and their surroundings by exploring Cat Cat’s vast terraced rice paddies and traditional style cottages. And after a long hike, a Red Dao herbal bath is a must.

A visit to downtown Sa Pa is also highly recommended; the market in the center of the town presents a variety of traditional clothes, musical instruments, and foods from local minority groups. Be sure to take a tour of the Ham Rong Mountain Park as well, an artificial park with orchid and other flower gardens, small performance halls, and several trails.

Travel Tip

Travelers can ride to the top of Fansipan Mountain, the tallest peak in Southeast Asia and the “roof of Indochina,” in cable cars that rise 1,410 meters, the biggest cable car ascent in the world. A picturesque view of terraced rice paddies unfolds beneath your feet through the cable car floor.