Vietnam - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 855

Ta Van (12km), Lao Chai, Silver Waterfall (12km), Highway 4 & Muong Lay (200km)

1

SA PA

2

ACCOMMODATION
Cat Cat Hotel
Green Valley Hotel
Sapa Backpackers
Sapa Elite Hotel
Sapa Lodge Hotel
Sapa View Hotel
White Lotus Hotel

2
7
3
1
5
6
4

3

0 50

metres

1

Steps

Square

Bank

Bia Hoi

2

Buses

3

Market

5

Main
Post Oice

Food Stalls

Food
Stalls

11

6

EATING AND DRINKING
Baguette & Chocolat
Boutique Sapa
Hotel Restaurant
Hill Station
Hill Station Signature
Hmong Sisters
Little Sapa
Mountain Bar and Pub
Sapa O'Chau Café
Why Not Bar

3
4
7
5
9
6
8
2
1

Handspan
Travel

N

Ham Rong
Mountain

7

8

4

Radio Mast

5 9

Topas Oice (100m), (150m), (200m) & Ta Van (12km) 6 7

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
As part of the Vietnamese government's
policy is to limit the minority tribes'
contact with outsiders in order to isolate
them, tourists are only allowed to visit
the area around Sa Pa (including Ta Phin,
Hoang Lien valley and Fansipan) with a
permit and guide ; only Cat Cat village
can be explored solo. Permits are free and
arranged by licensed tour agents for
guided hikes in the area (see p.860).

re-create the spectacular Red Dao baths
(see opposite) at home.

Cat Cat village
A steep, lovely 3km walk leads down into
the valley from the western end of
Fansipan road, reaching CAT CAT village
(30,000VND entrance fee), a huddle of
wooden houses hidden among fruit trees
and bamboo. he hike offers spectacular
views over the valley's terraced rice
paddies. Look out for tubs of indigo dye
outside the houses, used to colour the
hemp cloth typical of Hmong dress.
Cat Cat waterfall is just below the village.
Bear in mind that the 30,000VND
entrance fee is charged by a private
company and none of the money goes to
the community.

Sa Pa market
In Sa Pa, the Hmong minority are a
majority, and the market , busiest on
Saturdays, draws in villagers from all
around, with the women clad in their
colourful finery. he evening “love
market” sees local youths come to Sa Pa
to try and find a love interest. However,
tourists often outnumber locals and the
market is more modest than those in Can
Cau (see p.862) and Bac Ha (see p.862).
It is, however, a good place to pick up
pre-packed herbs if you want to try to

Ta Phin
Some of the most enjoyable guided treks
in the area take you into the valley north
of Sa Pa. he most popular is a gentle
hike that skirts rice terraces and small