At an elevation of 1650 meters, and located at the edge of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Sapa is one of the most picturesque and tranquil locations in all of Vietnam. Once a French hill station, the area is home to a number of ethnic minority communities, including the Hmong, Black H'mong and Red Dzao, just to name a couple. Sapa's breathtaking beauty comes in the form of hills, valleys, mountains, streams and waterfalls, not to mention the warmth of the locals. Of particular interests to many visitors is the daily activities of the tribal people of the area, which are on display at the markets and in the various surrounding villages.

A couple of the days in this hilly paradise will make you feel refreshed and give you a real appreciation for Vietnam's north. Sapa and its surroundings offer a particularly rich ground for trekking and sightseeing. The natural beauty of the area is unparalleled, its rich greenery, gorgeous waterfalls and the unique ethnic minority villages that dot the countryside are truely breathtaking! An afternoon's hike through this area can be truly an enlightening experience. Make sure you bring lots of extra film or memory cards though, it's a photographer's dream come true!