In the northern mountains of Vietnam , close enough to China to hear the Guzhengs, you’ll find the village of Sapa. As rich in natural beauty as it is in traditional culture, Sapa is a dream destination for travellers seeking adventure and authenticity. I first visited Sapa in 2009.
It was the first stop on our honeymoon and we unwisely made the trip direct from the ceremony. We were horribly hungover and terribly in love. I’ll never forget opening the shutters of our little bedroom window for the first time and looking over a local farmer’s market bustling with the Hmong people, their villages dotting the distant fields.
The mist rising up a valley walled by rice paddies and split by a snaking river that shimmers into endless beauty. READ MORE: International travel inspiration: 10 reasons to visit Vietnam I returned in late 2023 with my three children (12, 10 and 8) in tow. We wanted them to have that same experience.
That same wonder. Sapa is still an incredible experience with so much to offer, but it’s changing quickly. The population has increased by close to 40 per cent in the years between visits, mostly in service of growing tourism .
It has also become a beloved weekend getaway for Hanoian revellers. The new part of town now consists of six-storey karaoke bars, lit up like Vegas and twice as loud. Yet, the sleepy mountain town of Sapa and its amazing people are still there.
You can still connect with their culture and fall in love with their world. But go now.