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| Sapa, The Alps of Vietnam |
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| Rice Terrace and H'Mong Villages |
This magnificent haven for trekkers is a not-to-be-missed delight for any visitor to northern Vietnam. Nestled high in what is known as the Vietnamese Alps, this colorful center of spectacular scenic beauty lies embraced within the Hoang Lien Son mountains. Situated beneath the tallest mountain in Indochina, Fan Si Pan (3,143 m), Sapa lures many a hiker to tackle its summit.
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Sapa Market | French colonialists discovered this haven when attempting to cool off during the heat of summer in the lowlands, and created the Sapa hill station near the Chinese border. In winter, the mystical mist and cloud cover might deter impatient tourists, but vibrant scenes appear on all levels when the fog lifts. Raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls cascade through forests of orchids and brilliant flowers. Sudden thunderstorms result in stunning rainbows which brighten the entire landscape. During Tet holiday, Sapa is breathtakingly decorated with blossoming pink peach trees.
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Paradise for Photos
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The natural beauty of the surrounding area is enhanced by the sprinkling of eight different ethnic tribal groups. Living in traditional ways, these people welcome visitors into their primitive homes where tour guides can arrange for overnight stays.
Sapa is truly a Shangri-La type setting, affording not only magnificent natural beauty, but the opportunity to witness a diversity of tribal life customs. Young people flock to Sapa on weekends to the famed "Love Market" for courting rites, with songs and bazaars which enliven this tranquil and magical village.
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Grandson and Grandmother | Winter may be cold and muddy; summers blanketed with clouds and more mud. But spring (February-May) in this area just could change one's life forever.
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