Sapa, Vietnam ; The place of nature & culture

31.03.23-03.04.23

Upon landing in Hanoi, my adventure took an unexpected turn. The visa wait felt never-ending amidst the sea of tourists crowding the area, leaving me perched on the ground for a daunting 1.5 hours before finally getting my visa. The immigration customs queue added another hour of anticipation to the ordeal.

I didn’t have my accommodation booked in Hanoi because I booked a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Sapa around 10pm (6 hour journey). I sought refuge in exploring the city to pass the time upon stepping out of the arrival hall. As many would’ve already known, a good way to get around Southeast Asian countries is through Grab. It definitely is one of the cheaper and reliable options to move around, offering fares often slashed by about half or less compared to airport taxis.

During my wait for the night bus to Sapa, I made my first stop at Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. By the way, wanna know my first impression of Hanoi? The foggy sky and hazy air. Now, back to the lake 😀 Do you know that there is such a myth behind this lake? Apparently, legend has it that King Le Loi of Vietnam received a magical sword from a turtle deity to fend off invaders. Upon his victory, the turtle asked for the sword back and disappeared into the lake. As I wandered around the lake and explored the temples, I couldn’t help but marvel at how such ancient tales persist through time. Oh, I think I also read somewhere that there is still one really old turtle in the lake. A handy tip when visiting places like this is to always take advantage of your student ID and have it with you. You will get to enjoy the discount entry ticket in most of the places.

After visiting the lake and the temple, I went for a little food hunt. If you are a fan of Asian cuisine like me, trust me, Vietnamese food is sure to captivate your taste buds 🙂 How could I resist indulging in authentic Pho and Vietnamese spring rolls during my visit to Vietnam? They were my first meal, and I devoured them within seconds.

I continued to explore the streets, mainly looking for a place where I could just order something light while waiting for my bus.I stumbled upon numerous coffee shops, none of which captivated me. However, one intriguing offering caught my eye, the chocolate egg coffee. Intrigued by the unusual combination, I decided to give it a try. With its creamy texture, chocolatey flavor and subtle hint of coffee, it certainly made for an interesting sip. Personally, I found it a bit too sweet for my taste, but I’m always up for trying new things even though I am not a coffee enthusiast. Never stop trying new things, right?

After a lengthy wait, I finally boarded the sleeper bus at 10 pm, marking my first experience with this mode of transportation while traveling. From the moment I stepped onboard, I was impressed by the service, spaciousness, and affordability. The 6-hour journey from Hanoi to Sapa passed by smoothly as I drifted into a sound sleep. I wholeheartedly recommend trying the sleeper bus if you find yourself in Vietnam. It’s an intriguing experience that’s worth a try, at least in my opinion.

I met Angela, an American writer, while we were both heading to the same destination on the sleeper bus. Arriving in Sapa early in the morning, I couldn’t help but notice the misty yet refreshing air in the area. Although we exchanged only a few words before the journey began, once onboard, we both retreated to our respective bunk beds and slept. Upon disembarking from the bus, Angela and I decided to seek out some breakfast in the area. Although I can’t quite recall the exact dishes I was served and I recalled myself being quite skeptical, I do remember Angela mentioning one of the benefits of being a vegetarian, which is to avoid the confusion of uncertain meat, especially when communication with the locals posed a challenge. After breakfast, our initial plan was to part ways and head to our respective accommodations. However, we were intrigued by an interesting-looking café nearby, where we decided to sit down and enjoy some coffee and tea. Angela was definitely a delightful companion, and it was truly a pleasure getting to know her.

Following our breakfast together, we exchanged numbers and went our separate ways. Feeling exhausted after my journey and technically “homeless” since my arrival in Hanoi, I hurried to my hotel, dropped off my bag, and quickly freshened up. Since check-in wasn’t until after 2 pm, I booked a private day tour, trekking through Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages. During the trek, I was treated to breathtaking views of the rice terraces and immersed myself in the preserved cultures of the local communities. My guide was really informative (her being one of the Hmong people), explaining the different tribes in Vietnam, particularly the H’mong and Red Dzao people. Throughout the tour, I had the opportunity to observe local housing, livestock, and farming practices, which offered a truly eye-opening experience.

The private tour session was definitely worthy in my opinion, with both transportation and a local guide provided, along with a satisfying meal. While waiting for lunch, I had the pleasure of meeting a Singaporean couple and engaging in lively conversation with them. It was a delightful coincidence to discover how much we had in common, prompting us to join tables for lunch together. As we continued chatting, we savored every bite of the delicious feast before us. I particularly enjoyed the spring rolls, tofu, and the warmth of their hospitality. After the trip, I returned to my hotel feeling relieved that I could finally enjoy a long-awaited shower after 29 hours of being “homeless”.

Rested and recharged, I was invited by Robin (on the left) to join him on a tour in Ban Hang Da, hosted by his friend from the Black H’mong tribe. This experience was truly fascinating as we were welcomed into the home of a Shaman family, offering a glimpse into their daily life. The young woman beside me, the daughter of the family, also graciously showed us around the Shaman’s room, explaining some of the equipment and the set up of a Shaman session. These minority ethnic groups also live very closely to their relatives and everyone just know each other, fostering a strong sense of community and interconnectedness.

The following day, I dedicated my time to visiting Fansipan and exploring its surroundings. Initially, I had planned to hike to the summit, but realizing I was underprepared for such an endeavor, I opted for the safer route… Taking the cable car! Vietnam’s lengthiest funicular railway, taking about 20 minutes one-way, concludes its journey at the picturesque Sun World Fansipan Legend Yard, where visitors are greeted by a stunning field of sunflowers. It was a pity though, the weather was kinda too foggy for me to see anything but that didn’t stop me from taking some pictures hahaha

Later that evening, Angela returned from her homestay experience with the minority ethnic group, and we met up again in the bustling center of Sapa. As we shared our experiences, it became clear that we both held a deep appreciation for this charming place.

The following morning, I boarded the sleeper bus back to Hanoi, and to my surprise, Angela and I ended up booking the same bus once again hahahah. Anyway, thank you for accompanying me on this journey, and stay tuned for more adventures in my next blog post! 😊