Sapa Extension, 4 Days

(8 hours by train from Hanoi)

Follow days 1–10 of the Essential Vietnam itinerary.

The former French hill station of Sapa, in the misty Tonkinese Alps near the Chinese border, is famous for its stunning scenery, the colorful traditional dress of the local ethnic minority people, and its proximity to Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. Traveling through this region, on foot or by road, will take you past picturesque rice terraces, tiny ethnic villages, and cold, clear mountain streams.

Day 11

Take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, where minibuses await to run visitors further up the mountain to Sapa, which overlooks misty rice terraces. If you want to avoid an early-morning arrival, consider taking the bus, which uses the new Noi Bai–Lao Cai highway. Spend your first day exploring the township, which is full of wandering vendors in traditional dress selling all manner of handicrafts.

Days 12–14

Rise early to start your multiday trek of the beautiful countryside that surrounds Sapa, past terraced rice fields and through a range of ethnic minority villages. Try to end your trek on a Saturday so you can spend Sunday doing a day trip to the Bac Ha Market, 110 km (68.4 miles) from Sapa, home of the very colorful Flower H'mong ethnic minority people. When your trek is over, return to Hanoi.