Sapa is 380km from Hanoi and many ways to get to it. Most popular which we did was by train. Overnight trains are recommended because it saves you a night accomodation and by the time you wake up at 530am, you would be in Lao Cai followed by many shuttle buses to take you to Sapa Village. The train journey takes 9hrs departing Hanoi at 9pm and arrive at Lao Cai by 5.30am and another 1 hour to Sapa by bus. The "Victoria Express" being the top of the range and others like "Tulico" and "Livitran" are some of the many trains that run regularly between Lao Cai and Hanoi. Our "Livitran" overnight cost US$75 per person return.
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| Yippeee.. I always like to be on top !! |
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| such narrow corridor in train ! |
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| Livitran Train departing for Lao Cai in 30 mins. |
In Hanoi when we arrive on our first day, our "Royal Hanoi Hotel" in the Old Quarters arranged a 4 day visit to Sapa for us, including the return train journey and one night hotel in Sapa ( Sapa Global Hotel ) including all 3 meals a day. But when we arrive in Sapa, we decided to book into a very quaint boutique hotel named "Baguette & Chocolat " which is a 6 room hotel with fantastic homemade breads and cakes. The best is the Hot Chocolate in the cold freezing winter nights ! This boutique hotel is US$30 per night, incl hot showers and electric blanket and heater in room.
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| arriving at Sapa Global Hotel, waiting for bfast |
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| at the Sapa Market steps |
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| warming up with Red Hot Wine.. |
its so smoggy !! we cant see 10ft in front of us !
are we on the right road ah ??
the 8 different Hilltribes of Sapa Mountains....most popular is the Black Hmong Tribe
Tribal silverware for sale 
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| Peterpatterpot found a friend |
chestnuts for sale.....lots of them in market 
waiting for shuttle bus to get to Lao Cai for train departing back to Hanoi.
walking around Sapa Village, chatting up with locals. But dont buy the colorful attractive fabrics...color runs ! |
| Main street in Sapa Village |
wow ... lots of colors ..but I must remember the colors run ! so just look see only..
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| wonder if she can still feel her fingers !! |
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