Northwest Vietnam and Sapa

An overnight train journey from Hanoi takes you into the mountainous region of Tay Bac, Vietnam’s Northwest province, where you can discover rural hillside villages and towering peaks.

Sapa, a former French-colonial hill station, is a popular base from which to explore the rest of the region. It's the largest town in the area, with a lively market where representatives from all of Tay Bay's many and varied hill tribes gather to trade. Sapa's an easy train ride from Hanoi, but if you've time to spare and a sense of adventure, consider taking an extended overland journey from the capital into the highlands, stopping at many of the smaller, less visited towns en route.

History buffs will recognise the name Dien Bien Phu. This northern town was the site of a pivotal battle in the First Indochina War. Situated in the Muong Thanh Valley, on the border with Laos, few travellers make it to this remote outpost, but those with an interest in Vietnam's colonial history will find much of interest.

In and around Northwest Vietnam and Sapa
Surrounded by high mountains, the hillside town of Sapa has an almost European feel, with much of its original French colonial architecture still intact. The town's 19th-century Catholic Church and pretty French villas are a reminder of Vietnam's past, but it's the colourful customs of the town's varied ethnic groups that really give Sapa its unique character.

The valleys around Sapa are home to many different hill tribes (Hmong, Giay, Yaom, Pho Lu and Tay), each with their own distinctive dress and customs. Many of the hill tribes’ villages are within striking distance of Sapa, and the local can often be seen in Sapa's vibrant market. To really get a feel for the customs of the individual tribes, however, you’ll need to venture further into the hills to the remote, less-visited communities. Be prepared to stay in simple accommodation!

For many travellers, much of the enjoyment of visiting Sapa and the north-west more generally is the overnight journey by deluxe train. For others, however, travelling by private vehicle with time to stop along the way offers a more adventurous experience. A popular route from Hanoi sees you travel southwest initially, stopping at Mai Chau; then, changing course, you journey up into the highlands passing tea plantations, fruit orchards and small villages, until you reach the provincial capital of Son La.