Vietnam  2

f.  Hoa Lu & Tam Coc

Dinh-Le Kings Temple in Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu is about 110km south of Hanoi. It was the capital city of Vietnam in the 10th Century. However not much of this ancient capital is left behind except the Dinh-Le Kings Temple.

The area around Hoa Lu is naturally beautiful, referred to by many as “Halong Bay On Land” because of the similarities of rock formation that surrounds the rivers.

Tam Coc is near Hoa Lu. Tam Coc means "3 Caves". The boat trip along the Ngo Dong River is scenic and exciting. The limestone karsts vary in heights and, shapes and jutting out of the rice fields surrounding the river, they provide an unusual and dramatic landscape. 

During the boat trip we passed through three spectacular caves which varied in height but not more than 2 meters high. Often we had to crouch down when we went through the caves. There were big stalactites hanging from the cave’s ceiling.

                                                             Rowing boat by a local “leg-rower”!

g.  Lao Cai, Bac Ha Sunday Market & Sapa

We took an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. The train was quite similar to the one we took for the Tran-Siberian journey across Russia in 2006. We had an air-con 4-berth soft sleeper cabin to ourselves. The train left Hanoi atabout 8.30pm and it reached Lao Cai at about 5.00am the next day.

Lao Cai is located in North-West Vietnam and on the China-Vietnam border. It is about 260km from Hanoi. It is a strategically important town because of its location on the border to Yunan Province, China. The Chiese City, He Kou, is on the opposite side of the river that separate the two countries.

Road bridge & rail road to He Kuo, China

It was Sunday when we were in Lao Cai. And we took the opportunity to visit Bac Ha Sunday Market, one of the most popular and colorful in the region. Bac Ha is about 75km west of Sapa.

Bac Ha market is well known for its naturally sub-tropical scenery. Traditional values and identities are well maintained in the market. Villagers from the various ethnic communities gather to sell their products or livestock. The Flower H’mong women are extremely colorful, with their gorgeous attires in vibrant colors, layers of dresses and underskirts of printed and embroidered fabrics and heads covered with interesting shaped and folded scarves.

Sapa is located 38km from Lao Cai and in a mountainous region.

The journey from Lao Cai to Sapa was most scenic with terraced rice-fields that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Sapa is situated more than 1,600m above sea level. It is a very touristy town with many hotels, restaurants and shops selling souvenirs and other local products produced by the various ethnic communities in Sapa District.

Sapa District is home to a great diversity of ethnic minority people. They consist of H’mong, Yao, Tay, Zay and Xa Pho which form the five main ethnic groups and contribute about 85% of the district’s population. But only a very small number of them live in Sapa town. Most live in small villages and hamlets scattered in valleys and mountains throughout the district. 

No visit to Sapa is complete without taking a walk through the minority villages. The most numerous villagers are the H’mong, a friendly lot. They will be the first people one would notice, as they try to flog their wares and souvenirs to all visitors.

There are excellent hiking sites around Sapa, catering to all levels of fitness, from an easy stroll through some villages to serious trek up to Mt. Fansipan 3,140m above sea level.

When we were in Sapa we hiked through Lao Chai, Ta Van Giay and Cat Cat villages.

In the hikes through the villages, we were pleased to discover that the board space surrounding the mountains was covered with beautiful terrain and landscape that stretched as far as the eye could see. The stunning beauty of the scenery and tranquility of the area were second to none.

Hike though Lao Chai & Ta Van Giay villages

Hike to Cat Cat Village

he original name of the village was Meo or Miao Village. H’mong ethnic minority was formally known as Meo, It sounds like meow (cat) which is degrading to the H'mong. So the village is now called Cat Cat!  

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