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3.15. Sapa

TELEPHONE CODE: 020
In Lao Cai province in the far north near the Chinese border, this old French hill station is home to many ethnic minorities, including the H’mong, Tay and Dao. Mountain temperatures average 18-28 degrees, but fall below zero in the winter.

3.15.1. Highlights

LOVE MARKET
An ancient tradition, where ethnic minority people go to find a partner
SURROUNDING VILLAGES
Home to ethnic minirities who live the same way as they have done for centuries. Catch a xe om from town, or for the full mountain challenge trek there on foot.

3.15.2. Hotels

Baguette & Chocolat Sapa $14
Thac Bac Street
Tel: 871.766
Fax: 871.766
Chau Long Sapa Hotel
24 Dong Loi
Tel: 871.245
Email: info@chaulonghotel.com.vn
The stone and wooden construction blends perfectly with the surrounding valley features of terrace paddies and blazing green fields cut by fast following streams and overlooking Vietnam’s highest peak – Fansipan
Royal View Hotel
Cau May Street
Tel: 872.989, Fax: 872.992
Email: royalview@royalsapa.com
Topas Ecolodge $123 to $153
A mountain resort 18km into the spectacular Sapa valley, with 25 individual lodges placed in a circle around the edge of a cone shaped hill.
Victoria Sapa Resort $145 to $260
Tel: 871.522
Fax: 871.539
Email: resa.sapa@victoriahotels-asia.com
Website: www.victoriahotels-asia.com
Winner of a Guide Award 2006-2007: “Pioneering environmental activities”.

3.15.3. Food & Drink

Baguette & Chocolat Sapa
Thac Bac Street
Tel/Fax: 871.766
Restaurant, Cafe, French bakery
Bon Appetit
25 Xuan Vien, Sapa, Lao Cai
Tel: 872.927
Email: bonappetit1981@yahoo.com
Province a good selection of starter, soups, salads, seafood, pasta, beef and huge burger selection.
Chau Tuan Minh Restaurant
20 Dong Loi, Sapa
Tel/Fax: 871.185
Email: ChauTuanMinh@yahoo.com.vn
Delta Italian Restaurant
33 Cau May, Sapa
Tel: 871.799, Fax: 871.819
An unique Italian restaurant of the destination. Opened seven years ago, Delta Intalian is a favourite gastronomic venue for expat travellers. Ingredients are imported from Italy, as is food-processing equipment. The restaurant offers a wide selection of 165 wines, imported from eight countries.
Gecko Bar and Restaurant
Central Square, Tel: 871.898
Fine French alpine and Vietnamese cuisine

3.15.4. Getting There

Train Tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai cost about $25. The Victoria Sapa Express offers a more luxurious option but does cost a bit more. Grab a minibus to Sapa from outside the station (VND25,000), or jump on a xe om.

3.15.5. Around Sapa

MOUNT FANSIPAN
Exactly 3,143m high, it is the highest peak in the whole of Indochina. Five-day treks to the summit are available – but they are recommended for the very fit only.