Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 9
Sapa, located at 1500 m above sea level, is the tourist capital of Northern Vietnam’s mountainous region. It faces the country’s highest mountain, Fan Si Pan, and is surrounded by villages of ethnic minorities, such as the Red Dao and Black Hmong. Its cool weather and magnificent scenery makes it an ideal base if you want to trek the mountains or explore the minority villages of the area. We took the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, the nearest railway station to connect to Sapa. We had a beautiful overnight stay at Sapa – this was the last leg of our Vietnam vacation.
Highlights of the Day
- Transfer from Lao Cai to Homestay
- Tavan Ecologic Homestay
- Explore Tavan Village on Your Own
Lao Cai to Tavan, Sapa
Lao Cai is a town in northern Vietnam that acts as a border town for China, having Hekou, China on its adjacent side.
Mainly, Lao Cai acts as a connecting town to Sapa – the heavenly hill station of Vietnam with a little touch of the French colonial era. People coming to Sapa by train from Hanoi have to get down at Lao Cai railway station from where they have to take a private transfer to their accommodation in Sapa either outside the railway station or prearranged by their hotels or homestays.
Sapa is known for Fansipan mountain, its minority villages, and Muong Hoa valley.
Muong Hoa is the most beautiful destination of Sapa and Tavan is one of picturesque villages located on Muong Hoa valley. We had booked a homestay for a night at Tavan from an online booking site.
Finally we reached Tavan Ecologic Homestay by 8 AM.
Tavan Ecologic Homestay
Dump the idea of staying in hotels; when in Sapa, you must stay at a homestay.
Staying at homestay with the locals and sharing meals with them brings you close to the rural life of the hill tribes and other villagers. We booked an overnight stay at Tavan Ecologic Homestay.
We had reached quite early and there were guests of previous night in the room. But it was not an issue, as there were many things to spend the time. We used the shared washrooms to get fresh. We played foosball and we also had brunch by the time our rooms got ready.
Tavan Village
The local people are more than happy to show you their village.
After our rooms were ready, the family members of the host helped us keep the luggage to our rooms. We took some rest and in few hours’ time, we decided to explore the surroundings. We found a female from Hmong ethnic tribe who was ready to show us her village happily.
There was an option of having dinner with the host and her family at an additional cost, in that case you need to inform the host earlier.
It rained heavily just few minutes after we reached our homestay – this doubled the beauty of the surroundings. After the rain stopped, we decided to have our delivered to our rooms from the restaurant of our homestay. It was our last night in Vietnam. We talked, we ate, we drank – we had a great time recollecting so many moments of this beautiful trip.
Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Day 10
Spending a night in Tavan truly gave us the opportunity to experience a close-up of the lifestyle of the hill tribes. During the daytime, we had options to rent a motorbike to explore the other nearby villages, or have a guided trek, or hike the surrounding hills on our own, shop at local handicraft stores, or simply spend the day relaxing and enjoying the views from our home. We chose the last option – seemed best for us on our last day in Vietnam.
Highlights of the Day
- Check-Out from Tavan Ecologic Homestay
- Sapa to Hanoi and Fly Back
Morning in Tavan Ecologic Homestay
Mornings are blessed in Sapa. We enjoyed breakfast overlooking the mountains and hills of the region.
I had booked my return transfer from Tavan Ecologic Homestay, Sapa to Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi by a luxury van that I paid for online.
Sapa to Hanoi
The van arrived at around noon to pick us up from the homestay. It was difficult to bid goodbye to this heavenly paradise on Earth, but we had to.
Our flight was at 8.50 PM from Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi at 8.50 PM that was supposed to arrive Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok at 10.50 PM.
The van took around 6 hours to reach the airport from our homestay, which included a refreshment and toilet stop of 30 min on the way. The distance between the two was around 300 km.
Finally, we reached the airport by 6 PM. We grabbed something to eat before you flew from Hanoi. Hanoi airport has plenty of vegan options, just ask them not to add meat and dairy for dishes like noodles or pho or even banh mi. Our flight was on time. Adieu!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Days 9-10 in Vietnam – Sapa.
- Lao Cai to Sapa: 10
- Entrance fee of the village: 4
- Hotel in Sapa for twin sharing (1 nights): 20
- Sapa to Hanoi: 50
- Food: 28
- Miscellaneous: 1
Total expense (roughly): 113 USD
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Traversing Vietnam from South to North in 10 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
This place is lovely and you planned everything perfect. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
That’s so cool that you got a local from the Hmong ethnic tribe to show you around the village! The village is so beautiful and green!
That’s the best way to explore a village, isn’t so?
I have not been traveling too much of late but Vietnam has been on my bucket list. Hopefully 2019 will be a lucky year for me. The Tawan village looks so serene. I would love to read a book while sitting in the balcony and play foosball when free!
Sapa is breathtakingly pretty.
What a great find Shreya! Mountain villages are absolutely amazing and Tavan looks like a dream. The ecological stay you found there also looks perfect for a getaway, greenery and fresh air is such great medicine for the soul. I haven’t been to vietnam yet but I know where to come looking for tips when I plan my trip.
Totally, Northern Vietnam it is.
Why was the dog naughty? He looks so peaceful and cute. Also, a nice day recap. It looks like such a picturesque adventure.
The dog was really cute.
I loved learning more about Sapa and new places in Vietnam. The greenery and mountains are overwhelmingly beautiful and would make up for the perfect trip to Vietnam. Thank you for sharing this beautiful destination with the rest of us, I would love to visit some day and will surely follow your recommendations.
Surely!
What a vivid description of Sapa and photographs to match with it. The place looks so calm and green. Enjoying your travelogues on these beautiful gems.
Keep following, and thanks for the love.
Beautiful and peaceful place! It looks similar to some of the areas we’ve been to in the Cordilleras. Cultural immersion is a very cool adventure for us as well. 🙂
I will check out Cordilleras.
An ambitious trip that looks absolutely awesome! Thanks for sharing all those photos, it made me feel like I was along for the ride!
Glad to know if my blog has made you feel that.
I have heard so much about Sapa and your blog post confirms it, such a beautiful and peaceful place to go to. Would love to check out a yoga retreat out here.
Yes, the place is a beaut.
Lovely rice terraces. Reminds me too much of Manipur!
Great to see the authentic homestay rather than a big concrete building.
The train on the other hand also looks too much like an Indian Train, but cleaner!
Authentic, rural homestays are love.
Very interesting to read about your experiences here. I spent two weeks at a different homestay in the Mường Hoa Valley and your post is making me so nostalgic. The trekking is amazing and I absolutely loved the family-style dinners that are prepared at the homestay. It really is an amazing way to get to know other travelers. You are also totally right that the rain just makes the valley even more beautiful.
It’s great to know that you have been to Sapa already.