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In the far north of Vietnam, close to the Chinese border, the area round Sapa is ravishingly beautiful and popular for trekking in the mountains, among the local ethnic minority people (mainly Dao and Black H'mong). It's reached by overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai - just 1 km from China - and a bus journey from there. Although still within the tropics on the map, it's very much a mountain climate, warm during the day and cold at night.

68 photographs - click any one to see an enlargement (Please see the note on the home page about popup blockers).

From the Lao Cai to Sapa bus in the early morning: the mist still in the valleys
From the Lao Cai to Sapa bus in the early morning...
The sun puts in a feeble appearance
The sun puts in a feeble appearance
We begin to get an inkling of the mountainous terrain
We begin to get an inkling of the mountainous terrain
One of the Black H'mong men in Sapa
One of the Black H'mong men in Sapa
[ Sapa Town ]
Leaving the town on our trek: a new development of holiday villas
Leaving the town on our trek: a new development of...
A view of the terraced valley. There are a lot of photos like this...
A view of the terraced valley. There are a lot of...
...because the terraces do something very special for a landscape...
...because the terraces do something very special for...
...so we make no apology for it.
...so we make no apology for it.
In fact, here's a panorama of terraces to prove our point.
In fact, here's a panorama of terraces to prove our...
Just a few terraces here
Just a few terraces here
Here you can see how wet some of them are.
Here you can see how wet some of them are.
One of the most intensely terraced views of all
One of the most intensely terraced views of all
The terraces are all paddies for growing rice...
The terraces are all paddies for growing rice...
...which you can see poking out of the water here.
...which you can see poking out of the water here.
Here are some ducks in one of the paddies.
Here are some ducks in one of the paddies.
Looking along the Muong Hoa river
Looking along the Muong Hoa river
A stand of bamboo by the river
A stand of bamboo by the river
A Black H'mong boy having a rest
A Black H'mong boy having a rest
Buffalo in a rice paddy
Buffalo in a rice paddy
Another buffalo, not quite so happy about being photographed
Another buffalo, not quite so happy about being...
View of the river, with a bridge we're on our way to, paddies and the mountains beyond
View of the river, with a bridge we're on our way to...
The small bridge we crossed
The small bridge we crossed
The bridge from the other side
The bridge from the other side
The restaurant where we had lunch
The restaurant where we had lunch
Chickens waiting for lunch
Chickens waiting for lunch
The blue hut is the restaurant toilet - you can just see Mary climbing up from it.
The blue hut is the restaurant toilet - you can just...
A group of friendly Black H'mong girls - with backpacks - with members of our group
A group of friendly Black H'mong girls - with...
A water-powered rice mill in the up position...
A water-powered rice mill in the up position...
...and after coming down
...and after coming down
The water fills the rear end, which you can just see, to bring it down (and the business end up)
The water fills the rear end, which you can just see...
Dog, pigs and pigeon in one of the villages
Dog, pigs and pigeon in one of the villages
Kitchen equipment in a house we visited
Kitchen equipment in a house we visited
The boiler in the same house
The boiler in the same house
The general living area
The general living area
Bamboo and more H'mong girls
Bamboo and more H'mong girls
Some more terraced paddies, with rice clearly visible
Some more terraced paddies, with rice clearly visible
The village seamstress
The village seamstress
Julie and Stephanie (who said it was like 'walking through postcards') make a great hit with the locals.
Julie and Stephanie (who said it was like 'walking...
We think this screen means someone is ill or has even died.
We think this screen means someone is ill or has even...
Building a new house is a communal activity.
Building a new house is a communal activity.
Various bamboo-related tasks going on here
Various bamboo-related tasks going on here
Where slept, with the sacks of rice
Where slept, with the sacks of rice
[ Homestay ]
Into the bamboo forest
Into the bamboo forest
Local lad dragging a log down the path
Local lad dragging a log down the path
A member of the local sales force lying in wait at the top of the 45° angled waterfall
A member of the local sales force lying in wait at...
Looking down the waterfall to the paddies below
Looking down the waterfall to the paddies below
Mary against the dramatic backdrop
Mary against the dramatic backdrop
This Dao woman is determined to sell Mary something.
This Dao woman is determined to sell Mary something.
The bottom of the waterfall
The bottom of the waterfall
You can just about make out some figures up where we've just been.
You can just about make out some figures up where we...
Back in the valley
Back in the valley
Another house, another kitchen - they do at least get some government money for letting us pry.
Another house, another kitchen - they do at least get...
What a contrast between these Dao women's fine costumes and the conditions they live in
What a contrast between these Dao women's fine...
Two boys and a ghetto blaster
Two boys and a ghetto blaster
These bottles under the door let some light in without too many accompanying creatures.
These bottles under the door let some light in...
A pig among the bamboo
A pig among the bamboo
Another red bridge
Another red bridge
The rest are way ahead of us on the bridge.
The rest are way ahead of us on the bridge.
This is where we teetered precariously along the muddy ridge at the front of a terrace.
This is where we teetered precariously along the...
More Dao women with their wares
More Dao women with their wares
[ Vietnam ]
Three Black H'mong girls resting with their back-baskets full of sticks
Three Black H'mong girls resting with their back...
Oops! This is the main road back to Sapa - and we have a bus to catch. That's our jeep on the right.
Oops! This is the main road back to Sapa - and we...
The traffic backed up waiting to get through
The traffic backed up waiting to get through
The backhoe is dropping the rocks over the edge here. And what a spot to be working in!
The backhoe is dropping the rocks over the edge here...
Much argument ensued over clearing the way for us.
Much argument ensued over clearing the way for us.
The bikers check out the situation...
The bikers check out the situation...
...then take matters into their own hands.
...then take matters into their own hands.
We did get through eventually.
We did get through eventually.

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