Sapa Market and Ta Phin Village

In the morning I walked around the town of Sapa, saw a local school, did some shopping, and explored the Sapa Market, which was by far the most graphic one I had seen yet. After lunch we visited Ta Phin Village, famous for the beautiful brocade weaving done by the Red Dzao hill tribe women. The local hill tribe women “bombarded” us as we stepped off the bus. They walked with us to their village. All along the way they tried to sell us their handicrafts. We visited a local family’s home. The houses are built of wood and bamboo with a dirt floor. We also visited a local school and hospital. There is much poverty in this village. We don’t know how lucky we are!! On the way back to the Lao Cai train station we stopped to photograph beautiful terraced fields at dusk. Then we had dinner at a local restaurant near the station before boarding our overnight Victoria Express train back to Hanoi. I slept better this time on the train.

 

Sapa to Coc Ly Market

We headed out of town for a 2 ½ hour drive to the Coc Ly Market, a weekly market for many different tribes who come to buy and sell. The market was on two levels. On the top level they were selling water buffalo. Water buffalo sell for the equivalent of $1,100 each, with the females selling for a little more. The lower level sold many, many things including rice whiskey, embroidered clothing, tobacco (you could try a bong of it to see which flavor you liked), produce, and animal parts of all sorts. It was quite the experience. After the market we saw the bridge that crosses the river to the gate with the Chinese border. We had lunch at a local restaurant back in Sapa. This evening we had our second photography critique. 

Trekking in Sapa

Arrived at Lao Cai train station about 6:30 am and drove about one hour to the beautiful mountain town of Sapa. After breakfast we trekked through terraced rice fields to the scenic villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to the Black H’mong and Red Dzao hill tribe people. From the moment we got off the bus hill tribe women walked with us the entire route trying to sell us their local wares. Although they speak their own language, their English was amazingly good. I guess they have learned it from walking and talking with tourists. These hill tribe people are very proud of their culture and still continue a traditional way of living. Red Dzao women still wear triangular shaped red hats. The Black H’mong women wear traditional indigo blue clothing and a black round hat. We went to a school along the path. It started raining part way through the hike. We found shelter and waited for the rain to pass. We had local fare for lunch along the trail. Everyone was glad to check in to the Victoria Sapa Hotel especially after spending last night on the train. Later in the evening there was fierce rainstorm. Glad to be inside!