Sapa, a watercolor painting in winter

With a dreamlike natural scenery highlighted by the terraced fields and a myriad of mountains, Sa Pa leaves tourists with a strong impression right from the first sight. Sa Pa in every season has its own features. In winter, particularly, the snow patches turns Sa Pa into a world of fairy tales no inferior to those in distant Europe.

As winter comes, Sa Pa puts on a snow cloak that looks pure yet dazzling. In the illusory fog, the lovely little houses, the villas and the ancient castles on the hillside gradually come into sight with their immense charm. Over the horizon, the mighty rows of pine trees and the breathtaking terraced fields in harmony with the cold winds welcome the “rain” of snowflakes. You can easily catch sight of the magical winter everywhere down the road. Do not miss the opportunity to take a walk in a Sa Pa market, where you will definitely have an unforgettable experience. There is a very heady atmosphere with stalls put up close to one another displaying a variety of items such as brocade (handkerchief, embroidery), clothes, shoes, and souvenirs. Not only that, the eateries with smoky grilled dishes will certainly lure you over. There is the beautiful image of the ethnic people in the costumes of their cultural identity with sophisticated patterns that enchant quite a few visitors. You may come across young H'Mong women in colorful outfits, and Dao ladies with lovely headdress ornamented by red tassels.

About three kilometers from Sa Pa is Ham Rong Mountain, an extremely famous destination in Sa Pa, which becomes more fanciful than ever in winter with pure white snow. This is the ideal place for you to admire the panoramic view of the spectacular Northwest mountains with the pit stops at different heights like Vuon Lan (Orchid Garden) and San May (Cloud Yard). San May, in particular, will offer you a special feelings in front of the immensity of heaven and earth that envelops the houses, the forests and the pine trees hidden in the fog. On the winding road leading to Vuon Lan and San May, you may catch sight of boat orchids and apricot blossoms still blooming brightly even though it has gotten somewhat chilly. At Ham Rong Mountain, there are a series of cultural and art activities, and performances of ethnic music and dance for visitors to learn of the customs and lifestyles of ethnic minority people in Sapa.

For a more in-depth study of the ethnic communities in Sa Pa, visit the villages of Cat Cat, Ta Phin, Ta Van and Lao Chai. Among them, Cat Cat is a prominent feature of Sa Pa. This village is inhabited by H'mong people, who still preserve many traditional handicrafts and three-compartment houses with wooden flooring and a simple yet elegant design. In Cat Cat, you may easily find brocade items, bronze and silver jewelry, and ethnic musical instruments like lip lute, pan-pipe, and flute, etc.

The journey across Sa Pa will get more exciting if you take a ride on the modern cable car to admire “the roof of Indochina” - the Fansipan amid the clouds. Alternatively, if want to challenge the steep slope of the rocky mountains, mountain climbing and trekking are suitable activities for those who want to conquer the Fansipan in their own way.

Besides, right in the center of Sa Pa, the ancient church with the elaborate architecture typical of France transforms into a truly charming wonderland like those in Europe in the cold of winter, when falling snow obscures the sky. This is a great location for you to capture memorable photos with your family, relatives and friends. There is no need to travel far. You can enjoy the atmosphere of glamorous Europe at home, in the heart of magnificent Sa Pa.

There are other scenic spots such as Silver Falls, Heaven Gate, Muong Hoa Valley - Sa Pa Ancient Rock Field, Tien Cave and Coc San Cave, etc. In the vast space covered in snow, your journey keeps going on, in the flow of emotions brought by the wonderfully tranquil beauty of Sa Pa.

Source: Flickr.com

Tri Dung