This beautiful area in the extreme north of Vietnam was one of the highlights of our trip.
The weather is harsher than in the mid and southern areas so there is only one rice crop per year. So this crop is for subsistence, not sold on, and the region is poor.
In the last 10 years tourists from China and the West are changing the face of the area and it is becoming more commercial and dollar-conscious.
Early morning Sapa valley by Barbara Bett, on Flickr
Sapa morning by Barbara Bett, on Flickr
Hmong homes, Sapa valley by Barbara Bett, on Flickr
There is now a magnificent cable car - built with Chinese money-up the mountain of Fansipan, 3143 metres. From the top of the cable car another 200 steps gets you above 2 Buddhist temples to the top of the world. Well it felt like it ..
[IMG]Fansipan mountain by Barbara Bett, on Flickr[/IMG]
From the cable car on the way down..
[IMG]Paddy fields in winter by Barbara Bett, on Flickr[/IMG]
The weather is harsher than in the mid and southern areas so there is only one rice crop per year. So this crop is for subsistence, not sold on, and the region is poor.
In the last 10 years tourists from China and the West are changing the face of the area and it is becoming more commercial and dollar-conscious.
Early morning Sapa valley by Barbara Bett, on Flickr
Sapa morning by Barbara Bett, on Flickr
Hmong homes, Sapa valley by Barbara Bett, on Flickr
There is now a magnificent cable car - built with Chinese money-up the mountain of Fansipan, 3143 metres. From the top of the cable car another 200 steps gets you above 2 Buddhist temples to the top of the world. Well it felt like it ..
[IMG]Fansipan mountain by Barbara Bett, on Flickr[/IMG]
From the cable car on the way down..
[IMG]Paddy fields in winter by Barbara Bett, on Flickr[/IMG]
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