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Trekking to Lao Chai from Sapa

On a February morning, the clouds that had descended upon the mountain town of Sapa to linger like unwanted guests seemed to have finally given up and made their way home, allowing the comforting warmth of sunshine in many days. It’s not clever to waste a winter’s day like that in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam and so along with my fellow volunteers, I set off to hike to the village of Lao Chai, 6 kms away from Sapa.

Sapa is very popular with tourists looking to explore the surrounding villages inhabited by various ethnic minority tribes such as the Black Hmong, Flower Hmong and Red Dzao people and those aspiring to conquer Mt. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indo-China. So it was no surprise that we had plenty of company on the trail; enthusiastic hikers of all ages from different countries, Black Hmong women either acting as guides or trying to sell brightly colored scarves and the occasional xe om (motorbike taxi) with the riders offering to make our hike easier by dropping us to the point where we could see the terraced fields.

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After a while, we hopped on to the motorbikes, watching like eager children as they navigated hairpin bends along the jaw dropping mountain scenery. The minutes flew by quickly, just like the xe oms, and we found ourselves standing at the edge of the road where multiple narrow trails branched off, descending into the water filled terraces. Not sure which one to take, we had just taken a few steps towards one when a woman’s voice called out to us, “I show you, this way!” Of the Black Hmong tribe, she wore an indigo but almost black embroidered jacket and leg warmers, her head covered by a blue checked scarf and a straw basket strapped onto her back. She was standing on the other trail, almost hidden by the tall grass. “I come with you, this way!”, she coaxed, her tiny eyes fixed upon us trying to figure out if we were going to follow. We did not mind the company or the fact that taking her ‘help’ would set us back by a few thousand Dong each and so we carefully made our way towards her, trying not to slip on the damp earth.

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We trudged along cautiously and I realized we were no match for her even with our fancy hiking shoes; she was always more than a few steps ahead, her feet landing nimbly in their simple flip-flops. But she would slow down for us and attentively reach out for our hands in case any one of us needed help. The landscape was spectacular; lush terraces as far as the eyes could see, buffaloes grazing and children with happy grimy faces from playing in the fields.

Black Hmong seller/trekking guide in Lao Chai village

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“Where you from?”, a line that you hear more times than you can count when in Sapa led to her digging into her basket, pulling out scarves and woven bracelets, “You my friend, you buy from me.” A seasoned businesswoman, she couldn’t be blamed for trying, after all this is how business was done in this part of the world and she didn’t know anything else. Even the English she spoke was an outcome of learning how to engage tourists in conversation so they would buy something.

We reached a tourist rest spot and sprawled out on the benches, watching as big and small trekking groups passed by. A young sickly Hmong boy lay with one leg stretched out in front of him, his back leaning against the wall, with eyes indifferent to the crowds of tourists. Moving on we found ourselves being followed by other grubby nosed children mumbling, “Munn-eey…..munn-eey” in a practiced pity-inducing voice.

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The view grew more scenic as we passed the swirling greens of the terraces with just the right amount of sunshine. Stopping briefly for lunch at an unimpressive touristy restaurant where crowds of Black Hmong sellers surrounded unassuming tourists vehemently persuading them to buy something, we were glad when we were back on the trail again. We lost our guide there, who after successfully selling me a blue scarf like the one she wore had joined the other ladies as they sat down to chit chat until the next tourist group arrived.

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Passing through the village, we saw homes, farms and shops selling handicrafts, embroidered hats and beautifully crafted marble boxes. We ventured further into the village, probably off the trail and reached an area where we didn’t see any other tourists. We caught the eye of a young mischievous looking boy playing outside his house who returned with two others. Together, the children giggled at us, proudly showing off their stilt walking skills. Shortly after a Black Hmong woman appeared and pointed us in the right direction to be on our way to Sapa.

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Exhausted by the long hours of hiking, we decided to return to Sapa by xe om. Luckily, we met two riders who promised to meet us with their motorbikes at the bridge in the distance in 20 minutes. As we waited for them at the bridge, an old woman called out, “You buy from me!” Tired of being courted by the local women, I yelled out as politely as I could, “No, please we’re tired”. She flashed me a bright smile and with a wink she said, “Haaa, me too!” as a crowd of little girls hovered around her. As the motorbikes revved up, she looked up from braiding their hair and waved at us, the girls shouted, “Byeee Byee!”

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For ideas on what to do in Sapa, read about Cat Cat Village and the Bac Ha Tribal market. Here’s a post that deeply examines the effects of tourism in Sapa. Get your Vietnam visa online here.

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Trekking to Lao Chai from Sapa

 

This post is linked to the #SundayTraveler series hosted by Chasing the Donkey & A Southern Gypsy  as well as #WeekendWanderlust hosted by A Brit & A Southerner & other cool travel bloggers.

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Wouter

Wednesday 1st of June 2016

Great pictures and lots of useful information. I really love beautiful Sapa!

Natasha Amar

Wednesday 1st of June 2016

Thank you! I love Sapa too!

Uncover Your Caribbean

Tuesday 5th of January 2016

Was just having the Vietnam discussion with some friends last week. It's on our list. We want to go really local, like you did. Thanks for sharing!

antonette

Monday 4th of January 2016

Awesome, always love to read about hiking stories. I never really considered Vietnam for hiking (although really, it can be done anywhere) but it seems like a great place for it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Karla

Monday 4th of January 2016

We have something similar in the Philippines. Its called Batad Rice Terraces. We hiked it Feb last year and it was so cold :) This one seems really nice too. The pics are Gorgeous?

Natasha Amar

Monday 4th of January 2016

Thanks Karla, I have seen images of the ones in the Philippines and they look just as incredible.

Brenda Tolentino

Monday 4th of January 2016

I haven't had a chance to visit Vietnam yet but it is definitely a place I want to travel to, mostly because I love the food. Sapa is so beautiful in your pictures. It is quite amazing how the locals hike in flip flops, I guess it must be just like any old walk for them.

Natasha Amar

Monday 4th of January 2016

The food is a big plus too and the culture is just so amazing.

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