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SAPA
The best time to witness the
scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before that period,
the weather might be cold and
foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May,
Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds
that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear
into thin air.Located at 1,500 m above sea level, Sapa lies on
the side of the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, 333 km northwest of
Hanoi. Sapa’s flora is diverse, ranging from flowers to tropical
fruits; among the most popular fruits produced in Sapa are
apples, pears, peaches, and plums.Sapa has many natural sites
such as Thac Bac, Thuy Cung Grotto, Gio Cave, Troi Gate, and
Truc Forest. Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers
and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain,
the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m. Hoang Lien Son
Mountains is also called the Alps of the North Sea area since
Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but
also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is
covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop
below zero, especially at high elevations.To reach Sapa, one can
take a train to Lao Cai and then a bus to Sapa from Lao Cai. On
Sundays, Nung, Dao, Tay, Cao Lan, Paxi, and Xa Phong minorities
ride down the mountain in their colorful clothes to take part in
the Sunday market at the foot of Fansipan Mountain.
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