Tourist love this Hill Station, first developed by the French.
The first permanent French civilian resident arrived in Sa Pa in 1909. With its attractive continental climate, health authorities believed the site had potential. By 1912 a military sanatorium for ailing officers had been erected along with a fully fledged military garrison. Then, from the 1920s onwards, several wealthy professionals with enough financial capital also had a number of private villas built in the vicinity. …
Sa Pa is a quiet mountain town and home to a great diversity of ethnic minority peoples. The total population of 36,000 consists mostly of minority groups. …
I happened to arrive on a Sunday morning, a real market day for the surrounding villages.
Before the 1990s, the town’s economy was mainly based on small size agriculture.
Tourist arrival between 1995 and 2003 grew from a total of 4,860 to 138,622. On average, 79% of the visitors are Vietnamese and 21% are foreigners. …
Those that were here before you, all tell that Sapa has been ruined by tourism.
Tourists create trash. The town of Sapa does not know how to dispose of it. That’s clear.
I loved it, as I love all Hill Stations. Especially the lake.
The Communist Vietnamese government continued with the faded yellow French architecture. I find it charming.
Animal lovers will be horrified, however.
The life of many animals in Asia is harsh.
Mostly I wandered the town, avoiding touts, checking to see what regular people are up to. The Cathedral and plazas are entertaining.
Tourists love Sapa. Even if many of the young have abandoned the fields to chase tourists.
My only other big complaints about Sapa are the smoking. And the motorcycle culture.
Tourists can rent crappy bikes for as little as $5. 😦
Rick McCharles 