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Background: The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist forces under Ho Chi Minh, who took control of the North. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South. Despite the return of peace, for over two decades the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies. Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities have committed to economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to experience protests from the Montagnard ethnic minority population of the Central Highlands over loss of land to Vietnamese settlers and religious persecution.

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By Eric and Zoe
October 8th 2008

In the mountains

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

prisoner bunk 35 on the train

To get to beautiful Sapa in the mountains you need to take a sleeper train from Hanoi that arrives around 6 am. You awake to a completely different world- green, quiet and foggy. The place itself is a former French hill station and is now popular for hiking. We booked ourselves onto a one day hike. After meeting our pint sized guide who we thought was 15 (she was 20!) we set out in a small group which increased exponentially as we were joined by local Hmong and Zai villagers who seem to be happy just walking along and occasionally try [View Full Entry]

By Tim and Hann
October 6th 2008

Above the clouds in Sapa: (words by Tim. photos by Hann.)

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

Outside our hotel room in Hanoi. Note: Kid on left of frame is having a pee. We just noticed it!

The train trip from Danang to Hanoi was long and uneventful except for the pristine coastline between Danang and Hue which resembled a tropical Great Ocean Road. Night soon bloomed and we spent most of the 16 hour journey dozing, reading and talking to a couple of Irish girls five weeks into their year long round-the-world trip. We arrived in Hanoi at 5 am. It was a crisp, clear start to the day in Vietnam’s capital city. We were mobbed by hundreds of people sticking placards in our face, prodding, poking and pulling at us. “Best price!” “Cheap deals!” “Taxi [View Full Entry]

We met these kids between villages. They were cleaning the mud off the water buffallo behind them with sticks. Hard work!

By hobo girl
October 6th 2008

The Rocky Road to Nam.

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

Yesterday morning we hopped on a bus in Yaunyang, China and headed to Vietnam. The plan was for us to take a 4 hour bus ride to the border of China and Vietnam, cross the border, and then catch a bus in the mid afternoon to Sapa, where we would spend the night. Well things happened in that order, but the bus ride ended up being 6.5 hours long. Two hours extra isn't too bad, but considering that I think it is pretty safe to say that the road to Vietnam was the rouhgest road I have ever been on; two [View Full Entry]

By jayhamon22
September 29th 2008

trekking in sapa

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

jay's sapa 002

Well it’s been roughly a week since my last blog when I mentioned I would be going north to sapa and a lot has happened since then. I will start with the train journey, not knowing what to expect of Vietnam trains after the only experience on trains was in India which is not pleasant but to our surprise they where really good compared it Indian trains we got a pillow, covers, and a door on our cabin and that’s the cheaper of the sleeper options, we also had 4 Vietnamese girls in our cabin which made it all the better. [View Full Entry]

By Mika D
September 29th 2008

Sapa - Staying with families and trekking through typhoons!

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

Hello there. So we got on the night train to Sapa and we expected the worst because we had booked in the 'hard sleeper' class and heard bad things. But we got in the carriage and it was great. I think after the Indian trains nothing could phase us. We got in and we had pillows and sheets (awesome) and then the next thing we know 4 more Vietnamese girls are in our carriage, so all in all a good journey. After 9 hours and quite a good sleep we arrived in Lao Cai which is on the Chinese border, and [View Full Entry]

By Aoibh and Si
September 25th 2008

Whirlwind Tour of the North - Hanoi to Sapa to Halong Bay to Hanoi again

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

Sapa makes you very happy!

Sapa is my new faourite place in Vietnam! I know I said that about Ninh Binh, but its definately Sapa. Closely followed by Hanoi. Hanoi kicks ass - its the coolest, most hectic yet totally charming place. Its been our base for the last week or so, and while we are excited to leave for The Phillipines tomorrow, we'll be really sad to leave Hanoi. We could spend so much longer here. We are staying in the old quarter, and its the most rambling place with motorobikes, cyclos and people just teeming around. The streeets are really charming, old and ramshackly. [View Full Entry]

This little piggy definately went to the market!

By Betsy and Rob
September 21st 2008

Fansipan-Highest Point in SE Asia!

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

View from the top

Sapa was our second favourite place in Vietnam (after Halong Bay). It was pretty easy to get there as we took the overnight train and arrived around 7:30 in the morning. It is a beautiful little town set in a valley and surrounded by mountains. It is quite small with a population of about 40,000 and most of those people are the local tribe people which you see all over town in their traditional clothing. Our plan was to spend one day in Sapa before climbing Fansipan Mountain over three days before heading to china. The town was pretty small so [View Full Entry]

By booshment
September 20th 2008

Sapa

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

arrived in sapa-hotel view

I was extremely looking forward to exchanging city life with beautiful mountains of Sapa. I booked a four nights and three day tour with my hotel, which is probably the easiest way of seeing the sights. I had still not properly got used to the time zone change but found that my night train up to Sapa provided me with my best sleep yet! After all the hustle and bustle of getting from the train to my hotel in Sapa town (about an hour away), I was ready to trek. My first day was just a day tour as I was [View Full Entry]

By JohnMorley
September 14th 2008

Sapa, Vietnam

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

Sapa was a night train away from Hanoi. We had booked ourselves onto a 3 day trip from our guesthouse in Hanoi. This area, close to the China border is famous for its rice terraced mountains and the local H'Mong tribes. The town of Sapa is very small, with just a few guesthouses and restaurants geared for tourists. I think this will change soon, though. They had just started building a giant hotel on the side of one of the mountains. From here we did a long walk across the mountains and through some of the H'Mong villages. Some of the [View Full Entry]

By Cliff and Ruthie
August 25th 2008

Sapa

Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa

Peaceful

Back in Hanoi, we transfer to the train station for the overnight to Sapa. I can’t believe how nice the carriage is - our travel agent is looking out for us again! We arrive in Lao Cai in the morning, we are really close to China now, only about 3 km from the border. Sapa is one hour drive away. The mountains are beautiful, temps are cooler but not cold like everyone told us. Our hotel is really nice with a balcony overlooking town, green valleys and mountains. The area is most popular for trekking and visiting the nearby minority villages. [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Asia » Vietnam » Northeast » Sapa