Over the last few years trekking in Vietnam has really taken off. Sapa has become the new mecca for trekkers visiting Southeast Asia. Whilst it doesn’t have the sheer dramatic scenery of Nepal, it has an astonishing beauty and provides a wonderful experience for the many tourists whip are heading there for the trek.
The sheer dramatic scenery of Nepal
Nepal of course is not for the faint hearted, possessing eight of the world’s top ten peaks, this is serious trekking terrain. Safety is paramount and wondering off the organised routes can easily lead to disaster. In Sapa, things go at a more gentle leisurely pace. It is still a mountainous region, in fact the same mountainous region. Sapa sits in the range known as The Hoang Lien Son and these are actually the foothills of the Himalayas, that climb to be so dramatic by the time they reach Nepal.
The sheer dramatic scenery of Sapa
Where Nepal has its dramatic steep snow capped peaks, Sapa has its lush terraced hillsides. Both have the right to be considered amongst the most beautiful scenic regions in the world. The whites and greys of Nepal and the Greens and browns of Sapa, offer amazing contrasts to each other, but at the same time are very similar. Both are mountainous, both are home to amazing ethnic people, both are the pride of their respective nations and both are an absolute joy for trekking holidays.
The whites and greys of Nepal
The Greens and browns of Sapa
Other similarities between the two areas are that they both offer a huge variety of treks to suit all levels of experience and fitness. In Nepal of course the more severe routes should not be attempted by anyone other than experience climbers and walkers. These severe types of trek, are not in evidence in Sapa, though their is a huge difference in making it to the top of Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s tallest peak, and strolling through the lush green lowland valleys.
Snow is not really a hazard in Sapa, it is not unheard of and last year, they did in fact have snow that caused complete chaos. In Katmandu of course each winter brings heavy snowfalls. Trekking equipment therefore is markedly different. Heavy waterproof boots and warm weather waterproofs are de rigeuer in Nepal, whereas in Sapa it’s sturdy shoes and a sun hat for most of the year.
In Nepal more than 37% of the population are indigenous ethnic people, these are from many different ethnic backgrounds. The Bhote from Bajura district, and the Raaji, Kusunda and Tharu. In Sapa there are eight indigenous tribes living within the region. This is the only region in Vietnam where the ethnic hill tribe people make up a majority of the local population. The H’Mong make up 52%, the Yao 23%, Kinh 18%, Tay 5% and Day and Xa Pho 1% each.
Child Labor in Nepal
Hmong women in Sapa
There are more things that join Sapa and Nepal when it comes to trekking holidays, than divide them. Both will provide the trekker with memories to last a lifetime, and both are becoming increasingly accessible.
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