Buzz
Embarking on a trekking journey is, in essence, a pedestrian exploration. This form of tourism has long been prevalent in many developed countries worldwide. However, in Vietnam, it is considered a relatively fresh and unique type of tourism. Sa Pa, with its captivating landscapes, is an ideal destination for this distinctive form of travel.
The distinctive aspect of trekking lies in travelers carrying their gear and venturing into remote forests, mountains, or distant villages. This type of journey instills a sense of conquering oneself, often leading to adventures not marked on the traditional Sa Pa tourism maps.
Essential Gear for the Expedition
Attire Essentials
Warm clothing, waterproof boots, raincoats, and hats are indispensable gear. As the terrain for exploration extends into remote forests, there won't be convenient rest stops. Therefore, travelers need to dress appropriately for the weather and carry warm clothing, especially as Sa Pa gets chilly at night. Backpacks should be sturdy, waterproof, and preferably equipped with a waist strap. It's advisable to carry a guide to Sa Pa tourist spots or information about Sa Pa tourism to estimate the journey and plan safe resting points.
Medication
Essential medications include cold medicine, fever reducers, anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, bandages, and oxygen. Trekking involves walking, which may lead to encounters with sharp objects like glass or thorns. The Sa Pa weather is unpredictable, and the high-altitude climate can be challenging for some. Particularly crucial are items for repelling leeches, mosquitoes, and insects, as the forest can be damp and teeming with such creatures.
Food Essentials
Pack dry foods or items that can last, such as canned fish, canned meat, sandwich bread, dry cakes, instant noodles, for on-the-go meals. In the evening, you can visit small eateries in Sapa or local villages and ask the locals to prepare meals for you.
Condoms
This might be a useful item on journeys to tourist destinations like this. Despite sounding seemingly absurd, many people are unaware of its fantastic uses, such as acting as a phone or camera protector, wrapping it to control bleeding, or even serving as a makeshift floatation device when crossing rivers or streams.
Memorable Notes
Humans can cover approximately 12km to 15km each day. Travelers can rely on this to plan detailed itineraries, study the terrain of their destination, and calculate reasonable distances to avoid potential dangers. Checking the weather forecast and Sa Pa tourism information before embarking on a trekking journey is crucial for preparation. However, it's essential not to overly depend on it as weather conditions can change unexpectedly.
When trekking during Sa Pa travel, calculate distances so that you can reach a village to spend the night or rely on local villagers for dinner.
Trekking in Sa Pa, a form of adventure tourism, is somewhat risky. While on the move, observe those around you, avoid getting lost, and maintain a certain distance, especially during river crossings, streams, and hazardous road sections, to facilitate mutual assistance.
If you intend to set up camp in the forest, pitch your tent early while the weather is still clear, on dry, flat ground near a water source for convenient cooking. It's customary to always build a large fire before the campsite to maintain throughout the night.
Upon arriving in a new locality, engage in conversations with the local residents to learn about the geographical features, weather conditions, and any taboos in the village.
In villages like Cát Cát and Tả Phìn inhabited by the Black H'mong or the Red Dao people in the Sapa tourist area, visitors should avoid sitting in the middle and, when visiting homes, follow the guidance of the host. According to H'mong customs, the head seat at the table is always reserved for the parents, even if they are deceased, and guests are not allowed to sit there.
If you plan to stay overnight in villages like Cát Cát, Tả Phìn, or Tả Van, be aware that if the village is busy with spirit rituals or exorcism, they may not welcome strangers. At such times, in front of the entrance to the Sa Pa tourist site, there is usually a cluster of green leaves hanging on a tall pole as a solemn decoration to signal everyone to avoid entering.
Independent Travel in the village demands solemnity and respect for the tranquil landscape inherent to the community. Even the most adored children should not have their heads touched, as the locals believe that such gestures instill fear or illness in them.
One strongly discouraged practice is whistling while strolling through the village to admire the scenery. The villagers consider the sound of whistling to be a call for spirits and demons to enter the village. Inside a H'mong house, there is a large pillar buried in the ground, extending to the roof ridge, considered the dwelling place of ancestral spirits. Visitors should refrain from hanging clothes or leaning against this 'spiritual' pillar.
Every village has a sacred communal area for worship: a silent forest, an ancient tree with sprawling branches and leaves, a meticulously placed stone honoring divine beings. These places are clean, beautiful, and refreshing. However, travelers should avoid stopping there for rest, reflection, meals, lounging, or littering.
Recommended Trekking Routes
The Hoang Lien National Park, often explored by many foreign tourists, is one of the picturesque attractions in Sa Pa tourism, offering mountainous terrain, diverse wildlife, and refreshing landscapes.
Additionally, Coc San Cave – Silver Waterfall – Fairy Cave, conquering the summit of Fansipan Mountain, are beautiful and majestic Sa Pa tourist spots.
The Muong Hoa Valley, terraced rice fields, and villages like Cat Cat, Ta Phin, Ta Van, are ideal places to discover the unique culture in the highlands. Consider planning routes like Y Ty Bat Xat – Lao Cai, Mu Cang Chai, or Ta Si Lang – Yen Bai, traversing different regions in the Northwest.
Sa Pa is a convergence of land, sky, nature, and climate, featuring many breathtaking and romantic landscapes. Therefore, trekking in the Sa Pa mountainous region is an ideal Sa Pa travel destination for those who want to explore nature and learn about the distinctive cultures of ethnic minorities in the highlands.
