Alternative to Sapa
 

I have been to Sapa over the years (since 2002) and didn't enjoy the last visit (crowded, noisy etc). Looking for alternative within 2 hours of Sapa. Someplace quiet, good views, walks and a few food options,

Was thinking of Ta Van Village. Any experiences or other suggestions?

SC

Ta Van Village is a great choice, considering it's quieter and less busy but still provides amazing views, hiking, and food options. It's only two hours from Sapa and provides a calm vibe with amazing scenery. Other than Ta Van Village, you might also like Cat Cat Village and Y Ty Village, both of which have similar characteristics and are close to Sapa.

Ta Van Village is a solid choice. It's quiet, offers good views, walks, and a few food options. It's about a 30-minute drive from Sapa. Alternatively, you could check out Mu Cang Chai or Mai Chau for similar experiences within a 2-hour radius.

Ta Van is in Sapa and is very crowed. One excellent option is the homestay of the French trekker Olivier and his Dao wife; 45mn-walk -from the main road, very secluded (there are only 2 houses) and traditional Dao food; you cannot get more authentic

Ta Van is NOT 2 hours from Sapa, but 15 mn by moto-taxi or taxi. Superb rice-field terraces !

I think you should refer to Ha Giang province tourism. The scenery there is wonderful and there are many more places to see than Sapa. Spoiled for choice.

The region north of Ha Giang (Doing Van, Méo Vac) is stunning, but then, no trekking except 1 day easy. around Dong Van The circuit Hanoi-Ha Giang-Dong Van-Méo Vac-Ha Giang requests a minimum of 5 days

If you are interested in trekking, try learning about Ky Quan San (another name is Bach Moc Luong Tu). This is the highest mountain peak in the mountain range of the same name on the border between Bat Xat districts of Lao Cai province and Phong Tho district of Lai Chau province, and is the fourth highest mountain peak in Vietnam.

It is indeed a beautiful region, but very little candidates for trekking, therefore it would be very difficult to find an English-speaking guide. Sapa is easily accessible by the DIRECT express bus and, for excellent trekking without tourists around, I recommend to hire the service of the Dao wife of Olivier, a Frenchman who lives up there. She takes you to their home. Authenticity guaranteed.
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Another excellent option is to go to BAC HA, 3-hour drive from Sapa, 2 from Lao Cai. The manager of the Ngan Nga Hotel, the best in town (excellent restaurant), organizes a trekking for you, very different from Sapa trekkings

If your budget is allowed, Topas Ecolodge in Thanh Kim, Sapa could be an option. This resort is located around 1.5 hours from Sapa and has a very nice view to valleys, especially far away from busy areas like Sapa city. There are also some options for trekking

Ta Van is NOT "two hours from Sapa" but about 20 mn by moto-taxi. Famous for the beauty of its rice-fild terraces, but the trekking is so-so, it's more of a walk through the field. You can go with a little H'mong or Dao girl who will take you to her parents' house (they will approach you in the street and the church square). Limited comfort, but authenticity guaranteed.. You also have the 2-day trekking arranged by the Frenchman Olivier and his delightful Dao wife, who is your guide ; You sleep in their home far from everything. The contact is
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If you go to SaPa during the peak season, it is always crowded, whether Ta Van or Cat Cat villages are very crowded. In my opinion, Y Ty village is the most deserted but it is relatively far from the center of Sa Pa about 70 km, go there on foot. , try bathing with medicinal leaves of the Red Dao ethnic people

Y THY i very interesting, for itis the "capital" of the small minority HA NI. However, the GH are so-so, and so is the food. In Sapa, you can be without any tourist around by going to the homestay of the French trekker Olivier in Sa Sang, just before Ta Phin, a beautiful 45-mn walk form the main road. His Dao wife is your guide from Sapa to her house and prepares you a traditional Dao dinner.. Basic accommodation, but real bedroom
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