From Hanoi to Sapa and back.

We have only used the train so can't offer any advice on other modes. A couple of recommendations re Sapa are: Hire a private guide and driver if possible and get out in the country and visit some mountain villages. If you have the time we recommend at least 3 days and two nights and even 4 days and 3 nights if possible. There is a lot to see and do if you get away even a short distance from Sapa proper.
Her is a link to a video we did of Northern Vietnam including Sapa and surrounding areas:
https://vimeo.com/93068496
Have a great holiday.

As repeatidly said, the grueling train is OK only if you have no time ; if, you have, the 5-hout express bus is infinitely better. Take it to return to Hnoi anyway, it lesves Sapa at 16h30 ang the trekkings end around 13h.

Driver ? There excellent 3-day trekkings, and even lmore days, going tio remote villages; nobody rents a car in Sapa except o continue towards Bac Ha and Ha Giang !

Can Cau and Bac Ha are two areas that are well worth visiting and a vehicle is suggested. The Can Cau Saturday market and the Bac Ha Sunday market are both very interesting with few tourists mostly due to their distance from Sapa I suspect.

You can go to those markets with a car, but it is not cheap ! You can also arrange with a good Sapa agency such as the excellent Nomad Trails an organized group tour (small minibuses) for the Can Cau Market only, or the BH market only,or both, in which case you sleep in the extra Ngan Nga Bac Ha Hotel

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