SAPA – SIN HO VIETNAM LOOP: TRACING BACK TO THE NATURAL WONDERS OF VIETNAM

We will have heart-stopping moments on perilous Tram Ton Pass, contemplate the grandeur of Fansipan, visit the historical cave of Na Cung, explore the awe-inspiring Pu Sam Cap, and fall in love with the tranquil villages of ethnic minorities in Sin Ho, etc. In short, this tour takes just a few days to give you the moments you will keep recalling forever after.

BEST TIME TO HAVE A SAPA ” SIN HO LOOP

You can have a wonderful Sapa ” Sin Ho Loop in any season of the year. However, the winter in this mountainous area is quite severe. We then will have to confront cold weather and strong wind and rain. It’s obviously not advantageous for riding and exploring.

In summer, spring, or autumn, Sin Ho Vietnam offers cool and comfortable weather. We can see lush trees, flower blooms, and a clear sky, which is better to contemplate all the landscapes. If you go to Sin Ho to hunt clouds, March and April are the best times to do it.

• Sapa Motorbike Tour via Lai Chau and Sin Ho – 2 days

ITINERARY OF SAPA ” SIN HO LOOP

SECTION 1: FROM SAPA LOOP  TO LAI CHAU

To move from Sapa to Lai Chau, we will follow Highway QL4D as it offers the most impressive landscapes. From Sapa, you have to go to the west and pass a muddy road with many potholes before getting on QL4D. On the way, we have a chance to behold the majesty of Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall.

We will keep riding until reaching the top of O Quy Ho Pass, also known as the Heaven Gate or Tram Ton Pass. With an altitude of 1900 meters above sea level, O Quy Ho is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. Also, Tram Ton is the longest pass in Vietnam with a length of 50 kilometers. Together with Pha Din, Ma Pi Leng, and Khau Pha, O Quy Ho is one of the four greatest passes in the North. Despite its threat, the pass is still one of the favorite routes for domestic and foreign tourists. Actually, road quality has been improved in recent years, making it a bit less dangerous. Besides, the pass is known as the borderline of Lai Chau and Lao Cai. Tram Ton pass offers an incredible view of the mountainous area and Fansipan, the highest mountain in the Indochina Peninsula.

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We will go 40 kilometers more to the Northwest on Highway QL4D to reach Lai Chau. The way they will include more breathtaking sceneries such as Tac Tinh Waterfall or charming terraced fields. And here we are in Lai Chau city, where more than twenty ethnic groups are living together. The city now has a new appearance ” energetic and modern. The humble houses have been replaced with solid buildings; broad boulevards have taken over the old bumpy dirt roads. The gloomy Lai Chau has become lively since the tourists start to give it enough attention.

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The next tourist attraction on the first day of our Sapa ” Sin Ho loop is Na Cung Cave in the Phong Tho district. To get there, we have to ride 23 kilometers to Phong Tho junction and then move forward to Muong So. Right when we cross the bridge spanning Nam Lun River, the way to Na Cung village is just one kilometer from us. Na Cung village is one of the first places ancient White Thai people chose to reside in Lai Chau. Hidden in the greatness of forests, Na Cung Cave was the place local people used to hide and protect Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. This attraction lies on the top of a low mountain. At the foot of the mountain, you can see the immense Tung So field and dreamlike Nam So stream. By the end of the day, we will come back to our homestay in Lai Chau and spend the first night there.

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SECTION 2: FROM LAI CHAU TO SIN HO IN SAPA LOOP

The second day has come, and it’s time for us to continue our Sapa ” Sin Ho loop. After breakfast, we will leave Lai Chau city and once again follow Highway QL4D. We are heading to Phong Tho town, and the way there will not be something too challenging. On the way to Phong Tho, you will see a turn leading to Muong So. This optional loop will bring you to incredible landscapes of high mountains, numerous terraced fields, as well as modest villages. However, this option requires you to ride 70 ” 80 kilometers more. If we don’t turn North to Muong So, then we just need to go forward to reach Phong Tho.

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Once we reach the town, Highway QL4D will turn round and become Highway QL12. Following this highway, we are going to pass a scenic valley before encountering the  Nam Cay junction. The left turn is the starting point of road TL128 – the way to Sin Ho. We will ride on the mountainside through small villages and countless splendid spectacles. The road will be quite slippery on rainy days, so you’ll have to ride with double attention. And at last, we have made our way to Sin Ho ” a dreamy town of the Northern upland.

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Sin Ho plateau is 1500 meters above sea level, so it is often covered with a veil of mist and cloud. Sin Ho is sometimes dubbed as “the second Sapa of the Northwestâ€. However, such a nickname can make us forget the distinctive beauty of this land. People love Sin Ho because of its perfect climate, the grand landscapes, and the lovely people with their unique cultures. Here you can find picturesque streams such as Nam Ma, Nam Mung, Nam Tam, and Phieng Ot. Besides, there are plenty of landmarks and historical sites for curious visitors to explore: Da O Mountain, Quan Am Cave, the Heaven Gate, etc. Thai, Dao, Lu, H’ mong and other ethnic minorities live peacefully together. Still, they preserve their own valuable cultural features ranging from clothes to music.

• Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Y Ty and Villages – 3 days

It will be a regret if we miss the regular Sin Ho kermis on Sunday. The best thing is that you won’t see any sign of over-tourism, which may bring chaos to stable traditions here. You will see many people in their colorful traditional clothes. They are here to purchase essential things for the next week, not to sell souvenirs for tourists. That’s what makes tourists love this Sapa – Sin Ho loop.

Here are some Vietnam  off the beaten track places you should not miss in the Sin Ho district:

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The Palace of Thai King IN Sapa Loop

The palace is located at the crossover of Nam Na, Nam Lay, and Da Rivers. The palace belonged to Deo Van Long ” a mandarin ruling 12 Thai regions. He helped the invaders and became the richest man in the area. After the legendary Dien Bien Phu victory, he left Vietnam for France, and the palace gradually became a ruin. We can still see the impressive architecture, a mix of Thai stilt houses and French building styles. This structure was used as a fortress and a place for parties. Notably, the tile roofs are made of stone slabs, which local people call “paper stoneâ€. This unusual stone is so soft that you can even cut it with a knife. But when the stone is shone by the Sun, it will turn into a solid material. The construction has historical values, and it reminds the Vietnamese how precious freedom is.

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The Temple of Le Kings

Le Loi is one of the greatest King in Vietnamese history. The stele of the king is located at the confluence of Nam Na and Da rivers (in Le Le commune). The stele marks his victory before the evil chief of Ninh Vien (the ancient land of Lai Chau). Le Loi left his words there to warn whoever dares to betray the country and confirm the territorial integrity.

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The highlighted villages in Sin Ho

There are many villages in Sin Ho, and each of them holds an exotic enchantment.

Bo Village is famous for its vast green tea hills and watermills. It’s the perfect background for you to show off your photography skills.

Na Luong is home to the Lao people. Here you can see the traditional stilt houses scattering next to extended mountain ranges. We can see them dancing at the Bun Voc Nam Festival if we are lucky enough.

Some other lovely villages you might love to visit are Hon Village of Lu and H’ mong people, Si Chau Thai of Yao, Nung Nang of H’ mong, and San Thang of Giay. The common scenes are the hospitable locals living in small houses with tranquil landscapes of vast fields and high mounts.

Tac Tinh Waterfall or Tien Son Cave are also popular attractions in Sin Ho. After seeing enough of the prominent sites of Sin Ho, we will come back to the town and rest in a hotel. Watching the mountainous landscape on a starry night will be a brilliant plan.

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SECTION 3: FROM SIN HO TO SAPA LOOP

We will start the third day of our Sapa ” Sin Ho loop by riding downhill on road DT128 to Lai Chau. Along the way, we will again admire silvery waterfalls and the villages of H’ mong or Yao.

Of course, we won’t ignore the opportunity to explore Pu Sam Cap ” a cave complex at an altitude of 1300 ” 1700 meters above sea level. Thien Mon, Thien Duong, and Thuy Tinh are the three largest caves. You can’t conceal your amazement as soon as you see the stalactites inside the caves. The sharp-pointed stalactites you are watching are impressive and terrifying at the same time. When our team gets there, we will tell you the legends about the caves.

After that, we will continue moving to Lai Chau and take the old road 4D to Tam Duong. All we have to do next is follow Highway QL4D and come back to Sapa ” the charming Northwestern town of Lao Cai.

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JOIN THE SAPA – SIN HO LOOP WITH NO HESITATION

As you can see, the  Sapa ” Sin Ho loop can bring you memorable experiences. You can ride uphill and downhill through breathtaking valleys, behold the towering mountains piercing the cloud, immerse yourself in the cool water of the sublime waterfalls, make friends with local people with new cultures, try their delicious specialties, and more. We are not going to have a sightseeing tour, but we are seeking unforgettable moments by experiencing all Sapa, Lai Chau, and Sin Ho can offer. We are not introducing you to a Sapa motorbike tour