Sapa

From the China-Vietnam border we took a taxi to the hill town of Sspa. It's a huge change from what we saw in China. Lots of women from the Black Hmong, Red Hmong and Red Dhao ethnic minority groups followed us (and the many other western tourists) constantly, offering to sell us their hand-embroidered crafts.

We've had absolutely perfect weather here, which is rare in November. This is the only part of Vietnam where it snows, but instead we have temps in the mid-70's and cloudless skies. We have a perfect view of 10,000+ foot Mount Fanxipan, the highest peak in southeast Asia, across the valley from us. Today we hiked downhill to nearby Cat Cat Village and took a taxi back. In a few moments we board the overnight sleeper train to Hanoi.