Even though taking a night bus in Vietnam is more comfortable than anywhere I’ve ever been, sleeping is tricky as the bus drivers aren’t afraid of using their brake or honk.
It was early in the morning when I got off the bus, still sleepdrunk, hearing women shouting “SHOWER, SHOWER, YOU WANT SHOWER?” God yes, I do. At that moment I did not know yet that showering was not an option until two days later. Oh well.
Preparing for your trip to Sapa is easy. Backpackers already travel with the bare necessities.
I arrived in Sapa, a popular tourist location where you have the option to live with locals for the night.
May, one of the friendly local women waiting for us at the bus stop, invited us for a homestay visit at her family’s house. We commenced on a 17 kilometer hike over mountains, between clouds and rice fields, and took pleasure in the quiet surroundings.
This was my first real experience living with locals in a remote village, where houses were being build, children ran free, women were working the rice fields and foreigners were welcomed. During our walk we passed by different villages that surround Sapa. Every village has their own tradition, clothing and even their own language!
We had a Vietnamese home cooked dinner made by May’s cousins and ate together with the women from the family. We were introduced to rice wine which tastes just as it sounds – wine made of rice. To actually enjoy this fine local you mind need a few, and we did.
Right after dinner May brought shot glasses and we started playing a drinking game where you throw a coin in a glass and that person has to drink. I found out that I was quite good at throwing coins in other peoples glasses, branding me as the Belgian Burner. I’ve had worse nicknames so I decided to go with it.
The next morning – no hangover, shocker! – we said goodbye to the village and went on our way to another walk through the mountains and waterfalls. Hours and hours later we had dinner and were brought back to Sapa on the back of motorcycles, where the landscape changed colours every minute and being so high up made it feel like we were flying.
A homestay visit is the best way to really understand how the locals live in the mountains of Sapa. It is an experience I can recommend to everyone!
Read all about my Southeast Asia’s adventures here!
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