Sapa or Halong Bay?

As you can know Sapa and Halong Bay are both highlights of Northern Vietnam for good reasons, but if you haven't much time for both, which should you choose? In fact, it's not a decision that we would like to make. However, to help our lovely clients to have a great vacation in Vietnam during a short time, we'll put together some advice below that you can consider if someday you'll have to face this fact.

In a way it's surprising how often Sapa and Halong Bay are compared as they are different in so many ways. In fact, the only thing they really have in common is that they are both beautiful, albeit different, landscapes. Given these many differences, the main factor in your decision should be your interests and what you want to get out of your trip.

Trekkers and those interested in ethnic minorities should head to Sapa. Guided treks are available from a half-day upwards and range from easy to challenging -- you can even take a seven-day trek to Ha Giang. All treks include visits to ethnic minority villages; you will also come across plenty of people from the Red Dao and Black H'mong groups in Sapa town and a visit to the local markets is a fascinating experience.

Trekking options are available on Cat Ba Island (Halong Bay), but if you're on an organised boat tour it's likely to be limited to a few hours walk around the national park. Travel to Cat Ba Island independently and more options are open to you, but it's trekking of the nature-loving rather than stunning scenery type that you'll get in Sapa. And although a cruise around Ha Long Bay will bring you up close with the inhabitants of the floating villages, it's not as personal as a wander through a H'mong village.

While trekking is big in Sapa, you won't find so many other activities, whereas Ha Long Bay offers an array: kayaking, swimming, rock climbing and cycling, and, of course, boat trips.

If it's all about the scenery, well, that's where it gets difficult. In our opinion Sapa perhaps has some more jaw-dropping scenic vistas -- on a clear day -- but the views of Ha Long Bay from Cannon Fort or one of the other viewpoints are spectacular, and as you cruise between the karsts it's difficult not to be a bit awestruck. Rice fields and mountains or karsts and ocean? That's the decision.

Both places offer opportunities to relax. On a Ha Long Bay trip you can relax on deck or, on Cat Ba Island, on the beach. If you go on an organised tour however you'll find that you are pushed from one activity to the next. In Sapa, relaxation will be in the form of finding a spot overlooking the valley with a good book.

If you want to party, Sapa is probably not for you. For the gourmands, Ha Long Bay is a case of getting whatever you're given on board, but if you go on a decent boat the food can be excellent. Overnight on Cat Ba Island provides a change to indulge in excellent fresh seafood. Sapa isn't exactly a gastronomic delight although it has a couple of decent eating spots and some good barbecue stalls.

Time is a consideration. It's possible to visit either place for only two days but for Sapa that means a night either side on the train, which could leave you exhausted for your first day and for onward travel from Hanoi. It's also just a lot further than Ha Long Bay -- we'd recommend at least four nights and three days to make the most of it. Ha Long Bay, on the other hand, is great for three days if you want to do some activities but also works as an overnight trip. We wouldn't recommend a day trip unless you're basing yourself out of Cat Ba Island or Ha Long City.

Asia Charm Tours would like to urge you not just to compare Sapa with Ha Long Bay, but consider everywhere that takes your fancy in the country and make choices based on that. Perhaps you should just spend your time in the north and do both.

See more about Sapa & Halong Bay Tours at: http://www.sapa-tours.net/

http://www.vietnamhalongcruise.com/

Read more about Vietnam Package Tours at: http://www.sapa-tours.net/vietnam-package-tours/

Please kindly contact us for the detail:

Email: info@asiacharmtours.com

Mob/WhatsAp/Viber/Wechat: (+84)906.288.138 (Ms. Linda)

Asia Charm Tours

Head office: 20 Dao Duy Tu, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tel: (+844) 3929 0712 - Fax: (+8424) 3929 0713

Hotline: (+84)906.288.138

Email: info@asiacharmtours.com

http://www.sapa-tours.net/