- 'Sapa O'Chau means 'thank you Sapa' (title of zine?)
- established as a hill station by the French in 1922
- known to have the most spectacular views overlooking the valleys
- Indigo dye is a plant that produces an organic compound with a distinctive dark blue colour, grown in Vietnam. This dye is used by the Hmong people to achieve the black of the fabrics that they wear.
HMONG TRIBE
- people who love freedom and would fight for it as nesessary
- their original homeland was in the heart of China and driven southward after they were defeated by the Chinese during the Opium War
- there are around 300,000 Hmong speakers in Vietnam
- there are 18 clans in the Hmong culture, each with a different name. Children are members of their father's clan. Women, upon marriage, become members of their husband's clan, but typically retain their original clan. Members of the same clan consider themselves family.
- they continue the spiritual practices that include animism and ancestor worship. According to these beliefs, spirits inhabit animals and other natural objects, but also domestic features, such as doorways.
- The spirits of the deceased ancestors are also thought to influence welfare and health of the living.
- Individuals perform rituals and supply offerings, including food and spirit money, to appease the spirits and earn their favour.
- the traditional village has about 7 houses, but now to increase security and the need for intensive cultivation of the land, villages of between 7 and 50 households are more common.
- Hmong are famous for their silverwork, spinning, weaving, and embroidering hemp and cotton
HIKING
- by choosing a Hmong-managed trekking agency you are directly supporting minority people
- it is best to be guided by someone who knows the terrain and speaks the language, so finding a minority guide is recommended
- it is illegal to stay overnight in villages that are not officially recognised as homestays
- Cat Cat: the nearest village within walking distance, 3km south of Sapa.
- Sa Seng & Hang Da: hike along the high ridge east of Sapa through the Black Hmong settlements to the Ta Van River
- Ta Phin: home to the Red Dzao and about 10km from Sapa, you can do a 14km loop passing through Black Hmong and Red Dzao villages
- Fansipan: at 3143m, it is Vietnam's highest peak. The summit of Fansipan is 19km by foot from Sapa, the terrain is rough and adverse weather is frequent. It is advised to leave 3 days for this round trip of hiking, or there is a 6282m long cable car that can take you to the summit in 15 minutes. It is best to visit mid-October to mid-December.
SYMBOLS
I thought it would be interesting to include some symbol translations in the guide book so that the reader could look out for them in the country and it may help them to understand the tribal ways more.
BUCKET LIST
I researched further into the activities that I didn't get to do when I was there but have been recommended by others
- Sapa market: a purpose-built modern building near the bus station
- Sapa Museum: showcase of the history and ethnology of the Sapa area
- Indigo Cat: a workshop in a local craft shop where you can learn traditional Hmong weaving and embroidery skills.
The 'Salt in our hair' blog has a friendly, easy and informative article on getting from Hanoi to Sapa and then what to do when you arrive there.
After completing my secondary research, I have decided that the most useful sections for the guide book would be:
- about Sapa, best time to travel and general facts
- Hanoi to Sapa travel
- Homestays in Sapa
- To see
- Black Hmong tribe
- Red Dzao tribe
- the art of drinking rice wine
Lonely planet - Vietnam
http://topasecolodge.com/
http://indigocat.asia/
https://saltinourhair.com/vietnam/trekking-sapa-vietnam/
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