Tips: Take much care when driving as the roads are dangerous with rocks and cliffs

• It can be too much of an adventure trying to get there as individual traveller. Arrange the trip with a reputable tour operator to ensure smooth, risk free travel.

• Traveling on week days is both easier and cheaper than weekends (lower hotel costs, more relaxed travel schemes)

• Always make sure you have return tickets in hand.

• Get to Hanoi and Lao Cai at least 30 minutes before departure – but be ready for a sudden or late departure without any explaination.

• Make sure there is something to define the person who picks you up (i.e, his name, cell number and so on)

• Say “no” very firmly when someone offers you something you do not want to buy. If you show the slightest interest, they may well follow you all the way up the road, until they find anther likely target.

• Expect to bargain everything down to about half the original price asked. And expect most products to be Chinese instead of being authentically local.
  

When to go

January to Febrary is the coldest time in Sapa, It can be drizzly with no visibility and not get above 5C one day and broad sunshine and over 20 the next. The perfect time to travel Sapa is March and May or mid-September to early December.