Travelog - A travel guide to Vietnam

Highlights:

Shopping is the furthest thing from my mind when I travel. I have one small bag and if it won’t fit in there then it doesn’t get to come home. I had to make an exception when I reached Sapa. In Sapa, sitting too close to the window in a restaurant is an invitation to be plied with goods while you are eating. First small faces are pressed against the glass, soon brightly embroidered cloths are dangled and the door starts to creep open. It is only with great vigilance that the restaurant owner keeps the would-be sellers at bay.

Emerging after lunch I found myself towering above 15-20 tiny H’mong women. Each one was exclaiming in broken English that her fabrics were the best. As soon as I saw the intense indigo dye in conjunction with batik and embroidery it was obvious that I was a customer. Out of their baskets came an assortment of clothes, bags, wall hangings and bedspreads all beautiful and all incredible cheap. A word of warning however, the dyes in the materials are not set. Most of the Black H’mong and some unsuspecting tourists have a blue cast to their skin from the indigo.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:

Striking out from Sapa in almost any direction there are Hill Tribes. The locals are very friendly and happy to take you home and visit. Don’t be shy! Many of the young girls dressed in their traditional clothes have learned English and love to practice it. Chances are good that you will find yourself sipping tea in a bamboo hut and yes probably looking at more textiles to buy or maybe some silver jewelry. Most of the locals carry umbrellas and there is a reason for it. Rain or shine an umbrella is good protection from the elements.

Best Way to Get Around:

Walk, Walk, Walk and when you are tired you will probably meet someone with a motorbike who will offer you a ride. (for a price of course-but never very much)

Written by Anne Silver from iE