With a nod to the French influence on the area, this charming B&B and cafe is a culinary/hospitality school for local disadvantaged teens. The culinary students have won distinction in international competitions and the program itself is world renowned for its work in the community. When in Sapa, stop in for pain chocolat and Vietnamese coffee – a highlight of my trip.
Filed under Asia, Nonprofit Spotlight, Vietnam
I took the overnight train from Hanoi and arrived in Sapa on Sunday at 4:45am. The guest house had incredible views of the mountains and valleys below, particularly at sunrise. I spent the morning exploring the covered market and in the afternoon, trekked down to the town of CatCat, which is a Black H’mong village, when I came back, the power was out in the entire village and remained that way overnight.
Yesterday, rain and fog rolled through Sapa. I trekked for 6 hours through mudslides and rice terraces until I reached the Village of Lao Chai, also a H’mong village. I stopped for lunch there and then continued to Ta Van village, where the Zay people live. I stayed overnight there as a guest of a Zay grandmother – it was definitely an adventure but the food was delicious! Today was the most treacherous of the treks, through the bamboo forest and back to Sapa, where I’ve taken a much needed hot shower and am repacking for the overnight train back to Hanoi.
