MK 80 (Sapa Part 1)
09.26.2009 Greetings,
Thanks for your patience. This is Part 1 of my recent Sapa story.
Sapa is in the far high northwestern area of the country.
Foreign tourists and local day trippers go there on 2-3 day package tours organized in Ha Noi. This economic reality supports the Vietnamese businesses. Transport, tours, hotels, food, trekking costs. Everything.
Cheap Chinese made junk is popular with tourists.
Travelers take time to get to know and understand the people, their culture and way of life.
The local people are the H'mong, Red Dzao and Tay. They do not own businesses in Sapa. They sell their handicrafts in the market and on the street. They lead treks. They speak excellent English.
A young H'mong guide told me in a good month she makes $120.
That's $4 a day.
Metta.
