In the northwest mountains, Sapa is situated in an idyllic location between the Hoang Lien Son mountains and paddy fields on endlessly stepped rice terraces. Sapa had long been the market place for the surrounding montagnard villages before the French built a town around and made it a station for holidays and expeditions. Today, Sapa offers greatest treks of a lifetime, authentic interaction with local cultures and fascinating visit to colorful tribal markets.