We arrived in Sapa 2.5 hours later and boy what a contrast! We were bombarded with ladies trying to sell us their handicrafts or take us trekking. Men wanting us to take a taxi. It was full on! We walked towards our hotel gawking in horror at the massive new hotels (Pete almost vomited at the hideousness of the architecture) we were quite disappointed in the place. After a short walk headed down some stairs and came across a completely different area… grungy, dirtier, hip and cool at the same time. We were in “old Sapa” and thankfully that was where we were staying.

more at;

http://www.foxhatnomads.com/dear-diary/slippn-in-sapa