Jakers

We are going to Laos and Vietnam for three weeks in August and must choose where to trek. What do you all think, would around Sapa or around Muang Sing be better for seeing minority people and natural beauty? Any advice would be great.

eurotraveller

I did a day trek from Sa Pa and I wasn't impressed at all. It was suppose to be 15k but was maybe 8 at most. The guide was very sweet but didn't tell us much about the tribes, etc.

The villages we passed through were not terribly interesting or picturesque either.

Although I didn't go on an organized trek in Laos, I did go to a small village in a very remote part of Laos and stayed there for 4 nights. This was not done as part of a tour group. I was invited by someone who grew up in the village and jumped at the opportunity.

Laos is an area of great beauty and the people are amazingly friendly.

I would choose Laos!

crellston

I am fortunate to have done both. I enjoyed the trek in Sapa mainly for the scenery, which is spectacular, rather than for the guide (who was hopeless!) or the villages. As for the people, in the villages themselves they were fine but in Sapa town, it has become a bit of a "human zoo" due to the massive influx at weekends for the market. Would I go back? - No.

We visited Muang Sing as part of atwo week trip around Northern Laos about 5 years ago (I wouldn't imagine its changed much). This was most of the most amazing trips of my life. It is a very remote area, poor roads and little in the way of infrastruture. The peole are incredibly poor and live very hard live but are amazingly friendly and will always welcome you to their homes. As I recall we visited Luang Namtha, Muang Sing, Ban Bountai, Phonsali Udoxamai. Tavel is a mixture of boat (probably the quickest) and road (difficult if travelling in the rainy season.

Would I go back? I am off at the end of the month. Weare getting a boat down the Mekong from Huo Xai to Luang Prabang, spending 5 days trekking the hils around LP and then a fee days in LP itself. Can't wait!

Like eurotraveller, Laos definitely gets my vote but please check the weather in august as this may not be the optimum time and it can get v. wet/hot.

Wherever you decide have a great time

eurotraveller

Crellston makes a good point. After our 6 hour boat ride up the Mekong we hiked into the remote village for almost 3 hours. We had some pretty good hills and we crossed the river several times.

If it is raining those hills could be difficult to negotiate but same goes for Sa Pa.

As beautiful is Sa Pa is it was very touristy and I was happy to be on a motorbike so I could escape the town to visit lesser known villages.