In the beginning of the 20th century, when the French first set foot in Sapa in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, they built a church and villas. They often went to Sapa for wonderful holidays, because it has a temperate climate.
Nowadays, Sapa seems to be more beautiful than ever, with new villas and paths around ecological lakes. Tourists can go to Ta Van valley, Cat Cat village or the Red Dao ethnic minority village to visit and buy brocade products; or go to Ham Rong Mountain to visit a flower garden.
In spring, Sapa is even more attractive because it has white plum and peach flowers.