沙壩是越南北部高原地區老街省沙壩縣的縣政府所在地。它與越南最高峰潘西邦峰（Phan Xi Păng）相鄰，地理位置約海拔1500米，周圍被高山包圍。它的梯田，曾被評選為世界七大美麗梯田之一。既然到了北越，迷戀梯田景色的Susanna，當然不想錯失一覽梯田的壯觀景色。說到沙壩，這裡四處都有黑苗人和紅頭瑤的踪跡。從開始的好奇，到後來看到他們就很想逃，不因為他們的熱情，而是他們的博同情、強銷售的蠻勁。因為大部分稻田已經插秧，正值農休，婦女小孩都到鎮上來售賣農作物，或是成群地跟著遊客走、兜售他們的手工紀念品。這些東西單價不高，但是買一家的，必被其他家的糾纏，為了省事，還是得狠下心來什麽都不買。這真不知是該怪遊客破壞了他們樸素的生活，還是？？

[EN] Sapa, or Sa Pa, is a frontier township and capital of Sa Pa District in Lào Cai Province in north-west Vietnam. It overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley, and is near the 3,143m height Phan Xi Păng peak, which is climbable via a steep, multiday guided walk. These make Sapa a popular trekking base. We have selected Sapa as one of our destination because of its rice terraces which has been recommended at one of the seven most beautiful terraces of the world. Most of the local people are Hmong and Red Yao. When we arrived the bus station, we’re surrounded by Hmong women and children immediately. We’re curious about them at first, but we’re later really scared by their continued approachings to sell something to us. Although the souvenirs were not expensive, you would be “pushed” to buy more from others after you bought one. Thus, regardless of their smile or kindness, we had to ignore them to avoid problems. Continue reading →