The charm of Sapa

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Many local and foreign tourists often pick Sapa as part of their journeys to the northwest of Vietnam to not only enjoy the cool climate and scenes but also explore the diverse cultures of ethnic minority groups in the town of Lao Cai Province.

Tourists buy souvenirs from ethnic minority vendors in front of the stone church in Sapa

Visitors to the hilly town can see many women of ethnic minority peoples Mong, Dao and Tay selling original souvenirs in front of the renowned stone church, along streets and markets to earn a living. They also sell rice and corn wines, vegetables and other specialties of the northeastern region.

A tourist street in Sapa An elderly woman of Mong ethnic minority people An ethnic woman brings vegetables to a market in Sapa – Photos: Nguyen Vinh

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Ha Long Bay cave parties annoy locals

While holding parties in Halong Bay is an ever more popular trend, it has faced opposition from locals who fear that tourism will ruin the caves.

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Partying in caves

According to Image Halong Cruise Company, visitors who book places on their high-class boats can order to hold party in Trong, Tien and Soi Kim caves. 

However, they have to book several weeks in advance because the company has to prepare and transport large amounts of equipment, food and employees to the caves.

Parties have been held in the caves for several years. Since then, many companies have opened their own services because of increasing demand and good profits. 

It is also widely advertised on internet, especially on the Foody.vn website.

Tourist groups of over 10 people can party in caves with the price of VND3m (USD136) a head. Smaller groups have to pay from VND4m to VND5m.

However, Le Chinh, former deputy head of Management Board of Quang Ninh's Historical Sites, said holding parties in caves was unreasonable because it could pollute the environment.

Vu Van Hung, director of Halong Fishing Village Co-operative said, "Halong is a heritage site so we must preserve it. We can't ignore the risks just for profits. I’ve lived here for 50 years and I really don't approve of this cave partying. There are many ways to develop sustainable tourism, why do they choose this?"

Ho Quang Huy, vice chairman of Halong City, said they had asked Halong Bay Management Board to review the situation and propose solutions.

According to Decision 1139 of Quang Ninh People's Committee last year about preserving Halong Bay with view toward 2020, catering service, events and celebration parties are banned from caves in the bay, especially Trong and Dong Tien caves.

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Desperate search underway in Sapa for British tourist

A British family is offering a reward to anyone who can help them find a 23-year-old man who went missing on June 2 while visiting Fansipan Mountain.

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Aiden Webb - the missing tourist.

Aiden Webb, 23, was last seen three days ago in the vicinity of Hoang Lien National Park.

On June 5, his aunt, Lisa Shaw Webb, issued a plea for help regarding Aiden’s disappearance on her Facebook page along with a photo and plea for help.

The Eastern Daily Press (EDP) reported he was supposed to have hiked to meetup with a friend at the base of the mountain but failed to show up.

His father, Trever Webb, and uncle, David Webb, have also frantically been searching for the former City of Norwich School student and hired a helicopter on June 5 to search the area where he vanished, said the EDP.

I just want to find my son, his father said. I need help. I need help in getting him back to London. I need help, I need help.

The Sapa District People's Committee in coordination with Hoang Lien National Park, have mobilized an all-out search effort to assist finding the young man.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Aiden is urged to contact the Sapa District People’s Committee or any law enforcement immediately.

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