My husband and I were going to Sapa for three days. We arrived in the morning, booked in to the hotel and then went walking. Until our tour from village to village with a guide. We made the mistake of buying things and saying we’ll come back. Those children old and young, followed us everywhere. Begging, talking all the time in beautiful English. We went to the school and to a homestay and they followed us. When we returned, they stood at the entrance of the restaurant and when we left, they surrounded us. From one shop to the next. It was so unpleasant. We just packed our bags, booked out and left with the evening train. I wish we knew the do’s and don’t.
I think your response to these unfortunate children is Wrong. I think their plight and sight is heartbreaking. The Western world brags that Vietnam is prosperous and has embraced Capitalism. HERE IS THE RESULT. Inequality of wealth.
I just visited Sapa last month and had a local guide and driver. I had a fantastic experience and would love to and will return. I did encounter a lot of people selling things on the street and in the villages, but i just smiled and politely said no:) My guide was amazing and very helpful! What a beautiful country!!
Thank you so much for all the info. It is true the comment you made about people trying to visit Sapa on their own. When they don't have a good experience then they give it a bad review. I hope when people watch your video, they will decide to follow your tips and give Sapa a chance. Best of Luc\k!!
Thank you for giving people good advice how to behave. Unfortunately many visitors put their own cultural measures in first place and don't understand that other countries have other rules and behaviors. My wife is Vietnamese and I learned so much from her about cultural differences and the do's and don'ts. Of course, this put me into a privileged situation, as I knew before, how to behave. As we have also family in Vietnam, where we could live during our travels, we were able to get best inside views from Vietnamese life and culture. Without my wife, I wouldn't know so many things, even not how to eat some food properly. I saw so many tourists not even knowing how to eat banh xeo the right way, how to use dips and sauces like hoisin sauce or nuoc-mam and many other things. If you don't have a Vietnamese partner or friend with you, it's really important to learn from local people and best is to inform yourself *BEFORE* the trip to Vietnam, about what is better not to do, or to do and how it's done, so you don't get bad experience. Then your trip will be wonderful. Vietnam is such a beautiful and lovely country, with a rich culture and so amazing good food and nice people. Don't miss this experience by ignoring the fact, that other countries have different rules and behavior. Then you will have an amazing beautiful experience
Very helpful video. Thank u. I'm uncomfortable with children begging and following me to make me buy things. So I'll be careful. Reading the comments scams seem to be a problem too.
hello i will be in sapa nov 8 2025 8am until nov 11 1pm day 1 viettrekking coffee and breakfast day 2 fansipan + mong village coaster + cong ca pe day 3 catcat village but you said its not nice so what can i change? day 4 just go around for coffee and breakfast before bus back to hanoi airport
We'll be visiting Sapa next January year and is there a direct bus from Ha Long to Sapa? So that won't be goibg back to Hanoi then wait for few hours then another train at night without booking another room for fee hours. Thank you
The weather in Sapa in early December is quite cold, you should prepare sweatshirts, waterproof jackets and warm enough shoes. If you intend to go trekking, you should prepare trekking shoes with grip and trekking poles
I was Traumatized in Sapa . I arrived morning and harrased by group of people following us everywhere . We left the next morning and never coming back...Bye Vietnam 😢😮
That happens, when foreigners go to other countries and think they can apply all their cultural values from their home country. I mostly saw this unfortunately done by americans, who often put american cultural measures on the country they visit. It's always good to learn *before* a trip, which behavior is granted there and which not
I saw a vlog that a local tourist guide scammed her there. So it would be good if you can suggest reputable tourist guide. Also, in the same vlog she did not have a good sleep because it was so cold in the room and also no hot water.
@@trekkingtoursapaThru a Vietnamese lady friend, I've been helping a Sapa beggar girl who was sent by her mother. She's an orphan. Dominated by the family. She's only about 8. At least as far as I know, she's in school now. So sad
I want to rent a motorbike and travel your country so I have a motorbike license and also a international driving permit, but I don’t see the Vietnam language in my permit. Does that mean if I get pulled over by the police they can give me a ticket??
I agree with you about five things and disagree with one about those children doing that to support their poor families 😢 and give them some money is not a wrong idea
You look at it from *your* perspective of culture. But it is smart to follow advice and rules from *local* people. Other country, other rules! Ignorance of this fact is the biggest mistake many foreigners do
Don't give the children money, the reason is that they will be prevented from attending school at a very young and vulnerable age. This continues the cycle of generational poverty. If they don't make money then the parents will realise education is the other way put of poverty. But as long foreigners give money then the young child is being used for labour with very limited life skills or opportunity.
Quite right. Its very easy to say "never give money to children". HOW are these poor families going to SURVIVE.? You are a selfish Vietnamese. THE VIETNAM GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE FREE Primary Education. WHY?
Never buy from those village woman . Buy from one of them and the whole village woman will harass you to buy from them as well. I have encounter them stalking me and pestering me to buy from them. Be consistent and dont answer them nor buy from them.
All these "Things not to do" are pretty common sense. Nothing about being scammed or being taken advantage of like most other places in the world. The children are there selling things not trying to scam you, if you feel like giving them extra cash, do it discreetly so that you don't get the attention of other surrounding sellers. Nothing wrong with going to CatCat village. Yes it's a "tourist trap" but so are most tourist destinations. You can also say, Disneyland is the biggest tourist trap in the world.
In 3rd world countries it is common for kids to be doing this, however by giving them money you are encouraging their family to keep them ignorant by denying them education. Once they grow up they won't be be seen as cute kids trying to help their family but as adult begging for money. It's a vicious cycle because then you end up with gangs of kids doing this and in a generation or two, those kids will have families of there own and if that's all they know they will harm, maiming and break their kids bones or others so they can pray on the good will of western tourists. I've seen this type of behavior all over Mexico, central and south America. As well as in SE Asian countries I've lived in. I'm sure the people in the video just don't want to bring that negativity to their region or country but it does happen a lot.
Thanks for the tips, very helpful when traveling for first time to Sapa. We enjoyed a lot our 3 days in Sapa in May 2024. Here are some shorts about it: ua-cam.com/users/shortsvDAqpEevF5M What a lovely place.
NEVER GIVE MONEY TO CHILD BEGGARS? OK, but how will the children and families survive? Your government should make sure these poor children are in SCHOOL! SHAME on Vietnam
Don't you get it? Their parents are standing somewhere, forcing them to go beg with their adorable little self. Providing them money just feeds into their beliefs that it's working. If they sold products, then sure buy some if it's the right price. Can't just be flashing your money everywhere. That's how you attract unwanted attention (Street smart)
@mekongman3339 I think its YOU who doesn't get it, or see the human predicament here! The lack of opportunity and education forces the poor children to beg. Sweeping them "under the carpet",, isn't the solution. Compulsory primary education is a start.
My husband and I were going to Sapa for three days. We arrived in the morning, booked in to the hotel and then went walking. Until our tour from village to village with a guide. We made the mistake of buying things and saying we’ll come back. Those children old and young, followed us everywhere. Begging, talking all the time in beautiful English. We went to the school and to a homestay and they followed us. When we returned, they stood at the entrance of the restaurant and when we left, they surrounded us. From one shop to the next. It was so unpleasant. We just packed our bags, booked out and left with the evening train. I wish we knew the do’s and don’t.
Thanks
I have encountered as well. Ask them to go away and they said they don't welcome me. 🤣
Gosh! That's really unpleasant. You can't possibly buy everything from every child. They were so poor/desperate they wouldn't let go. 😢Sad.
I think your response to these unfortunate children is Wrong. I think their plight and sight is heartbreaking. The Western world brags that Vietnam is prosperous and has embraced Capitalism. HERE IS THE RESULT. Inequality of wealth.
@@hazelem1266Have pity on those unfortunate children.
You can have a great time if you know what you're doing. I loved it!
Unfortunately we wont be going to sapa but im sure your advice is relevant no matter where we travel in Vietnam.
Good video and great advice. Thanks.
I hope to come back! Had such a good time with the mong people in Jan. 2016.
Great video, very honest tips
Very good tips. Thank you for your honesty and concern. I'm looking forward to visit Sapa with your tips to help me.
Very good advice.
Thank you so much
I will be there in 2 weeks, travelling on a motorcycle from Cambodia, HCMC to Hanoi and further..... 🙏
Sapa is one of the best place to visit in Vietnam, please don't miss
I just visited Sapa last month and had a local guide and driver. I had a fantastic experience and would love to and will return. I did encounter a lot of people selling things on the street and in the villages, but i just smiled and politely said no:) My guide was amazing and very helpful! What a beautiful country!!
Can you please recommend me your guide? Thank you so much.. we are 2 ladies who want to do trekking snd all un touristy stuff 😂
yes thats right, ignore them without being rude. 😊
Greetings from Australia. Thank you for your honesty, very refreshing to hear local people telling it the way it is. Max.
Thank you so much for all the info. It is true the comment you made about people trying to visit Sapa on their own. When they don't have a good experience then they give it a bad review. I hope when people watch your video, they will decide to follow your tips and give Sapa a chance. Best of Luc\k!!
good work guys! keep it up!
Thank you so much
good information...thqnks
You are welcome. Hope to see you in Sapa
Thank you very much. I heard also about cat cat.. can you give other recommendations for other village?
Thank you for your good advices.
Thank you for this advice.much appreciate it.
That is a very good video! Lot of good information
Very helpful. Thank you!
Good tips, thanks a lot 🙏
Very helpful. Thank you
You are welcome
Very good video guys.
Thank you very much
Thank you ! Good advice !
Thank you very much for your advices! Cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều vì lời khuyên của bạn!
Very informative you guys thanks
Good and useful advice. Thank you. Will keep that in mind during my visit to Sapa this November.
Thank you very much. I hope you having a good trip
Thanks for the information....I was in Sapa ten years ago but I want to know when the winter or snow fall in Sapa
Very honest tips 👍
Thank you so much
GREAT video
Thanks for the info...we're going to sapa by march
Thank you for giving people good advice how to behave. Unfortunately many visitors put their own cultural measures in first place and don't understand that other countries have other rules and behaviors. My wife is Vietnamese and I learned so much from her about cultural differences and the do's and don'ts. Of course, this put me into a privileged situation, as I knew before, how to behave. As we have also family in Vietnam, where we could live during our travels, we were able to get best inside views from Vietnamese life and culture. Without my wife, I wouldn't know so many things, even not how to eat some food properly. I saw so many tourists not even knowing how to eat banh xeo the right way, how to use dips and sauces like hoisin sauce or nuoc-mam and many other things. If you don't have a Vietnamese partner or friend with you, it's really important to learn from local people and best is to inform yourself *BEFORE* the trip to Vietnam, about what is better not to do, or to do and how it's done, so you don't get bad experience. Then your trip will be wonderful. Vietnam is such a beautiful and lovely country, with a rich culture and so amazing good food and nice people. Don't miss this experience by ignoring the fact, that other countries have different rules and behavior. Then you will have an amazing beautiful experience
Good advice 👍👍👍👍
Very helpful video. Thank u. I'm uncomfortable with children begging and following me to make me buy things. So I'll be careful. Reading the comments scams seem to be a problem too.
"It's best not to give them money" OK. How are they supposed to survive? Or that doesn't matter?
hello i will be in sapa nov 8 2025 8am until nov 11 1pm
day 1 viettrekking coffee and breakfast
day 2 fansipan + mong village coaster + cong ca pe
day 3 catcat village but you said its not nice so what can i change?
day 4 just go around for coffee and breakfast before bus back to hanoi airport
Very good information. Is November good time to visit Sapa ?
thank you so much. November is good time to visit Sapa, but you should check the weather first.
Hi, we want to experience snow in Sapa is December 25 good. To experience it? Thanks
Do you also have birding tours designed for bird photographers? Thank you.
Is February good time to visit, chinese new year season.
We'll be visiting Sapa next January year and is there a direct bus from Ha Long to Sapa? So that won't be goibg back to Hanoi then wait for few hours then another train at night without booking another room for fee hours. Thank you
what are some other villages i can visit in waliking dustance from sapa?
Hello.. we will be coming to hanoi 1st dec & to sapa 3rd dec til 5th dec. How do we prepare for our clothing in first week dec in hanoi & sapa?
The weather in Sapa in early December is quite cold, you should prepare sweatshirts, waterproof jackets and warm enough shoes. If you intend to go trekking, you should prepare trekking shoes with grip and trekking poles
are you in sapa now? is it cold? did you see snow? ill be in sapa in january
Is there possible snow by December? Thank you
I was Traumatized in Sapa . I arrived morning and harrased by group of people following us everywhere . We left the next morning and never coming back...Bye Vietnam 😢😮
That happens, when foreigners go to other countries and think they can apply all their cultural values from their home country. I mostly saw this unfortunately done by americans, who often put american cultural measures on the country they visit. It's always good to learn *before* a trip, which behavior is granted there and which not
@@paulpaulsen7777 I totally agree. Americans
What fo you mean by "take him part"?
What is the best month and week to experience snow in sapa?
I saw a vlog that a local tourist guide scammed her there. So it would be good if you can suggest reputable tourist guide. Also, in the same vlog she did not have a good sleep because it was so cold in the room and also no hot water.
I think I saw the same video too. The best thing will be to ask your hotel to book a tour for you or you book one while you are there.
Can you visit the children's parents and family to find out how they live?
You can do that. It is because they are poor that they come to Sapa to sell things to tourists, but most of them come with their patients.
Weirdo
@@trekkingtoursapaThru a Vietnamese lady friend, I've been helping a Sapa beggar girl who was sent by her mother. She's an orphan. Dominated by the family. She's only about 8. At least as far as I know, she's in school now. So sad
Find out, and then What? Are they only there to be looked at?
Can you advise more similar village as cat cat village?
I want to rent a motorbike and travel your country so I have a motorbike license and also a international driving permit, but I don’t see the Vietnam language in my permit. Does that mean if I get pulled over by the police they can give me a ticket??
Very helpful.😊
The one day trekking tours aren't all that interesting, frankly. The trip up to Fansipan on the aerial tramway is worth every dong.
Hi guys how can I contact you?
Các bạn đến chơi du lịch Việt bấm ok
Ok bạn
👍
I agree with you about five things and disagree with one about those children doing that to support their poor families 😢 and give them some money is not a wrong idea
You look at it from *your* perspective of culture. But it is smart to follow advice and rules from *local* people. Other country, other rules! Ignorance of this fact is the biggest mistake many foreigners do
Don't give the children money, the reason is that they will be prevented from attending school at a very young and vulnerable age. This continues the cycle of generational poverty. If they don't make money then the parents will realise education is the other way put of poverty. But as long foreigners give money then the young child is being used for labour with very limited life skills or opportunity.
@artemisxw8708 well said! Tourists from developed countries have no insights/wisdom why this immediate help is actually causing more harm.
Quite right. Its very easy to say "never give money to children". HOW are these poor families going to SURVIVE.? You are a selfish Vietnamese. THE VIETNAM GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE FREE Primary Education. WHY?
Never buy from those village woman . Buy from one of them and the whole village woman will harass you to buy from them as well. I have encounter them stalking me and pestering me to buy from them. Be consistent and dont answer them nor buy from them.
All these "Things not to do" are pretty common sense. Nothing about being scammed or being taken advantage of like most other places in the world. The children are there selling things not trying to scam you, if you feel like giving them extra cash, do it discreetly so that you don't get the attention of other surrounding sellers. Nothing wrong with going to CatCat village. Yes it's a "tourist trap" but so are most tourist destinations. You can also say, Disneyland is the biggest tourist trap in the world.
In 3rd world countries it is common for kids to be doing this, however by giving them money you are encouraging their family to keep them ignorant by denying them education. Once they grow up they won't be be seen as cute kids trying to help their family but as adult begging for money. It's a vicious cycle because then you end up with gangs of kids doing this and in a generation or two, those kids will have families of there own and if that's all they know they will harm, maiming and break their kids bones or others so they can pray on the good will of western tourists. I've seen this type of behavior all over Mexico, central and south America. As well as in SE Asian countries I've lived in. I'm sure the people in the video just don't want to bring that negativity to their region or country but it does happen a lot.
Hello. Wh have a plan to visit Sapa. May I know how to contact you. Via whatsapp ?
Do you have a business web site or contact number?
Yes, we do. Please contact us at www.trekkingtoursapa.com
Thanks for the tips, very helpful when traveling for first time to Sapa. We enjoyed a lot our 3 days in Sapa in May 2024. Here are some shorts about it: ua-cam.com/users/shortsvDAqpEevF5M What a lovely place.
NEVER GIVE MONEY TO CHILD BEGGARS? OK, but how will the children and families survive? Your government should make sure these poor children are in SCHOOL! SHAME on Vietnam
Don't you get it? Their parents are standing somewhere, forcing them to go beg with their adorable little self. Providing them money just feeds into their beliefs that it's working. If they sold products, then sure buy some if it's the right price. Can't just be flashing your money everywhere. That's how you attract unwanted attention (Street smart)
@mekongman3339 I think its YOU who doesn't get it, or see the human predicament here! The lack of opportunity and education forces the poor children to beg. Sweeping them "under the carpet",, isn't the solution. Compulsory primary education is a start.
@mekongman3339 I wouldn't call a tightwad like U "streetsmart" (as u label yourself) by any means
@christopherfernando2764 You won't get it, you live in a comfortable 1st world country where the government cares 🤣. no street smarts 🤣.
I want to see the best views!!!
Thank you for the video 👍