Why do some people say Sapa is too touristy?

Many first time visitors to Sapa District make the huge mistake of never venturing far from the town that shares the same name. The town is absolutely nothing like the surrounding area. For many, the neon lights and vast array of bars, restaurants and hotels in the town are in direct conflict with their expectations of quaint villages, rice terraces and lush forests. These travellers often leave without ever exploring the wider geographical area yet use their brief experience as evidence that Sapa is too touristy.
By far, the vast majority of foreign visitors to the region venture a little further and typically visit four main villages. While these locations offer a glimmer of authentic hilltribe life, Cat Cat, Ta Van, Ta Phin and Giang Ta Chai villages now have a backpacker feel and a footfall of hundreds of visitors each day. With live music bars, hostels, shops and services. None of these villages represent authentic Sapa. Almost all tour agencies from Hanoi walk a standard trekking route and visit one or more of these villages and part of their “exclusive” package. It’s a myth. These agencies lack originality and offer a mass tourism, sanitised Sapa tour to their customers.
For those wanting to immerse in real village life, pretty much any of the other villages and hamlets in the district will offer what you’re looking for. Access is usually via motorcycle or on foot and exploring becomes most experiential when accompanied by a local guide from either the Hmong or Dao ethnic groups. As guides, they can take you along the trails and paths unmarked on any maps. They can show you village life and inform you about flora, fauna, foragable foods and farm life. They can guide you through the bamboo forests and rice terraces while educating you about culture, traditions and everyday life.
This small montage of aerial footage was all filmed in Sapa in July 2024. Feel free to try and spot the tour groups. You won’t find any! Instead, you’ll see gentle breezes creating ripples on the surface of lush green rice terraces. You’ll see water buffalo bathing in babbling mountain streams and you’ll see simple village life. This is the real Sapa. This is our Sapa.
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[@moureendavies6872]

The beauty makesy heart ache

[@chalythi9772]

Wow just so beautiful ❤

[@MaGaibg]

Sapa đẹp quá❤

[@canhdoan3640]

Không thể tin được là cảnh bạn quay rất đẹp ❤

[@CởLý-j6i]

Zoo nkauj them li❤

[@stevetan7512]

You have capture the True Beauty of Sapa. Great Job!!!!!

[@ethosspirit]

Thanks a lot!

[@LaiLýMẩy]

😮 wow peace

[@Sungthido2005]

Love the rice paddy at this time of the years ❤

[@ethosspirit]

Us too!!

[@hoahoolihan4573]

Stunning ❤

[@ethosspirit]

Thank you! 😊

[@eyecool]

This is such a beautiful video!

[@ThịMỷLý-t4z]

Wow amazing view 🤩

[@ethosspirit]

It really is!