Considering the number of travellers to Sapa, organised entertainment is relatively scarce and the bar scene slow. For most, an evening out is the guesthouse balcony, particularly if the fog rolls in.

Vietnamese cuisine mirrors the country’s cultural and ethnic diversity, so that one should talk about Vietnamese cuisines, in the plural. North Vietnamese cuisine is the oldest, and consists mainly of soups, stews and grilled foods. It is extremely sophisticated and is considered one of the best in the world.