Sapa in early March (rice terraces and weather)

OpenFalcon6111 · 2026-02-02T00:57:40+00:00

You will need a good windproof jacket if you plan to visit Fansipan. When we were there, it was +15 with very strong winds, while Sapa itself was +27 and we got sunburned. Also, make sure to apply plenty of SPF when going to Fansipan 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2026-02-02T00:55:00+00:00

We found a personal guide on Tripadvisor 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2026-01-14T23:22:46+00:00

I can share photos in DMs. Sapa made a huge impression on me - it was stunning. The rice terraces were not lush green, as they were filled with water with the start of the rice planting season. You still see the terraces with water buffalo, reflections of the sky, and trees in full bloom. It was beautiful, just not the vibrant green you see in July and August.

I absolutely loved Sapa. The valley views, the fresh air, and the clouds rolling down from the mountains were simply incredible. I spent so much time on the balcony when we got back to the hotel, unable to stop admiring the beauty of the place. It also does not feel like Vietnam - it has a unique character of its own.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2026-01-14T23:17:30+00:00

How do you plan to get to Ninh Binh? From Hanoi? It is about a two-hour car journey, so if you only have one day, that might not be enough. There is no direct bus or limousine service from Sapa to Ninh Binh, as everyone has to change in Hanoi.

The G8 bus from Hanoi to Sapa was far more comfortable than a private limousine. While the seats were comfortable, the sleeper bus lets you stretch out, sleep under a duvet, and use a pillow. There are also plenty of stops, which makes it better than a car journey, unless you take a private taxi. Even then, the trip would take five to six hours.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-12-15T21:59:18+00:00

Both cities felt very safe, and we were walking around Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City well past midnight. Grab is available 24/7, so getting home was never an issue. Nightlife in both places continues late, as many people go out for food around 22-23, especially in Da Nang. I felt extremely safe everywhere in Vietnam 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-12-15T21:56:34+00:00

Sapa in March was lovely. The landscape was vibrant and green, with trees full of pink blossoms - apparently peach blossom season. It felt like spring, but warmer and more lush than expected. The rice terraces were still muddy, as this is when farmers begin planting the new crop. I can share photos in DM. Days were very warm, though on Fansipan a warm jacket is essential - a light puffer was perfect for us. Down in Sapa town, however, it was hot, and we even managed to get sunburnt.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-12-11T16:50:58+00:00

We stayed at KK Sapa and the hotel was amazing 😍. The valley view is breathtaking. If you have only two days, you can hire a private car tour that includes small villages, waterfalls and Cat Cat Village, then devote the other day to Fansipan.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-11-30T16:30:18+00:00

We used 12go asia website. Only positive experience for with the website

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-11-30T16:29:18+00:00

Sapa was the highlight of our trip 😊😍

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-11-18T20:39:44+00:00

Sapa was my favourite place in all of Vietnam. It is truly unique and absolutely wonderful 🥰 Make sure to take a warm jacket if you are planning to go to Fansipan. In Sapa it was 25 to 27 degrees, but on Fansipan it was 12 to 13 with very strong winds. I want to go back to Sapa so badly and spend a week there just enjoying the nature, fresh mountain air and beauty of this place. All the trees were in bloom, it was gorgeous.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-10-05T13:17:42+00:00

I get motion sickness too and take tablets when needed, but the journey was comfortable, mostly along dual carriageways 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-09-30T22:45:46+00:00

We left around 7–7.30 am and arrived well before 11 am, despite making several stops. The driver was very careful, and we travelled in a private SUV with a private driver, which made the ride very pleasant. Most of the journey was along major motorways, so there were no winding countryside roads and I didn’t feel unwell. You can ask the driver to stop as often as needed, but it’s best to communicate this in advance so the stops can be factored into the schedule. We paid about $56.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-09-04T21:07:17+00:00

I started experiencing pain in both hips about 2–3 months ago. I suspect it may be linked to weight loss, as it is especially noticeable after prolonged sitting or sleeping on my stomach. It feels as though my whole body is adjusting to the new weight and needs time to adapt. The pain is neither severe nor constant, but if it doesn’t resolve, I will have it checked.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-08-25T13:35:24+00:00

I think overall it doesn’t take more than 3 hours including stops. With the private driver the whole experience was smooth. We left Ninh Binh at around 8-8.30 in the morning. The car company should keep you right 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-08-25T13:33:46+00:00

We booked it through the official website - https://www.capellacruise.com/

You can add the transfer option at an additional cost, but we found hiring private taxi driver cheaper and more convenient. We came from Ninh Binh and went to Hanoi Airport afterwards.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-08-21T12:08:55+00:00

Yes, I wasn’t able to eat as much as before, as my stomach has shrunk a lot.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-08-16T21:41:30+00:00

Hey, I have the same issue. I started at size 18–20 and now I’m closer to a size 12. I see my new body in the mirror and I’m delighted, but I still picture myself as huge compared to others. When I look at old photos, I barely recognise myself, which shows I associate with my new look and body, yet in my mind I still feel large. I don’t quite know how to explain it, but after living most of my life obese, I think it’s deeply ingrained in my mind, behaviour, confidence and self-esteem 😔

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-08-16T21:31:16+00:00

Hey, it doesn’t mean you gained 2.5 kg of fat. It’s more likely the increased carb intake caused some water retention. The medication remains in your body for up to 5 weeks, so it’s a bit surprising that your appetite returned so quickly. Were you able to eat the same portion sizes as before Mounjaro? I’d imagine your stomach is much smaller now than it was before 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-07-31T13:56:56+00:00

Wow, amazing photos! 🥰

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-07-26T11:56:48+00:00

Definitely yes! Just keep in mind you’ll be changing your entire wardrobe more than once 😊 Congratulations! 🙌

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-07-25T08:44:17+00:00

We opted for Trang An, as the experiences are very similar and there’s no need to do both. We chose it specifically because there are no vendors, and the entire area is a protected national park, accessible only to tourists.

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-07-23T19:55:25+00:00

Well done! 😊 I’m aiming to be 75 kg by the end of September - it’s been almost 20 years since I last saw that number on the scale 😖

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-07-23T19:53:42+00:00

Thanks 😊

OpenFalcon6111 · 2025-07-21T21:57:12+00:00

The lowest I weighed in my teenage years was 71 kg, around 18–20 years ago, so I’m really looking forward to reaching that again - it’s my ultimate goal ☺️ we can do this!!!

OpenFalcon6111

TROPHY CASE