Sapa Village enjoys a pristine mountain location in Lao Cai in the remote northwest region of Vietnam. It is noted for its opportunities for trekking through beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It is fast becoming the new destination of choice for international travellers in Southeast Asia.
Last year, Sapa welcomed more than 1.2 million tourists. The number of visitors looks likely to surpass that this year as just released statistics show 800,000 tourist arrivals for the first six months. The boom in tourism has seen Sapa expand in all directions.
Local residents together with environmentalists have warned Sapa could lose its natural and cultural charms if growth continues unchecked. Lao Cai’s tourism bureau says it needs international assistance to ensure this expansion does not spoil Sapa and also to persuade foreign companies and global organisations to invest in improving infrastructure.
Vietnam’s Sapa village to appoint tourism expert
News in AsiaThe Vietnamese government has given the green light for one of its most iconic attractions to take on a foreign tourism industry expert. Officials in Lao Cai Province made the request for an international consultant to help steer the village of Sapa in the right direction and preserve its pristine natural setting.