According to the media outlet, far from Vietnam’s popular beach resorts, massive metropolises and teeming World Heritage sites, Sapa is a quiet mountain town near the Chinese border.
The place is known for mountain vistas, lush green rice terraces and proximity to waterfalls and hiking trails.
Perched at over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa enjoys a cool climate throughout the year. Each season paints the landscape in its own hues, from plum and peach blossoms in spring, to green rice terraces in summer, golden valleys in autumn, and misty, occasionally snow-dusted days in winter, a rarity in tropical regions.
Condé Nast Traveler suggests that Topas Ecolodge is among the best places to stay when visiting Sapa, thanks to its hilltop location and villas with private pools. The site is located about 45 minutes from the town.
The list of the world’s 53 most beautiful small towns also includes Rovinj (Croatia), Kinsale (Ireland), Varenna (Italy), Perast (Montenegro), Chefchaouen (Morocco), Albarracín (Spain), Ban Rak Thai (Thailand), Baños (Ecuador), Bar Harbor (Maine, US), Biei (Japan) and Bled (Slovenia).