Once we advanced further towards the North we found many terraces, virtually taking all the landscape. The road climbed up to around 2000m above sea level and then descended towards the city of Sapa. We spent there one day and then continued to Lao Cai. Note the Chinese letters on the other side of the border in the night picture.

From Lao Cai to Hanoi we took the night train. Believe it or not, it’s the first time we ever traveled in the sleeping coach. Also, the station chief invited us to the premier waiting room for some tea to question about our trip. The railway was so crooked that the risk of derailment appeared to be imminent, even though the top speed never exceeded 40km/h. But a very nice experience overall.