(VOVworld) - Sapa town in Lao Cai province is a gem hidden in the clouds. It unveils its dazzling beauty in the sunlight. Perched at 1,600 meters above sea level, the city attracts tourists all year round. In spring, it is covered with flowers. Its cool climate contrasts with the sweltering heat of the cities down in the delta. In autumn, the mountain is yellow with ripening rice fields and in winter, it’s dressed in a mysterious mist.

In winter, Sapa’s streets, rows of trees, and houses are all shrouded in fog. Everything is peaceful. Visitors to Sapa love this cottony ambiance. Nguyen Ky is a tourist from Hanoi: "At an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, the climate of Sapa is always healthier. It is cool in summer and cold in winter with occasional snow. We often say that Sapa is close to the sky. In the early morning or at night, we live in the mist. By day, we can’t see each other from 2 or 3 meters away. At night I love to see people walking in the muted light of the street lamps”.

Walking in the fog, tourists shiver but enjoy the feeling of chilly dew droplets on their face. For nature lovers, winter is the ideal season to visit Sapa. They can walk around the lake, and admire the stone church and the sa mu trees, the large trees in the forest that symbolize local people’s energy and strength. In the mysterious mist, Mong and Dao ethnic minority people with children in their back as they spin flax or embroider brocades add to the charm of Sapa in winder. Nguyen Dieu Linh is a tourist:"The fog is especially thick at dawn and dusk. This is the best time to go to the market and view the multicolored brocaded pictures through the haze. I love blue and so, it seems so the Mong. Blue is the dominant color of their brocades”.

Winter gastronomy in Sapa can seduce the most discriminating palates. To go to a small restaurant, enjoy a hot cup of coffee, and contemplate the street is a real pleasure. It’s difficult for tourists to resist the tempting smells of the grilled dishes. That’s why the grillrooms are always crowded. Nguyen Thi Thanh is a Sapa restaurant owner:"At first I sold only grilled corn, sweet potatoes and eggs. Then I added grilled meat and mushrooms. The seasoning is simple: cashew nut oil, shallots, lemongrass, salt, sugar. To prepare meat stuffed with vegetables, I cut the fillet of pork thigh or beef into thin slices. The same recipe is used for grilled pumpkins and eggplants. Fish can be seasoned according to the customer taste. Everything can be grilled”.

Night is the perfect time to enjoy grilled dishes in Sapa. Nothing is better than to snuggle next to the fire, savor these simple but delicious dishes, and immerse yourself in the quiet night of a mountain village.