The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French

March 16, 2022 vinlovevietnam Sapa 0

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Experiencing many ups and downs of history, the high mountains of Sa Pa today are rising strongly, becoming a national tourist area attracting millions of tourists to visit and relax.

Originated from the idea of ​​​​establishing a holiday station for the French in the early years of the twentieth century, at that time the Sa Pa mountain area was still a wild, remote place with no passersby, only a few ethnic minorities. minorities live. 

According to Lao Cai Tourism Promotion Information Center, at the end of 1903, the expedition of the Department of Geography of Indochina, after many days of surveying, discovered the landscape of Lo Suoi Tung plateau and Sa Pa village. The delegation named Cao Cao area station Sa Pa. This is considered a landmark to form the Sapa tourist area.

Previously, locals still called this area Sa Pa, in the local language, Sa Pa means “sand beach”, but because Westerners pronounce it without accents, it’s called Sa Pa.

Realizing the beauty of the natural landscape, the fresh and cool climate, the French soon intended to build Sa Pa into a resort station. In 1905, a French survey team organized an expedition and set a landmark on the top of Fansipan. On June 2, 1909, Chief Ambassador Lao Kay (former name of Lao Cai province) submitted a proposal to the Tonkin Governor to establish an elevated sanatorium at Sa Pa station.

I would like to introduce some pictures of the Sapa tourist area in the early 20th century taken by the French and printed on old postcards and provided by the Lao Cai Provincial Museum.

Ancient Sapa image in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 1
Sa Pa market in the 1930s – 1940s (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 2
Scientists discovered the ancient rocks of Hau Thao – Ta Van (Sa Pa) in 1924 (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum)
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 3
Hình ảnh thị trấn du lịch Sa Pa khá sầm uất những năm 30 – 40 của thế kỷ 20 (Ảnh: Bảo tàng tỉnh Lào Cai)
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 4
A corner of Sapa town in the early 20th century (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 5
The first hydroelectric power plant in Sa Pa and the dam was built by the French with the image of Cat Cat waterfall near the hydroelectric power plant in the early 20th century on an old French postcard (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 6
Ancient Muong Bo village (Sa Pa) (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).
Ancient Sapa image in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 7
A villa area in ancient Sapa (Photo of Lao Cai Provincial Museum)
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 8
Lao Kay – Cha Pa (Sa Pa) car in 1920-1929. The image of the house, the location of the old company, now the Lao Cai Provincial Tourism Promotion and Information Center (opposite the Quan Quan Stadium and Sa Pa Church). Photo of Lao Cai Provincial Museum)
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 9
The landscape of Cat Cat waterfall (Sa Pa) with a simple suspension bridge of locals on ancient French postcards (Photo of Lao Cai Provincial Museum)
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 10
Tourists and vacationers in Sa Pa in 1920-1929 (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).
The image of ancient Sapa in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 11
Sa Pa Mong ethnic women on ancient French postcards (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).
Ancient Sapa image in the early years of tourism was taken by the French - 12
Sa Pa town in 1927. (Photo: Lao Cai Provincial Museum).

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