Fansipan 3143m - 2 day hike

Hiking up Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam, became a must for me while planning a 2-week holiday in Vietnam - seeing pictures and reading reviews only confirmed the idea. But finding a 2-day hike was difficult...most are 3-5 days! Finally I found one which was 2 days only - and I was able to organize everything with internet/email - including train/minibus ticket from Hanoi to SaPa.

The drive from Lao Cai to SaPa was so foggy that I was afraid that the hike would have to be cancelled - couldn't see much more than a few meters ahead! Arriving in SaPa it suddenly cleared and there was a beautiful view of the ricefields. And luckily the hike was still able to take place.
The hike started from Heavens Gate (1940m) in the morning with a break for lunch. In 2800m we stopped for dinner and sleeping. This was an official camp with a forrest hut for sleeping and cooking. My hike included sleeping in a tent - which was very cold (depending on the time of the tour I would recommend to bring extra clothes for this)... and I slept very little.
The next morning started with breakfast and then hiking the last ascent to the top - to get the reward...the view. Only the weather wasn't playing along. But it was a great feeling anyway.
And then the descent started - only with a break for lunch.

Both days were with 6-8 hours of hiking, and do-able in normal hiking boots. Hiking sticks would have been nice - but we made some of bamboo sticks which were a great help. Some places it was rather slippery and some places we had to climb ladders of wood or steel. There were no points were I felt uncomfortable due to lack of safety.
The view and vegetation is so different...green...exotic...spectacular! So every step was a joy...even if tough! And watching the porters walk in sandals and no use of sticks...and still not setting a foot wrong - is quite impressive - and it is absolutely impossible to keep up! 

Further; it was the best food I have had on a hike ever. The porters carried a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits...and breakfast in 2800m with pancakes and bananas...what more can you ask for.

I will recommend this trip to anyone. And would love to do it again...next time including the view.