What are the roads like from Sapa to Son La?
 

Looks like there's two possible routes, QL32 then 106, or QL32 >QL278>TL107>QL6.

Does anyone have any experience with these roads? Ideally I'm looking for beautiful, sealed, finished roads!

QL4D out of Sa Pa ---> QL32 ---> QL279 ---> QL6

Went that way a few months ago, roads were good. Not sure about the condition of other route you mentioned, most shortcuts we tried were in pretty rough shape.

Cheers!
ChinaV

Thanks for that! As it turns out, plans have changed and me and the bike will be on a train from Lao Cai to Hanoi tomorrow night.