Sapa Travel Guide

Sapa is a small charming town in Northern Vietnam, famous for its picturesque sceneries and mild weather all year round. This is a great place to start your Fansipan Mountain trekking tour. Wondering what more to do here, you can check our following Sapa travel guide.

General Information

Sapa, located in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, is a beautiful town 333 kilometers northwest of Hanoi and close to the Chinese border. This town has a lot to offer, including spectacular scenery, natural areas, and ethnic tribe communities. Sapa is a great place to start if you want to climb Fansipan Mountain, Vietnam’s highest mountain at 3,143 meters.

Sapa location – Sapa travel guide

This mist-covered area was originally a hill station built in 1922 during the French colony for summer escapes from Hanoi. Walking is the best way to appreciate the town’s beauty. Trekking, climbing, cycling, and motorcycle trips are among the exotic activities available to adventurers here. Market visits are also a highlight of Sapa tours.

Ethnic Minorities in Sapa

H’Mong (52%), Dao (25%), Viet (15%), Tay (5%), Giay (2%), and a small number of Xa Pho live here. Different groups can be distinguished by their clothing:

• H’Mong group: Their traditional costumes are black with green, red, and purple decorations on the sleeves. H’Mong people live primarily in Cat Cat Village and in the surrounding villages of Lao Chai, Seo Mi Ty, and Ta Giang Phinh.
• Dao group: Dao people’s traditional clothing is black, like that of the H’Mong ethnic group, but their hats are red. They live in the villages of Ta Phin, Nam Cang, Thanh Kim, Suoi Thau, and Trung Chai.
• Tay group: Their traditional clothing is simple, usually in indigo or dark blue. Tay people live in the villages of Ban Ho, Thanh Phu, and Nam Sai.
• Giay group: Giay costumes are decorated with bright colors such as blue and green on the part of their necks. They can be found only in Ta Van Village.

When visiting this area, you can see ethnic minorities working on sloping fields, as agriculture is their main source of income. Tourists can also buy brocade products from ethnic women, such as clothes and blankets.

Tips: Tours are common in Sapa, and ethnic vendors will follow you around and try to sell you some handcrafted items. If you are not interested, simply state so.

Sapa Weather and Best Time to Visit

This mist-covered area was originally a hill station built in 1922 during the French colony for summer escapes from Hanoi. Walking is the best way to appreciate the town’s beauty. Trekking, climbing, cycling, and motorcycle trips are among the exotic activities available to adventurers here. Market visits are also a highlight of Sapa Vietnam tours.

Sapa weather

• March – May: the weather in this town is warm and dry, making it ideal for trekkers and hikers. May is the ‘water pouring season’ in this area, and the terraced rice fields look even more majestic with the sun and white clouds reflected on the curving fields.
• June – August: It is not a good time to travel here because it is the rainy season, which causes the roads to become muddy and slippery.
• September – mid-December: In the autumn, this town is cool and dry. September is harvest season in Sapa, and you can visit the magical golden rice terraces.
• Mid-December – February: This is a cold winter, so be prepared for temperatures as low as 0 degrees Celsius.

Sapa is best visited between the months of March and May, as well as September and November. At this time of year, the weather is relatively stable, with sunny days and cool nights. The first time period is autumn. You can experience the dry season in the south while also witnessing a rare moment of beauty in Sapa. Snow and snowfalls are common between the middle of December and early January. They usually last for 1-2 days.

Getting to Sapa

It is now very simple to get to Sapa from Hanoi; simply take a train to Lao Cai and then a 45-minute drive to the highland town. Adventurers can also travel by road to Sapa.

By motorbike

We do not recommend riding motorcycles into town. However, if you are looking for adventure, we recommend two routes from Hanoi:

To Lao Cai

There are 2 routes for you to choose from:

Route 1: Hanoi – Vinh Phuc – Viet Tri – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – Yen Bai – Lao Cai – Sapa (360km)

Route 2: Hanoi – Hoa Lac – Son Tay – Trung Ha Bridge – Phong Chau Bridge – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – No.7 Road – Lao Cai – Sapa (370km)

To Lai Chau

Hanoi – Hoa Lac – Son Tay – Thanh Son – No.32 Highway – Sapa (420km)

By bus

The bus is a cheap way to get to Sapa, with single tickets costing around VND 250,000 dong and return tickets costing around VND 350,000 dong. There are five bus companies to choose from:

1. Hung Thanh Bus:

In Hanoi:

• My Dinh Bus Station: +84 989 294 294
• 287 Tran Khat Chan Street: 04 3633 7575
• 39 Cau Giay Street: 04 3766 6199
• 162B Tran Quang Khai Street: 04 3927 4285

In Sa Pa: +84 988 287 630

Departure time from Hanoi:

• My Dinh Bus Station: 19h00
• Gia Lam Bus Station: 20h00
• Luong Yen Bus Station: 20h00

Departure time from Sapa: 21h00

2. Ha Son Bus:

Hanoi Office: N2A Building – Tran Binh – Tu Liem – Hanoi (near the entrance to My Dinh Bus Station)

Phone number: +84 984 62 62 62 or 0466 62 62 62

Departure time:

– Hanoi – Sapa:

•  My Dinh Bus Station – Pho Moi Bus Station. Departure time: 6h30, 8h30, 17h30, 18h45.
•  Yen Nghia Bus Station – Sapa Bus Station. Departure time: 14h00
•   Nuoc Ngam Bus Station – Sapa Bus Station. Departure time: 6h00

– Sapa – Hanoi:

• Sapa Bus Station – Yen Nghia Bus Station. Departure time: 6h00
• Sapa Bus Station – Nuoc Ngam Bus Station. Departure time: 13h30

3. Sao Viet Bus:

In Hanoi:

• 789 Giai Phong Street: 0437.638.638
• 7 Pham Van Dong Street: 0437.687.687
• My Dinh Bus Station: 04.3995.8627
• Giap Bat Bus Station: 04.8586.7815

In Sapa: 69 Xuan Vien Street, Sapa Town – 0203.509.689

Departure time from Hanoi: from 6 am to 11.30 pm

Departure time from Sapa:

• Morning: 7, 8, 9 am
• Evening: 5, 6, 7 pm

4. Vietbus:

• In Hanoi: 284 Giai Phong Street – 043 6272727
• In Sapa: 1 Ngu Chi Son Street – 0203 887 733

5. Camel Travel:

• In Hanoi: 459 Tran Khat Chan – 043 625 0739 / 043 625 0659
• In Sapa: 34 Ngu Chi Son Street – 0203 872 755 / +84 942 800 150

By train

Train to Sapa

Purchasing Vietnam train tickets to Sapa is the most secure way to visit this town. It’s an 8-hour bus ride from Hanoi to Lao Cai Railway Station, then another bus to Sapa. The train typically departs in the afternoon and arrives in Lao Cai early in the morning.

• Train name: SP1, SP3, SP5, SP7
• Hard or soft seat: VND 150,000 – 300,000 dong
• Soft bed: VND 350,000 – 500,000 dong
• For private railways companies: VND 650,000 – 3,500,000 dong

Sapa Town is 35 kilometers away from Lao Cai Rail Station. You can take the bus transfer service provided by Vietnam Railways to some destinations in and around Sapa Town. Otherwise, there are numerous buses at Lao Cai Rail Station that cost between VND 50,000 and 60,000 dong.

Getting around Sapa

You can find a hotel in the town center to make it easier to travel between destinations. There are four ways to get around in this town:

On foot/trekking: You can explore this town and some ethnic villages on foot or by trekking. Remember that during the rainy season, the roads become muddy and slippery, so bring appropriate footwear.

Sapa Trekking Tour

By motorbike:  You can rent a motorbike for $5 – $7 (fuel not included) to drive around town on your own.

By motorbike taxi (xe ôm): A local motorbike taxi can take you to four to five tourist destinations that are close together. It costs approximately VND 100,000 dong per day.

Taxi: Here are some reputable taxi brand names in this town:

• Xanh Sapa Taxi: 0203 63 63 63
• Tay Bac Taxi: 0203 620 620
• Fansipan Taxi: 0103 62 62 62

Where to stay in Sapa

Spend at least one night in town because you’ll be on the train for two nights. A 2-day or 3-day Sapa day tour will allow you to explore the town and some nearby villages. If you want to see more of our mountainous region, combine your Sapa visit with visits to other provinces in Northeastern and Northwestern Vietnam.

Accommodation options range from hotels and hostels to ecolodges and homestays in ethnic villages. There are three areas in town with high-quality accommodations: Sapa Lake, the Cau May – Muong Hoa area, and the town center. Among these three, hotels in the Cau May – Muong Hoa area have the best mountain views, particularly spectacular window views of Fansipan. You can save the following four locations for your trip:

• Muong Thanh Hotel (44 Ngu Chi Son Street):  Located just a 7-minute walk from Sapa Church and Night Market, Muong Thanh Hotel provides modern room amenities as well as free wifi. There is also a spa, restaurant, and bar at the hotel.
• Sunny Mountain Sapa (10 Muong Hoa Street): Sunny Mountain Sapa, located in the heart of Sapa, has modern suites with a stunning view of Fansipan Mountain. This luxury hotel has a modern spa, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and an indoor restaurant where you can truly unwind.
• H’Mong Sapa Hotel (27 Thac Bac Street): The highlight of this hotel is the system of well-trained staff that will provide you with excellent hospitality services. To get around town, you can rent a bicycle from H’Mong Sapa Hotel. It will be much faster and safer to travel by car, so contact us if you want to rent a car in Vietnam.
• Topas Ecolodge (Thanh Kim Village):  National Geographic has named Topas Ecolodge a “Unique Lodge.” This place, made up of 33 stone bungalows, will allow you to completely disconnect from your busy life.

Many lovely homestays can be found in ethnic villages at least 3 kilometers from the town center:

• Sali House

Address: Ta Van Village

Phone number: 086 846 50 85

• Phori’s House

Address: Ta Van Village

Phone number: +84 90 623 10 47

• The Haven Sapa CampSite

Address: Cat Cat Village

Phone number: +84 936 951 725/ +84 961 460 566

• Eco Palms House

Address: Lao Chai Village

Phone number: +84 985 672 888

• Nam Cang Riverside Lodge

Address: Nam Cang Village

Phone number: 0203871331

• VietTrekking Homestay 

Address: 33 Hoang Lien Street

Phone number: +84 902 121 234

• Sapa Heavenly Homestay

Address: Ta Phin Village

Phone number: +84 975 565 308

• Hmong Mountain Retreat

Address: Ban Ho Village

Places to Visit in Sapa

In this town, you can visit ethnic villages, spectacular mountains, and unique French architecture. Try to interact with ethnic people as well; you’ll be surprised at how well the local children speak English!

Ethnic Villages

Exploring ethnic villages is a must-do during your visit here. It allows tourists to see the daily lives of local ethnic people and participate in traditional activities such as weaving fabric. It is also a good opportunity to buy traditional souvenirs and handicrafts directly from the artisans. People can also sample some local cuisine on the way to the hill.

Cat Cat Village – Sapa

Cat Cat, Sin Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin, Ban Ho, Y Linh Ho, and Giang Ta Chai are some unspoiled ethnic villages to visit. Cat Cat and Sin Chai are close to the town center, whereas other villages will take more time to reach.

Mount Fansipan

Mount Fansipan

Fansipan, also known as the “Roof of Indochina,” is the highest mountain in the region, rising to a height of 3,143m in the heart of the Hoang Lien Son Range. It is not an easy trek to this peak, and trekking tours to this peak can last 6 or 7 days. Trekkers can admire the unique flora and fauna system and discover our scenic mountain passes along the way.

Ham Rong Mountain

Ham Rong mountain

Ham Rong Mountain, located in the town center, is a must-see when visiting this wonderful town. Ham Rong is about 2000 meters tall and has a diverse plant and flower system. Climbing to the top of this mountain provides a panoramic view of Sapa, which is shrouded in mist and surrounded by lush green scenery of forests and rice terraces.

Sapa Church

Sapa church

Sapa Church, built in 1895, retains its gothic French architecture to this day. It is regarded as the town’s most recognizable feature. There is a square in front of the church where locals gather to sing and dance at festivals and sell traditional brocade. You can find a hotel near the church to make visiting the town more convenient.

Muong Hoa Valley

Muong Hoa Valley

The valley’s defining feature is the Hoa Stream, which runs through Ta Van, Lao Chai, and Hao Thao villages. This is the place to capture breathtaking images of lush rice terraces dotted with ethnic villages. This area has been designated as a national treasure that requires local safeguards.

Things to Do in Sapa

Sapa – Bac Ha Market

• Take a Sapa markets tour to our interesting ethnic markets such as Coc Ly Market, Can Cau Market, and Bac Ha Market.
• Trek and hike to Mount Fansipan and ethnic villages
• Homestay with ethnic people
• Enjoy a magnificent view of undulating rice terraces
• Sample delicious Sapa roadside foods
• Pause and ponder the valley at some rustic cafés such as Café in the Clouds or Viet Emotion Sa Pa

What to Eat in Sapa

Five-color sticky rice (xôi ngũ sắc)

Xôi ngu sac – Five-color sticky rice

This is the Tay ethnic people’s traditional dish. It gets its name from the fact that it has five colors. According to their beliefs, these five colors represent the five elements of life: yellow is earth, green is plant, red is fire, white is metal, and purple is water.

This colorful sticky rice is made without the use of any chemicals; only natural leaves are used. To create different colors, the leaves are boiled before being placed in a large bowl with rice.

Seven-color sticky rice (xôi bảy màu)

Seven-color sticky rice (xôi bảy màu)

When visiting Sapa, try the seven-color sticky rice. This is a signature local specialty of the town, with a beautiful appearance and savory taste, that can be found in every restaurant, homestay, and ethnic market.

Nung Din people prepare seven-colored sticky rice for traditional festivals and other special occasions such as weddings and death anniversaries (ngày gi). Sticky rice is made from sweet rice and fresh upstream water. The colors are produced by natural leaves, similar to five-color sticky rice.

Salmon hot pot

Salmon Hotpot in Sapa

When visiting Sapa, try the seven-color sticky rice. This is a signature local specialty of the town, with a beautiful appearance and savory taste, that can be found in every restaurant, homestay, and ethnic market.

Nung Din people prepare seven-colored sticky rice for traditional festivals and other special occasions such as weddings and death anniversaries (ngày gi). Sticky rice is made from sweet rice and fresh upstream water. The colors are produced by natural leaves, similar to five-color sticky rice.

Where to try salmon?

• Hong Long Restaurant

Address: 69 Xuan Vien Road

Phone number: 020 3873 888

• Hoa Dao Restaurant

Address: 48 Le Van Tam Street

Phone number: 020 3873 055

• Quynh Anh Restaurant

Address: 05 Fansipan Road

• Sapa Cuisine Restaurant

Address: Victoria Alley, Xuan Vien Road

Rice cooked in bamboo steam (Com lam)

Com lam

Com lam is a popular dish found in nearly every ethnic village in Vietnam’s northwest mountainous region. This is sticky rice cooked with young bamboo steam. To enhance the fresh flavor of the rice, coconut water is added.

Com lam is a popular dish among both locals and foreign tourists who visit Sapa because of its tender sticky rice, fragrant bamboo aroma, and sweet taste of coconut water. Com lam goes best with sesame salt or other dishes like grilled pork and chicken.

Where to try Com Lam?

• A Quynh Restaurant
  Address: 15 Thach Son Street
  Phone number: (+84) 214 3871 555
• Sapa Grilling Area
  Address: Cau May Street
• Bon Mua Restaurant
  Address: 9 Thac Bac Street
  Phone number: (+84) 214 3771 125

‘Carried-under-arm’ pork (lợn cắp nách)

Lon cap nach quay -Grilled pork

Because the pig is small, it is referred to as ‘carried-under-arm’ (less than 10 kilograms). Because ‘carried-under-arm’ pigs are raised in the hills or forests, their meat is tender and low in fat.

‘Carried-under-arm’ pork is usually grilled or roasted after being marinated with special spices. The dish is accompanied by fresh vegetables and herbs from the region. When paired with some wild cat apple wine (ru táo mèo), you will never forget this dish.

Barbecue

This is Sapa’s most delectable delicacy, and tourists enjoy a hot and mouth-watering barbecue in the town’s typical chilly weather. Grilled foods are relatively inexpensive in our mountainous region, making them the top choice for budget-conscious travelers visiting Northern Vietnam.

Barbecue in Sapa

In Sapa, you can grill a variety of foods, including pork, chicken, fish, and eggs. Grilled potatoes, carrots, eggplants, and mushrooms are also available for vegetarians. Food vendors here are considered unique roadside BBQ restaurants because they have grilling equipment and chairs for customers.

Where to try Barbecue?

• Around Sapa Lake
• Cau May Street – along the way to Sapa market
• Sapa market
• Sapa food court
• At the Love Market, which is organized on Saturday and Sunday in the evening

Dried Buffalo Meat (Thit Trau Gac Bep)

Smoked dried buffalo meat

It is also referred to as smoked buffalo meat or dried buffalo meat. It was initially created to keep food safe during rainy days. The black Thai people season the meat with salt, garlic, pepper, and ginger.

Other delicious and bizarre foods and drinks to try in Sapa:

• Thang Co (stewed pork or beef with vegetables)
• Black-bone chicken soup
• Cải mèo (a kind of local vegetable)
• Tay porridge
• Dried buffalo
• ‘Mam da’ vegetables
• Men men (rice made of corn)
• Wild cat apple wine (rượu táo mèo)

Some famous restaurants in Sapa

• Cau May Restaurant

Address: 92 Ngu Chi Son Street

Phone number: +84 90 309 75 43

• Rendezvous Restaurant

Address: 6 Muong Hoa

• Lotus Sapa Restaurant

Address: 7 Thach Son Street

Phone number: +84 91 335 15 55

• Red Dao Restaurant

Address: 4B Thac Bac

Phone number: 020.3872927

Some cafés with the best views in Sapa

Don’t forget to visit some beautiful cafés in this town where you can socialize with tourists from many countries around the world.

• Café in the Clouds

Address: 6 Fansipan Street

Opening hours: 6 am – 11 pm

• Nature View

Address: 51 Fansipan Street

Opening hours: Full day

• Gem Valley

Address: Cat Cat Village

Opening hours: 7 am – 9 pm

• Viet Emotion Sapa

Address: 17 Xuan Vien Street

Opening hours: 7 am – 10 pm

• The Hill Station

Address: 7 Muong Hoa

Opening hours: 7 am – 11 pm

• La Dao Spa

Address: Ta Van Day, Ta Van

Opening hours: Full day

• The Haven Sapa CampSite

Address: San Sa Ho Commune Lao Kay

Opening hours: Full day

We hope the above article has been helpful in providing you with information about Sapa. Please contact us if you are interested in Sapa tours!