Sapa, Vietnam: The Ultimate Travel Guide with Recommended Itinerary and Must-Visit Attractions & Food

Sapa | Introduction

Sapa (Sapa) is a small town located in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, approximately a five-hour drive from Hanoi. Situated in the heart of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, in Sapa, you can ascend the "Roof of Indochina" at Fansipan Peak, overlooking the spectacular terraced fields and mountains shrouded in mist. You can also visit traditional villages and experience the diverse culture of the ethnic minorities.

Sapa | Itinerary

Sapa, being quite a distance away from Hanoi, offers a wealth of activities. It's generally recommended to plan for at least a two to three-day itinerary.

On Day 1 of the itinerary, after arriving in Sapa following at least a five-hour drive, start by touring the Sapa town center to get a feel for the local atmosphere. If time permits, you can take the cable car to Sun World Fansipan Legend on the very first day, reaching the summit of Fansipan Peak to enjoy the spectacular mountain views. In the evening, stroll through the Sapa night market and shop for souvenirs.

On Day 2 and 3, the focus will be on trekking and the culture of the ethnic minorities. For instance, you can join a two-day and one-night trekking tour, spending a night in a local ethnic minority's homestay. Alternatively, head to Cat Cat Village and find a day-long round-trip trekking route to admire the terraced fields and mountain views.

Sapa | How To Get There

There are a number of transportation options available from Hanoi to Sapa. The following are the main ones:

Train

Take the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, and then transfer to a bus from Lao Cai to Sapa. Many people prefer the option of taking the overnight train, which not only saves a night's accommodation but allows them to arrive in Sapa in the morning. Moreover, it's relatively safe and comfortable. The train journey is longer, requiring 8 hours to reach Lao Cai, followed by an additional one-hour bus ride. Ticket prices typically range from 25 to 50 US dollars.

Sleeping Bus

Take the Sleeping Bus departing from Hanoi, which goes directly to Sapa. The journey typically takes around 5 to 6 hours, which is faster and cheaper than taking the train. Ticket prices usually range between 10 to 20 US dollars.

Private transfer

If you need more privacy and flexibility, you can also opt for a private transfer. The driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you directly to Sapa, though the cost is higher. This method offers more flexibility, allowing you to depart at any time. The journey is usually shorter than the Sleeping Bus, often reaching the destination in about five and a half hours.

Sapa | Where To Stay

There are two most convenient accommodation options for tourists in Sapa. One option is to stay in a hotel in the town center. Sapa is a small town with Sun Plaza and the adjacent church at its heart. Hotels closer to Sun Plaza are more convenient. Another option is to participate in a trekking tour, which typically includes one night at an ethnic minority homestay. The advantage of this is that it allows for a deeper understanding of the ethnic minority culture. Travelers can choose based on their interests and itinerary.

Recommended Accommodation | Hotel De La Coupole - MGallery

Hotel De La Coupole - MGallery is a five-star hotel located in the center of Sabah town, in a very convenient location, right in the Sun Plaza, with a shopping street right below the hotel, directly in front of the town center, behind the Sun World station to Fansipan, and only a thirty-second walk to Fansipan. Fansipan is only a thirty-second walk away.

The interior design of the hotel is also quite stunning. The design of the hotel alone is worth a visit.

The rooms are also very cozy and comfortable.

Sapa | Must-see Attractions

Downtown Sapa

Sapa is a charming little town. Some places worth visiting in town include Sapa Church, Sapa Lake, and Sapa Market, all of which are within walking distance from the town center.

During the day, the liveliest area is the plaza in front of the town center's Sun Plaza. You'll often see people dressed in ethnic minority attire moving about, peddling their goods. There are often street performances taking place in front of the plaza. We might see some children hawking goods; it's best not to buy from them and encourage them to return to school instead.

In the evening, the nearby street, lined with hotpot restaurants, is brightly lit and is an excellent place for dining.

Sapa Church

The Sapa Church is a small stone church built by the French. It stands directly in front of the plaza and remains a central landmark of the town to this day. The church opens on Sundays and specific evenings for people to attend mass and prayers, and occasionally there are choir performances.

Sapa Lake

Sapa Lake is just a five-minute walk from the church and is one of the town's primary attractions. If you want to appreciate Sapa from the water, you can also rent a small boat for a lake tour.

Sapa Market

Sapa Market is the best place to buy souvenirs. You can find local handicrafts as well as a variety of goods from both the north and south. The prices can be quite reasonable, but bargaining is absolutely essential. Make sure to bargain hard, to the point where you're seemingly unsatisfied and ready to walk away.

Sun World Fansipan Legend

Fansipan is the highest peak in the Indochina Peninsula (including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia), known as the "Roof of Indochina". If you enjoy hiking, consider spending two days trekking up the mountain for an amazing experience. However, the traditional trekking route has been supplemented by the Sun World cable car, which can take you to the summit in about two hours. The view from the top of Fansipan is spectacular, offering a panoramic view of the entire Sapa area. In addition to the natural beauty, Sun World has also established some man-made attractions and facilities on the mountain.

Fansipan in Sapa: A Half-Day Journey to the Roof of Indochina

Cat Cat Village

Cat Cat Village is a mountainous hamlet located near Sapa, situated at the base of the Muong Hoa Valley, about two kilometers away from Sapa. Originally a picturesque mountain village, Cat Cat was founded by the local Black H'mong ethnic group in the mid-19th century. In the early 20th century, the French discovered this village and developed it into a holiday resort. The village's name is derived from the stunning Catscat waterfall located within. Visitors here can observe unique traditional architectural styles, watch cultural performances, dress in traditional ethnic minority costumes, savor local delicacies, and shop.

My journey to Cat Cat Village can be found in the following post.

Discovering Sapa's Heritage: A Visit to Cat Cat Village

Sapa | Trekking

If you have a passion for authentic ethnic cultures and breathtaking mountain views, finding a trekking route in Sapa to deeply appreciate the natural scenery and visit ethnic villages is a must-do. Sapa offers a plethora of trekking options, which you can either find upon arrival or book in advance. Typically, travelers choose either a day trip or a two-day one-night itinerary. The choice of trek is usually based on the desired village to visit, but the actual route might vary depending on the day's circumstances, leading to slight differences.

The focus of the trekking journey is to understand the ethnic minorities and to appreciate the beautiful terraced fields and mountain views. The most common route is through the Muong Hoa Valley, which is dotted with several small villages. Trekkers will pass through the Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van villages. However, these three spots also attract the most tourists and, as a result, have become more commercialized. Therefore, choosing a less popular village route might offer a more authentic experience with fewer sales distractions.

We prefer hiking, so we chose Muong Hoa Mountain. Our journey took us through Hang Da Village and Moung Hoa Village. The details are recorded in this article.

Muong Hoa Adventure: Trekking Through Sapa’s Cultural Landscape in a Day

Sapa | Cuisine

Nha Hang A Hoi Vua

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$

We came for dinner and ordered a salmon hot pot, dried beef, and apple wine. The portion of the salmon hot pot was even more generous than the previous restaurant, though the broth here felt a tad richer in flavor. The apple wine was home-brewed by the establishment, bottled in a plastic bottle. It reminded me a bit of the indigenous rice wine, with a stronger alcohol kick but an intensely rich fruity aroma, making it very enjoyable. We initially ordered the dried beef as a side dish, which came with a very spicy homemade chili sauce that was incredibly tasty. To my surprise, I found the dried beef more memorable than the hot pot. Unexpectedly, the portion of dried beef was so generous that, along with the wine, we continued to snack on it until the end of our trip.

Nha Hang Kham Pha Viet

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$

This is also a hot pot restaurant.

We came here for dinner and ordered salmon pot, beef jerky and apple cider. The salmon pot was bigger than the previous restaurant, but the soup was a little heavier. The cider was home-brewed in a plastic bottle, which felt a bit like aboriginal millet wine. The wine was strong, but had a strong fruity flavor, and was very tasty. The beef jerky, which we originally wanted to order as a side dish, was accompanied by a very spicy homemade chili sauce, which was superb, and I was even more impressed with it than I was with the hot pot. What I didn't realize was that the beef jerky was a huge portion, and we ended up eating it all the way to the end of the trip with the wine.

Banh Mi (An unnamed roadside stand)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $

The roadside stall didn't seem to have a clear name, and it's located when you exit the main entrance of Sun Plaza, take a right and then a left into an alley. We noticed that it had a thriving business, and most of the customers were locals. A Banh Mi costs 25 and is grilled on the spot. While the fillings weren't extraordinary, the bread was toasted wonderfully. It came with ham, eggs, cucumber, coriander, and other ingredients – simple yet delicious and nutritious.