Nestled in Lao Cai province of Vietnam, Sapa is a scenic hill station famous for its misty landscapes and dramatic rice terraces. It sits at approximately 1600 meters above sea level.
Sapa is also known as the gateway to Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam and Indochina region.
The area is home to several ethnic communities like Hmong, Tay, Dao, and Giay. Each community has its unique clothing style, customs, and traditions.
We spent 3 nights in Sapa as part of our north Vietnam trip, and it was an amazing experience for us. In this travel guide, we have covered all major aspects of Sapa trip planning including things to do in Sapa, best time to visit, where to stay, and more.
How To Get There
The closest international airport to Sapa is in Hanoi. From Hanoi, you can get to Sapa by train, bus, or car.
There are overnight trains that depart from Hanoi railway station and take roughly 8 hours to reach Lao Cai station. Sapa doesn’t have a railway station, the nearest railhead is in Lao Cai.
You can ask your hotel or homestay for a pickup from Lao Cai station or just take a cab to Sapa town. The journey is roughly an hour long.
Besides train, overnight sleeper buses also ply between Hanoi and Sapa. It can take anywhere between 6 to 7 hours to get to Sapa by bus.
Another option is to book a limousine van that you share with other travellers. They are usually 9-seater or 11-seater and take 6-6.5 hours to reach Sapa from Hanoi.
This option is costlier than train and bus but cheaper than taking a private car. We booked a 9-seater limousine van for Hanoi to Sapa transfer and it was worth the price.
Where To Stay in Sapa
From hotels to homestays, Sapa offers a range of accommodation across budgets. Here are some good hotels to choose from:
Affordable
Mid-range
Luxury
If you are looking for an authentic local experience then book a homestay. You can find homestays in villages like Ta Van, Lao Chai, and Y Linh Ho. By staying in a homestay, you also help support local families as your money goes directly to them.
Things To Do in Sapa in 3 Days
Day 1
We reached Sapa from Hanoi in the afternoon and decided to start our Sapa tour with Cat Cat village.
It is not far from Sapa, just about 3 km from the town center. If you have time, you can reach there walking from Sapa town.
We took a cab and it took us roughly 15 minutes to reach Cat Cat village. Unlike other Sapa villages where you can roam freely if you know the routes, this one requires an entry ticket.
Inhabited by Hmong ethnic group, a walk-through of the village offers a glimpse of traditional life and cultural practices of the tribal people.
When we got there, it was filled with tourists trying to click pictures in every nook and cranny.
One of the major attractions of Cat Cat village is a magnificent waterfall that is located at the end of the village.
We also enjoyed an hour-long dance and musical performance by Hmong artists. It is included in the entry cost, so you don’t have to buy any other ticket.
Day 2
Your Sapa trip can’t be complete without trekking through its beautiful rice terraces. From a day-long trek to multi-day (2-3 days) treks, there are several routes to choose from.
For multi-day treks, you will stay in a homestay with a local family. We didn’t have that much time, so we did a day-long trek: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (Muong Hoa Valley).
Our guide was a young Hmong lady who spoke English very well. She guided us throughout the trek and explained about different ethnic minorities living in those villages.
It was roughly 10-11 km walk through the rice fields with stunning scenery all around. We took approximately 6 hours including lunch break to complete the trek.
The trail offers splendid views of the rice terraced landscapes against the backdrop of cloud-kissed hills.
Day 3
Fansipan Peak
At 3,147 meters (10,326 ft), Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam and in all of Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). It is also nicknamed “The Roof of Indochina”.
You can get there via cable car or hiking. However, hiking is not for everyone as it takes 2D1N. We didn’t consider hiking and simply chose the cable car option.
Your journey to the Fansipan Peak starts at Sapa. First, purchase your tickets at Sun Plaza and head to the Sapa Funicular station which is also located inside the plaza.
From here, take the Muong Hoa Funicular that passes through the picturesque Muong Hoa valley. It drops you at the at the Muong Hoa Funicular Station.
Take a short 5-minute walk to get to the Hoang Lien Cable Car Station. Board the cable car to reach the Fansipan Cable Car station.
The 15-minute-long cable car journey through the clouds was an unforgettable experience for us.
Once you deboard the cable car, you have some more distance to cover to reach the summit.
You can either take the funicular or walk several hundred steps to the peak. We took the funicular from Do Quyen Station which dropped us to Truc May Funicular Station, very close to the summit.
The views from the top are mesmerizing but make sure you visit when it is not foggy. Visiting Fansipan Peak is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Sapa.
Love Waterfall
Love Waterfall is located approximately 15 km away from Sapa town. Cascading down from a height of 100 meter, it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sapa.
You need to buy an entry ticket from the ticket counter at the base of the waterfall.
From the base, a set of stone steps takes you to the topmost vantage point affording breathtaking views of the falls. On the way to the top, there are several viewpoints to take in the gorgeous scenery.
O Quy Ho Pass
O Quy Ho Pass is a one of the most scenic mountain passes in Vietnam. Located in the imposing Hoang Lien Son Mountain range, it reaches the peak elevation of over 2,000 meter and stretches about 50 kilometers.
You can get panoramic views of the surroundings from Heaven’s Gate viewpoint which is located along the way. The spot is aesthetically designed with photo zones and decorated with beautiful statues.
Things To Do in Sapa in 2 Days
If you have only 2 days in Sapa, skip Cat Cat village and follow the Day 2 and Day 3 itinerary to make the most of your Sapa trip.
Best Time To Visit
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for visiting Sapa.
From September to early October, it is harvesting season in Sapa and the rice fields turn golden yellow. If you visit during this period, you can enjoy the most dramatic views of the rice terraces.
Sapa gets heavy rainfall from June to August, so you can’t enjoy outdoor activities like trekking.
It can get very cold in Sapa during winter (December to February) with temperature occasionally falling below 0℃ in the night.
How To Get Around Sapa
We found Grab taxis the most convenient to get around Sapa. They are easily available and offer reasonable priced rides. You can download the app from the play store and register to start booking a taxi.
If you want a vehicle for the full-day sightseeing then book a private taxi or rent a motorbike.
Over To You Now…
We hope you found our travel guide and itinerary with the best things to do in Sapa helpful.
Have you visited this charming hill station in north Vietnam? What is your favourite thing to do in Sapa? Let us know in the comments below.
