Sapa town

You also have the opportunity to see terraced fields in the ripe rice season. Watching snow fall in winter and challenging trekking to the “roof of Indochina”. In particular, you can also walk and admire the beautiful, heart-touching Muong Hoa valley. Let’s explore this beautiful town with Origin Vietnam.

1. Where is Sapa town?

Sapa town belongs to the district of the same name. It’s located in Lao Cai province, in the Northwest region of Vietnam. About 30 km southwest of Lao Cai city and about 313 km northwest of Hanoi capital.

2. How is Sapa town unique?

Sapa is a tourist destination that has been exploited since the French colonial period in the early 1900s. It is known as a misty town in the Northwest of Vietnam. With countless landmarks, landscapes and interesting specialties that attract tourists. Especially foreign tourists.

Sapa town is located at an altitude of about 1,500m to 1,800m above sea level. With the majority of residents being Kinh and ethnic minorities. Although it has only “caused a storm” on social networks in the last decade. Sapa has been considered by the French as a potential tourist center since the 40s of the last century.

It is even more beautiful with:

In Sapa, there are traces of the old French elite. Such as the government palace, governor’s palace, hydroelectric system and more than 200 classic villas. They make every corner of this mountain town even more beautiful.

It would be a big mistake not to mention the “treasures” that nature has bestowed on Sapa. These include: Fansipan peak – the roof of Indochina at 3,143m high, the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Especially the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley, with traditional villages. Such as: Cat Cat, Ta Phin, Ta Van,…

In particular, Sapa is also home to 8 other ethnic groups, including H’mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa and Xa Pho. In there. The H’Mong ethnic group accounts for over 50% of the population in Sapa.

3. When is the best time to visit Sapa town?

Sapa is a special town, this place belongs to the temperate and subtropical climate zone. So the weather is very cool all year round. In particular, in winter there will be frost and snowfall.

The average temperature each year in Sapa is 15-18 degrees, in summer. Temperature is about 20-23 degrees during the day, about 16 degrees at night. Sapa has a cool climate all year round, so any time of the year is the ideal time to travel to Sapa. It is always chosen by tourists as a favorite destination.

Below are some times that you can refer to travel to Sapa town:

• January to March: This is the springtime, when hundreds of fragrant flowers bloom. The forests all over seem to be wearing a colorful “new shirt”. Furthermore, this is also the season of Spring festivals of ethnic minorities here. You will have the opportunity to participate in traditional cultural festivals. Moreover, you can experience interesting folk games.
• From May to August: Sapa will be in the pouring water season. The indigenous people will bring water to terraced fields preparing for a new crop season. The fields are shimmering with water like giant mirrors reflecting Sapa’s land and sky. However, this season is also the rainy season. Although not significant, it still affects your trip to some extent. So you need to consider traveling to Sapa during this time.
• From September to November: If you want to immerse themselves in the ripe rice season. The harvest season in the highlands, remember to visit Sapa in early autumn. For groups of young tourists or photography enthusiasts, Sapa is one of the great cloud hunting spots in the early winter.
• December to January next year: Sapa appears frosty and snowy. If traveling in this season, you must prepare enough warm clothes to welcome the snow in Sapa to the fullest.

Thus, the ideal time to travel to Sapa is from September to April next year.

4. How to get to Sapa town?

Only 313 km from Hanoi, you have many options for transportation to get to Sapa. However, you from far away will often have to go to Hanoi first before starting your Sapa trip. So they can explore both places to their heart’s content.

4.1 From Hanoi Go Straight To Sa Pa Town

By passenger car: This is the simplest and most economical means of transport for Sapa tour. Companies such as Sao Viet, Sapa Express, Inter Bus Line all have sleeper buses.

You can easily catch passenger buses departing in Hanoi at bus stations. Such as: My Dinh, Giap Bat,… and other designated pick-up points in Hanoi inner city to depart to Sapa town.

4.2 From Lao Cai City To Sapa Town

By Train: If you choose Lao Cai city as your destination, the most convenient means of transportation is the train. Trains running directly from Hanoi to Lao Cai have popular brands. Such as Sapaly, Chapa, King Express, Victoria Express,… with different seat classes and cabin types.

The ideal departure time is the night train. You will arrive in Lao Cai early in the morning. After that, you can continue to catch a bus, shuttle bus or rent a motorbike to get to Sapa. Travel time from Lao Cai city to Sa Pa is only about 45 minutes.

4.3 Traveling To Sapa Town By Motorbike

For those who love adventure, traveling to Sapa by motorbike is also an interesting choice. You can experience the beauty of the rugged but equally beautiful and romantic roads of Northwest Vietnam.

However, you need to ensure your safety when driving. Because these roads have many steep and dangerous passes. In addition, traveling by motorbike also helps save you a lot of money going to Sapa.

4.4 Means Of Transportation In Sa Pa Town

By motorbike: The most convenient means of exploring Sapa is definitely a motorbike. You can easily rent a car in the central area of Sa Pa town for about 100,000 – 150,000 VND per day.

By taxi: For those traveling to Sapa with family or large groups, you can choose a taxi to explore the town. Some popular taxi companies here. Such as Sapa Xanh Taxi, Phan Xi Pang Taxi,…

5. Sightseeings in Sapa town

5.1 Ham Rong Mountain

Ham Rong Mountain is about 3 km from Sapa town. It is located at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. From the top of Ham Rong, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sapa and the surrounding beautiful valleys. On foggy days, the clouds playing around the mountain are extremely magical. It makes this place known as the “Cloud Yard” of the foggy town.

5.2 Stone Church

Located in the center of Sapa town, Stone Church (or Church of Our Lady of the Rosary). It is one of the great symbols of Sapa. Built in the early 20th century in French Gothic architecture, the church is preserved almost intact until today.

5.3 Sapa Lake

Sapa Lake is located in the center of Sapa town. It is one of the attractive and interesting tourist destinations for many tourists. Coming here, you will admire the poetic and charming natural scenery. You also have the opportunity to participate in unique and meaningful festivals.

5.4 Love market

This is the market of the Dao people, only open once a week on Sunday. But the night before, many couples came to exchange love and confide in each other. Today, the market is an interesting place for visitors to explore the culture of highland ethnic groups. As well as enjoying attractive local products.

5.5 Muong Hoa Valley – Ancient stone field

About 8 km from Sapa, this beautiful valley retains many ancient traces, typically ancient rocks of unknown date and origin.

Muong Hoa Valley will bring you a satisfying experience. The view of nature with gradually rising terraced fields leading up to the sky. Besides, this place is also considered a convergence of precious cultural and profound historical values of the nation.

5.6 Sapa Night Market

Coming to Sapa, you should not miss the bustling night market here. Coming to Sapa night market, you will have the opportunity to enjoy attractive cuisine. Along with entertainment activities, or interact, meet and talk with the local people here who are equally interesting.

5.7 Ta Phin village

The main residents of Ta Phin village are Red Dao people, with a small number of H’Mong people. Coming to Ta Phin, you will see with your own eyes ethnic girls weaving brocade on wooden looms. Near Ta Phin village is Ta Phin cave. It is a wonder of nature with a massive stalactite system.

5.8 Cat Cat village

Located at the foot of Hoang Lien Son mountain, Cat Cat village is where the H’Mong community lives. Local people still live mainly by farming, weaving, and silver carving, traditional jewelry design.

5.9 Ta Van Village

Ta Van village is located in Ta Van commune, Sapa district, only about 12 km from Sapa town. Ta Van in the H’Mong ethnic language means large arc. The village has its back against the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and the front is the winding Muong Hoa stream.

5.10 Y Linh Ho village

Y Linh Ho village is a village of the Black H’mong people, located in San Sa Ho commune, Sapa town. It is surrounded by the majestic Hoang Lien Son range.

Coming here, you will be immersed in the poetic and beautiful natural scenery. You can also enjoy specialties of the mountains and forests prepared by the people here.

5.11 Fansipan Peak

Referring to Sapa, it is impossible not to mention Fansipan. The “roof” of Indochina is more than 3,000 meters above sea level. There are two ways to conquer Fansipan, a 2-3days climbing journey, or by cable car. For those who love adventure Sapa. This is a wonderful place for trekking, climbing the mountain and conquering Fansipan Mountain.

5.12 Lao Chai village

Nestled in the middle of Muong Hoa Valley, Lao Chai village is loved by many travelers as the “Muse of the Northwest”. The best time to travel to Lao Chai, Sapa is from April to June (falling water season) or from September to October (ripe rice season).

In the last months of the year, nature in Lao Chai is dyed a brilliant yellow color. It is combined with the rolling mountain and forest landscape and hazy white mist, creating an unreal splendor.

6. Specialties when traveling to Sapa town

Traveling to Sapa town, you will not only admire the majestic and poetic natural landscape. But you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the specialties of this beautiful land.

6.1 Salmon, sturgeon:

Raised right in Sapa town, often processed into hot pot, very suitable for the cool weather of Sapa. In addition, you can make delicious salads and grilled dishes.

6.2 Local chicken:

Real local chicken of ethnic people in Sapa is rare and expensive. If restaurants in Sapa advertise having local chicken dishes, the source of chicken is mainly from other places (the quality cannot be verified). For those who want to eat real local chicken, they should buy it from ethnic people. They carry one or two chickens along the road or sit outside Sapa market. Local chicken meat is firm, very fragrant and tender when enjoyed

6.3 Indigenous pork:

This type of pig is small, weighing only around 10kg. It has lean meat, and firm, sweet-smelling meat because it is raised free-range. Merchants buy this type of pig from ethnic people in different places, then sell it to restaurants. For large groups of guests, from about two or three trays or more, you should order a whole pig for one meal. You can enjoy dishes made from local pigs. Such as: steamed, grilled, stir-fried, bones simmered with bamboo shoots,…

6.4 Stream fish:

It’s very rare indeed. Walking along the road, you will see young H’Mong men holding fish spears for sale. That means quality Sapa stream fish. The quality of stream fish cannot be faulted. The fish meat is white, firm, sweet, not crumbly but very soft.

6.5 Sapa Vegetables:

Vegetables are the dish that ensures the best quality in Sapa. The weather is cool all year round, vegetables grown in Sapa do not need complicated care and are still green. Typical dishes: stir-fried mustard greens with smoked meat, kale, stir-fried kohlrabi with garlic (winter), stir-fried susu vegetables,…

6.6 Barbecue dishes:

You should try it once when traveling here. Small shops are bustling with activity in the evenings and nights around the lakeside area in the town center. Delicious grilled dishes, including: corn, grilled potatoes, pork wrapped in mustard greens, pork wrapped with mushrooms, meat skewers, grilled chicken feet,…

6.7 Thang Co

The most famous dish in the Northwest that every tourist definitely wants to “try” when traveling to Sapa is Thang Co. Thang Co is cooked from various types of meat and animal organs in a large pan. It is simmered on a charcoal stove for many hours until tender and the spices are absorbed evenly.

7. Accommodation when traveling to Sapa town

Traveling to Sa Pa town, you can refer to some of the accommodation facilities below:

7.1 Hotels:

As for hotels in Sapa, there are many segments for you to choose from. Focusing on design, investing in space and service quality, reasonable costs, suitable for those who travel to Sapa. We must mention names such as Sapa Hills Hotel, Golden Villa Hotel, Sapa Odyssey Hotel will surely make you satisfied.

• KK Sapa Hotel. Address: 25 Violet, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• DeLaSol Phat Linh Sapa. Address: 16 Muong Hoa Street, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel. Address: Muong Hoa, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.

7.2 Resorts:

If you want to enjoy the most complete vacation feeling amid vast mountains and forests with chilly weather, Sapa resort is a choice that is hard to refuse. Choose hot addresses such as:

• Sapa Jade Hill Resort And Spa.
• Topas Ecolodge.
• Aira Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa.
• Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel.
• Golden Town Hotel.
• Nomad Trails Boutique Hotel.
• Freesia Hotel .

7.3 Homestays:

If you both want to see the wild and majestic natural scenery and experience the daily life of ethnic areas here. Staying at homestay is the ideal choice. Famous Sapa homestays with the backpacking community. They include Sapa Capsule Hotel, Phori’s House, Little Sapa, Po Homestay,…

8. Some other famous tourist destinations near Sapa town

8.1 O Quy Ho Pass

O Quy Ho is known as one of the “four great passes” of Vietnam. It is one of the most dangerous roads, challenging the passion of many tourists to conquer. O Quy Ho Pass is also known by other names such as Tram Ton Pass, Hoang Lien Son Pass.

8.2 Thac Bac Waterfall

Being in Love Waterfall is Thac Bac Waterfall. The waterfall is more than 200 meters high and is upstream of the Muong Hoa stream. Standing at Ham Rong peak, you will be able to see the majestic waterfall. It is pouring from this strong, white stream.

8.3 Sa Pa Heaven Gate

Weaving between the winding Hoang Lien Son range is Sapa’s heaven gate. Where, you can have a panoramic view of the valley, fields, and corn fields.

8.4 Love Falls

Also originating from Fansipan, Love Waterfall has a height of nearly 100 meters, falling majestically all day and night. The waterfall belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. It is surrounded by green forests and diverse vegetation.

9. Some important notes when traveling to Sapa

• Noting the weather in Sapa, you should prepare yourself a raincoat or transparent umbrellas to cover the rain and sun. Just create a virtual living tool to make your photos more beautiful and poetic in the small town of Sapa.
• Prepare a full range of medical supplies, medicine, bandages, gauze, etc. And bring them with you to always have them available in times of emergency.
• To avoid carrying too many bulky clothes in a small suitcase when traveling. You need to filter and carefully choose the outfits you will wear while in Sapa.
• Preparing yourself with a pair of soft, low-soled shoes, because you spend a lot of time hiking. So you need a suitable pair of shoes to feel comfortable and easy to move around.
• If you travel by motorbike, make sure you are in good health, have a steady handlebar, and are familiar with mountainous terrain. Please check your vehicle carefully, bring necessary documents and comply with road traffic laws to ensure maximum safety for your journey.
• Always bring bottled water, snacks, snacks, etc. In case you need to refuel mid-way.
• Be careful with specialties in Sapa because you may encounter high-priced but poor quality goods. Such as lingzhi mushrooms, medicinal leaves,…
• Do not use discriminatory terms such as “ethnic minority” but call them H’Mong people, Dao people, etc. We need to respect indigenous culture.
• You should not arbitrarily take photos of Sapa people, especially women and children. If they know you’re taking photos, they will ask you to pay for taking photos or buy some items.
• You should not give money to children even though they look pitiful. That is an act of teaching children wrongly, they will invite their friends to run after them to beg for money.

Is it worth visiting Sapa town?

Above are Sa Pa town travel experiences that you should not miss when coming to misty and beautiful Sa Pa. Amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam. Possesses beautiful natural landscapes and unique culture of indigenous people. Coming here, you will be submerged in the majestic and beautiful nature, feeling a slow and peaceful life.

Are you planning your upcoming trip to SaPa town, but don’t know which destination to go first and which destination next? Don’t know where to book reputable travel services? Please contact Origin Vietnam immediately – a professional tour operator in Sapa town. We are very pleased to accompany tourists on their journey to explore the travel beauty of Lao Cai and commit to bringing you interesting activities and memorable experiences.