Sapa town stands at the head of a deep valley of magnificent rice terraces that are still farmed today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don’t get much more spectacular. Enticing ribbons of road lead the eye down to the valley floor, white-water rivers rush among rice fields, and lush green mountains stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see. The highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan, crowns the ragged ridge line high above town.
General information
Welcome to the destination in northwest Vietnam, gateway to another world of mysterious minority cultures and luscious landscapes. The spectacular scenery that surrounds Sapa includes cascading rice terraces that spill down the mountains like a patchwork quilt. The four springs clouded town, the prototype of many paintings have won international awards. Beyond the terraced fields is the golden harvest; on the left, Ban Ho as a mirror of the sun, dark red in the noon.
Located in Vietnam’s remote North West Mountains, Sapa is famous for both its fine, rugged scenery and also its rich cultural diversity. Its lush, deep river valleys, in the shadows of Vietnam’s tallest peak Mount Fansipan, are home to Blue H’mong and Red Dao communities, who continue to maintain their strong traditions and warmly welcome visitors to their homes.
Sapa has a beautiful location in the high mountains, as well as the best choices of accommodation and guided tours than any other place in the North of Vietnam.
Travelers to Sapa have a good choice of adventure activities, cultural tours and unique travel experiences, in addition to travel accommodation, that varies from luxury hotels to homestay experience in the local hill tribe’s village.
For travelers, seeking for more authentic experiences, Sapa can be a base for trips to mountain villages, or travelling to more remote places in the Northern mountains, such as Lai Chau, Dien Bien Phu and many others.
When to travel
The best time to visit Sapa is in September and October when the rice terraces are at their most splendid; or in April and May when the weather is ideal and skies are clear. For those who don’t mind hot weather, June to August is a fine time to visit. Expect chilly weather from November to March.
Getting to Sapa
There are now several excellent transport options to Sapa from Hanoi. Comfortable limo vans (from 450,000 VND) from downtown Hanoi take about five to six hours, and will drop you off in Sapa town, where you can take a taxi to homestays and lodges in the surrounding valleys. Many travellers take the eight-hour night train (from 900,000 VND) from Hanoi to Lào Cai, where another hour-long ride is required to reach Sapa town. To hire a private car and driver from Hanoi to Sapa costs about 3.5 million VND one way.
Attractions
Here some interesting attractions that might convince you to visit this place on your vacation
Cat Cat village
It's located at the bottom of the Muong Hoa Valley and near the stunning Cat Cat Waterfall. This is an age-old village of H'Mong ethnic group remaining unique customs and practices that are lots in other villages.
Ham Rong Mountain
Being shaped like a dragon’s head dimly looming in the thin veil of the early morning, Ham Rong (Dragon Jaw) Mountain that is fine combination of man-made and natural landscape is an attractive tourist area in the center of Sapa town
Rong May Glass Bridge
Located near Heaven gate. It takes about 40 minutes from Sapa town by bus. Coming here, clients can experience some breath taking activities bungee jumping, walking on glass bridge at 305meters height parasailing.
Sapa Catholic Church
Set against the Ham Rong Mountain, this early 20th-century edifice is considered as the perfect stone church in Sapa and bears the imprint of French architecture. Its construction started in 1925, but the building was abandoned when the priest in charge of the church died in 1947. It was only in 1995 that local government was allowed to repair the structure. Today, it features new stained-glass windows that depict the life of Christ. The church is located at the heart of the town.
Ta Phin Old Monastery
A few guided tours provided by many budgets and luxury hotels in Vietnam will take you to this interesting tourist spot. According to history, the monastery for the Reformed Cistercians congregation had barely been instituted in the early 1940s when Ho Chi Minh’s Viet Minh started their assaults on French colonial formation. The monastery was burned, and the nuns and novices are said to have retreated to Hanoi
Fansipan Mountain
Being the highest mountain in the country, Mt. Fansipan is named as the “Roof of Indochina”. This majestic wonder lies in the Hoang Lien Mountain Range and shelters a very diverse flora and fauna. If you want to explore the mountain, the most recommended time for trekking is from the end of February to early March, when the carpets of violets and orchids are in full bloom. But if you wish to conquer the summit, the mountain’s peak is accessible year round.
Coc Ly Market
Located in the mountainous area of Sapa, this market comes alive every Tuesday when the Flower H’mong tribe gathers to exchange their home-made products. Here, you can find fantastic deals on fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat. But the prime attraction in this place is the colorful costumes worn by the natives and the handicrafts they sell. A visit to this once-a-week bazaar can be arranged with your accommodations in Vietnam.
Lai Chai Village
Lao Chai village is 6 km far from the center town, you will see Lao Chai village where the black H’mong people are living, it is also the beginning of a valley which is called Muong Hoa valley. From a high point of the main road 8 Km from Sapa town, great view of the whole village opens wide to offer the marvelous panorama of the village, backed by high mountains and facing the river. Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terrace fields, stream, visit and discover some of the H’mong’s families, three large villages with over 100 families of the Black H’mong ethnic, and people here are quite hospitable. In this village which you will have a welcome feeling at any house of the hospitable people there. You can interact with them, learn about their culture and customs.
Giang ta chai Village
Giang Ta Chai village in Sapa in Vietnam is one of the interesting traveling destinations for tours and holidays in Sapa in Vietnam. Giang Ta Chai village in Sapa in Vietnam is the home of Red Zao minority people in Sapa. Giang Ta Chai village in Sapa in Vietnam is located on the foot of Fansipan Mountain range, at the right side of Muong Hoa Valley in Vietnam. Giang Ta Chai village in Sapa in Vietnam offers travelers a gorgeous view of mountain and rice paddy fields at the other side of Muong Hoa Valley in Sapa in Vietnam.
Ban Ho village
Ban Pho is a village of Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province. It takes you about 15 minutes from Bac Ha town and 2 hours from Lao Cai station. This is the village of Black H’Mong and Flower H’Mong. It’s beautiful scenery in spring (February and March) as the plum flower bloom everywhere.
Ta Phin Village
Ta Phin village is home to approximately 1000 Red Dao and 1500 Black Hmong and a handful of Kinh (all living in harmony) The village has 13 hamlets and 20 or more many small communes scattered throughout these hamlets. Stroll through the surrounding countryside and enjoy the picturesque landscape of spectacular rice fields, mountains, streams, and hill tribe houses. Traveling to and from Red Dao and Black Hmong communes you will learn the difference between the traditional tribal cultures.
Muong Hoa Valley
Muong Hoa is one of the most famous destinations for breathtaking scenery and is the largest farmland for rice growing in SaPa. It is far from town about 14 kilometers. Going to visit Muong Hoa, you can trek along MuongHoa River sneaking through the valley nearby SaPa town. It is a place, along through the mountains is a strange carved stone. Spread over 4 kilometers length, 2 kilometers width with at least 159 stones, Sapa’s Muong Hoa Valley has mysterious graphics.
Y Linh Ho Village
The Y Linh Ho Village is one of the well-known communities in Sapa. It is a small district on the western part of Muong Hoa River, which is composed of several communes scattered on the mountain terrains. This village is home to the Black H’mong, an Asian ethnic group that is regarded as one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity. The members of this tribe are known for their dark clothing. The only way to get to the village is on foot from the main road of the town.
Travel Tip
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