All the information you need to visit Sapa and the surrounding area
Sa Pa has been a fashionable destination in Vietnam for some years now. The town lies in the far north of the country, in the province of Lào Cai, on the border with China. It’s a long way from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and Halong Bay… But what really attracts you here is the authenticity of both the inhabitants and the magnificent scenery. The latter is mainly made up of terraced rice paddies, where hiking (or trekking) is becoming the most interesting activity around.
Flickr – Nizam Uddin
What to do in Sapa
First of all, I’d like to say that it would be a shame to go to Sapa for less than 3 days.
Sapa is, of course, the rice terraces, the markets and the town built into the hills. Sapa is, as I said, very touristy, and not for nothing: the scenery is truly magnificent. But as far as hiking in the surrounding area is concerned, I’d advise you not to stay too long in Sapa itself, as not everything is as authentic as it used to be.
The Hmong women follow you everywhere and help you with the aim of getting you to buy something for them. It’s a pain, yes, but it’s really annoying after several hours/days in Sapa (or even weeks in Vietnam in general).
Flickr – yeowatzup
Two hiking trails are available for tour groups:
– Golden Stream Valley (Muong Hoa Valley): taken over by all the tourists, it now resembles a veritable pedestrian highway!
– the Ta Phin hike: the inhabitants of the village of Ma Tra will jump all over you once you arrive to sell you their products. Here too, it’s annoying.
So you’d like to take a less touristy route:
For this reason, avoid starting out from Sapa. Try to start your trek directly from a village further along the itinerary, even if it means taking a motorcycle cab.
I’m not going to get too « wet » about it, since I myself had « made the mistake » of doing the hikes alone, and so I only saw what the eyes of all the other tourists could see.
However, if I had to do it all over again, I’d gladly opt for the services of a small-group local agency, which costs around $150 all-inclusive from Hanoi (3 days/2 nights). What’s more, I wouldn’t hesitate to opt for the 4-day/3-night trek to push the adventure further.
Flickr – kristupa
How to plan your stay in Sapa
Let’s consider that you’re going to Sapa to hike (otherwise I don’t see what else you could do there for 3-4 days)… You have several options for organizing your trip to Sapa:
– Or you can go through an agency in Hanoi, and let them organize everything for you. This includes transport from Hanoi to Sapa, as well as on-site excursions. It’s up to you to decide whether you’d prefer to visit and hike in a group or individually.
– You can either travel to Sapa on your own, i.e. by train or bus (see below on how to get to Sapa), then book your excursions with a local agency. This is more or less the same as using an agency from Hanoi.
– Or, alternatively, you can go to Sapa on your own, pick up a hiking map of the region and set off on your own or with friends. However, this doesn’t allow you to get off the beaten track (no pun intended).
Flickr – Lon&Queta
Sometimes it’s better to pay a guide or a slightly more expensive agency in order to spend 2-3 days on trails that very few tourists will use.
How do I get to Sapa from Hanoi?
By train: this is the best way to reach Sapa, as there is a direct night train to Lào Cai. It takes around 8 hours to reach Lao Cai. You arrive at dawn and take a minibus directly to your hotel in Sapa (approx. 1 hr +) if you have already booked it (if so, this transfer may be free of charge, please check). This overnight trip allows you to save a night at the hotel while travelling without too many jolts. Prices range from $60 to $70 each way, with berths in cabins for 4. Be sure to check when you buy your train ticket, as there are several companies offering different services and prices.
A word of advice about the train: it arrives very early in Lao Cai, and you’re likely to be in Sapa at around 6am. You’ll then be able to get on with your first visit to the town, its markets and the things to do here. The ideal solution is to take a first-class sleeper bed on the train. You’ll pay more, of course, but you’ ll save a day because you’ll have slept well.
Flickr – Espen Faugstad
By bus: The bus is only the second option. Indeed, although the ticket to Cao Lai and then Sapa is cheaper, the bus will remain a bad experience for you, given the very poor condition of the roads. You’ll have a very bad night’s sleep and be too tired to set off directly to discover Sapa and the surrounding area.
When to visit Sapa and its region? Weather, rice harvest …
The weather in Sapa is a little more capricious than in the rest of Vietnam. Nevertheless, there are 3 months of the year when a trip to Sapa is worth considering: August, September and October.
March, April and May are the months when rice is planted. The landscapes will therefore be very different from the photos you’ve seen in Sapa. The weather is perfect for hiking, however, as it’s the dry season.
June and July are to be avoided, as the weather is far too heavy and it rains a lot. The months of December to February are to be avoided altogether, as it’s winter and cold.
Flickr – EDO BERTRAN: FOTOS SIN PHOTOSHOP
Where to stay in Sapa?
Take advantage of your stay in Sapa to sleep with local people. Choose houses where no other tourists come except you, to get the best contact with the local people who are hosting you. You can either book a room with a local when you arrive in Sapa, or reserve it from Hanoi or an agency on your first day in Sapa.
Alternatively, you’ll easily find a hotel to suit your needs and budget. If you prefer this second option, book your hotel with our hotel comparator.