Reigning in the Northwest of Vietnam, Sapa shelters the wonder of nature and people. Not only the charming landscape of impressive mountains but also the unique experience once interacting with the daily life of ethnic minorities is delightful to any visitor.
1. Sapa Toursim Information
Sapa is a fascinating town of Lao Cai District and a perfect combination of nature and human’s creation. From the centre of Sapa town, you can easily enjoy a good view of grandiose mountains. Visiting Sapa, visitors have chance to conquer the famous Fansipan Peak as well as explore the peaceful villages hidden in mist.
2. Climate
Sapa climate is considered as the valuable resourse with cool and diverse weather. Located at the average height of 1500m-1800m, Sapa is a temprate place with the degree of 15°C -18°C. It rains much from May to August. At the end of years (in winter), Sapa temperature can be down to below 0°C and snows sometimes.
3. Best time to visit Sapa
- Proper time to go is from September to November or from March to May when the climate is stable: dry at daytime and cold at night.
- April and May are time for the ethnic locals to grow rice on terraced rice fields, also the flourishing period for many kinds of flower. The landscape of growing is so beautiful that numerous photo hunters love visiting in this period and harvest time.
- September and October are time for ripen rice when Sapa is covered by charming yellow around the hills. Speacially, September is the most suitable time for travelling here because in October, many places finished harvesting.
Sapa in rice season
- It’s cold from December to February, snows and freezes sometimes. This period is the time for blossom flourishing and ideal time for the young.
4. How to arrive in Sapa?
Sapa Town is located 38km from Lao Cai City and 376km from Hanoi. Train, car and coach are possible vehicle to transfer.
FROM HANOI
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By Coach (usually overnight): Coach with beds costs 12$-14$/pax/turn, departs from My Dinh, Luong Yen or Gia Lam Coach Stations in Hanoi and reaches Sapa after about 6.5 hours transferring.
Consider some coach companies:
• Hai Van Phone number: 0203.872.606
• Ha Son. Phone number: 04 66.62.62.62
• Hung Thanh. Phone number: 0989.294.294
• VietBus. Phone number: 043-627.27.27
Each company offers many departure schedules to Sapa. The earliest is 17.00.
NOTE: The advantage of transferring by coach is directional movement to Sapa with no stop at any station, overnight like train (sleep overnight on coach). But, you might get some disadvantages in the rain season. Besides, the path is quite steep and bumpy
Additionally, if you stay at hotel located in the area of Hanoi Old Quarter, you can have receptionist book a high-quality vehicle to go Sapa. The departure time of this vehicle is 7.00 and arrives in Sapa at around 12.30. Fee is about 19$/pax with picking you up at your hotel and start departing from the Hanoi Opera House.
If you travel in group, you can hire a private vehicle which leads you to destinations in your request. Fee is depending on kinds of car and travel duration. For example, a vehicle with 12-16 seats for a 3-day travel to Sapa costs about 310$, including driver’s salary, petrol and toll fee.
Train offers many kinds of seat, departs at 9pm or 10pm and arrives in Lao Cai in the early morning next day.
Tourist Trains: SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8.
Slow Trains: LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4.
Additive Trains (in high season): LC5, LC6, LC7, LC8, LC9, LC10.
(Odd number is for Hanoi - Lao Cai, even number is for Lao Cai - Hanoi.)
Ralative fee of train:
- Sitting seat:
• Hard seat: 7$/pax/turn.
• Soft seat: 12$/pax/turn.
- Berth:
• 6-pax cabin: at least 18$/pax/turn.
• 4-pax cabin: at least 21$/pax/turn.
- Children fee:
• Under 5: Free
• 5 – 9 years old: 50% off (for seating ticket only)
• For a private bed: Have to buy adult’s lying ticket.
Address of Hanoi Railway Station: 120 Le Duan Street, Hoan Kiem District.
Phone number: 0.43.9423697.
Address of Lao Cai Railway Station: Yen Khanh Street, Pho Moi Ward, Lao Cai City.
Phone number: 020 3830093
NOTE:
• Sapa is an attractive tourist destination, so it’s sometimes difficult for you to buy a ticket of a nice seat at railway station, especially at weekend and high season. Usually, you can buy hard seat only. For a desired seat, you can buy via intermediary services which require 8 – 10% of fee for them.
• It’s easy to buy a train ticket to transfer from Hanoi to Lao Cai but it’s hard for the route from Lao Cai to Hanoi. You’d better prepare in advance.
You can consider the ticket fee of Victoria Express:
Victoria Express is a luxurious travel train with berth coach and private cabins with 2 beds only. Restaurant, bar and kitchen are available on train.
• From Hanoi to Lao Cai: Except Saturdays.
Departure time: 10.00 pm. Arrival time: 6.30 am (following morning).
• From Lao Cai to Hanoi: Except Saturdays.
Departure time: 9.05 pm. Arrival time: 5.30 am (following morning).
• Ticket fee: About 87$/pax/turn and about 115$/pax/round-trip.
• You can book ticket via tourist agents offering tours to Sapa or large ticket agents.
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Transfer from Lao Cai to Sapa
• Arrival in Lao Cai Railway Station, you can cath a coach to Sapa Town (30km). Fee is about 2.5$-3$/pax. Many coachs are available outside.
• To save fee, you can transfer by bus. Fee is about 0.5$/pax but you have to walk to bus stop.
• Or you can catch a taxi. Fee is about 17$/pax. This way offers you chance to enjoy the landscape during the transfer.
• 1st way: Hire a motorbike in Sapa (about 5$/bike without petrol). The time is 6.00 am – 6.00 pm. You have to pay bike back to service at 6.00 pm or 8.00 pm.
• 2nd way: Agree fee with a motorbike taxi to transfer you to some famous tourist destinations. Fee is about 5$ for 4-5 places which are near each other.
• 3rd way: Use tour service provided by some travel agents in Sapa. You can ask hotels or the locals to know more about this.
Necessary phone numbers:
- Lao Cai police: 020 3869103
- Sapa post office: 020 3871474
- Sapa General Hospital: 020 3871116
5. Not-to-be-missed tourist destinations in Sapa
Take time reading the following article to know which are interesting tourist places in Sapa.
A. AROUND AND SURROUNDING SAPA TOWN
HAM RONG MOUNTAIN
Panoramic view of Sapa from Ham Rong
Situated 3km from Sapa Centre, this is a destination which can be reached by walking. The top of the mountain offers the panorama of Sapa, Muong Hoa Valley, Sa Pa and Ta Phin which seem to be hidden in mist. Thanks to the skilful hands of human, Ham Rong becomes an authentic paradise of flowers like a fairy garden.
SAPA ANCIENT CHURCH
Located at the centre of Sapa Town, this stone church was constructed in 1895 by the French and now considered as a complete ancient architecture left. Embellished and preserved, the church is now an indispensable symbol once referring to Sapa.
CAT CAT VILLAGE
This is an ancient village of H’mong people situated 2km from the Sapa Town, also where many traditional handicraft are preserved such as weaving. In the advantage of being near the centre of Sapa, Cat Cat attracts various visitors. Thus, it now develops and become “Cat Cat Tourist Area.”
MUONG HOA VALLEY – ANCIENT STONE FIELD
Muong Hoa Valley is in Hau Thao commune and 8km from Sapa Town after traversing a pass along the mountain range (fee require). Particularly, this is also the home of the ancient stone field interspersed in local terraced rice fields. Hundreds of sandstone is sculptured with patterns so strange that no expert can discover what their origin and significance are. Nowadays, this destination is recognized as a national relic and particular heritage of the ancient Viet people. You also should not bypass the pretty stream stretching 15km through Lao Chai, Ta Van, Hau Thao until Ban Ho.
SAPA LOVE MARKET
Sapa love market is one of the unique traditions of the ethnic Mong, Dao in Lao Cai
It takes place once a week on Sunday mornings at the centre of Sapa. However, the young have been at this market at night on the day before (Saturday nights) to meet and exchange (usually play tugging, traditional musical instrument and sing). This is a traditional fair of Dao people. After this market, many girls and boys became closer and promised to see again at the later fair and some of them became couples.
B. DESTINATIONS YOU HAVE TO TRANSFER FAR
HANG TIEN (FAIRY CAVE)
Floating upstream 6km on the poetic Chay River from centre of Bao Nhai Commune (Bac Ha), the boat leads you to the legendary Trung Do citadel. Hang Tien is celebrated as a mini Halong Bay and associated to the tale of Ba Co shrine in Bao Nhai Commune, also the suitable place for those who love nature.
CONQUER THE FANSIPAN PEAK – THE INDOCHINA ROOF
The Fanxipan peak - the Indochina roof
Fansipan is the highest peak in Indochina (3143m) located in the center of Hoang Lien Son mountain range. It takes only 9km to get there from Sapa Town but 2-4 days to conquer the peak. Currently, there are many climbers are interested in this challenge thanks to the help of travel agents or the locals including H’mong and Dao people from Cat Cat village.
Along the adventure, the mountain offers chance to explore the fauna and flora as well as the mysterious nature in Hoang Lien mountain range: Hoang Lien plants – a valuable herb, precious woods; animals such as perdix, bear, monkey, antelope and many bird species.
TA PHIN VILLAGE
Just 17km transfer to the east of Sapa Town, you can reach Ta Phin village where you can interact with magnificent scenery and Red Dao culture, which is famous for brocade making. Once reaching here, don’t forget to visit the mysterious Ta Phin cave sheltering the collection of strange natural images made by stalactites.
SILVER WATERFALL – SUMMIT OF PASS
Silver waterfall in Sapa
From the Sapa Town, just 12km driving westward on the way to Lai Chau, you will reach the impressive Silver Waterfall originated from the height of 200m to the stream in O Quy Ho valley. However, the amount of water at this waterfall is little in spring.
After the next 3km, the Summit of Pass offers the great view of Fansipan above and the below magnificent path to Binh Lu.
HEAVEN GATE
After transferring 18km to the north of Sapa town along the winding Tram Ton Pass, you can arrive in the summit of this pass which is called the Heaven Gate where all visitors are impressed with the fantastic panorama of green fields, path and Silver Waterfall as well as the grandiose Fansipan Peak.
COC SAN
Just start your 7-km journey from Lao Cai City along the 4D Road and the following a small 1-km path, you will not miss the chance to visit Coc San, a system of waterfalls and caves. The path to Coc San is a natural and primitive with the picturesque scenery. All you need to do is to come here and feel the mysterious nature.
HOANG A TUONG MANSION
Hoang A Tuong Mansion - An architecture monument unique
Hoang A Tuong Mansion is an architecture monument constructed in Asian-Europe structural style. It’s a beautiful attraction, worth visiting in this highland. This is located at the centre of Bac Ha District, Lao Cai.
BAC HA MARKET
Bac Ha market is one of the biggest fairs in northern area of Vietnam. It takes place every Sunday and attracts numerous local people as well as ethnic minorities to here for trading, bartering and for fun. Goods at this market are mainly essential items such as clothes, working tools and household facilities.
Location: At the centre of Bac Ha District. 60km from Lao Cai City.
6. Festivals in Sapa
Visiting Sapa in the ending time of years, you have chance to attend particular festivals of the locals here. Each festival reflects cultural particularity of an ethnic group. They are strange but interesting that worth exploring once.
”ROONG POOC” FESTIVALS OF GIAY PEOPLE
Roong Pooc Festival of the Giay ethnic - this is the festival to end a month of playing (Tet month)
Every year on the Dragon day of January (Lunar year – Vietnamese calendar), Giay people in Ta Van (Sapa) organize Roong Pooc festival to pray for a fertile crop, settling life and favourable climate. Although this is a traditional festival of them, it has expanded recently and become the common occasion of the whole Muong Hoa Valley. During the festival, beside of particular rituals, some interesting games, dances and performance of traditional musical instruments are also delightful and astonishing.
NAO CONG FESTIVAL
On the Dragon day of June (Lunar year) annually, the villagers of H’mong, Dao, Giay groups in Muong Hoa concentrate at the shrine in Ta Van for Nao Cong festival. Each family has a representative (any one in family)to attend and pray for a fertile crop and settling life. In the festival, the head will declare the common agreement and finish with a happy meal for every one.
TET NHAY FESTIVAL
Tet Nhay, an important festival prepared carefully by Dao people in Ta Van, usually takes place on 1st or 2nd of Lunar New Year. This festival is occasion for people to pray for settling life and “When you eat a fruit, think of the man who planted the tree” traditional morality. Tet Nhay is also where you can enjoy 14 unique dances performed by 14 chosen boys and observe the particular ceremony of shaman.
“NHAN SONG” AND “NAO SONG” FESTIVALS
Owned by Red Dao people in Giang Ta Chai (Ta Van - Sapa), “Nhan Song” festival is a symbol of educational significance with the aim of protecting forest. Currently, this festival just happens in the years in which deforestation and crop destroyed by cattle occurs too much. During the process, “Chau Chieu”, the head of forest, will declare some rules in order to protect forest from destroying, and punish someone who did wrong. After the discussion of the villagers, “Chau Chieu” will make a common agreement, which will be implemented by everyone later.
“Nao Song” festivals of H’mong in Seo Mi Ty (Den Thang, Ta Van) and Lao Chai, Hau Thao are quite similar to “Nhan Song” mentioned above. However, the agreement of “Nao Song” has some difference at mentioning about robbery, crop protection and mutual help.
“QUET LANG” FESTIVAL OF XA PHO PEOPLE
This festival is organized on the Horse days, Goat days or Human days of February with the aim of praying for settling life, fertile crop and strong animals. In the festival, the locals will contribute pig, chicken, goat, dog, rice, … to create a tray of tribute to worship ghosts. The shaman will make the ceremony, paint faces with the villagers and dance. At the end, there is a common meal in which dishes must be eaten until empty, not allowed to bring into villages.
“GAU TAO” FESTIVAL OF H’MONG GROUP
“Gau Tao” is for 2 main purposes: praying happiness and praying destiny. “Praying happiness” is for some one who cannot have child, have few children or just have only sons or daughters. “Praying destiny” is for some one whose children usually suffer from diseases, weakness, even die or crops are not in good condition. The festival often occurs in the beginning of years.
“DOWN TO THE FIELDS” FESTIVAL
Owned by Tay and Dao people in Ban Ho, this festival takes plce in the morning on 8th Tet holiday annually. Beginning with land procession, water procession to worship for Goddess, the festival is particular with the dances and traditional performance of Tay and Dao minorities.
However, the most highlighted, happiest and crowded performance is “spreading show” of Tay girls among the sounds of traditional musical instruments. After that, every one turn to play traditional games at the other spot.
7. 10 must-try experiences in Sapa
Sapa tourism is the bridge leading you to something brand-new with many interesting activities like:
1. Climb Fansipan
Conquering Fansipan is a dream of the young. Cable system to Fansipan is about to be used. Don’t hesitate! Just backpack your bag and conquer this challenge.
2. Contemplate the most stunning terraced rice fields in the world
Paradises of grandiose terraced rice fields in Sapa
Sapa is celebrated as one of the paradises of grandiose terraced rice fields thanks to the skilful local people. For centuries, they have created a masterpiece, the terraced rice fields leading to the sky. September, when the rice fields are covered by yellow coats, is good time for travel in Sapa.
3. Enjoy the Sapa panorama on the highest spot of Ham Rong Mountain
Enjoying panorama of Sapa town from the 1800-metre balcony is a delightful experience for every one in Sapa. Besides, the landscape of the roads, hotels, tourism area and flower garden are also in your sight from here.
4. Immerse in sunset and sunrise view in Sapa
In the cold breeze in the morning of Sapa, it’s so great for you with a cup of hot coffee and a light breakfast from a good-view hotel’s window.Or in the late afternoon, you can feel in a charming Sapa and the landscape of the sun going to be hidden behind Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
5. Walk and live the slow life in Sapa
Walking in Sapa is also an unforgettable experience in Sapa. Walking all day, through town, villages, rice fields, streams, you will feel a slow rhythm of life here. Some others tourism area for your walking are: Sapa Ancient town, Cat Cat village, Muong Hoa Valley, Ta Van, Ta Phin.
6. Overnight at a homestay of ethnic family
Overnight at a homestay of ethnic family, enjoying traditional foods as well as waking up in a charming village, which is different from hustle and bustle in cities, surely are memorable to any traveler. Home-stay service here developed, so you don’t need to worry about hygienic and culinary issues.
7. Visit Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall
Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall are located about 12km from centre of town, on the way to Lai Chau. You have chance to not only enjoy the fresh water and impressive landscape here but also listen to the interesting legendary story about Love Waterfall. The story about the love between the Seventh Fairy with a local woodcutter which was not complete and desired, that the Fairy transformed into a yellow-feather bird flying around the mountain summit, always made the sound “O Quy Ho”.
8. Enjoy the impressive landscape on the summit of O quy Ho
On the same way to Lai Chau, through Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall, you will reach the landmark of O quy ho Pass Summit where you can see the panorama of Lao Cai and Lai Chau as well as the impressive Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
9. Savour Sapa cuisines
It’s a pity if you skip the attractive cuisines such as salmon, stream fish and local pork and some other fried foods at night in the centre of town. Sapa climate is good for you to enjoy hot pot and fried dish with some corn wine.
10. Discover a non-touristic Sapa
If you are looking for a brand-new feeling in Sapa, there are some non-touristic places in Sapa you can consider like villages in Thanh Kim, Nam Sai, Nam Cang. There will be you only with nature sounds of streams and birds, the magnificent landscape of terraced rice fields and impressive Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Or you can transfer 20km-30km, on the way to Ancient Stone Field, to Muong Hoa Valley.
8. Culinary corner in Sapa
The natural attractions in Sapa, visitors should not miss the chance to enjoy fantastic mountainous cuisines here. The number of them is uncountable, Hello Vietnam Travel offers you some of the most particular dishes such as:
FRESH VEGETABLE
In the low-temperature area, Sapa is paradise of many particular temperate vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, chayote and so on. They are more delicious when used with some traditional spices.
FRESH SALMON AND STURGEON
Different from salmon, imported sturgeon is fatter and thicker without fat. Among the cold Sapa, salmon/sturgeon hot pot with fresh vegetable will be unforgettable for your trip. Or you can order the cook to slice it for raw and grilled dishes.
KEEPING-ARMPIT PORK
Keeping-armpit pork - a delicious dish in Sapa
Keeping-armpit pig is raised by local H’mong people in the way of grazing. Sometimes, the locals take one of them, keep them in their armpit and bring to market for selling; that’s reason why they are called “keeping-armpit”. A mature one, just 4kg-5kg in weight, will be bathed, marinated and then grilled the whole. This dish is wonderful with the flavour of apple wine in Sapa.
GRILLED DISHES
The cold climate in Sapa seems to be the reason why all the dishes are shown for being grilled, from eggs, meats, vegetable, bamboo rice, and chickens to corn, potato and many other special dishes created by Sapa people. In the evening, the area of grilled foods at Sapa Stone Church is the most attractive thanks to favourable atmosphere.
STREAM FISH
There are many types of stream fishes particular for being not fishy. You can enjoy right after they are grilled, or you can fry and then cook with tomato and spices before enjoying.
MUSHROOM
Mushroom is available for being sell all year round at around 2.5$/0.5kg. After soaking in water, mushroom will be dilated while the natural smell is still preserved. As a gourmet, you can ask the restaurant for the dish of “mushroom shank cooked with meat” and some other particular foods made from mushroom.
THANG CO
Thang co
According to the locals, Thang Co is always processed with beef, pork and buffalo meat. A delicious “thang co” must be applied with 27 different spices and forest vegetable. This can be used with corn wine.
Sapa Black Chicken
The evil chickens are very small (about 1.2km) with a black skin. It looks creepy at the first time but actually, it can be processed to many dishes. One of the best is “grilled chicken with honey” used with sauce mixed with lemon. A travel to here is not perfect without trying this.
“KHANG GAI” DRY MEAT
Buffalo meat, beef, horse and pork are usually hanged on smoking-shelf by H’mong people to dry. After that, they will be sliced into vertical pieces weighing 2kg – 3kg, hanged up for preservation. Then, they become more dry and can be preserved for years. When they are cooked, they will be mixed with some kinds of vegetables.
In addition, Sapa has many other cuisines such as Bac Ha plum, Bac Ha mushroom, Bac Ha wine, San Lung wine, steamed corn flour, herbs, “Pau po cu” corn cake and so on.
9. Some useful tips in Sapa
•You should not buy herbs shown for selling on the way up to Ham Rong Mountain because they are mainly Chinese products – not as good and affordable as advertisement.
• You can buy souvenirs at the night market by the Stone church. But don’t forget to bargain for the reasonable price.
• The eye-catching brocades are usually Chinese products.
• If you intend for a self-driving travel, remember to buy a Sapa tourism map sold at travel office or ticket counter of Ham Rong. Please note that ways in Sapa is mainly slope, just proper for good-skilled drivers. Chose suitable places to stop your bike when you want to stop for photos somewhere.
• If you want to know about tours offering chance to discover Sapa, you can ask the hotel receptionists. If you buy a tour in which you have a night at a local village, ask the hotel if they decrease room fee for that night or not.
• DO NOT wear high heels, tight pants! You should wear sport shoes, comfortable trousers and hat instead.
• If your travel is not in winter, you don’t need to wear too-warm clothes at daytime (because the temperature is not too slow, it’s quite hot because of long-lasting walking). Remember to wear warmly in the evening only.
• Although your travel is a self-trip, you still should hire a local guide who are experienced about this destinations and will take you following interesting ways.
• After walking exploration to destinations, you’d better catch a taxi or motorbike taxi to get back to hotel.
• The route Lao Cai – Sapa and vice versa are very slope, thus you should use cotton to cover your ears to avoid ringing in ears.
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