Vietnam is a beautiful country and famous for its spectacular landscape and the abundance of traditional culture. It was my most exciting experience when I had a fantastic journey to amazing Sapa. One of the most impressive activities was exploring the ethics’ villages. I was totally surprised when the whole Sapa had shown in front of my eyes. The scenery that I have never seen before with a vast space, yellow rice paddy fields and the peace of this region. This article will tell you step by step about my incredible adventure.
How to get to Vietnam?
As any foreigners who want to travel to another country, I had to get a Visa. Nowadays, it is getting easier to make a Visa because you can make it online. You just need to go to https://www.getvisavietnam.com/ and fill out the online form and make payment. Then, after a short period of time working, you will receive an email including your approval letter. When you arrive at the airport, you just need to show your approval letter to get a stamp, so that you can travel through Vietnam. If you want to be faster, you can use the service Arrival Fast Track Service.
How to get to Sapa?
I chose the most well-known province in Northwest, Sapa. You can take a car or limousine to reach there. But if you want to challenge yourself, it is better to rent a motorcycle. I swear that you would always be out of the blue on the way because of the fascinating landscape and interesting risk when conquering the crooked passes.
Some contact limousines/buses you can reach. With this transportation, you would be picked up at your hotel and you do not need to go to the stations:
- New Enjoy Limousine
Tel: 0243.9036.036 - Sapa Express
Tel: 0246.6821.555
And the motorcycle rental agencies:
- Motorcycle Rental Van Chinh:
Address: 24D Ta Hien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Tel: 0989 595 533 - Motorcycle Rental Hang Buom
Address: 38 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Tel: 0941 062 309
Best time to visit Sapa
The best time to visit Sapa is from March to May. In this time, the local ethnic people are preparing and starting to method. Sapa in this period of time would be covered by the glorious yellow rice terraces. You would have a chance to contemplate the most beautiful moment of Sapa. Furthermore, the weather at this time is also cool, fresh and suitable for outdoor activities. If you want, you can ask the local ethnic people for help to be with them at work.
In addition, you also come to Sapa from September to November when the flood season has ended. The climate is quite cool and the scenery is fresh and graceful. The sunshine covering the mainland makes Sapa seem more gorgeous and elegant. You should bring a coat because the Sapa’s weather could be colder in the evening.
Where to stay in Sapa?
Nowadays, there are a ton of homestays, hotels and luxurious resorts in Sapa. I would like to make a list for you below:
- Hôtel de la Coupole – 5-star international hotel
+ Address: 1 Hoang Lien, Sapa
+ Tel: 0214 3629 999
+ Price: from 3,000,000 VND - Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa Sapa (5-star hotel)
+ Address: Doi Quan 6, Group 10, Sapa
+ Tel: 0214 3788 555
+ Price: from 1,600,000 VND - Pao’s Sapa Leisure (5-star hotel)
+ Address: Muong Hoa Valley, Sapa
+ Tel: 0214 6253 999
+ Price: from 1,700,000 VND - Aira Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa (4-star hotel)
+ Address: 30 Hoang Lien, Sapa
+ Tel: 0214 3772 268
+ Price: from 300,000 VND/person/night - Sapa Eco Villas & Spa (4-star hotel)
+ Address: Su Pan, Van Den, Sapa
+ Tel: 0972959185
+ Price: from 900,000 VND - Phơri House’s Homestay
+ Address: Ta Van, Sapa
+ Tel: 090 623 10 47
+ Price: drom 500,000 VND - The Haven Sapa Camp Site
+ Address: San Sa Ho, Sapa
+ Tel: 096 300 13 89
+ Price: 600,000 – 1,000,000 VND
Where to visit in Sapa?
I rented a motorcycle so I could travel more in Sapa. But the most memorable impression is to visit the ethnics’ villages. There are 2 remarkable villages you should not miss when visiting here
Cat Cat Village
It is well known to be the most ancient and beautiful village in Northwest. You do not need to be worried a lot because even when you are on the way to Cat Cat Village, you would relax completely with the gorgeous scenery along the road which has rice terraces and some stilt houses that draw a peaceful painting of nature. There also has a coffee shop with a view of the whole village. In the center of this location, you could immerse yourself into a fascinating waterfall. It is a perfect place for you to take a lot of awesome pictures. Furthermore, do not forget to drop by Thac Bac (the Silver waterfall), you can row or swim in the crystal clear water.
Ta Phin Village
The next spot is Ta Phin Village. It is more peaceful and seems to be more local than Cat Cat because I think it is easier to run into the ethnic people. In Sapa, each ethnic has its own living place in a distinct village such as H’Mong’s Cat Cat Village, so Ta Phin also belongs to the Dao people. Visit Ta Phin, you not only have an opportunity to be amusing with spectacular scenery that has green mountains, yellow rice terraces, clear streams or deeply fresh air, but also the chance for you to communicate with local people. Remember to buy some brocade products from the Dao ethnic if you want.
Fansipan Peak
One spot I can not miss is Fansipan Peak. I have heard that if you conquer Fansipan Peak totally on foot, it would be quite dangerous. So that I choose to climb a little on the top and I will go on top by cable car. It is also an amazing experience you must try. In the cable car, you might be out of the blue when the entire Sapa is shown in front of your eyes and you will understand why you are falling in love with this land immediately. The landscape with green rice terraces combined with lush forests and spectacular mountains. Everything looks like it is shining in the sunshine. I wished this cable car would not have been stopped so that I can keep looking at the natural masterpiece.
On the Fansipan Peak, you will feel like flying among the cloud world such as paradise. Fansipan Peak is surrounded by clouds in every season. It is cold there so you should bring your coat to warm up your body.
For more incredible activities in Sapa, you can refer to A great trip in Sapa, Vietnam to find out more destinations and attractive outdoor activities in Sapa.
What to eat in Sapa?
It might be said that I really have never ever been to any location that owns the abundance culture as Sapa. As a result, it is a paradise for food aholics. But they might be difficult to eat for foreigners like us. Some traditional dishes including chicken, pig, rice in the bamboo tube, grilled pork, etc and several fresh fruits. Please do not forget the most delicious and fresh strawberries right there in Ta Phin Village.
After 2 days in Sapa, my energy has been refreshed totally and it has motivated me so much to travel to another destination in Vietnam.
There are some appealing restaurants that have good reviews in Sapa:
Sapa Eco Restaurant & Bar
+ Address: Ta Van Day 2, Ta V, Sapa
+ Tel: 098 644 73 86
Sapa sky view restaurant and bar
+ Address: 24 Dong Loi, Sapa
+ Tel: 0813 241 768
What to buy in Sapa?
Sapa is a place that concentrates a lot of Vietnam ethnic minorities. As a result, this is a paradise of colorful brocade ethnic’s clothes. If you come to Sapa, you must buy a brocade hand-made product to make a souvenir. There are numerous crafts from local people such as brocade clothes, shoes, bags, scarves, etc. You can buy these products in Bac Ha Market and that would be one of the most interesting activities when you come to Sapa. That is a chance to communicate with locals and deal with them.
In Bac Ha Market, you should buy the Sapa herbals because they are fresh and high-quality. These herbs would make you relax and promote your health a lot. They are also easy to take away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much early should I make a reservation for the hotels?
You should book your reservation as soon as possible, especially in the rush period of time from September to December. Normally is 1 – 2 months before. You can make the reservation via booking.com, trip advisor, etc to get more offers or discounts.
Do the local markets always open?
No. They only open some days in a week or month. For example:
- Bac Ha Market, Muong Hum Market, Khuong Muong Market: only open on Sunday
- Coc Ly Market: only open on Tuesday
- Cao Son Market: only open on Wednesday
- Lung Khau Nhin Market: only open on Thursday
- Can Cau Market: only open on Saturday
Can I get to Sapa by train?
Yes. You can buy a ticket to Sapa at Ha Noi Station at Le Duan street in Hanoi. You should choose the part that has a bed because it takes 8 -10 hours to get to Lao Cai Station. Then, you have to take a taxi or motorcycle to go to Sapa that is approximately 30 km away.
