Sapa is known for its tremendous landscapes. It is filled with lush green rice fields and mountainous terrains. No trip to
Vietnam is complete without a trip to Sapa.
Sapa is located about 350 kilometers from Hanoi. Sapa is a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains. Sapa is home to many of
Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups such as the Hmong, Kinh, Dzao, D’zay, and Tay. Most of the ethnic minority groups
maintain their traditional jobs, such as weaving, planting pharmaceutical products and fruits, and handcrafted tasks.
There is so much to discover in Sapa. You can enjoy stunning views, trekking, traditional activities, shopping, and all the tasty food. It is hard to know where to start.
I am here to give the rundown of what not to miss in Sapa.
Let us get into it.
EXPERIENCE FANSIPAN
Fansipan is often called ‘the Roof of Indochina.’ This is because it is the highest peak in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It stands at a height of 3,143m. For all my adventurous and experienced trekkers, this should be on your Vietnam bucket list. There are three different paths that you can take to reach the top. All three tracks vary in level. The easiest way will take at least 10 hours to reach the top.
If the weather is not permitting or you would rather save your energy for shopping 😉 , no worries, there is a cable car that will take you to the top of the peak in fifteen minutes. The cable cars run from 7:30am to 5:30pm every day, and each one can hold up to 35 passengers. This excursion is a bit pricier than most attractions in Vietnam. Costing you about $35.
It will feel worth it as you float through the clouds, looking down on the bright green rice terraces.
Visit www.trekkingsapa.com for some tips on planning your trek of Fansipan.
JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF THE OLDEST VILLAGES IN SAPA
Cat Cat Village is located at the bottom of Muong Hoa Valley, about three kilometers from the Sapa town. It was formed in the 19th century by H’Mong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. They began to produce corn and other handicrafts. Reaching Cat Cat Village is not treacherous; it just requires you to follow the paved trail from Sapa town.
What will you see there? You will enter the village by crossing a suspension bridge made of bamboo. You will be greeted by views of lush green vistas of rolling mountains and rice terraces. You will find locals who will be willing to teach you about different cultural points. The main attraction in Cat Cat Village is Cat Cat waterfall. Enjoy the misty waterfall and wade through the river as you take in all the scenery.
FIND AWESOME HANDICRAFTS & SUPPORT THE LOCALS
When souvenir hunting, usually you find cheap trinkets that do not have many purposes but are a great reminder of your trip. In Sapa, you will find loads of locals and local shops selling unique handicrafts.
Wander through Sapa town and you will find many beautifully decorated fabrics with patterns and colors from some of the ethnic minority groups.
You will find bags, headbands, pillowcases, sweaters, shirts, and more made with these fabrics.
The fabrics are not only beautiful, but most pieces are uniquely made, so you cannot find another exactly like it. Not only do you walk away with an excellent gift for yourself or loved one, but you support these local groups
WARM-UP WITH SOME LOCAL DELICACIES AND COMFORT FOODS
When you think of Vietnam, you probably do not think about the cold weather. Sapa is the exception to that. Sapa is located 1600 meters from the sea level, and cool weather is normal year-round. The average temperature of Sapa is about 150C per year. The rainy season is from May to August.
Due to the cooler temperature, you have some warm stews to warm you up! No worries, Sapa has no shortage of comfort foods after a long day of trekking.
Some local dishes you should try:
- Salmon Hot Pot- Or any other Salmon dish. Salmon is abundant in Sapa because of the cold temperatures in the water. Salmon hot pot is a dish that is bursting with flavors. The broth will warm you up and it is packed with fresh vegetables.
- Grilled meats & vegetables- The cold weather makes grilled food a popular choice in Sapa. There are many kinds of Sapa barbecued dishes, including pork, ribs, beef, sausage, vegetables, and fish. These are perfect to munch on while roaming around in the chilly weather.
- Coconut curry straight out of a coconut: I am drooling thinking about this curry. The last time I visited Sapa, the weather was so rainy and this dish made everything better. A coconut filled to the brim with a delicious mix of spices, vegetables, and chicken.
- Bamboo Tube Rice: Bamboo-tube rice is a typical snack of the ethnic minority communities in Northwest Vietnam. This is a simple but tasty dish where the main ingredient is the glutinous rice, which is cooked in bamboo tubes. The cooked rice is then removed by breaking the tubes with your hands. Usually, the bamboo-tube rice is served with salty peanut crumbs, which is a perfect combination.
WANDER THROUGH THE RICE FIELDS
Ahh, the magical views of rice fields. Probably what led you to Sapa in the first place.
In June and July, the terraced rice fields with fully-grown paddy rice and forest trees are entirely green and spread across the area – from the foot to top of mountains, before disappearing in the mist.
In September and October, when autumn ends, the terraced rice fields are a goldish color that lay below the green mountains. The colors create a picturesque view.
It is said that March to June is one of the best times to trek in Sapa; it comes with cool weather, sunny days, a plethora of flowers blossoming in nature.
There are many ways to visit the Rice fields in the surrounding villages of Sapa. The easiest way is to book a tour online, in advance, with one of the many booking agencies in the area.
You can book many kinds of tours – from a day trek through the rice fields to homestays for several days. A highly recommended site to check out is e Trekkingtoursapa. They offer reliable and rewarding experiences.
FIND HEAVENLY VIEWS IN MUONG HOA VALLEY
Muong Hoa valley is famous for its breathtaking views. You will be greeted by its emerald green rolling hills and endless rice fields. Muong Hoa Valley is located only about six miles from Sapa town. It is home to Ban Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Hau Thao, Ta Phin, and Su Pa ethnic minority populations. Learn about their culture by taking a tour with any of the minority groups for a meaningful cultural experience.
Trek through the valley to discover some of the natural beauties that exist in Muong Hoa Valley. From the greenery stretching across the land to unique rock structures and 23 different refreshing streams – these enchanting views will make for an unforgettable experience!
If you want to discover some ancient history, Muong Hoa is a perfect place to start. In Muong Hoa, you will find ancient carving and national relics. These are unique to ancient Vietnamese people and have much spiritual significance.
HAVE MAGICAL EXPERIENCE AT FAIRY CAVE (TIEN CAVE)
It has been said that the Fairy Cave is the Ha Long Bay of Sapa. This is because of its dreamy surroundings,such as the Chay river and high cliffs.
The Cave of Fairies is related to the myth about three fairies asking their father, the king of Heaven, to let them go down to the earth for one day. Due to the magical views, the fairies did not want to return. This made their Father furious, so he sent the thunder genie to find them. The fairies decided to hide out in the cave but knew they could never escape. They decided to jump into the river and kill themselves. Later, the fairies’ corpses were found upstream by the local people. The locals decided to build shrines of the fairies and worship them.
You can reach the Fairy Cave by taking a boat up the river for about 6 kilometers from the center of Bac Ha District and the boat will take you through Trung Do Ancient Citadel. Along the way, you can take in the fresh air and the surrounding forests.
When you enter the cave, you will feel like you entered a magical labyrinth. The cave is large and can hold hundreds of people at once. There are layers and layers of natural barriers and streams flowing through the cave.
Most visitors come to the cave to go sightseeing, bathing in Tien stream, and praying for health, beauty, and wealth.
Consider taking a tour of the cave with https://oxalisadventure.com/
SIP ON SOME COOL COCKTAILS IN AN EVEN COOLER ATMOSPHERE
Ahhh, so you have had a day packed with adventure and sightseeing. Now it is time for a delicious drink and great conversation. I know just the place.
Visit Color Bar for the best cocktails in Sapa Town, heck, maybe the best cocktails I have had in all of Vietnam.
Warm-up by the fireplace and sip on one of the many delicious cocktails from their extensive drink menu. Go for a classic or any of their own creations.
The atmosphere, staff, and DRINKS make this place unforgettable. The two women who run this bar are so friendly and welcoming. The décor and music are very hip and indie. The whole place gives off great vibes 😊
WIND DOWN WITH A MASSAGE
So, your muscles are bound to be sore after all that trekking. What better way to wind down than to get yourself a massage?
Not to worry, Sapa town is filled with Spas that will not break your bank. Choose from the many spots that offer services such as hot stone massages, oil massages, or maybe just a foot massage.
If you are looking for something a bit different, try an herbal bath, most spas in Sapa offer this service as well.
For a budget Spa, you should try Eden Massage & Spa. For a Spa that is a bit pricier and a luxury, you should try Lavender Spa Sapa.
BE IMPRESSED BY SILVER WATERFALL (Thac Ba)
Silver Waterfall is located about 15Km and 30 minutes from Sapa Town. You could reach the falls by renting a motorbike for about 4USD per day. Keep in mind that the roads can be a bit rough, so just take it easy. You can also go by tour, bus, or get a Grab (uber) out there.
Standing at the foot of Ham Rong Mountain, you will see the water flowing down as if it were silver. Giving the falls its name “Silver Waterfall”. The waterfall cascades down from 100 meters. You will feel quite small when looking up at this astounding piece of nature. The water is from the Lo Sui Tong mountain, producing white foam to offer a stunning view over surrounding mountains and forests. After taking in the sites from the bottom, you can trek up to the top of the waterfalls for even more spectacular views.
