Sapa

Sapa is a tourist destination located more than 30 km from the center of Lao Cai city. Situated at an average altitude of 1500 - 1800 meters above sea level, Sapa town is always hidden in bobbing clouds, creating a fanciful picture. 

When visiting here, you not only enjoy the fresh air, the tranquility of a North West land but also admire the wild beauty of terraced fields, majestic waterfalls, and mountains, explore the customs and cultural features of the mountainous ethnic groups such as Black H'Mong, Red Dzao, Tay, Dzay 

The most suitable time to visit Sapa

Sapa is a mountainous area with a cool climate all year round, and the average annual temperature of Sapa is 15 ° C. Summer in Sapa does not suffer from the harsh sun, while the winter is often covered with clouds and cold, sometimes snowfall.

The breathtaking scenery of Sapa

The best time to visit Sapa is from September to November or from March to May. 

April - May - is the time when ethnic minorities cultivate on terraced fields. It is also the blooming season of many beautiful flowers. 

September - October is the season of yellow rice, and the gold color covers all corners of Sapa.

Where to stay when visiting Sapa

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Vietnam, Sapa provides a wide range of accommodation for travelers, from the luxury to the budget ones. 

Top luxurious hotels in Sapa

• Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa Sapa
• Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel
• Aira Boutique Spa Hotel & Spa
• Sapa Horizon Hotel
• Azure Sapa Hotel
• Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa

Top budget hotels in Sapa

• Bamboo Sapa Hotel
• Eco Palm House
• Cat Cat Garden Hotel
• Sapa Panorama Hotel
• H'Mong Sapa Hotel
• Sapa Unique Hotel

Top homestays in Sapa

• Thanh Ha Homestay Sapa
• Hmong House - Sapa Homestay
• Eco Hills Homestay
• The Link Homestay
• Valley View Homestay
• The Little Hmong House

Ethnic minorities in Sapa

There is no place around Vietnam where you can easily see the ethnic minorities like in Sapa. It is home to numerous ethnic groups in which the five main ones are Hmong, Yao, Tay, Zay and Xa Pho who live in hamlets scattering on the valleys throughout the district. 

Until the 20th century, the native people here started intensive farming method on terraces, instead of slash-and-burn culture like in the past. 

Visiting ethnic villages and living homestay, you will have the chance to see their daily activities and learn more about their culture when taking part in making handicrafts or farm work. 

Top tourist destinations in Sapa

Sapa has many beautiful natural sceneries such as Silver Waterfall about 200m, Cloud Bridge - a historical relic of the ethnic groups, Heaven Gate - the highest point to see the peak of Fansipan - "the roof of Indochina," Ta Phin Cave, Muong Hoa Valley, Cat Cat Village. 

Cat Cat Village

Ham Rong Mountain 

Located in the heart of Sapa town, Ham Rong is an attractive trekking spot. On the way you walk up to the peak, you will see many species of beautiful flowers, especially peach blossom. From the top of the mountain, you will admire the spectacular panoramic view of Sapa.

Sapa Ancient Church

It is a magnificent and mysterious monastery built by the French at the end of the eighteenth century.

Cat Cat Village

Only 15 minutes walk from Sapa town center, Cat Cat Village is a long-standing village of Mong people where to preserve many traditional crafts such as planting cotton and linen, or weaving. 

Muong Hoa Valley

This valley is an ancient stone yard with many different shapes, alternating between trees and terraced fields of ethnic people. Hundreds of sandstone rocks have carved drawings and strange characters so far have not identified the origin and meaning.

Today, this ancient carving area is classified as a national monument, a unique heritage of ancient Vietnamese people. In Muong Hoa valley, there is a beautiful small stream stretching about 15 km, through Lao Chai, Ta Van, Hau Thao communes and ending at Ban Ho.

The Sapa love market often opens on Sunday in Sapa town. The unique festivals of the ethnic groups in Sapa take place every Tet holiday. Sapa is also the "kingdom" of fruits and flowers such as peach, plum, pear, rose, chrysanthemum, peach blossom, plum flower, and especially gladioli - the symbol of love.