Head deep into northern Vietnam and you will find the misty, mountainous market town of Sapa (Sa Pa). Sadly, like many scenic spots in the country, the town itself has become something of a tourist trap full of rather persistent sellers peddling their wares.
However, it’s primarily the beauty of the surrounding landscapes that draw the throngs of domestic and international tourists to this part of Vietnam. Set among rolling green hills, verdant rice paddies and some of the highest peaks in the region, Sapa Town makes a convenient base from which to explore the breathtaking Vietnamese countryside.
Home to several of Vietnam’s ethnic tribes, including Black Hmong, Red Dzao, Tay, Giáy and Phù Lá, Sapa also offers opportunities for authentic cultural connections, with many travellers opting for a homestay with a local family to get to know more about the unique peoples that have existed here for hundreds of years.
Backpacking Sapa, Vietnam – Travel Guide 🎒
Sapa Map and Resources
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- 🇻🇳 Vietnam Travel Guide
- 💲Cost of Backpacking in Vietnam
- 📍Nearby places: Ha Giang | Hanoi | Ninh Binh
- 🥾Must do activity: Real Sapa Experience
Best Time to Visit Sapa, Vietnam 🌤️
Unlike much of Southeast Asia, which has only a wet/dry season, Sapa is subject to four seasons. Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are considered the best times to visit, especially if you plan to hike. These months are generally warm and dry during the day with cooler evenings.
During summer (June to August), the rice fields are lush and green ahead of the harvest. This time of year sees hot and humid weather and regular rain. Winter in north Vietnam can be chilly with temperatures dropping to 0°C. Visibility is not the best with mist and low-hanging clouds obscuring some of the vistas.
“I visited Sapa in January and it was pretty chilly! Although it was mainly dry, it was very misty, meaning I couldn’t appreciate some of the amazing views. Next time, I’ll aim for spring or autumn.” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
Where to Stay in Sapa, Vietnam 🛌
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- Sapa Town – staying central is convenient for shops, restaurants and booking tours, the town is lively at the weekend.
- Outside of town – to fully immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings and local culture, consider staying in one of the local villages, such as Ta Van, Ban Den or Xa Hau Thao.
“Don’t stay in the main town as it’s super super touristy. Rather stay with a local family. They organize a lot of hikes and stuff. Also it can be quite cold so carry a jacket and good waterproof shoes.” Ruchi Gandhi, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Best Accommodation in Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa Town
Here are our top picks for where to stay in Sapa town!
- Lustig Hostel: (Budget) Great for budget travellers, Lustig offers comfy and stylish dorm rooms. It’s a little outside of the town centre but it offers great value for money.
- Sapa Backpacker Hostel: (Budget) With budget private rooms offering mountain views and friendly staff this hostel is a hit with guests. Centrally located but set in a quiet street, it offers the best of both worlds.
- Thai Binh Sapa Hotel: (Mid-range) A cozy, homely place near the heart of Sapa. This hotel has affordable private rooms in a great location. Guests highly rate the helpful and friendly owner.
- Sapa Horizon Hotel: (High-end) If you feel like splashing out, Sapa Horizon is for you. The views are unparalleled, the food is fantastic and the rooms are luxurious.
- Sapa Heaven – Sapa Jade Hill: (High-end) For a really special experience, check out the two-bedroom villas at Sapa Heaven. Surrounded by nature and with stunning views, these villas provide a little haven close to Sapa town.
Accommodation in Ta Van
Ta Van village is about 10 km south of Sapa town and home to the Giay ethnic people. It’s reachable by taxi or if you’re feeling fit, you can hike there through the beautiful Muong Hoa valley.
- La Beauté Sa Pa: One of the highest-rated homestays in Sapa, it’s certainly a beaut! Guests particularly enjoy the quiet, peaceful surroundings. The food is pretty tasty too!
- Surelee Homestay: With a garden, bar and river views, ‘Surelee’ this place has everything you could want! It offers great value for money as well.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t stay in Sapa too long because it is overwhelmingly touristy. If you do stay then I recommend doing some nights in the homestays out of the main town to get a break from it. I stayed at Surelee Homestay which was nice.” Natalya Red – South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Accommodation in Ban Ho
Around 25 km southeast of Sapa town, Ban Ho is a relatively secluded place. It’s the only village to be inhabited by the Tay ethnic group. It features traditional stilt houses and is where the Muong Hoa and Lavie streams meet.
- Sapa’s Soul 2: (Previously The Little Hmong House.) This cute little guesthouse is set among the rice paddies at the end of a slightly stomach-churning road. The owners are very friendly and make their guests feel very much at home.
- D&D Eco Sapa: A more up-market affair, D&D offers tastefully decorated rooms, top-notch cleanliness (as you would expect for the price) and wide views across the rice paddies.
Accommodation in Xa Hau Thao
Located around 10 km from Sapa, Xa Hau Thao is mostly inhabited by the H’mong ethnic group, famed for their vibrant weaving and handicrafts. Its position on the slopes of Muong Hoa Valley provide panoramic views over the surrounding rice terraces.
- Hoa’s homestay: Hoa’s offers good value for money. They serve good food for a very reasonable price and their beds are particularly comfy.
- Eco Palms House: With cosy rooms, amazing views and a swimming pool, this place receives rave reviews, and apparently, the food is off-the-scale delicious!
Things to Do in Sapa, Vietnam 🌱
1. Go Hiking 🥾
Hiking in Sapa is the number one reason people visit the region. Grab your walking shoes and take to the trails to discover some of Vietnam’s most glorious scenery. To make the most of your visit, a multi-day trek overnighting in a homestay will allow you to enjoy local hospitality as well as the beautiful views.
Choosing a Trekking Tour
Please be warned that there are countless tour options available in Sapa town, from one-day to one-week treks. However, many of them do not receive such positive reports. As the region grows rapidly in popularity, many travellers have complained of being traipsed along concrete paths with lots of other tourists, being repeatedly sold stuff, and generally not having a lot of fun.
It is important that your visit to Sapa benefits the local communities and that you are promoting ethical tourism wherever possible. Be sure to read reviews and choose your trekking company wisely to be sure of a positive experience for both yourself, the surrounding communities and the environment of Northern Vietnam.
- Discover the real Sapa with a local ethnic minority guide
- Hike less-trodden trails away from the tourist crowds
- Enjoy a local cooking class and a herbal foot massage
- Support ethical tourism in Vietnam
2. Explore the Local Villages 🏡
There are many lovely villages to be visited in the countryside around Sapa, including Ta Van, Ban Ho and Lao Chai. Easily walkable from Sapa Town is Cat Cat Village. It is the most touristy but the beauty, traditional buildings and olde-worlde charm make it a good afternoon detour.
“You need to go deeper in the villages to see the true culture and life, not the town! It’s very peaceful and amazing.” Mai Tran – South East Asia Backpacker Community Member.
3. Meet the Local Ethnic Groups 👋🏼
The countryside around Sapa is home to several of Vietnam’s ethnic tribes. There’s no better way to understand Vietnamese culture than to connect with its people. Stay in a homestay, learn about traditional weaving and make some new friends among these hospitable peoples.
“Be warned, in Sapa, you will undoubtedly be pestered to purchase the local handicrafts, which at times can be rather aggressive. I was once followed around the town for at least half an hour as a friendly, but rather insistent, lady tried to force me to buy a cushion cover. I managed to escape in the end with just a friendship bracelet (which I was told was free and wasn’t). If you don’t want to buy anything, just be polite, say no, and walk away. If you do want to buy something, then haggle like crazy!” Nikki Scott, Founder and Editor South East Asia Backpacker
4. Visit the Markets 🛍️
The Hmong in particular are famed for their traditional weaving and there are some gorgeous handicrafts to be found in Sapa. There are also several atmospheric local markets in and around Sapa Town which are worth a visit. Don’t miss the daily Sapa Night Market, for beautiful handmade bags and souvenirs, or Sapa Love Market for an entirely different experience! Every Saturday local young people perform in traditional dances to impress and attract a partner.
5. Summit Mount Fansipan 🏔️
If you’re looking for a real challenge, you may like to tackle Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in the whole of Indochina which can be seen from almost all over Lao Cai Province. Many companies offer one or two-day hikes up the mountain which is a hard physical challenge! If you fancy a break from hiking, there is also a cable car that will take you close to the top of the mountain. It’s then just a short and easy climb up steps to the summit.
“I’d highly recommend a visit to Mount Fansipan, however you choose to summit. The views from the top are incredible and the complex on the mountaintop is a curious attraction.” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker.
Food and Drink in Sapa, Vietnam 🍜
For the more adventurous foodies, Sapa has some interesting local specialities, such as thang co (horse meat soup), and surprisingly for a mountain region salmon sour hotpot! Another common sight in Sapa is whole roast pigs roasting over charcoal in the doorway of restaurants, most commonly used to make cap nach pork.
For those more inclined towards partying, hostels and tour guides will encourage you to try the locally distilled rice wine, otherwise known as ‘happy water’. Also recommended for breakfast, lunch or just a snack is the lovely Baguette and Chocolat Café (Sapa Town) whose profits go to help disadvantaged children in the area.
Getting Around Sapa, Vietnam 👣
The best way to get around Sapa is on foot. The town itself is very walkable and when you want to visit some of the nearby villages there are plenty of hiking trails.
You could also take a taxi or hire a scooter, but that goes against the main reason to visit the area in the first place – the wonderful trekking opportunities.
When it comes to visiting Mount Fansipan, there is a funicular and cable car, which offers beautiful views over the countryside.
How to Get to Sapa, Vietnam 🚂
You can reach Sapa either by bus or train.
By Bus: Sapa is only around 6 hours by bus from Hanoi. There are also direct buses from Ninh Binh (around 8 hours).
Overnight Travel in Vietnam
We don’t recommend overnight buses in Vietnam. There are frequent accidents caused by lack of regulations regarding tired drivers. Therefore, we recommend day travel by bus only. If you want to travel overnight, consider taking the train, which is comfortable and far safer.
Train from Hanoi: Many people prefer to take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (from where you have to catch a 30-minute bus to Sapa town). The train is an adventure in itself! The total journey time is around 9 to 10 hours. Beds are quite comfy and there are a variety of tickets depending on what type of cabin class you prefer. Most people opt for a four-berth cabin where you will share the cabin with three other people. The beds are bunk beds and have a privacy curtain, plug outlet and free water and snacks!
You can book train and bus tickets in travel agencies in Hanoi or book online at Baolau.com or 12Go Asia.
Where to Go Next: 🚌
- Ha Giang: This spectacular northern region of Vietnam is popular with motorcyclists and famous for the Ha Giang Loop.
- Halong Bay: Don’t miss the stunning limestone karst formations of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Hanoi: Head back to the hustle and bustle of the capital to continue your Vietnamese adventure.
Lisa Barham
Having always dreamt of travelling the world, Lisa finally decided to follow that dream in her mid-thirties when she left her nine-to-five in London for life on the road. After trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and learning to surf in Sri Lanka, she headed for wondrous Southeast Asia, where she can currently be found solo backpacking, navigating through life and unfamiliar streets.
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I have a plan to Sa Pa please help to give me the detail budget and itenarary. Mamy thanks.