Best things to do in Sapa
Sapa is a small village, 350 km north of Hanoi, near the Chinese border. Sapa is known for having spectacular views of a valley with rice field fields that can be seen on clear days, with mountains towering on all sides from above. The view of this epic landscape is often tempered by dense fog that rolls over the tops, but even when it is cloudy, the local hill tribes fill the city with color.
5 reasons to visit Sapa
- Make a trekking through the green rice terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley.
- Learn more about the culture and traditions of the local hill tribes.
- Climb or take the cable car to the highest mountain in Indochina: Fansipan.
- Explore the area by motorbike and drive over Vietnam’s highest pass: Tram Ton Pass.
- Visit a local colorful market.
Best time to visit
- The best time to visit Sapa is from March to May and from September to November. During these times the weather is relatively stable with sunny days and cool nights. The first period is the autumn time. At this time of the year the weather is very comfortable. It is dry, clear with a lot of sunshine. The view of the terraces of Sapa is at its best between
- September and October. The cool and dry weather with the stable temperature makes it the perfect time for trekking and photos.
- In the summer, although it is quite warm, it is not as hot as other regions of Vietnam.
- If you spend time in this city between April and May, you have the chance to see the beautiful landscapes of many colorful flowers and green fields.
- In winter, from December to February, the weather in Sapa becomes very cold, especially at night. In return, however, you get the chance to watch the sunrise over the valley in the morning. Snow has also fallen in Sapa in recent years.
Best things to do in Sapa
This town and the area around it has been very developed over the years, so there are many things to do in Sapa. Here some activiti are some activities you should consider to do when you are in Sapa:
1. Trekking
Some of the best things to do in Sapa can be combined in one highlight and that is a trekking in Sapa! You can choose to do a half-day, full-day or multi-day trek where you spend the night in a homestay. It is the best way to see the rice fields and get in touch with the local minorities.
2. View the terraced rice fields
The main reason for most travelers to visit this mountain town are the stunning Sapa rice fields. It is for a reason that it is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam. These impressive terraced fields are spread all over the Muong Hoa valley from the bottom all the way to the top of the mountains.
The locals grow rice here and settle around the rice fields, often at the foot of the mountains. The rice terraces look like straight out of a travel brochure. It is best to discover them by a trekking tour, but you can also drive around by car or motorbike.
3. Visit minority villages
The second reason to visit Sapa is the unique culture of the mountain tribes. These ethnic minorities live in the mountains and live from the land for many generations. There are different kind of minority groups to be found in this area, including the HMong, the Dao, the Tày and Giay.
Each group has their own language, traditional clothing and culture. The best way to discover this unique culture is by visiting the local villages outside of Sapa. Walk around the village to discover their daily life and unique way of living in the mountains.
Again, the best way is to do this by trekking tour, but you can also drive by car or motorbike.
4. Stay overnight in a homestay
Complete your unique local minority adventure by staying in a homestay. There are several homestays in Sapa and in the villages around it. The most unique experience is of course spending the night in a house of a local hill tribe. The accommodation is often basic and lacks comfort, but the experience is great!
In the evening you can enjoy a family dinner. End your day with a delicious traditional herbal bath or drink rice wine with the family. It will be an experience you will never forget.
The best thing is to combine a homestay overnight stay with a multi-day trek. For example, if you go hiking for two days you will spend the night in a local homestay and the day after you continue walking, going far off the beaten track.
