EmSapa, Vietnam is one of the highlights of the north of this beautiful country. Easily accessible from Hanoi, a trip to Sapa takes you to a different world. Here you’ll find beautiful mountains, stunning views and a rich culture of different ethnic groups.
Visiting Hanoi around your trip to Sapa? Check out my guide
Amazing Things to do in Hanoi – how to make the most of this vibrant city
When is best to visit Sapa, Vietnam
Unlike many parts of South East Asia, the north of Vietnam experiences distinct seasons. Weather can strongly vary in Sapa at different times of the year. It even gets cold – which you might be desperate to avoid! Or if you’ve been travelling in the blistering heat for a while, this might sound perfect. Either way, knowing what to expect in Sapa can help you plan your trip, maximise your time in Sapa, Vietnam, and make sure you have the right clothes.
The best times to visit Sapa, Vietnam are considered to be spring and autumn.
Autumn and winter
In autumn (September-November), when I visited, it was warm during the day and cooler at night. (Although as a British person I wouldn’t say cold). I didn’t experience rain when I was in Sapa, Vietnam, but this period is typhoon season in Vietnam. Just before I visited, Sapa had experienced the worst typhoon in 30 years, seeing significant damage to the surrounding areas.
Winter is between December and January and can see actual cold temperatures, with cold and even snow, and definitely rain. It’s also likely to be misty, impeding your views of those beautiful mountains.
Spring and summer
Spring is between February- May, with temperatures between 10c-20c. Flowers and greenery bloom during this season, making Sapa particularly beautiful.
Summer is between June and August, with temperatures over 20c. You can expect a high of around 24c, which is still significantly cooler than the lowlands of Vietnam at this time. There is also a high likelihood of rain.
Ultimately, when you visit will depend on your travel plans. The most important thing to remember is that Sapa, Vietnam has a different climate to Hanoi (your likely starting point). You might need different clothes and shoes. Luckily, if you misjudge, there are lots of shops in town offering suspiciously cheap outdoor gear from brands such as North Face.
How to get to Sapa, Vietnam
You are most likely to visit Sapa from Hanoi, as this is the nearest major city. If you are travelling Hanoi to Sapa, there are two main transport options: bus and train. There isn’t much difference in timings between the two. Your choice is likely to be based on price and personal preference.
I took both a bus and a train. While I loved the experience of the train, I found the 6 hour journey to be too short for a night train or bus. I arrived very groggy at 7.30am and couldn’t get into my hotel until midday.
As a result, I chose to take a day bus back. I didn’t feel like I’d gained a day by taking the train overnight. I was so tired I actually felt like I lost more time being exhausted when I arrived.
Bus from Hanoi to Sapa, Vietnam
The bus from Hanoi to Sapa takes about 6 hours. Like many routes in Vietnam, there are a number of different bus types available, including the famous VIP sleeper buses.
I chose HK Sapa for my return trip. I did this journey during the day but had the full sleeper bus experience with massive luxury. I chose a bottom bunk, which had a massage function! The bus was clean and we were given water when we got on. Remember that the roads, particularly near Sapa, are windy, so take this into account if you get motion sick.
If you choose a non-VIP sleeper bus, you’re likely to have significantly less space, with three beds per row compared to two beds on a VIP service. You’ll also have less privacy.
I book through 12goasia.
Train from Hanoi to Sapa, Vietnam
On the way, I took the night train from Hanoi to Sapa. There are a number of private companies offering train carriages. These attach to the train run by the Vietnamese rail company and therefore all leave at the same time. This is 10pm for the trip from Hanoi to Sapa).
I chose the Chapa Express, and the train was beautiful.
You can read more about my experience in my article Vietnam sleeper trains – Everything you need to know.
The main thing to note is that the train arrives into a city called Lao Cai at 6am. You then have a 45 minute transfer through the mountains in a car/van. I booked my transfer through my train company, but there were shared bus services offered from the station (these did not look luxurious).
The cost of a train varies depending on the company, but is significantly more expensive than a bus. However, you are choosing a safer option, as Vietnamese sleeper buses don’t have the best safety reputation.
Where to stay in Sapa, Vietnam
Most people will stay in Sapa town, a very busy little place where all the buses arrive/depart. Sapa definitely gives off vibes of a town that has grown very fast. When I visited Vietnam in 2010, only very serious hikers/trekkers went to Sapa, Vietnam.
While I did find Sapa, Vietnam very busy, it was also the most practical place to stay. Tours start from Sapa, my hotel was only a few minutes from the cable car to Fansipan, and there were tons of cheap restaurants right on my doorstep.
It’s definitely going to be too touristy for some people – if you prefer a quieter, less overtly touristy experience, I would opt for a homestay out in the countryside. However, if you do this, note that you’ll need your own transport, as there is no Grab Bike in Sapa and these homestays are far out of town.
Hotel options:
Heart of Sapa Hotel – this was where I stayed and I would recommend it. It’s in the centre of town but on a quiet street. There were restaurants just across the street and it was only a few minutes from the cable car to Fansipan. It had spacious, clean rooms, a good breakfast, and a friendly host family. However, note that it is a tall building with stairs – if you have mobility issues ask for a room on a low floor or choose an alternative option.
Sapa Tatu Homestay – this has excellent reviews and is a little further from the centre of town, if you’re worried about the busyness of Sapa.
Sapa Relax Hotel and Spa – at a slightly higher price point, this has a beautiful roof terrance overlooking the mountains. Reviews are excellent and some rooms also have views
Hotel de la Coupole – if you really want to splash out, this hotel houses the Fansipan train, and is one of the most luxurious properties, right in central Sapa.
Is there still damage from the typhoon?
In September 2024, Sapa, Vietnam and the surrounding area experienced the most severe typhoon in over 30 years. It caused significant damage and tourism in Sapa was halted for weeks.
I visited in October 2024, as Sapa, Vietnam was opening back up. There was no damage in Sapa town (or it had all been fixed) but significant damage out in the surrounding villages. On my day long motorbike tour, I saw many areas where roads and houses had been damaged, and mudslides were clearly visible on many mountains.
However, while the roads were bumpy and slow as a result, it didn’t stop me from doing anything while I was there. There were government workers out fixing the roads, and while this is a medium-term project, there shouldn’t be anything to stop you making the most of your time in this beautiful part of Vietnam.
What to do in Sapa, Vietnam?
Visit Mount Fansipan
Mount Fansipan is absolutely the highlight of any trip to Sapa, Vietnam. The highest mountain in Indochina, the incredible feat of engineering that is the Fansipan Cable Car means that you can visit with almost no climbing. This is a unique opportunity to visit a mountain that’s 3147m high without trekking!
Having said that, visiting Fansipan is still a bit of a marathon (or so it felt to me). So much so that I wrote a detailed guide on what to expect from your trip, including the different stages of the journey, more detail on ticketing options and what to expect at the summit. Check it out here!
There are three steps to the journey: the initial train, the cable car, and the final funicular train (or walk).
The way back down to the cable car station includes a number of temples and statues, all of which are stunning and all of which are brand new. It’s well worth doing the walk down to see these incredible feats of engineering.
Tickets are bought in person at the ticketing desk in central Sapa. You buy your tickets and then depart from the bright yellow Hotel de la Coupole – you can’t miss the building.
Options include:
There are over 600 steps between the cable car station and the summit. I strongly suggest taking the Funicular up and walking down the steps.
Take in the view at one of Sapa, Vietnam’s beautiful cafes
Over the last few years, Sapa, Vietnam has become famous on social media for the stunning views from it’s mountainside cafes, and there’s definitely a reason for this. Make sure you leave time in your day to take in the views at one of the cafes with a view.
There are a few cafes that perch on the hillside looking towards the summit of Fansipan and sunset. This is a great way to take in the view with a sunset drink.
Equally, if you’ve taken the night bus or train and arrived in Fansipan early (or you’re just a morning person), the cafes are beautiful early in the morning. You’ll find them surrounded by early morning cloud which slowly clears, giving you the sensation of drinking coffee in the clouds.
My favourites were:
- White Cloud Coffee and Restaurant
- Fansipan Terrace Cafe
Both are easily accessible from the centre of town, though you’ll have a steep walk back. If you’re hiring a motorbike, there are many others to explore away from the centre of Sapa.
Get out into the surrounding countryside via Easyrider
As someone who can’t drive, the easiest way for me to explore via motorbike is an Easyrider tour. Popularised by the Ha Giang Loop even further north in Vietnam, Easyrider tours give you a driver for the day. This means you’re free to enjoy the view from the back of the bike, without having to worry about driving on Vietnam’s dodgy roads.
In Sapa, Vietnam, I found a tour Sapa Motorbike Tours – their 1 Day off the beaten track tour. The tour was absolutely amazing. My guide took me around the valleys of Sapa, to villages I wouldn’t have seen otherwise – including via trekking, as they were much further away than the one/two day treks reach. We visited her house to understand more about local life, including how her family grow orchids for local festivals. We also climbed really high into the mountains to see some incredible views.
My guide was an excellent driver, and I always felt safe, despite the state of the roads after the recent typhoon. She also checked in with me while driving to make sure I felt safe. We talked throughout the journey, and she constantly filled me in on the different villages, crops, and the differences between the varied ethnic groups in this part of Sapa, Vietnam.
Take a herbal bath
Sapa, Vietnam is famous for the medicinal herbal baths that the locals swear cure a variety of ailments. Taking one of these baths is a must-do while you’re in this part of Vietnam! I had my herbal bath while on my motorbike tour, visiting a small family run site away from the hustle and bustle of central Sapa.
The baths are usually narrow and tall so that you can soak your whole body, although the place I visited had bigger baths available at extra cost. Baths are run very hot, and while it didn’t cure all my many ills, I certainly felt like it had helped soak out my muscles.
Walk around the lake
Sapa town gives off the vibe of a tourist town that grown very, very fast. While the surrounding views are stunning, the town itself can feel crowded and a bit overwhelming. However, it’s easy to get away from that by taking a walk around the town’s lake.
Located higher up in the town, the lake is surrounded by restaurants and cafes. It’s a lovely place for a quieter walk, and in the late afternoon you can see local families doing just this.
Honourable mentions: things I didn’t do
As usual, there are things I didn’t do in Sapa, Vietnam that often make the list of top things to do. I’ve listed them out below, along with some reasons why I didn’t end up doing them.
Take a trek
This is without a doubt the most famous thing to do in Sapa, Vietnam. There are a variety of options, ranging from one day treks upwards. The most popular option is a two day trek, including an overnight stay at a homestay in the mountains.
These tours are important because they give you the opportunity to get out of Sapa town and learn more about real life in the surrounding areas. Guides are usually local women from one of the many ethnic groups that surround Sapa. The treks provide important employment opportunities, as well as economic support via the homestays and restaurants that form part of the tours.
The primary reason I didn’t end up doing this is because I just don’t like trekking. I took the easyrider motorbike tour instead to get me out of Sapa town.
If you want to do one of these treks, your hotel in Sapa, Vietnam will be able to arrange this for you. You can also shop around at one of the many tour agencies in town, or book via Viator or Get your Guide.
Cat Cat Village
Cat Cat Village is a tourist village located not far from Sapa town. It’s run by the local H’mong people and has lots of shops/stalls selling craft goods. There are also performances of traditional dances/songs. It was founded by the H’mong people in the 19th century, before being turned into a vacation spot by the French in the early 20th century.
There is an entrance fee of 150,000 VND (about £4.60/%$5.85/5.70e) to visit Cat Cat village.
After doing research, I ultimately decided not to visit Cat Cat Village. While I read that it’s a very pretty village, with a waterfall nearby, I also read that it is incredibly touristy. I saw reports that it was crowded, and full of people dressing up in the clothing of the H’mong people to take pictures, which makes me uncomfortable. I didn’t feel like it was going to give me a deeper understanding of the traditions of the H’mong people than I’d already gained on my motorbike tour.
Transport was also expensive for one person. I read reports that it was difficult to negotiate a fair price on transport back, as the local taxi syndicate is in control of the prices.
However, many tours and treks will take you there, and ultimately it’s up to you to decide whether you want to visit or not.
Visit Moana park
Moana park is what can only be called an Instagram park on the outskirts of Sapa town. Many of the famous shots of Sapa you’ll recognise (the famous shot of tourists standing in the open palm of a hand, surrounded by clouds) are from Moana Park.
Having done some research, it was clear that this was just a park full of photo ops, which is very popular across Vietnam and other parts of Asia. While the pictures can be really cool, I just decided this wasn’t for me
Sapa is definitely a highlight of Vietnam, full of stunning views and incredible culture. Let me know if you found this guide useful for planning your trip!
