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If you’re looking to discover some of the remote parts of Vietnam or want to get your walking boots on to explore some breathtaking scenery, then the incredibly picturesque town of Sapa fits the bill perfectly. At 1500 metres (4921 ft) above sea level, in the remote Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border in northwestern Vietnam, the small town is famous for its beautiful mountain scenery, fantastic trekking opportunities, and the variety of hill tribes living in the surrounding remote villages.
Sapa can be fitted in to any of our Vietnam Multi Centre Holidays. The best way to reach Sapa is via the overnight sleeper train from Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. The train brings you to Lao Cai, and from there it’s an hour’s scenic drive through mountain landscapes to your destination.
In Colonial times, Sapa was used as a hill station by the French looking to escape the tropical heat of the lowlands. As you wander around, you’ll notice this influence in the town’s architecture with its distinctly European look and feel. Known as ‘the Tonkinese Alps,’ the feel of an alpine resort is further enhanced by the thick pine forests of the surrounding slopes – with raclette and fondue found on some of the menus!
The town overlooks a steep valley of cascading rice terraces with mountains towering above on all sides, and there are plenty of viewpoints and cafes from which to enjoy the stunning scenery and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. The hillsides have been terraced over the years by the local tribes people to make level fields which can be flooded to grow rice. The vast scale of the terracing is awe-inspiring and it is spectacular to watch the late afternoon sun illuminate the lush green rice fields in a dazzling glow.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Sapa is the mix of local hill-tribes who fill the town with colour. In the streets you’ll notice the different ethnic groups, mainly the Black H’Mong, Giay, Red Dzao, and Yao. You can identify them by the different head gear that they wear. Both Black H’Mong and Giay wear similar indigo dyed hemp clothes, but the Giay have round pillbox hats. The Red Dzao women have a bright red balloonish head dress, and they have the front of their heads shaved. Occasionally you’ll also see other minority group women such as Yao with a checked scarf head-dress.
The H’mong people are great traders, and although many have had little formal education, many of the children speak English, French and a handful of other languages! They are, however, known to persistently ask tourists to buy from them, so it is recommended to choose carefully. If you’d like to give something back during your walks, schools are always grateful for useful donations including pens, notebooks or toothbrushes. Weekend markets are the best place to pick up handmade items such as embroidered bags, colourful clothing, silver jewellery, handicrafts and woven scarves.
Trekking is often the main reason to come to Sapa. There are treks to suit all levels of fitness, from easy day walks to more hard-core hiking which include overnight stays with local tribes. All are accompanied by English-speaking guides.
One of the loveliest routes is through the O Quy Ho Valley, just north of town, under the shadow of Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain. Here, the trails weave between oolong tea plantations, rice paddies, and stone tracks. You’ll likely pass water buffalo grazing, farmers working in their fields, or children playing.
Guides will often share stories of the H’Mong migration into the mountains hundreds of years ago, and if you’re lucky you might be invited into a traditional Black H’Mong house, home to a local family, to learn about the distinct cultures, languages and lifestyles that make northwestern Vietnam so fascinating.
The trekking is truly distinctive and never dull. One moment you’re in terraced fields, the next you’re walking under bamboo groves or among tall pine forests. Plus the region is home to hundreds of species of orchids, especially in the higher-altitude forests, adding even more beauty and colour to the landscape.
A popular natural sight near Sapa is Silver Waterfall. Just half an hour’s drive from town through the Hoang Lien National Park, the waterfall drops over 100 metres and is at its most impressive during the rainy season from May to October, when the water is in full flow. There are steps and walkways that let you get close to the spray, and plenty of good viewing points for photos. The sound and scale of the waterfalls against the backdrop of the forested mountains make it a really special visit.
A little further along the same road you’ll find Love Waterfall, which is another favourite not just for tourists, but also for Vietnamese couples, who often come here for wedding photographs. The walk to the falls takes about 20 minutes through pine forest, and once you arrive you’ll see why it’s so popular. The water tumbles down in several cascades into a clear pool, surrounded by rocks and greenery. It’s a quieter, more atmospheric spot than Silver Waterfall, and an easy walk for most people. On the way, you’ll pass small orchards where local sellers set up stalls where you can stop for a cup of tea or try some of the cool-climate fruits the region is known for, such as plums and peaches.
Finally, no visit to Sapa is complete without a trip up to Heaven’s Gate. At 2,047 metres, this is the highest stretch of road in Vietnam, and from the top the views are spectacular. On a clear day you can see right across the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, with Mount Fansipan (Indochina’s highest mountain) standing proudly in the distance. The road itself twists through the mountains with different scenery at every turn, making the journey up as much a part of the experience as the view from the top.
At 3,143 metres, Mount Fansipan is not only the tallest mountain in Vietnam but also the highest peak in the entire Indochina Peninsula. If you’re a keen and adventurous trekker, you can take on the climb over two or three days, with overnight stays in basic mountain camps.
For the rest of us, there’s the far more civilised option: a cable car that whisks you to the top in under 20 minutes. No matter how you get there, the views from the top, with clouds drifting over the mountains and valleys, are unforgettable.
The north of Vietnam experiences distinct seasons, which makes timing your visit to Sapa especially important depending on what kind of experience you’re after. Sapa itself is a cool-climate destination thanks to its elevation of 1,500 metres providing ideal conditions for trekking and exploring the mountains. Spring and autumn are generally considered the best times to visit, with comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Summer can be quite wet, but brings with it lush green rice terraces, while winter can see temperatures drop below freezing with occasional snowfall. Sapa is often misty in mornings and evenings, which creates a magical mountain atmosphere, especially over the rice terraces.
Sapa offers a side of Vietnam that few other destinations can match, whether it’s trekking through valleys, visiting hill tribes or simply taking in the spectacular views. If you’re feeling inspired and would like to include a visit to Sapa in your next holiday, take a look at our Northern Vietnam & Beach itinerary or our Complete Vietnam Experience. Alternatively there’s our Vietnam Multi Centre holidays page which features all of our most popular itineraries.
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