All info to visit Sapa and its region
Sa Pa is a trendy destination Vietnam For a few years. The city is located in the extreme north of the country in the province of Cai border with China. Yet far away, therefore, from the growing Hanoi and Halong Bay... But what attracts here is the authenticity of the inhabitants as well as beautiful landscapes. They consist mainly of rice fields on the terrace where hiking (or trek) becomes the most interesting activity of the area. 
Flickr – Nizam Uddin
What to do in Sapa?
First of all, I want to tell you that it would be a shame to go to Sapa less than 3 days.
Sapa is of course the rice fields in terraces , the markets, and the city built on the hills. Sapa is, as I said, very touristic, and it is not for nothing: the landscapes are really beautiful. But for what is hike around , I advise you not to stay too much in Sapa even since everything is not as authentic as before.
The women Hmongs follow you everywhere and help you with the purpose that you buy them something. It’s a pain, yes, but it’s really annoying after several hours/day in Sapa (see weeks in Vietnam in general).
Flickr – yeowatzup
Two hiking trails will be offered for tourist groups :
- the Golden Stream Valley (Vallée de Muong Hoa): it is taken by all tourists and today looks like a real pedestrian highway!
– hiking Your Phin : the inhabitants of the village of Ma Tra will jump on you once they arrive to sell their products. There too, it’s annoying.
So you would like to take less tourist trails :
To do this, avoid leaving from Sapa. Try to start your hike directly from an advanced village in the itinerary, leaves to take a motorcycle taxi.
I’m not going to get too much wet on this, since I had myself “ made the mistake” to do the hikes alone, and so I only saw what the eyes of all the other tourists could see.
However, if it was to be done again, I will gladly opt for the services of a local agency in small group, which costs about $150 all included since Hanoi (3 days / 2 nights). Moreover, I will not hesitate to choose the trek of 4 days/3 nights to push the adventure.
Flickr – kristupa
How to organize your stay in Sapa?
Consider you going to Sapa for hiking (So I don’t see what you could do with others for 3-4 days)... You have several possibilities to organize your trip to Sapa :
- Either you pass by an agency located in Hanoi , and you let this agency take care of everything you organize. This will include the transport of Hanoi to Sapa and on-site excursions. You choose before leaving if you prefer to visit and hike in group or individual.
- Either you go to Sapa by your own means, i.e. the train or the bus (see below how to go to Sapa) and book your excursions with a local agency. It’s almost the same as an agency from Hanoi.
- Either, another solution, you go to Sapa by your own means, you get a map of the hikes of the region and go for adventure alone or with friends. However, this does not allow you to get out of the beaten paths (without a word game).
Flickr – Lon towardsQueta
Sometimes it is better to pay a guide or agency a little more expensive to go on 2-3 days in paths that very few tourists will borrow
How to get to Sapa from Hanoi?
By train : this is the best way for you to reach Sapa because there is a direct night train to Yoo Cai . It takes about 8 hours to get to Lao Cai. You arrive at the aurora and take a minibus directly to Sapa direction your hotel (1h approximately +) if you have already booked it (if so, it is possible that this transfer is free, to see). This night trip allows you to save a night at the hotel while traveling without too many bushes. The price of the journey varies between $60 and $70 per go/return with bunk in a cabin for 4. Check well when you take your train ticket because there are several companies offering different services and prices.
One. advice for the train: it arrives very early in Lao Cai, and you risk being in Sapa at about 6am. So you can go on a first visit to the city, its markets, and things to do here. The ideal is to take a bunk bed in the first class in the train. You'll pay more, of course, but you win a day 'cause you've slept well.
Flickr – Espen Faugstad
By bus : The bus only comes in second option. Indeed, although the ticket to Cao Lai and Sapa is cheaper, the bus will remain a bad experience for you given the very bad condition of the roads. You will spend a very bad night and will be very tired to go straight to the discovery of Sapa and its surroundings.
When to visit Sapa and its region? Weather, rice harvest ...
The weather in Sapa is a little more capricious than in the rest of Vietnam. However, there are 3 months in the year when a trip to Sapa is to be considered: August, September and October .
The months March , April and May are the time when the rice is planted. The landscapes will therefore be very different from the photos you have seen on Sapa. However, the weather is perfect for hiking as it is the dry season.
June and July are to be avoided because it is too heavy and it rains a lot. The months December to February are for them totally avoidable because of winter and cold.
Flickr – EDO BERTRAN: FOTOS SIN PHOTOSHOP
Where to sleep in Sapa?
Enjoy being in Sapa for sleeping at home . Choose houses where no other tourist comes except you, to have the best contact with the local that hosts you. You can either take a room at the inhabitant on site when arriving at Sapa, or book it from Hanoi or from the first day in Sapa in an agency.
Otherwise, you will easily find your hotel among all those present in this city, and for all budgets. If you prefer this second option, book your hotel with our Compare hotels .
Have you tried the experience of a trek in Sapa? Did you like it?
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