Sapa in Vietnam: What to choose? Sights of the city's surroundings. Sapa (Shapa) Lao Cai Province, Vietnam - “Practical tips for northern Vietnam. Independent travel to Sapa» Sapa in Vietnam

Sapa (Sa Pa)- the most famous mountain resort in North Vietnam. Sapa is located in the mountainous Lao Cai province bordering China. It is here that the highest point of Vietnam and all of Indochina is located - Mount Fansipan (3143 meters). The administrative center of the province is the city of Lao Cai. The area of the entire province is 8 thousand square meters. km, population - just over 600 thousand people. In addition to the Vietnamese themselves, numerous mountainous peoples live in Lao Cai province - the Hmong, Thai, Nung, Muong and others. This gives the province a special flavor.
Sapa is located 330 km from Hanoi and 40 km from the provincial capital of Lao Cai. To get to Sapa you need to buy a ticket for the Hanoi - Lao Cai train (4 trains a day, travel time 8 hours; there is night Train, which saves costs for overnight stays). From the train station in Lao Cai there is a bus every hour to Sapa. There is also a bus that goes from Hanoi directly to Sapa. Departure is at 5 am, travel time is about 12 hours.

CLIMATE

Sapa is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level. The climate here is not hot: in summer the temperature fluctuates between 15 - 20 degrees, in winter - about 10 (sometimes falling below zero). Therefore, visiting attractions here is comfortable at any time. The main thing is not to forget to take warm clothes. By the way, Sapa and the areas next to it are almost the only place in Vietnam, where you can see snow. The most precipitation falls in July-August.

STORY

The French began developing the resort here at the beginning of the 20th century. Captivated by the beauty of these places and at the same time nostalgia for their native lands, the colonialists gave them the name “Tonkin Alps”. The first wooden holiday home was built here in 1905. And by 1943 there were already more than 200 French villas here. Unfortunately, during the wars, almost all of these buildings were destroyed.
A few years ago, Sapa was reopened to tourists and has become one of the most popular places, for both Vietnamese and foreign travelers.

ATTRACTIONS OF SAPA

First of all, the resort itself, or rather, fabulous nature this area. Sapa, like no other city in Vietnam, and perhaps in all of Asia, looks like a city from a fairy tale. This feeling arises thanks to the surprisingly harmonious combination of nature, houses and even people of this mountainous area. While in Sapa, you should definitely get acquainted with the life of the mountain peoples, which differs in many ways from the Vietnamese.

Mount Fansipan - highest peak in Indochina - 3143 meters. Located in the southern part of Sapa in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The relief of this area is very diverse. In the lowest part - 950-1000 m above sea level - is the Muong Hoa Valley. An ancient stone platform was discovered here, which is considered a monument to ancient Vietnamese civilization.
Higher up, at an altitude of 1300-1400 m above sea level, stretches a narrow strip of the foot of the mountain. The terrain changes as you climb. The boundaries pass at an altitude of 1700-1800 m, 2100-2200 m and 2700-2800 m. From the lowest point, the top of the mountain appears as an unclear, blurry silhouette. Rich vegetable world Fansipana has about 1,700 plant species, many of which are rare and valuable.
This area always attracts lovers extreme tourism. Although the top of the mountain is only 7 km from the city of Lao Cai, it will take you 6-7 days to climb it!

Dragon's Jaw Mountain. Located just 2 km from the center of Sapa. mountain range resembles a huge dragon curled up in a ball.

Silver Falls (Thak Bak)- one of the most beautiful waterfalls Northern Vietnam. Located 12 kilometers from Sapa.

Bac Ha Fair- the largest fair of the mountain peoples of Northern Vietnam. Buck Ha - small town ok, located 80 km northeast of Sapa. The fair is organized on Sundays. For the local population it is not easy

a place where you can buy or sell something is a whole culture with its own traditions.
Having already decided that during your trip to Vietnam you will find time to visit Sapa, you need to decide in advance what to see in this amazing province. The features of the mountainous area suggest that most of the attractions will be located high above sea level, and during the excursion all new amazing beauty will, as if by magic, appear in front of you from the haze of a light mountain fog. To visit this area, it is better to choose the period from May to November.

Highland Sapa (Shapa) is an unforgettable combination of magnificent landscapes, excellent climate and the distinctive ethnic culture of the highland peoples of Vietnam. Sapa is located in a remote area, it retains its authenticity and special flavor.

Trekking and walking around Sapa, which allows you to admire the breathtaking landscapes of the highlands and rice terraces and get to know the traditions and customs of local peoples, attracts eco-tourism lovers from all over the world to Sapa.

Allow at least 3 full days for Sapa.

View of Sapa. Photo credit: Bằng Ngọc, Flickr

why go

Don't miss it in Sapa

Upon arrival in Sapa, take a walk to the small picturesque village of Ket Ket, located not far from the city - this walk is a great way to “get to know” Sapa for the first time.
Spend a day or two in long walking to high mountain villages. Sapa trekking routes lie through picturesque rice terraces and bamboo groves. In the villages you can get to know the locals better and enjoy the pleasant and calm atmosphere of the Vietnamese hinterland.
Get up early in the morning to visit the small but colorful Sapa Market, or visit one of the larger markets in the surrounding area.
Rent a motorbike or rent a motorcycle taxi and head to Silver Falls, where the road and surrounding area are famous for its magnificent views.
Look for decent options among the huge number of counterfeits of branded sportswear and equipment offered by city stores.
After a long walk in the surrounding area, the best option spend the evening with a foot massage or traditional hot stone massage plus a delicious dinner and a glass of local wine.

Lunch in Sapa. Photo (photo credit): Natalie Belikova, FiveStepsPhotoblog

local residents

Ethnic peoples of Sapa

Mountain tribes are migrating communities, each of which has its own ancient culture, language, traditions, and customs. The way of life of the mountain tribes has practically not been affected by civilization - mountain people live the same way as they lived hundreds of years ago, pay little attention to the borders and laws of the countries in which they live, wear the clothes that their ancestors wore, eat food traditional for the community and engage in traditional crafts. The highlands of Vietnam are inhabited by quite a few tribes, the most characteristic of which are the Hmong and Dao.

Black Hmong

This ethnic group is the largest in the Sapa region, making up more than 50% of the total population of Sapa. The roots of the Hmong people are Chinese, which is naturally reflected in their appearance. The Hmong are very easy to recognize - they wear characteristic dark blue or black clothes made of rough cloth. Hmong women typically have beautiful long hair, which they often hide in their traditional headdresses.

The Hmong are very sociable people who easily make contact with tourists. Hmong women, by the way, are the best local guides, but if you allow the Hmong to accompany you, be prepared for some after-shopping, the Hmong baskets contain a lot of local souvenirs for sale, you are unlikely to be able to refuse them a purchase after a day spent on the road) .

Black Hmong on the path to the village of Tavan. Photo credit: PhotosHP (pfoertners), Flickr

Red Dao

This nation, whose roots also go back to China, is easily recognized by the red headdresses worn by local women. Tao women shave their eyebrows and wear massive silver jewelry. The Dao make up about 25% of Sapa's population, so they are much less common than the Hmong, and the Dao villages are much smaller, more remote and less visited by travelers.

A woman from the Red Dao tribe with a baby. Photo credit: Raphael Bick, Flickr

Tai and Giai

In total, the Tay and Giay peoples make up about 10% of Sapa's population, although in Vietnam as a whole, the Tay ethnic group is considered the largest and most integrated into Vietnamese society. Tai women and men wear indigo cotton clothing that resembles long Chinese tunics. Bright belts and scarves are also characteristic clothing items of this group. Representatives of the Giay people are quite easy to recognize by their pink clothes, which are combined with bright checkered scarves. Representatives of the Tai and Giay nationalities rarely communicate with travelers and are rarely seen in the city. You can meet them mainly in markets.

At the Bakha market. Photo credit: Gerard Ruiters (pfoertners), Flickr

colorful places

Sapa Markets

Sapa markets are the best way to experience colorful atmosphere Sapa and see representatives of most local nationalities. The easiest way is to get up early in the morning and visit the local market in Sapa. In addition, almost all guest houses in Sapa offer trips to remote local markets in the region. The largest, most colorful and most popular is the Bac Ha Sunday market, which is located 120 km from Sapa.

Rice terraces on the way to Tavan. Photo credit: José Eduardo Silva, Flickr

Trekking in the Tavan Valley. Photo (photo credit): Natalie Belikova, FiveStepsPhotoblog

Trekking to Tafin village

This trekking destination is less popular among tourists and is therefore likely to please those seeking an authentic experience. For this route, it is better to take a local Hmong guide (ask at the reception of your hotel or find a guide in the city). Tafin is a little-visited village of very pleasant and shy red Dao. You can also stay overnight in the village - there are several very basic guest houses.

On the rice terraces of Sapa. Photo credit: Sylvain Marcelle (pfoertners), Flickr

Climbing to the top of Fansipan

Fansipan is the most high mountain Vietnam, the peak of which is located at an altitude of 3143 meters at sea level. The view from the top is absolutely stunning, from here... good weather you can even see the mountains of China's Yunnan province.

Let's start with the fact that you can climb to the top of Fansipan by cable car, to which buses regularly run from Sapa. The ride up and down the cable car together with the bus will cost around $20.

Trekking routes, designed for two to three days, pass along the most picturesque slopes of Fansipan. Most trekking groups start from the Tram-Ton pass and spend the night at an altitude of 2800 m before climbing to the top.

Don't try to overcome Fansipan on your own, take a trekking tour. In addition to guides, the cost of the tour usually includes the services of porters and all the necessary equipment.

View from Fansipan. Photo credit: Andrey Sulitskiy, Flickr

Trekking tours in Sapa

The most popular and affordable type of tour offered in Sapa is the valley tour to Tawan village with optional overnight stays in either Tawan or Lao Chai. Usually such tours are accompanied by Hmong people. There are, in fact, two options for organizing - look and book available tour options online or book on the spot at the hotel upon arrival in Sapa.

If you are planning to take an overnight tour in the valley, it is better to book in advance. Also book long-distance trekking trips in advance (they are always more expensive, but they take you far from the main hiking trails Sapy).

Another trekking option that we would recommend you book in advance is the climb to Fansipan.

Day walks in the valley around Sapa can be easily booked on site. When purchasing a tour, you will most likely be assigned to a group, so please check the group size when booking.,

See all tour options in Sapa.

Motorcycle and bike tours

An alternative option for exploring the beauty of Sapa is to take a motorcycle or bicycle tour.

In a motorbike tour you participate as a driver, so a driver’s license and the ability to drive a motorbike are required. Bike tours - on mountain biking, in mountainous terrain, calculate your strength before booking a tour.

guest houses in villages

Content with the rich lands of the coastal plains, the Vietnamese never had any interest in inaccessible mountains, lying on the border of the Chinese province of Yunnan. Inhabited by numerous tribes of mountain people, Sapa was “discovered” by the French in the late 1880s. In 1903, a military post arose on the site of the future city - this is how the name “Sapa” first appeared on a map of the area compiled by army topographers two years earlier.

In 1912, a sanatorium for officers of the Tonkin troops appeared here, and since 1914, government officials began to spend the hot summer months in cool Sapa. Since 1917, a tourist office began operating in Sapa, which laid the now famous walking routes. Very quickly, by the beginning of the 1920s, the city grew, adorned with hotels and private villas. The French, who chose this place, called it Shapa, placing emphasis on the last syllable. Following the colonial tourists, the Vietnamese came to Sapa to serve their needs.

With the outbreak of World War II, the resort quickly fell into disrepair - at that difficult time there was no time for relaxation. The situation worsened further in 1947, when the summer capital of French Indochina was first attacked by Viet Minh troops. Two years later, colonial troops finally abandoned the city, and in 1952, French aircraft subjected Sapa to a “farewell” bombing, which destroyed most of the colonial buildings, of which by that time there were almost two hundred. The Vietnamese population of Sapa left the destroyed city for a long time. People began to return here only in the late 1960s. In 1979 Sapa became extreme point the advance of Chinese troops deep into Vietnamese territory. In 1993, due to general changes in the country, the region opened to international tourism. Nowadays there are 44 hotels of different levels in Sapa and its surroundings.

Local indigenous people consists mainly of representatives of small mountain nationalities. 52% are Hmon, 25% are Zao, 5% are Tai and 2% are Ziai. The smallest ethnic group in Sapa is the Sappho. The Viet make up only 15% of the region's 40,000 population. The city itself is home to 7 thousand people, all of them are employed in the tourism industry. Despite the hard times of war and many years of desolation, the French presence is still felt in Sapa: the old layout has been preserved, fragments of colonial buildings have survived, and on the streets every now and then you come across signs for French Auberge (“hotel”) or Lessive (“laundry”).

Location and transportation

There is a city of the same name in Sapa, it is located on a small plateau at the foot of Mount Hamrong (Ham Rong) in the Hoang Lien ridge system (Hoang Lien) at an altitude of about 1500 m above sea level. In the center of the city there is a square, adjacent to a park, a stadium, a market and a small stone church built in 1934 on different sides. small lake- another center of attraction of city life.

The busiest streets in the city - Muong Hoa (Muong Hoa St.) and Kau Mei (Cau May St.). The main market, tourist information center, hotels and restaurants are located here. In a south-easterly direction, Ham Rong Street departs from the church, where the main post office is located and the climb to the top of the mountain of the same name begins, from where an amazing view of the city and the surrounding area opens.

Minibuses depart from Lao Cai Station to Sapa - the service begins with the arrival of the first Hanoi train and ends around 15.00. The journey will cost 30,000 dong. Se om to Sapa will cost about 70,000 VND.

Climate

The coldest time of the year in Sapa is January and February (air temperature generally fluctuates between 5-15 °C, but can drop to 0 °C). The dry season lasts from January to June, with mostly clear and sunny weather in March, which lasts until the end of May (air temperature 15-19 °C). At this time on mountain slopes Various flowers bloom.

From June to August there is heavy warm rain (air temperature about 20 °C), and from September the air temperature begins to slowly decrease. However, the autumn months are considered the best to visit Sapa. The period from mid-October to mid-December is the most best time for trekking and mountain climbing.

Attractions

Alpha and Omega Sapa is a market. Even without leaving the city, here you can meet representatives of all local peoples, take the best pictures and buy souvenirs. Mountain women even today wear colorful traditional clothes and silver jewelry - this is not done to please tourists. Representatives of the Zao people can be recognized by the red scarves tied around their heads. Khmonki wear predominantly black or blue suits decorated with hand embroidery. The distinctive knitted leg warmers seen on women's legs are called la peng pe (la peng pe). The market in Sapa is best visited on Sundays, when residents of nearby villages come here.

Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam (Fan Si Pan) (3143 m above sea level) is located very close - at a distance of 19 km from the city. However, the road to its foot is so difficult that even experienced athletes are forced to spend 2-3 days covering this distance. The lower slopes of Fansipan are covered with forests, and, due to local peculiarities, the air there is extremely humid. If you rise above 1500 m, you will be cold and cloudy. No special training or equipment is required for climbing (excluding alpenstock, trekking shoes and warm clothes).

In clear weather, Fansipan is clearly visible from Sapa, as are the other peaks of the Hoang Lien chain. It is not for nothing that during the colonial era this mountain system received the nickname "Tonkin Alps". In general, mountain views are the main thing worth coming to Sapa for. On a clear day, get up early and here you can witness the amazing play of the sun's rays on the green slopes. The French poet Georges Ryman, who served in Indochina, while in Sapa, wrote in his diary: “The sun appeared on the same level as me, and if the mountain was large, then my shadow became endless. I never thought I was so great. Alas, it only lasted a minute!

A pleasant excursion can be made by traveling from Sapa to the Tambak waterfall (Tham You, or Silver Falls) and Chamton Pass (Tram Ton). Chamton is the most high pass Vietnam (1900 m above sea level), it is located 15 km from Sapa, on the northern slope of Fansipan. This pass is passed on the way to Laityau (Lai Chau). Although in highest point The pass is cold and foggy, on the slope facing Laityau the sun always shines: the border of two weather zones runs along the pass. The silver waterfall is located 5 km from the pass towards Sapa - entrance to observation deck will cost 3000 dong. Se om to the pass with a stop at the waterfall will cost 50,000 - 60,000 dong (round trip takes about an hour).

Tracking

Many travel agencies can offer a variety of hikes in the mountains of Vietnam, including in the Tonkin Alps. Handspan Travel is considered professional and reliable in this field. (www.handspan.com) Topas Travel (www.topas-adventure-vietnam.com) and Active Travel Vietnam (www.activetravelvietnam.com).

A small one-day trek can be easily organized in Sapa. The shortest and easiest walking route is a walk from Sapa to southwest direction to Sinchai (Sin Chai) through the village of Katkat (Cat Cat). There is a well-trodden, clearly visible trail with no complicated branches. The distance is about 6 km, and the total time for the walk is about 4 - 5 hours. Near Katkat there is a waterfall of the same name.

From Sapa to Tavan (Ta Van) via Lao Tai (Lao Chai). The 9 km long trek runs in a south-easterly direction through the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley. Duration - about 5 hours, cost - 10 USD.

From Sapa to Tafin (Tha Phin) via Macha (Ma Cha). The final point of the trek is 10 km north of Sapa. Here, on the mountain slopes, there are several colorful villages inhabited by black Khmons and Tszaos. (interesting www.taphin-sapa.info). Near Tafina there are interesting caves (entrance 36,000 VND). Traveling by car or motorbike from Sapa takes about half an hour, and walking will take about 6 hours. The cost of the track is 15 USD.

Accommodation

Accommodation prices in Sapa vary quite a lot and depend not only on the season, but also on the day of the week: on weekends the flow of guests increases due to excursionists from Hanoi and hotels become more expensive. Another point that affects the price of the room is the view from the window. Sapa is also unique in that it is the only place in Vietnam where hotels have heating. In old establishments these are fireplaces and stoves, and in new establishments these are electric heaters.

It is difficult to stay overnight in Sapa: the city is obsessed with a real construction fever. If you absolutely want to stay in the old famous hotel, remember that new “neighbors” have long grown up around them. They often spoil the views that this or that hotel was deservedly proud of in the past.

Helpful information

Not so long ago, it was impossible to find a bank in Sapa, and foreign currency was exchanged only by hotels, which did not forget about the exchange rate “margin”. Now there is a branch of BIDV Bank (Ngu Chi Son St., tel. 020-872569, 7.00-11.30/13.30-16.30) equipped with an ATM.

If you are short on time, Tamdo can be an alternative to Sapa (Tam Do) - national park and a mountain resort 85 km northeast of Hanoi. From May to October, you can take walks of varying lengths through the mountains, replete with rivers, waterfalls and rain forests. The services of guides, which can be hired at any hotel, will cost approx. 4 USD. A one-day excursion from Hanoi with a rented car will cost about 50 USD. The road from Hanoi to Tamdo passes the ancient Koloa fortress.

You can get to Tam Do from Hanoi Kim Ma Bus Station (Ben Xe Kim Ma). Regular bus will take you to Vinnyen (Vinh Yen, 20,000 VND), which is 60 km from the capital. To get from Vinyen to Tamdo, you can take this (50,000 VND for 25 km). Nights in Tamdo can be cold (especially in May and September)- don't forget a sweater and jacket. Hotels offer rooms ranging from 8 to 80 USD.

As you might guess, people don’t come to Sapa for some man-made miracles, monuments or museums. Tourists from all countries come here (though there are few Russians) for extraordinary nature. You can walk around the outskirts of Sapa with your mouth open - from admiration and from the difficulty of walking due to the constant descents and ascents. I admit, two days spent here were not enough for us. So there are many, many more attractions in and around Sapa, but I will write about those that we managed to see.

Oh yes, on the right is a map of Sapa attractions from our hostel. Click to enlarge.

Attractions in Sapa itself

There are not many attractions in Shapa itself. Apart from the stunning views that continue to amaze even after 3 days, there is a church in the city, Ham Rong Mountain (demo version natural wealth, for those who do not plan to travel outside of Sapa itself), the lake - in a word, places that, given the tiny size of the town, are almost impossible to miss. This means there is no point in writing about them separately.

Despite the limited number of attractions within the city, there is still something to be surprised by. Firstly, European motifs are clearly felt in the architecture of Sapa, and secondly, these restaurants, museums, shops on the edge of the cliff...

Oh, I can’t get away from the beauty of nature. But I'll try.

Population

Lao Cai Province is famous not only for its species, but also for its terribly rare ethnic groups. These guys seem to be neither Vietnamese nor Chinese, but such original people leading a traditional way of life - like a hundred or two hundred years ago. There are a lot of nationalities, they differ in clothes and some habits. Female Red Dao, for example, shave off their eyebrows and shave some of their head hair.

In general, they say that this is window dressing, and in part it is true, many of them have mobile phones and normal modern clothes, and stories that the tribes lead a traditional way of life are a way to attract tourists.

However, outside the city, classical life flows.

Trekking in Sapa

Most likely, after you find yourself in Sapa, not even 10 minutes will pass before local residents in national costumes offer to accompany you to the sights. We would feel awkward around them, but many Europeans use the services of such guides. There are a lot of positive reviews about this pastime on the Internet, so it’s quite possible to agree. After the excursion they will not ask you for money directly, but will ask you to buy some homemade items. And the landscapes, even next to Sapa itself, are so good that it’s definitely worth a walk.

Ethnic tribal villages around Sapa

The closest of the folk villages, Kat Kat or Ket Ket, is located very close to Sapa. You can and should walk here. If you come in in the evening, you can easily make sure that the guys know what jeans are and are aware that they live in 2016. But despite this, the village is designed quite interestingly, and the nature around, as everywhere else in Sapa, is amazing. It looks something like this.

Impressive, right? But the rest are from there.

Shopping

Many people complain that tribal people are terribly pestering and there is no way out of them, but in my opinion this is not the case. In general, they are no more annoying than in any market in Vietnam. And the things they sell are much nicer. They sell excellent quality fakes of the North Face brand here (it's cold). So you can buy a cool item several times cheaper than in a store in your city.

But of course, another kind of shopping is especially valuable here - things made by hand (or well disguised as handmade products). In general, Vietnam is hell for a shopaholic; things here are of poor quality and not beautiful. Hanoi and especially Sa Pa are the only exceptions.
In Sapa you can find handmade jewelry from 999 silver and precious materials, bone china tea sets for ridiculous prices, as well as rugs, bedspreads and other things hand-embroidered by local residents.

Even on weekends, some of the streets in Sapa are blocked and people come from all the villages to sell their creativity - embroidery, leather and fur products; knives and daggers are especially held in high esteem here. This is not just a great time to buy an exclusive item very cheaply, but it is also a beautiful and interesting sight in itself.

However, 80 km from Sapa there is the town of Bac Ha, where this fair is even larger in scale; if you are not limited in time, it makes sense to go there.

Thak Bak - silver waterfall

And now about places that can only be reached by transport (of course, a motorbike). Just 12 km from Sapa is the stunning Thac Bac Waterfall. The silver waterfall is 100 meters high. Civilized paths lead to it; you must pay to enter.

Initially, we didn’t get to the waterfall a couple of tens of meters, mistaking the winding path up for the road to the waterfall. The half-hour climb under the scorching sun, even in March, was worth it. At the top there was a small artificial reservoir, and inedible (as we learned later) strawberries grew in the fields.

It’s beautiful, and the view from the top is breathtaking, but the climb is quite difficult and if you don’t have a lot of time, it’s better to go to the waterfall by the standard road :)

Here on the map Thak Bak itself is marked, and on the right is the path we chose.

Love Waterfall

Another couple of kilometers from Silver Falls and you will arrive at Thác Tình Yêu.

In fact, the place is not limited to just one waterfall - it is a small park that is simply pleasant to walk through.

In the second photo, the Vietnamese asked to take a photo of his children with a white European woman :)

Go on a motorbike - no matter where

In fact, all the previous attractions around Sapa are a warm-up. All the most beautiful things are along the way. Take your cameras with a large flash drive, charge your smartphones and fill up your tank! These are the most beautiful roads you can drive on. And there are essentially two directions.

Towards Lao Cai

As I already wrote, Lao Cai is the province in which Shapa is located, as well as the city of the same name. Distance between settlements- 37 km. There is absolutely nothing to do in Lao Cai itself - an ordinary small Vietnamese town, which great amount can be found in any area. What's impressive is the path here. It is in this direction that there are a huge number of famous rice terraces with intricate patterns that you simply cannot take your eyes off.

Sapa is a small town in the mountains of northern Vietnam, 300 km from Hanoi. What is interesting in the city of Sapa? Rice terraces, mountains, unparalleled views and ancient Chinese tribes. Even if you have already been everywhere in Vietnam, Sapa can surprise you.

Photo of Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. The distance to the border with China is 35 km. Sapa is one of those must-see places in northern Vietnam.

When is the best time to go to Sapa?

The weather in Sapa is a lottery. If you are very lucky, it will be sunny and you will be able to fully enjoy the beauty of the views. But most of the time it is foggy and rainy in Sapa.

On the first day it was cloudy, the fog cleared a little and we were able to see the valley

Guidebooks recommend spring and autumn. It is very cold in winter and rainy in summer. We arrived in Shapa at the end of October and despite advice that September and October are considered one of the best months To visit Sapa, we had fog.

Hat in the fog

On the first day there was almost no fog, but on the second a white cloud covered the city. It's probably better to come in spring or September. In addition, in October, the already harvested rice harvest and rice terraces are not so impressive.

Several views of these mountain rice fields so that you, our dear readers, have an idea of the main attraction of Sapa, thanks to which the village has become recognizable throughout the world.

SaPa developed city

In the first seconds in Sapa, we almost didn’t believe that we had arrived in the village. This is not the one we compared Sapa with before. And not even . Everything is developed in Sapa, even more than in some areas of Hanoi.

Daytime photo of Sa Pa Vietnam

Vietnam Sapa in the evening

There is nothing to do in Sapa without warm clothes. A hoodie and a jacket are our everyday wear. It was warmer in Dalat

In Sapa you will find pharmacies, tourist shops, shops with souvenirs and clothing, several supermarkets, full-fledged bank branches of Agribank, MB-bank (ATM without commission), etc., markets with vegetables, fruits and meat.

Hai Yen Mart is one of the decent mini markets with prices

Sapa in Vietnam turned out to be a full-fledged city in the north of the country, suitable for living. If you have your own apartment with a kitchen and heating, you can live peacefully for a month when you get bored somewhere in the cold autumn in Russia. We even saw one such European a couple of times who was buying vegetables and meat for cooking at the market.

Catholic cathedral since the times of the French in the center of Sapa

The inscription of one of the hotels, against which everyone takes pictures

Lake with beautiful evening illumination on a foggy evening

The lake embankment in Sapa reminded us

Life is in full swing everywhere. Vietnamese and Europeans fill cafes and restaurants. Music is playing, people are taking pictures and are happy that they got here. In the center of Sapa, everything is really well maintained. The garbage does not lie on the roadsides, but in garbage dumps; the streets are clean and do not stink of anything. Only the roads are bad. We breathed so much mountain air that we both dreamed all night

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article

Who lives in Sapa

What do we know about Sapa? Almost nothing. Scraps of sources that say that the population of Sapa mainly consists of the ancient peoples of China, the Black Hmong and Red Dao tribes. A distinctive feature of which is clothing. Among the Hmong it is black, and the Dao wear red headdresses and women shave the hair on their foreheads and temples.

Tourism comes first

All residents, no matter who they are, are ordinary Vietnamese who run hotels or cafes, live on tourism, in fact, like the whole of Sapa. Women in national clothes work as tourist guides and sell souvenirs. In the center of the city, dirty children from the tribe sell baubles to tourists, but they do not pester them much.

These baskets are used by local Hmong women to carry loads on their backs day after day.

Despite the rice fields, the rice harvest in Sapa is weak and it cannot be expected that it will fully provide the people properly. Hmong and Dao work as guides, handicraft workers, housewives and traders at the same time.

Tourists hire Hmong women to avoid paying for excursions. She will guide you through everything interesting places, but at the end of the trip, you are obliged to buy something from her and her friends.

It should be noted that red Dao are much less common than black Hmong and they are less annoying.

Red headdresses of the Tao can be seen from afar

The Hmong follow you, even if not on your heels, but sometimes intrusively. They ask you to buy something and send their children to do the same simple work.

We must give them credit, since the Hmong and Tao are also handicraftsmen. Their outfits and accessories look truly unique. This is a lot of work!

National costumes

They wear their incomparable outfits in everyday life, which makes them different from the rest of the Vietnamese.

But I wouldn’t dare call the way of life of these peoples primitive. The Hmong are already speaking in full swing English language, they know how to approach a gaping tourist at an ATM and enjoy all the benefits of civilization.

Modern large phones can be seen in the hands of the Hmong, and children watch movies after returning from school. Not all, of course. Some kids just stop at the restaurant and try to see the cartoons on the TV from the side, since they probably don’t have their own TV in their shed.

They all look unusual and strange. I want to look at them, but the wilder Tao and Hmong live in the most remote corners of Sapa, where only a few people reach, or even not at all. They are the ones who live a primitive way of life.

On the second day we planned to walk to the distant villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, but fog and drizzling rain interrupted our walk and we were forced to return.

So we walk around Sapa, warmed up as much as possible and with an umbrella

Cafes and restaurants in Sapa

The north of Vietnam will feed the traveler properly. In Sapa, there are cafeterias, stalls with baguettes, simple eateries for locals, decent cafes and restaurants at every turn.

Two-story restaurants overlooking the lake in the city center. Pubs with billiards, where American and European youth like to spend evenings listening to noisy music

You can go three times a day to different establishments and you won’t be able to visit them all. We had no desire to eat in different cafes every time, since we had already learned from the experience of experimenting with Vietnamese restaurants. Usually, if we find one cafe where it’s tasty and inexpensive, we eat there all the time.

Cafe 24 is located on Fansipan Street. The portions are always large and the prices are lower than in Hanoi. Dishes average from 50 to 100 dong. Our bill for two is about 200 dong ($10). The food is tasty and beautiful, which is already a success for Vietnam, since the Vietnamese usually do not bother with the appearance of their dishes. When ordering duck, they may bring you the bird directly with its head on the plate.

Meat in sesame, Sapa's specialty

Fried sizzling meat in a cast iron frying pan - local northern cuisine. I ate the most delicious vegetable rolls in Vietnam in Sapa. The cream of chicken soup surprisingly didn't have onions. Fried rice with vegetables - this is a portion for three, I couldn’t even finish it!

What to eat in Sapa

We tried different dishes in Sapa. Of the traditional ones, I especially liked the tea with apple and cinnamon. It's perfect for warming up after a long walk.

Apple cinnamon tea is the most delicious tea in Vietnam!

We tried the local beer Lao Cai.

Construction in Sapa

Hotel construction is actively underway in Sapa. On recent vacant lots, builders are building huge hotels with panoramic views to the rice fields. People build by hand, with virtually no proper equipment or modern technology. Brick by brick. No matter where you stay in Sapa, you will still hear construction.

Animals

It feels like all the animals in Vietnam live in Sapa. After all, it is almost impossible to see dogs or cats walking in Vietnam, as on the streets of Thailand. Cats have always been disliked in this country. But for some reason there are a lot of animals in Sapa. Here you will find chickens and roosters, dogs of various breeds, buffalos, pigs, large spiders and unusual butterflies.

A faithful red-haired friend entertained us in a cafe while waiting for our order.

Large breeds of dogs live in every home. Pigs and hens with chicks walk around the villages

Cheap hotels in Sapa with beautiful views

Hotels in Sapa are a real boon for travelers. Most hotels have a good view or a shared balcony. We recommend choosing hotels in Sapa with a view, which is worth paying an extra couple of dollars for. The room price will usually include breakfast, and the rooms themselves are much more modern than in the capital of Vietnam. And they cost less.

Phuong Nam Hotel
Sapa House Hotel
Fansipan Terrace Cafe and Homestay
Sapa Center Hotel
Sapa Hills Hotel

All hotels in the area

Sapa reviews

Probably, for me the above was the biggest discovery in Sapa. Not so much the rice terraces, but the city itself, its inhabitants, its atmosphere, food and simple, but at the same time, very difficult way of life. I won’t hide the fact that we were also inspired by nature. Even in the fog, the colors of Sapa seemed to us the most saturated than in all of Vietnam, and now we’ve covered it all.

In Vietnam there is always some kind of dust everywhere. There is not enough rich color palette. In the photo it looks like you are in Asia, but not in some tropical colorful country that you picture in your imagination. Sapa brought this imagination to life.

Sapa became the brightest spot for us in northern Vietnam. Of the main attractions of the north, we put Sapa in first place, Halong in second, Ninh Binh in third. Well, Hanoi, of course, is also worth your attention.

This is what Sapa looks like in clear weather

If we somehow find ourselves in Hanoi in the spring, we will definitely go to Sapa again to see the mountains and rice fields in at its best. I just hope that next time the weather will be better.

In the following articles we will tell you about our hotel and the village of Kat-Kat with a waterfall and a mountain river.

Have you been to Sapa? Write your reviews in the comments. If you didn’t know about such a city, write, was it interesting to read? Do you have a desire to visit there yourself?

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