1. Sapa Vietnam - Must know before traveling to
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Sapa the cloud town[/caption]
1.1 Location of the “The town cloud” - Sapa Vietnam
Sapa, located in the northwest of Vietnam, is nestled in the Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range near the Chinese border. This region is characterized by its rugged terrain, with numerous high peaks and deep valleys. The area's unique geography, with its mountainous landscape and abundant Sapa Vietnam valleys, creates ideal conditions for terraced farming. The steep slopes and the need to maximize arable land in such a hilly environment have led the local ethnic communities to develop terraced rice fields. These terraces not only prevent soil erosion but also allow for efficient water management, which is crucial for rice cultivation in this highland region.
Sapa is an ideal destination for cloud hunting due to its high altitude and unique climatic conditions. The temperature ranges from 26 degree to 35 degree celsius in the summer, in the winter it will be colder than other destinations in Vietnam, you can see the snow in Sapa at a temperature of 2 degree celsius. Situated in the Hoàng Liên Son mountain range, Sapa is often enveloped in a sea of clouds, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. The combination of mountainous terrain and cooler temperatures creates frequent cloud formations that drift and settle in the valleys. These misty clouds, coupled with stunning landscapes, provide breathtaking views and a magical atmosphere, making Sapa a perfect spot for cloud hunting enthusiasts.
Since this is a mountainous area, the nature is mainly unspoiled, travelers will have a chance to enjoy the view in a huge view. Sapa is a famous destination to watch the rice terraces, the mountains and Sapa Vietnam valley is different from others with its unlimited rice paddles. Moreover, this destination is home to 5 ethnic minorities in Vietnam: Red Dao, H’Mong, Tay, Giay, Xa Pho and Kinh ethnic,
1.2 Perfect time to travel to Sapa Vietnam
The best season to see the stunning yellow rice terraces is from August to November. This is a rare short time for tourists to visit. Because this is also the peak season of Sapa, in order to avoid the crowd, travelers should visit this place in the summertime from March to September. In this time, the weather would be light, sunny and cool at night; especially, travelers can see the clear water of the waterfalls, in this dry season it is very easy for trekkers to see all of the view. In addition, this is spring and summer time in Sapa Vietnam, travelers will see lots of kinds of wild flowers with pink or white shade. The rest of the year might be the rainy season, in Sapa there will be no floods, however the Sapa Vietnam weather will be foggy, travelers can consider bringing warm clothes and raincoats to continue the journey.
The length of the trip to Sapa would be perfect for about 3 days, this is enough for you to explore beautiful landscapes and the friendliness of the local people.
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Best time to travel to Sapa Vietnam[/caption]
1.3 Should travelers try the specialties originally in Sapa Vietnam?
By taking part in a journey to Sapa, tourists will have experiences trying Vietnamese food in a different way which are the local ethnic minorities food. Food in Sapa is very well- known for its unique taste, seasonings and fresh ingredients. Some specialties that you can only find in Sapa are dry buffalo meat, homemade fruit wine, black chicken,... Some tourists think this is an awesome experience to try the food; also, this is an efficient way to understand the culture of the locals. While eating, tourists can learn how to eat like a Vietnamese with the local people. In Sapa, travelers should not miss the fresh salmon hotpot which is very suitable for the cool weather to warm up.
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Specialties originally in Sapa Vietnam[/caption]
1.4 Where to stay in Sapa?
In Sapa, Asia Viva Travel has done a lot of inspection trips for our customers to ensure that all services are suitable and comfortable for tourists.
With a huge selection for accommodations, Asia Viva Travel would highly recommend visiting these Sapa hotels.
As for the 3 - star hotels in Sapa, we would choose the room that is suitable, located in the center and near all the well - known attractions. The rooms would be comfortable with a large bed and delicious food served by restaurants in the hotels. Some of them might have extra service as honeymoon decorations or spa and swimming pools.
For 4-star Sapa hotels, travelers can stay in a bigger room, this choice will be a good deals since travelers can book rooms for with many types of room, could be : family rooms with separate rooms, deluxe rooms with a view of the Sapa train or superior rooms with balconies that is limited in numbers.
Last but not least, a great opportunity to live the local life with people in Sapa is homestays, to make sure travelers can have the best place to take a rest, we would inspect these homestays carefully, checking that would these homestays have the amenities, large rooms or bungalow with nice bed and serve good food.
2. How to get to Sapa?
The best destination for the starting point is Hanoi, then you can travel to Sapa in 2 popular ways: by train or by sleeper bus.. For both train and sleeper bus, the estimated time to travel to Sapa could be up to 9 hours, Asia Viva Travel would recommend tourists to try the night train or the night bus so travelers can take a rest at night and have time to explore the next day.
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How to get to Sapa[/caption]
2.1 By train
Tourists from Hanoi should book a train ticket to Lao Cai Station, which is about 35 kilometers from Sapa. Once you arrive at the station, you can take a bus or rent a motorbike to reach Sapa town. It can take about 7 hours by train to arrive in Lao Cai, then you can get on a bus to Sapa that takes about nearly an hour. The total time could be up to 8 hours.
Additionally, when choosing a train to Lao Cai (Sapa), you can consider the Vietnam Railways service with its large selection to try from economy to VIP . Tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai are quite affordable, starting at 346,000 ( about 14 USD) VND for a 4-berth air-conditioned sleeper cabin. If you prefer a more luxurious experience, VIP sleeper tickets from international train companies range from 550,000 VND to 1,800,000 VND ( about 22 USD - 72 USD). Tourists buying tickets from Vietnam Railways can get the extra - service which is the bus to Sapa with a good price, only 55,000 VND ( about 3 USD). Meals will be served on the train at an affordable price.
2.2 By sleeper bus
For sleeper buses, since the Hanoi - Lao Cai expressway was opened, the travel time has also become shorter, it will take about 6 hours to travel, you will have time to rest in the middle of the road at restaurants. roadside. Almost all sleeper bus companies have the same services, please consider and look at the pictures of each bus when booking to find the one that suits your needs. It could be a cheap sleeper bus company with 1 single bed or a sleeper bus as the limousine type, with double bed and amenities such as USB power outlet, included wifi, etc. The lowest price for such a sleeper bus trip will range from 600,000 VND ( about 24 USD). Travelers can eat at the rest stop and use the restrooms here.
3. Top 5 beautiful scenery should not miss in Sapa Vietnam
3.1 Fansipan - The legend in land
Fansipan, often referred to as the "Roof of Indochina," is the highest peak in Vietnam, standing at 3,143 meters above sea level. Located in the Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range near Sapa, Fansipan is a major attraction for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. The climb to the summit offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, with breathtaking views of terraced rice fields, lush forests, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. For those less inclined to hike, a cable car system provides a more accessible route to the top, offering stunning panoramic vistas along the way. Fansipan's majestic height and natural beauty make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring northern Vietnam.
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Sapa - Fansipan Vietnam[/caption]
For several consecutive years, Sun World Fansipan Legend has been honored with prestigious awards from the World Travel Awards (WTA), often regarded as the Oscars of the global travel industry. It has been recognized as "Vietnam's Leading Tourist Attraction," "World's Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction," and "World's Leading Natural Landscape Tourist Attraction." These accolades underscore the significance and allure of Sun World Fansipan Legend as a premier destination, celebrated for its captivating beauty and rich cultural heritage.
3.2 Cat Cat village
Most of the tourists are coming to Vietnam to explore the peaceful countryside and villages with farmers. In Sapa, among many authentic villages, Cat Cat village is the most famous one with all the old houses made from bamboo trees and palm leaves. In addition, from the center of the city to Cat Cat village is near, about 2km, in the Muong Hoa valley. In here, you can see the normal life of the villagers doing housework, farming or making crafts. This is also an ideal place for people who like trekking. When you go for a walk or you can also rent a bicycle to walk around, you will see many dams and small streams, this is the common living place of the people here. What makes visitors most excited is having fun with the children, you can buy flowers or even have the children braid their hair and put flowers on them.
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Cat Cat Village - Cultural Harmony in Sapa[/caption]
3.2 Bac waterfall
The waterfall is located right next to Highway 4D, the main route to Lai Chau province and only about 12 km northwest of Sa Pa town center, so it is quite convenient to visit. As for Silver Waterfall, this will be the most popular site for those travelers who want to be healed by pure nature. Make sure you bring suitable shoes for trekking.
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Silver Waterfall - Nature's Majestic Cascade[/caption]
3.4 Sapa stone church
The Sapa Stone Church is one of the most intact remnants of French colonial architecture in the town. Built in the early 20th century, the church spans over 6,000 square meters and is constructed from green stone sourced from Ham Rong Mountain.
The Sapa Stone Church features European Gothic architecture, characterized by its sturdy stone columns and intricate decorative patterns. Inside, the church is adorned with meticulously crafted furnishings, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.
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Sapa Stone Church - Architectural Heritage[/caption]
3.5 Sapa Glass bridge
Sapa Glass bridge (or Rong May glass bridge) is located in the Rong May tourist area, about 18km from Sapa. If tourists only think that Sapa will only have dreamy beautiful sceneries, then coming to the Sapa glass bridge to have a different feeling of excitement. With its location close to the mountainside, tourists can observe all of O Quy Ho Pass, famous for its dangerous winding roads that you have to look down from high above to see clearly. And because the entire bridge is made of glass, you will fully see the natural scenery around you, making a one of a kind experience that may challenge travelers to get the worthy view.
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Sapa Glass Bridge - A Walk in the Clouds[/caption]
4. What to do in Sapa Vietnam - Authentic experience with locals
4.1 Eating authentic local food
As mentioned, food in Sapa is incredible for both the look and taste. With the special seasoning and fresh ingredients for each dish, tourists would see the difference between Vietnamese food in other places and here. Moreover, in Vietnam, meals are very important, that could be explained by how we prepare the meals and how we eat; as friendly people, tourists will always be welcomed in every restaurant. By this moment, not only tourists are enjoying the food but also experiencing some local custom when eating by Vietnamese people. You might learn how to use the chopstick, how to say cheer,...
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Interact with friendly locals[/caption]
4.2 Take part in motorbike tour
Embark on a must-do motorbike tour, a truly off-the-beaten-track experience. Tourists will encounter no other tourists along the way, allowing tourists to fully immerse in the sights, sounds, and scents of real local life. No big advertisement boards in sight, offering a pure and authentic adventure. Even with minimal walking and trekking, travelers can enjoy this tour—ideal for those with mobility issues. The tour guide and drivers are local people of the ethnic minorities in Sapa, this is also a good way to support the community.
4.3 Visit the local markets
Visitors can visit the markets in Sapa, notably the Love market held on weekends.The Love Market isn't just about romance; it's also a social event where people meet friends, share stories, and strengthen community bonds. For visitors, it's an opportunity to witness a beautiful aspect of local culture, interact with the locals, and perhaps even participate in the joyous activities. For weekdays, depending on the day, there will be different markets.
5. What to buy in Sapa Vietnam - Support the local markets
5.1 Smoked Buffalo Meat
For tourists who like to eat dried beef or want to find a dish to eat while drinking beer, dried buffalo meat will be an extremely good and interesting choice. Fresh buffalo meat will be hung on the stove until it is completely dry and has the smoke taste. This is not raw meat, with the heat from the stove, the meat will cook slowly, having the pink color inside. This will be served with Cham Cheo, a special dipping seasoning of the ethnic minorities.
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Smoked Buffalo Meat - Sapa's Savory Delight[/caption]
5.2 Scarves with ethnic decoration
This unique decoration is called brocade. Each brocade shawl is a work of art, created through a meticulous and elaborate process, bringing a lot of enthusiasm from the maker. With the skillful hands of indigenous people, with traditional handmade methods, brocade scarves bring high economic efficiency to mountainous people. This shawl is not only as a fashion item or things to wear but also used as a great decoration on walls, tables,...
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Brocade Scarves - Sapa's Traditional Craft[/caption]
5.3 Fruits and Nuts
Because it is a mountainous area, it is convenient for growing a number of fruit trees in some areas. Fruits and nuts in Sapa, notably plums and chestnuts, visitors can be sure about in terms of quality and price.
5.4 Vietnamese wine (Alcohol)
This is happy water in Vietnam, mainly this will be cooked with fermented rice; However, as mentioned before with the special plum only in Sapa, there is also a famous wine called Ruou Man Sapa ( Sapa plum wine). This is a sweet wine, you can drink this directly or mixed with other fruits juice or sprinkle water, soda.
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Plums and Plum Wine - Sapa's Sweet Harvest[/caption]
5.5 Black glutinous rice
This rice is distinguished by its deep purple hue and slightly nutty taste, making it a popular choice for traditional Vietnamese dishes and desserts. Renowned for its health benefits, including high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, black glutinous rice is often used in festive occasions and cultural celebrations. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed in a variety of forms, from sweet rice puddings to savory dishes, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam.
6.Conclusion
Sapa Vietnam is not just a destination, but a journey of emotions and discoveries. With only 2 weeks in Vietnam, you can have an interesting journey full of surprises, joy, and enjoyment. From the vast terraced rice fields and serene villages to the majestic peak of Fansipan, Sapa offers unforgettable experiences. Choose the best time to visit and start your trip with detailed Vietnam itineraries including Sapa. With Asia Viva Travel, let your trip to Vietnam be a core memory for you and your family in 2024.
At Asia Viva Travel, we are committed to supporting society, especially in Vietnam’s remote regions. By traveling with us, you help support local tourism workers and contribute to building schools and providing free lunches for disadvantaged children in North Vietnam’s mountains. Join us to help build a better future for Vietnam’s children and vulnerable communities in the "Nuôi em" project .