Sapa is a scenic spot located in the northwest of the country, is a highland district of Lao Cai province. Sapa is a famous tourist destination of the whole country. Located about 30 km from the center of Lao Cai city. Located at an average altitude of 1500 – 1800 m above sea level. Sapa is always immersed in a dense fog that makes us feel like floating, creating a magical picture that is strangely beautiful.
Here, there is a priceless resource. It is a cool year-round climate, with an average temperature of 15-18°C. Recently in the winter we can also enjoy the snow-covered scenery of Sapa.
Introduction and explanation about Sapa
The ripe rice season in Sapa is the most beautiful time of the year
Visitors come to Sapa ❤️ not only to enjoy the fresh air, the simple peace of a land in the Northwest. But Sapa is also a destination for you to admire the wild beauty of the Northwest mountains. terraced fields, waterfalls, majestic mountains, discover the customs, habits and cultural beauty of ethnic groups on the mountain such as: Black H’Mong, Red Dzao, Tay, Dzay…
This name Sapa comes from mandarin. The mandarin calls Sa – Pa, “Sa” means sand, “Pa” means beach. The place of this “sand beach” is on the right of the bridge at km 32 from Lao Cai to Sa Pa. In the past, there was no Sapa town, residents in this land held markets in that “sand beach”. Therefore, the locals all say “go to Sa Pa market”.
Sapa has a temperate and subtropical climate with cool air. The weather in the town has four seasons in a day: spring weather in the morning, summer weather in the afternoon, usually mild sunshine, cool climate, clouds and dew fall in the afternoon, creating a feeling of coolness. like autumn and the night is the cold of winter.
Sunplaza located right in Sapa town is a destination not to be missed
The average annual air temperature of Sa Pa is 15 °C. In summer, the town does not have to suffer from the harsh sun like the coastal plain, about 13 °C – 15 °C at night and 20 °C – 25 °C during the day. Winter is often cloudy and cold, the temperature sometimes drops below 0 °C, sometimes it snows. The average annual rainfall here ranges from 1,800 to 2,200 mm, most concentrated in the period from May to August.
Located in the northwest of Vietnam, Sa Pa town is at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, 38 km from Lao Cai city and 376 km from Hanoi. In addition to the main road from Lao Cai city, there is another traffic route to Sapa, the 4D National Highway from Binh Lu commune, Lai Chau. Although the majority of the inhabitants of Sa Pa district are ethnic minorities, the town is dominated by Kinh people who live on agriculture and tourism services. Here is a good article about Sapa.
I. Coming to Sapa, you can immediately think of famous tourist attractions such as:
Male Fansipan is likened to the roof of Indochina, 3,143m high above sea level, located on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Called Hoang Lien Son, because only in this mountain range there is Hoang Lien tree, which is a rare medicinal herb. In addition, the Hoang Lien range is also a place where many precious timber trees such as Pine Dau are stored. and especially home to many rare animals such as grouse, bear, monkey, chamois…. and especially save thousands of rare and precious herbs for making medicine. Hoang Lien Son National Forest has 136 kinds of birds, 56 kinds of animals, 553 kinds of insects. in which there are 37 kinds of animals listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. Hoang Lien Son National Forest cps 864 kinds of plants. In which there are 173 precious medicinal plants. (If you want to learn more about how to discover Fasipan, see details here. https://laocaitourism.vn/en/fansipanglegend
Fansipan Peak is a destination not to be missed
Ham Rong Mountain One of the most familiar destinations for tourists when coming to Sapa is Ham Rong Mountain. This is a mountain located right in the center of Sapa town. Ham Rong tourist area was built on an area of nearly 150 hectares. The work was started in 1996 to exploit the cultural and natural values in a wild way of mossy rocks. The higher you go, the more you have the opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery such as: Orchid Garden, Heaven Gate, Cloud Garden, Dao Garden…. Especially for tourists who have a hobby of sightseeing and taking photos, perhaps this is a tourist destination where you can keep a lot of photos for a lifetime. At the height: 1800m, you will see the clouds drifting indifferently and have a panoramic view of Sapa from above. This is considered the best viewing point of Sapa because it is at this height. You can feel the interference of heaven and earth, and leisurely walk on the clouds. The fresh colors of flowers blend in the floating mountains and clouds, making anyone feel lost in the middle of a royal garden… Continuing the journey to higher, you will feel like you are lost in a fairyland with The scenes are very familiar to visitors who have seen the movie Journey to the West when passing through the vast meteorite area, the layers of rock are interwoven with all shapes, allowing guests to let their imaginations go wild.
When Was Sa Pa Famous?
Mountainous Sa Pa town began life as a retreat on the top of the hill for the French colonialists, desperate to escape from the searing heat of the Vietnamese plains. They picked the cool of Fansipan’s surrounds. And it is easy to see the reason, the moisture of Hanoi peels out as you ascend the mountain peaks skirted with finely emerald green rice terraces. Since French colonial, Sapa town became famous for its cool climate to relax of officials and soldiers.
Sapa or Sa Pa is one of Vietnam’s most famous and northern trekking destinations. Nearby Fansipan Mountain with the height 3, 143 meters above sea level – the tallest point in Vietnam. Sapa has the cooler weather so the French establish this place as a favorite hill station in the early 1920’s. Sapa tours is a journey which gives visitors a contrast about the north highland of Vietnam. It is the spectacular rice terraces appearing which is described as waterfalls.
In fact, it is one of the most breathtaking hill stations in Vietnam. It is the home of stunning landscapes of mountains, forest, ethnic villages and rice terrace fields. Visitor can visit Sapa town all year round and each brings different feeling and views
Why Sa Pa Is Special?
Sapa is a town in Lao Cai province, Vietnam. This is a famous tourist destination from the early 20th century to the present. Nature’s Creator bestowed on Sapa a landscape picture. That is both romantic and majestic, with ridiculous ranges of clouds waiting for the wind, terraced fields to see, watching the standing pine trees. silently witnessing stories from Indochina in the heart of the town…
The climate of Sapa is cool all year round with unique indigenous imprints – including the culture of the two ethnic minorities in Sapa, the Mong and the Dao – combined with the European architectural space. European classic. All of the above factors have created a special attraction for travelers who want to explore this land and book a tours in Sapa from Hanoi right now.
Yes, Sapa is not only a wonderful destination in Vietnam for unique culture, cuisine, local minority people groups, but also unique architecture buildings. Its special divides into two main types.
The first is tradition of local minority groups with stilt houses and the last is French architecture buildings.
The traditional style of Sapa expresses through houses of local ethnic people clearly. Some of them are Tay, Nung, H’Mong people. Each stilt house in each ethnic nation designs different, however, all ethnic stilt houses are made in wood in general.
Factually, visitors can visit ethnic villages and see their stilt houses in Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin, Giang Ta Chai, Y Linh Ho villages, etc.
While French constructions you can see mainly in Sapa town center or surrounding such as Stone Church, villa, ect.
Travel to Sapa will have the opportunity to experience mountainous land, ethnic local people groups in different culture and lifestyle diversity. Here is the chance to harmony with nature. For who love adventure Sapa is a wonderful place for trekking, climbing the mountain and conquer Fansipan Mountain.
Where To Stay?
It is a highland town in North Vietnam. This destination owns magical nature beauties with fascinating hill, valley, dreamlike waterfall, especially colorful rice terrace fields. Therefore, travel to Sapa you can have many choices for accommodation as your wish with different views
Sapa Town Center
It is great to decide to choose a hotel in Sapa town center. Because it is in center so you have the most advantage to move around closely visiting sites easily. Most of restaurants, shops, night market are also in Sapa town. Very best for you to book any services and have choice. There are many hotels from budget to luxury in Sapa town centre, just walk around you can choose one as your wish.
Hotels Has View Muong Hoa Valley
For those who love to have a balcony in room and enjoy the view to the mountain, you can choose some hotel surrounding Sapa. Some of them have view to Muong Hoa Valley with beautiful rice fields and rivers. For example, Sapa Horizon hotel, Sapa Unique hotel, Ham Rong hotel, Sapa lodge hotel, etc
Hotel Harmony With Nature:
Topas Ecolodge which is far from Sapa town, it offers a great place to enjoy and harmony with nature. It lies on a hill therefore you will have a wonderful views of mountainous landscapes.
Homestay
Sapa is also famous for community tourism. That is why homestay is one of the best choice to interact with local minority people. There are many villages have homestay such as Giang Ta Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin, etc. With the budget quote and no better way to experience with local people and culture, homestay is the best choice. And the condition of homestay is standard so visitor must aware this before travel if expecting facilities like hotel will make you disappointed
Special Things To Do Around The Town?
Talked much about Sapa is a spectacular verdant rice fields and mountain landscapes. Here are must see and discover in Sapa
1. Fansipan Trekking
Fansipan Mountain or the Roof of Indochina with the height of 3143m, this place is a good choice for visitors love trekking mountain. It is a proud when making a conquer Fansipan Mountain trip. It definitely you should have a travel company to help and organize trip so that you can enjoy this beautiful mountain in Vietnam safely and best itinerary. The best time to conquer Fansipan Mountain is from mid October to mid November and in March again.
2. Visit Cat Cat Village
Cat Cat village is the H’Mong village people. It impressed visitors by the picturesque scenery of rice terrace fields, old Hydro Electric Power Station since French built. It si around 3km from Sapa town so it is easy to have a trekking to this village
3. Rice Terrace Fields Enjoyment And Shooting Photograph
How beautiful it is once you see in your eye? Your tour Vietnam is not really perfect if not have a trekking time through village and see beautiful rice terrace fields. There are many villages to experience and shoot wonderful photos such as Lao Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin, Y Ty, etc
Local ethnic people here often grow rice and establish next terrace rice fields from the foot to nearly top mountains. It is from generations to generations without selling because these are the most valuable for them. Visit silver waterfall.
Silver waterfall is about 12km from Sapa town center. It is one of the place for discover its beautiful waterfall. Like a white dragon looking down from the sky. It’s easy to travel to this fall by motorbike or car with 30 minutes.
4. Ham Rong Mountain
Right in the heart of Sapa town centre, Ham Rong Mountain offers the great place to catch the panorama of Sapa town. From the high location, you can view Sapa town hidden in the fog and cloud which as a picturesque.
Other Recommendation To Visit
Sapa is becoming a must see for traveling in Vietnam. The ideal destinations in Sa Pa are Fansipan Mountain and conquer the highest one in Indochina, Ham Rong Mountain, Tien Cave, Bac Waterfall, Love Waterfall. In addition, old stone, the hill tribe villages in Sa Pa are the greatest places for tourists to visit once to Sa Pa.
Moreover, each destination has its own interesting activities and local dishes of ach ethnic group. Bathing with traditional leaf medicine in Ta Phin village of Dao ethnic minorities.
The ripe paddy fields in Muong Hoa valley are amazing scenery. Trekking in Ta Van village and taste the delicious cuisines of ethnic minorities.
Go shopping and buy traditional weaving products of minority people at market in Sa Pa town.
Surrounding Sapa town, visitor can make trekking time to Y Ty village, Y Linh Ho village, Cat Cat village, etc to experience each group in this land.
Furthermore, travel outskirt Sapa are hill tribe markets which crowded once each week like Bac Ha Sunday market, Can Cau Saturday market, Coc Ly Tuesday market, etc
Hoang A Tuong Castle is in Na Hoi Tho Hamlet, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
It is designed at the harmonious combination of Asian and European architectural style. Undergoing over 80 decades of existence, the building still stands majestically among a populated city and busy streets. As one of the potential attractions in Sa Pa, Hoang A Tuong Castle is now located on large and the dry land in the centre of Bac Ha district.
What To Eat?
There is a Sapa food court right next to Sapa central square. It is in front of Sapa stone church. It is lively at night with many grilled dishes such as: grilled egg, grilled heart and stomach, grilled chicken, chestnut, etc.
Especially, visitors to Sa Pa should not miss the attractive food such as Lam rice cooked in bamboo pipes, forest vegetables. Others are Tao Meo liquor, Ban Pho corn liquor, grilled stream fish, salmon, boiled corn, etc. Please make sure you ask the price first.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Sapa?
The suitable time to travel to Sa Pa: Sapa has the cool weather for a year, you can experience both four seasons in one day: Winter, Summer, Fall and Spring. However the optimum time to journey at Sa Pa isRice Terrace – Sapa.
About March to May and Sept to Nov! This is a perfect time of weather in Sa Pa, besides, you will find lots of intriguing festivals within this time.
In Apr and May: This is the great time for the person who loves to find the perspective of planting rice on the terraced area of folks, when there’s also the blossom season. It is time for the photographers. – At the end of Sept is the ripe rice season: The gorgeous yellow covers Sa Pa in this time. This is the best selection for tourists.
How To Go Sapa From Hanoi?
Sa Pa town is only 38km from Lao Cai city and 376km from Hanoi. You can choose to travel by passenger car or train.
Travel To Sapa By Sleeping Local Bus
If you go to sleeping local bus, the price ranges from 230k – 280k / person / way. Vehicles depart from My Dinh, Luong Yen or Gia Lam bus station (Hanoi) to Sapa only 8 – 9 hours. Traveling by passenger car has the advantage of saving time. But in the rainy season can be hindered by many bumpy passes from Lao Cai to Sapa. You can contact some bus company as Sapa Express, Queen Café, Hung Thanh, Sao Viet, …
Travel To Sapa By Train
Trains have a variety of chairs. Such as soft chairs, hard chairs, air-conditioned beds … The train runs at 9am or 10pm in Hanoi until the next morning to Sa Pa. For the type of seat, there are 2 types of hard seat (about 150k / person) and soft seat (about 280k / person). For bed type, bed of 6 people costs about 480k / person, bed of 4 people costs about 560k / person and 2 beds of senior people cost about 3,200k / person (all comes from Hanoi).
Note: It is very important not to bring expensive computers or belongings when taking the night train to Sa Pa. Because the situation of pickpockets happens a lot when the cabin turns off the lights. You should keep the camera and phone carefully with you.
Sapa ranks alongside Ha Long Bay and Hoi An by way of attracting visitors solely on the benefit of its pure magnificence and surrounding sights.
What Ethnic Groups Are In Sapa?
Around Sapa visitors can come across a multitude of ethnic minorities. In fact, visitors can meet 24 ethnic groups, each group with its own language, culture and traditions in Sa Pa and Lao Cai. This cultural wealth thanks to the diversity of landscapes and farming land available. They are the Kinh (the true Vietnamese) 35%, the Hmong 22%, the Tay 14%, the Dao (Mien) 13%, the Thai 9%, the Nung 4.5% and the Giay (Dzay) 4.3%. The other ethnic groups Sapho, Lolo are sometimes represented only by a few villages and a few hundred individuals.
Among them are the H’mong mainly, frequently referred to as the Dark Hmong partly because their apparel is a dark. They are nearly black ornamented with colorful brocade and silver jewelry. But largely because they are ornamented with colorful brocade and silver.
The second largest group are the Dao or red Dao, who dress in dark clothes. The women of those known largest group are the Dao. They are at a bright red shawl bedecked with silver beaded tassels while those of the Dark Dao wear distinctive headwear, a pile of coiled, braided hair, with an elaborate, rectangular ornamentation of silver metal sticking out from the top.
They’ll happily remove their headdress for tourists to show that it is just a hat rather than their real hair. Because happily remove their headdress for tourists to show that antiques and textile goods. They’re the genuine native inhabitants of the region. Plus they clearly regard each the political nonsense which the native inhabitants of the area, noise.
Sapa is stratified, virtually all the companies in town are owned and staffed by Viet Kinh. And the only trade which the hill tribes make is on the roads in the kind of handicrafts, fruits and vegetables. The simple fact that the tribes continue to live very basic presence is partly economic and partly cultural. To them, a rice field, a garden, a few cows and a stilt house are the prosperity they hoped for, going back hundreds of generations.
What Is Sapa Famous For?
Being in Lao Cai Province with 350 km from Hanoi, Sapa is famous not only for its beautiful and magnificent scenery but also for its cultural diversity. The French used to consider Sapa a Summer Capital in Northern Vietnam in French colonial period in the early 20th century. Its natural landscapes keep attracting more and more visitors to spend their holiday here. Especially, the place is the foremost choice for honeymoon couples.
In addition, Sapa town is the cool climate which make it more famous on summer time for relaxing destination in Vietnam.
Furthermore, homestay in these stilt homes are very popular. Although some villages are more authentic than others. Venture to the remote villages, they offer spectacular glimpses of lifestyle, seemingly stolen in history.
Sa Pa, called “The Queen of the Mountains” is a beautiful city in Northern Vietnam. It is located atop a plain across from a lovely valley, high mountains looming over the town on all sides, it is the town connecting modern Vietnam to the world of mystifying minority cultures and great landscapes.
Sapa is known for both its beautiful, rough landscape and also its plush cultural diversity. It is a highly picturesque relaxation town that is located on the Hoang Lien Son massif close to the Chinese border in north-west Vietnam; this massif is called the Tonkinese Alps. Sa Pa and the regions surrounding it host a lot of hill tribes, and is the home of the famous rice terraces ranked by the USA travel and leisure magazine as the world’s most beautiful terraces. These famous rice terraces flow down the ridges like an art painting and give the environment an almost dreamy outlook, and just at the back of the rice terraces is the Fansipan mountain which is the highest mountain in Vietnam.
From admiring the majesty of the Fansipan mountain, to taking in the rare and breath-taking beauty that is the rice fields to experiencing the rarity of snow in Vietnam, Sa Pa offers you a magical experience unmatched by anywhere else in Vietnam.
What Is The Weather In Sapa?
The climate of Sapa is highly seasonal. It is a subtropical climate in the summer and a temperate climate during the winter. Average temperature for Sapa town is 15.4ºC, with a maximum of 29.4ºC and a minimum of -7ºC.
Besides, Sa Pa experiences a marked wet season from May to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August. The weather is also notorious for changing frequently and quickly. It is said that only in Sapa, one can experience many different seasons within only one day.
And the high season often falls between June and August. While March-May and September- November are the two recommended periods to visit Sapa. Because it offers you a more laid-back natural and rejuvenating holiday.
While winter from November to March may be cold, foggy and light rainy, but each 3 or 4 times, the weather clears and the perspectives are more magnificent than they’re weather clears. Sometime it has snow and ice this time
Regardless of what time of year you come, Sapa has its disadvantages and advantages by its own beauties.
What Should Prepare Before Traveling To Sa Pa?
In fact, you can travel to Sa Pa every-time of year. However, you travel to Sapa in winter from December to February ought to be heating. Some areas in the room have electric blankets or heaters built into the bed frame. However, it means that the rest of the room is going to be freezing. Therefore, please ensure that when you give your passport to the hotel, the room you will stay will have wood burning fire place.
Above are all the most complete and detailed Sa Pa travel experiences that Origin Vietnam has summarized. Hope all of these experiences will help you have a trip to Sapa with lots of fun and great experiences.
