Sapa is a hidden gem of Vietnam, located about 350km northwest of Hanoi. This beautiful hill station is filled with lush green, rice fields, stunning natural beauty, and village treks, and this small town is a home to different ethnic tribal groups including Black Hmong (Lao Chai village), Flower Hmong (Ban Pho village), Dao (Ta Van village), Kinh (Vietnam), Tay (Ta Van village), DAY (Ta Van village), HMONG (Cat Cat village). We fell in love with this destination for its fresh air, pleasant climate, authentic Vietnamese culture, and excellent scenery. The day we arrived at Sapa was April 30th, and the Vietnamese celebrate this day as their reunification day. They celebrate this day in the traditional way. It was really a different experience for us, and we got up to celebrate with them.

There is an overnight train, Sapaly Express from Hanoi, and it’s the best way to reach Sapa. You will reach Lao Chai station in the early morning. From Lao Chai, minibuses or taxis are available to get to the main town, which takes 50 mins. Exploring the town on foot is an ideal way, though it’s a small place but easy to navigate everywhere if you planned it accordingly.

Places to visit in Sapa –

• Fansipan mountain – a splendid view of Indo-China awaits at the top of Mt. Fansipan, the highest peak in the country, that you will get to find from the small mountain town of Sapa. You can reach the summit either two days of the hard trek or you can travel by train and then take a cable car ride to reach the top. The view is blessed with awe-inspiring natural beauty, curling clouds, and a steep slope with the lush greenery of forests making this adventure a must to do on your Sapa itinerary.

You can purchase your tickets for the Muong Hoa Mountain train from this beautiful Hoang Lien railway station to start your journey towards Fansipan. This Funicular train will take you through a few tunnels and cross the bridge with some of the best views of the valley, rice fields, and picturesque hamlets from Sapa town to the Sun World Fansipan Legend Yard. From here, get on the cable car ride. Sit back and enjoy the 15-20 mins ride with an incredible bird view of the Muong Hoa Valley, and rocky cliffs while floating through the clouds.

Once you reach the destination, you may find here pagoda, beautiful monasteries, and a few gardens with peaceful vibes. The most remarkable spots are The Bao An Zen monastery, The Great Buddha Statue, and the stupa. Exploring each corner of the place while climbing the series of staircases and ultimately you will reach the top of the country, which is 3,143 meters, and enjoy the captivating scenic all around from the top of Fansipan summit. It takes at least half of your day to complete the trip and noon time is recommended to get a crystal-clear view of the mountain ranges.

• Cat Cat village – After back to Sapa, you may plan for a visit to Cat Cat village. Nestled at the bottom of the Muong Hoa Valley, this village is an ethnic village of the Hmong tribe with a beautiful landscape, waterfalls, and paddy fields. It is just 2km far from Sapa town and attracts many travelers. You must purchase a ticket to enter the village tour. Though it’s an organized tour, the village will not give you a very authentic feeling except for a good view of the surroundings. You may find local women in traditional dresses creating handcrafts items, and their textiles using natural indigo dyeing and batik design. They may chase you sometimes to buy their products at a very high price. It’s up to you how much you can bargain with the price and with them.

• Shopping at the Sapa market – It is just 1km away from the center and a regular market where local tribes come for trade, exchange goods, and to sell their traditional handicraft items like purses, wall hanging, and pillow covers, textiles, bags, and souvenirs. If you prefer to buy any good items at cheaper costs, this biggest center market will be a good choice for you.

• Enjoy Sapa specialty dishes – Around the Sapa center, there are multiple roadside cafes and restaurants which are affordable and offer you various unique and delicious cuisines and beverages including salmon hot pot, grilled steam fish, meat and vegetables, chestnut cakes, that feature the flavor of the Northwestern region of the country.

• Living it up a vibrant Sapa nightlife – as a common saying, if you want to know about the more local way of life visit the local markets or observe the nightlife of the local people, it’s a good choice. When talking about Sapa nightlife, the place has it all to offer you from vibrant pubs, clubs, coffee shops, roadside eateries, and playgrounds. Sapa center is the place where you can meet with plenty of foreign friends to get to socialize and engage yourself in a space full of music and dance throughout the night. Besides, the town has a beautiful church, if you wish to head somewhere less noisy and more spiritual.