Sapa is a beautiful, mountainous town in northern Vietnam along the border with China.

Understand

Located in Vietnam’s remote north west mountains, Sapa is famous for both its fine, rugged scenery and also its rich cultural diversity. Sapa is an incredibly picturesque village that lies on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border in NW Vietnam. It is called as "the Tonkinese Alps" You can see many hill tribe people, their villages, rice terraces, lush vegetation, and Fansipan, highest peak in Vietnam.

Many ethnic minorities, such as the Hmong and the Dao, live in and around Sapa. Many older women in particular make ethnic-style clothes, blankets, etc. to sell to tourists. Striking up a conversation with them can be very rewarding.

Bear in mind that some of the minorities do not wish to have photos taken of them. Ask permission beforehand.

In winter, the weather in Sapa often gets cold, wet and foggy. Travellers have rolled into town on a glorious clear day and proceeded to spend their week trapped in impenetrable fog. In winter, bring along warm clothes or prepare to be miserable and cold.

Get in

By train

From Hanoi it takes a 9-hour train to Sapa.

While Sapa Vietnam travel can certainly set up the requisite tickets, any traveller can purchase the necessary tickets at the Hanoi train station. These prices vary according to both the travel season at hand (The times around Vietnamese holidays are particularly expensive and tickets cannot be assumed available for same day travel. Book ahead of time if at all possible.) and the type of seat that is purchased. Travellers are highly advised to purchase a berth in a sleeper car, though the trip can be made in uncomfortable fashion on one of the cheaper bench seats. Expect to pay in the area of 250,000 VND for a bed (one-way). A small amount of food (sweetbread) is provided in the sleeper compartments, but it is often stale. Bring your own snacks and drinks.

The train disembarks at Lao Cai. From there, dozens of shuttle buses will be waiting outside the station to take you the remaining distance to Sapa. The ride is about an hour of beautiful views more than 1000 meters up into the mountains.

Sapa can also be reached by motorcycle from Hanoi by a variety of routes. The most direct route takes at least ten hours for first time riders, though local expats often brag about making it in less. Bikes can be rented in Hanoi for unguided passage, or local guides can lead the way.

Get around

Anywhere in the main village of Sapa can be reached on foot, and the town is small enough that you're not likely to get lost. A basic map will be good enough for most travellers.

See

While walking in the mountains you will encounter many hill tribes such as the Red Zao tribe.

Do

Sit on the balcony of a hotel overlooking the valleys drinking a tiger beer at sunset - sublime!

The ethnic village of Cat Cat is a few kilometers' walk from Sapa. You're not likely to get lost - just walk down the road and turn onto the path on your left. This is a good place to observe Vietnamese farming and farm animals, and there are excellent views. The walk back up can be difficult (it is steep in parts) but once you get back onto the road there are plenty of enterprising locals ready to take you back to Sapa on motorbikes.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

The Royal Hotel is located at the bottom of the main street. The rooms provide a nice view over the valley and many open onto a balcony. It has an attached cafe offering standard traveller fare (banana or chocolate pancakes, as always in Vietnam, feature) and can help you out with travel arrangements.

Get out

If you're looking to take the train to Hanoi from Lao Cai, your hotel can probably organise to get you onto a minibus.