Sapa is a small town located nearly 320 km north-west of Hanoi, Vietnam. Home to different hill tribes, breath-taking landscapes, the highest mountain in Vietnam, green rice fields, the town is rapidly culminating into a major travel destination. Crowned with attractive rice terraces, Sapa is one of the destinations that every traveler has in their bucket list. The rice fields in this town have obtained top spot among the range of other incredible locales as per a popular travel magazine and portal. Planning a trip to Sapa, Vietnam? No worries, you are in good hands. Here, we have listed out the best things to do in Sapa.
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Visit the local villages
Sapa is mainly a collection of several small local villages which are located around the mountains. This means that this is one of the places to visit if you want to come out of the Vietnam cities and experience something rural. In the local villages, you can stay in a guesthouse with a local family. This will offer you a glimpse of how people lived here for centuries. Here, the homestay programs are not for everyone but for those who have tried them, homestays are the highlight of their Vietnam trip.
Buy Handicrafts
One of the best things to do in Sapa is to shop for handicrafts. It is likely that every hill tribe woman you meet will try to sell something to you- be it food, handicrafts, a place to visit at night, and tours. There are thousands of items you can purchase, from anklets, bracelets, and headbands to headscarves, handbags, jewelry, carpets, and shoes. Each of these is embroidery intricately sown with care and love. The patterns and colors on the products represent the various tribes of people, and it is interesting to find out which. These items are not only great souvenirs for you, but your loved ones will love to use them as a home decor item. Sapa market is full of shops with colorful displays, and it is impossible to come out empty-handed.
Explore the history and culture of Sapa at Sapa Museum
One of the popular things to do in Sapa town is to visit the Sapa Museum. If you want to learn about the historical perspective of Sapa and its people, visit the Sapa Museum. This museum provides an informative visual introduction to the various ethnic groups in Sapa and the unique features of their cultures, and the history of the town development and French occupation.
The museum is close to the church and is a great option during bad weather. There is a store on the ground floor of the museum, so if you want to purchase some handicrafts, clothes, or embroideries for your loved ones, then you will get a variety of options here!
Hiking in Dragon Jaw Mountain
One of the most beautiful places in Sapa is Ham Rong Mountain or Dragon Jaw Mountain. You can reach here easily on foot as it is situated in the heart of the town. Ham Rong mountain features man-made monuments, colorful flower beds, wide varieties of flora with mountain formation. It has the best views of the entire Sapa city. It is one of the best things to do in Sapa Vietnam in the month of December.
Take a motorbike for rent and drive around
Though tours to all the popular locations are available, it is always better to do it yourself at your own convenience. Renting a bike for the entire day will allow you to do the same. One of the popular routes that travelers prefer is Dinh Deo Pass that leads to Heaven’s Gate. If the risky serpentine roads do not excite you, the beautiful views on both sides of the mountains and valleys will do. If you are among those who have never ridden a bike earlier, then this is not the place to do an experiment. Hop on the backside of the bike of a professional rider and let them take you to different places. Make sure you take frequent breaks so that you can click as many photos as possible! This small town is a great place to explore on a motorbike.
Enjoy a drink at Cafe in the Clouds
One of the biggest highlights of a trip to Sapa in Vietnam is the opportunity to take in the lush views and there is no way to do this by enjoying a drink on one of the bars situated at the top of a mountain. One of the famous places is Café in the Clouds. As the name suggests, here you can spend time enjoying the mist creeping across the strange landscape and wonder at the landscapes over the green valley below. In this cafe, you will get varieties of drinks along with both local and international dishes. The cafe also has a Wi-Fi connection.
Get amazed at the romantic and beautiful Love Waterfall
Places have a thousand stories attached to it. If you want to experience romance in Vietnam, this is the place to be. The legend behind the Love Waterfall is one that nobody should miss. The ancient folktale narrates a story of forbidden love between a boy and a fairy who visited the waterfall to play the flute. It is believed that this waterfall was a bathing place for fairies. In the outcome of hunting out the love affair, the parents of the fairy banned her from visiting the waterfall. The story finishes with the fairy transforming into a bird to live life with the boy. The representation of the waterfall as “Love” was given thereafter. The Love Waterfall situated in San Sa Ho Commune is a must-visit place. The beauty of this lustrous stream will captivate your senses.
Have a dip under the waterfall
Some areas in and around the waterfall in Sapa are safe. However, it totally depends on the weather as, during winter and fall, Sapa is extremely cold and is nearly impossible to dip inside the water.
Enjoy a leisure stroll near Sapa Lake
Tired after shopping? What about a stroll near the Sapa Lake which emits a blend of marvelous and tranquility grandeur? You can walk near the stretch of the lake or otherwise enjoy your food sitting at the benches.
Click a photo of yourself in the middle of the rice terrace
Sapa is popular for vast rice fields. Travelers can find lovely, harmonious, and peaceful nature in the infinite green landscape of these rice terraces.
Take a train to Lao Cai Province at night
This is not a thing to do in Sapa, however, it would be a great start to your trip. To travel from Hanoi to Sapa, travelers must take a bus or train. Buses are the fastest option as trains take about 9 hours. However, most people consider trains to be more fun. The train runs through the night and tourists will reach Lao Cai Province in the morning. If you are traveling in a group, take the train and buy enough tickets for the whole cabin. You can prepare food items and drinks to have at night while bonding with your family and friends while traveling on the train. From Lao Cai Province, you must drive for 1 hour to reach Sapa. As there is just one train to Sapa every day, hotels will usually provide a pick-up service for tourists.
Join an H’ mong Sewing Class
The H’mong is an indigenous group in Sapa. This group is known for weaving and sewing. If you want to go to the firsthand, then you can visit Indigo Cat which is one of the most popular craft stores in town. Here, you can join a class where you can learn sewing handicrafts. You will be taught by the members of the local H’ mong community. If you want, you can simply visit the shop to purchase some of the best souvenirs like attractive textiles and other items like spices and teas.
Enjoy These Best Things to Do in Sapa
Sapa Town Park
This is a small park situated in the center of the town. Here, you can hang out and look at the world. This park has several interesting monuments, trees, benches, rocks, and a fountain. Bordered by Xuan Vien Street and Thach Son Street, this beautiful park is cozy and bit noisy as it is situated in the mid of the busiest part of the town. With its flourishing charm and relaxing atmosphere, Sapa Town Park is one of the most attractive places to visit here. When you are looking for things to do in Sapa besides trekking, Town Park is the best choice.
Enjoy dining at the Hill Station Signature Restaurant
As Sapa used to be a popular hill station during the colonial era, it seems apt to dine at Hill Station Signature Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in tasty H’Mong cuisine. This is an eatery with a beautiful view, and you can enjoy views across the valley as you try tasty dishes like for example, pork with lime and a trout covered in banana leaves cooked in ash. Another reason to visit this restaurant is to try rice wine and local corn.
Take a cable car to reach at Fansipan
Not fit for trekking at Fansipan? Do not worry! You can still enjoy the picturesque mountain by riding in Sunworld Fansipan Legend cable car. This ride guarantees attractive sceneries of Hoang Lien Son Mountain range and Muong Hoa Valley. This cable car has been distinguished by the Guinness World Record Organization as the lengthiest non-stop three rope cable car.
Visit the barbecue restaurants
Vietnam is popular for its tasty barbecued meats. These can be a unique welcome treat for the travelers in the cold climate of Sapa. If you want to look for a high concentration of barbecue stalls in Sapa, then you must go to D Phan Si where you will find large numbers of joints set up along the roadside. These shops barbecue a wide range of meats including pork, beef, and chicken on hot coal. These are generally served with veggies and rice wraps too. You can roll everything together to make one type of spring roll.
Walk around Muong Khuong Bird Market
Like most of the towns in South East Asia, Sapa also has a huge market. If you visit Muong Khuong Bird Market, then you can see the different tribes of this region coming together to listen to the bird’s song. In Vietnam, you will find a birdcage in front of most of the homes as they believe it brings good luck. You can listen to Avians like nightingales singing. The market is a bustling affair which is generally crowded in the morning
Enjoy dinner at the Hot Pot Stalls
The weather in Sapa can be much colder compared to several other parts of Vietnam because of the advanced height. Due to this, if you feel like you need some warming up, then you may want to enjoy a trip to the popular Hot Pot Stalls of Sapa. This is regarded as a local delicacy in the town and this type of hot pot is popularly known as Lau in Vietnamese. The hot pot includes a meat stew that is cooked with local veggies like mushrooms and cabbage.
Visit Sapa Church
Sapa does not have a wide range of monuments, but one of the most identifiable buildings in this small town is Sapa Church. This ancient church dates to the French colonial era. This church is closed during the week and opens only on Sunday for Mass prayer. However, you can check out the exterior which is beautiful, or roam around inside.
If you have been considering going on a memorable trip to Sapa, Vietnam, then no need to wait anymore! With the above mentioned 18 best things to do in Sapa, you can start your tour planning and pack your bags right now without wasting any more time. With its distinct hill tribe cultures and beautiful nature, the trip to Sapa will surely be mind-altering and an adventure that you will remember for your whole life.