Sapa Travel Guide, Must-see Attractions & Multi-day Tours from Hanoi, Local Tour Recommendations

Sapa is the most anticipated attraction on this Piaoer Hanoi self-guided Tour. I have been to the Longji Rice Terraces in Guangxi, China before, and was deeply fascinated by the ethnic minority customs and mountain terraced scenery there.




Sapa in Vietnam has been selected as one of the "30 most beautiful scenic spots on earth" and "the seven most beautiful terraced fields in the world". This mountain town in the remote mountainous area of ​​northern Vietnam has terraced fields developed in accordance with the terrain and the ethnic minority living there - the Miao people. It feels like a place with a strong traditional style.



However, this land did not escape the eyes of French explorers. During the colonial period, Sapa was built into a summer resort for French colonial aristocrats. So, walking on the dusty streets of the mountain town, with French-style buildings on both sides, it is a resort exuding a strong European style!



How to get from Hanoi to Sapa? What are the must-see attractions in Sapa? If you don’t want to do any research, what local tours are recommended for lazy people? All of these are shared with you in this Sapa Travel guide!

Sapa Travel Season & Weather



Sapa is located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. In the summer from May to August, the temperature on the mountain is only about 15 to 22 degrees. Due to the influence of extreme climate, the rainy season during this period may cause floods and mountain torrents. In the winter from December to February, the average temperature is about 10 degrees, and it is often covered by clouds and fog, resulting in the terraces not being visible. There may even be a chance of snow. It is recommended to bring a thick coat to keep warm.

The most comfortable temperature, the most beautiful scenery and the most suitable season for tourism in Sapa are spring and autumn. The temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees. In spring, flowers are in full bloom and colorful. In autumn, there are golden rice fields, which look particularly dreamy.

How to get to Sapa from Hanoi?



Sapa is located on the border between North Vietnam and China, northwest of Hanoi city. There are many ways of transportation from Hanoi to Sapa, and the fastest one takes at least 5 hours.

• Limousine Bus: Moderate price, 5-6 hours of driving time, few people on the bus, less prone to illness, pick-up from hotel, no need to go to the boarding location by yourself, departure in the daytime, can see the scenery along the way, seats are large and comfortable, but if you sit in the last row, it is still bumpy, there are two rest stops in the middle. Operated by ECO SAPA, ECO SAPA and other companies
• Train: Expensive price, about 8-9 hours of driving time, need to go to the boarding location by yourself, departure time is at night, no scenery along the way, and the sleeper car is still noisy, light sleepers are recommended to prepare noise reduction headphones and earplugs. Arriving at Lao Cai Station in Sapa in the early morning, you still have to take a bus to the center of Sapa (there is also the "Vic Sapa Train" with Victorian British classical style carriages, which is a different train, but the boarding location, route, and duration are the same)
• Sleeper Bus: The cheapest, the Journey takes 5~6 hours, but there is no toilet on the bus, and the mountain road is winding, so it will be bumpy. It departs at night and arrives in the early morning
  

Nine-passenger van

Sapa accommodation recommendation

Sapa is a bit like Cingjing, and is already heavily developed for tourism. There are many hotels and homestays on the hillside. If you plan to travel by yourself and call a taxi to the attractions, it is recommended to stay in the center of Sapa for the most convenient. There are many restaurants, massage shops, and tourist centers around, but you have to overcome the constant honking outside the window.



If you plan to stay in a better place, you can see the terraced fields outside the window. There are many high-end hotels on the hillside. The view outside the window is beautiful, but because the transportation is inconvenient, it is recommended to sign up for the hotel tour directly. The hotel will arrange a special car and a tour guide to take you directly to the destination. The following different types of hotels are recommended to everyone:

[Sapa Hillside View Hotel]

KK Sapa Hotel

KK Sapa Hotel is the five-star hotel that Piaoer paired with this three-day tour of Sapa. Although it is not in the city center, there is a mountain view outside the window, and the room is also very high-end. Although it is not as luxurious as a five-star hotel in an international city, it is really comfortable in the mountains. The breakfast selection is rich and delicious, the room is not too cold, and the hot water is also stable.

Price: From NT$1,800

Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel



It is 7 minutes by car from the previous one. You can also enjoy the terraced rice fields from the balcony of the room. The service is average. It is not oriented towards international tourists, but mostly Vietnamese.

Price: From NT$2,000

BB Sapa Resort & Spa



The former Victoria SAPA resort was also a high-end hotel choice for many Western guests. It has a full holiday feel and beautiful classic brick-red buildings.



The fireplace in the reception hall is wood-burning, just like in Northern Europe, and the food is delicious.

Price: Starting from NT$3,000

Choice of multi-day tour groups

If you come to Sapa for vacation, and don't want to arrange transportation, ticket booking, itinerary, or accommodation, the easiest and most brainless way is to book a local tour from Hanoi like Piao Er. The one-way Trip to Sapa takes five hours, so it is basically impossible to do a one-day tour. Local tours are mainly two-day and three-day tours. The following is a comparison of two more popular local tours:

Two-day tour in Sapa: including accommodation, three meals, and arriving at Hanoi bus station by yourself to take the shuttle bus (people on the bus are not in the same group, but just happen to take the bus to Sapa, and will be separated and changed when they arrive in Sapa), Lao Chai – Ta Van village hike, Cat Cat Village, Fansipan Mountain (cable car ticket at your own expense)

Three-day tour in Sapa: including accommodation, three meals, seven-seater van pick-up from Hanoi hotel, local village hike (Lao Chai – Ta Van or Ta Phin Village may be arranged on site), Sapa Center, Mao Mao Village, Fansipan Mountain (cable car ticket at own expense), Hanrong Mountain