Sapa is a natural heaven in the north of Vietnam. When all the tourists landing in Hanoi, or in any part of Vietnam, always miss out on the beauty the north offers.
Let me tell you this- when you’re on the road to explore the whole of Vietnam with a perfect itinerary, Sapa is the one that gives you calmness at the end. So, I’ll share with you the best things you can do in Sapa.
Sapa is a gem with lush green scenery. It is thriving with its untamed phenomena and ethnic diversity. It has a touch of China and France, as it is situated near the Chinese border and was colonised by the French.
Now, Sapa has boomed into a destination for trekkers and culture seekers. And Sapa is most talked about for its dramatic landscapes. And also the terraced rice fields, dense bamboo forests, waterfalls and a lot of peak points.
Regardless, in Vietnam, with its diverse regions, the weather will be uncertain, so it’s useful to learn the right time to visit Vietnam. Moreover, Sapa, being located in the North, experiences a variety of weather conditions, so be prepared.
And Sapa, in particular, is more than just a sightseeing place. It is known for its friendly locals. These individuals belong to different ethnic minority communities, including the Hmong, Dao, and Tay, and reside in the villages of Sapa.
I know you are ready to live in this incredible beauty, but let me tell you the best places to visit in Sapa, where you can find exciting things to do.
Visit Cat Cat Village
This Cat Cat Village is 2.2 km from Sapa Town. You can easily take a peaceful outdoor walk or ride here. This is the best place to visit in Sapa if you’re looking to escape the modern lifestyle. This palace is an accurate representation of northern Vietnam’s rich tradition, nestled in a lush valley.
Here, the houses are small and spread out, which makes for a more scenic life experience, especially for city dwellers who come here.
Now that the village has become popular, the locals are very used to that. And it has even turned out to be the exhibition village.
To enter the village, you need to take a ticket at the entrance. That money you pay supports the local community. With that ticket, you can wander the whole village for the entire day.
So here are a few of the best things to do in Sapa – Cat Cat Village
- Visit the waterfall, from which the village got its name.
- Observe the traditional Hmong architecture
- Learn the customs and crafts from the locals
- Rent traditional Hmong dresses and click Instagrammable pictures
- Take time to read about the village life, which will be written on the boards
Cost: 495 INR (Adult), 230 INR (Children) & it’s free for children under 1 metre.
Stroll Along Cau May Street
Cau May Street is just a few metres away from Sapa Square and the famous Stone Church, which is a vivid landmark. It is a lively street to roam around if you are looking for some nightlife and fun things to do in Sapa.
The place is packed with cafés, bakeries and local stalls where you can buy souvenirs to take back home. If you are visiting Cau May Street in the morning, it’s peaceful and perfect for a sip of coffee, which also comes with a view.
By night, the place is so energetic, attracting people with its neon lights, music, and bustling street food stalls.
So, let me give you some of the best places to visit in Sapa, Cau May Street – Bars & Cafe.
- Street Pizza Restaurant
- Funny Restaurant & Pub
- Sapa Sky View restaurant and bar
- CAFE BAO CẤP SAPA
- Coóng Coffee and Music
- Cong Coffee
Fansipan
Fansipan is 3,143 meters tall and is the tallest mountain standing in Vietnam and Indochina, nestled just 9 km from Sapa Town.
To go to Fansipan, from your hotel, take a taxi or walk to the Sapa station to take a Funicular (type of train). And then from Muong Hoa Valley, you can go on a cable car ride to get to the top. And, the ride will take 15 minutes with unmatched views of valleys and forests.
However, before the cable car became popular, many travel enthusiasts opted for a 2 or 3-day hike. And that journey will be truly challenging. However, consider this only if your fitness is good.
But for the next 2 or 3 days, you will have an unforgettable experience as you pass the forests and streams. Also, you will meet ethnic minorities along the way. You can also see the lively side of them and interact with them.
Things to do here-
- Take photos of the valley below
- Visit the pagodas on top
- Look at the iconic Flagpole
- Marvel at the Giant Buddha Statue
- See the breath taking panoramic view of Sapa
If you want to go to Fansi pan, you can either get it arranged with your travel organiser or book it with Sun World.
Hike the Breath taking Muong Hoa Valley
The Muong Hao Valley is just 7 km from Lao Chai. This valley is a vast farmland with unparalleled views. Filled with enormous rice terraces that run up the sides of mountains.
You can even walk barefoot to feel the earth completely and get immersed in it. Also, this is the most iconic trekking route. Often, you can see people in large groups of solo travellers trekking.
Things to do here-
- Go on a guided trek via multiple villages: Lao Chai and Ta Van (Villages vary based on guide)
- Visit the Muong Hoa ancient stone field
- Learn to cook regional food dishes at a homestay
- Bathe in a mountain stream post-hike
- Watch the traditional festivals that happen at the time of harvest
- Also, many cultural festivals, such as the New Year festival and dance festival, are performed by the villagers.
Mau Son Temple
Mau Son Temple is dedicated to Holy Mother Lieu Hanh, the deity who looks after the fertility of people and animals. And for the Northwest people, she is one of the immortal gods who is very sacred.
And to give a back story to the Goddess Lieu Hanh, she is the daughter of the Jade Emperor, who died when she was 23. It is believed that people saw her spirit. So, the story goes that she stayed on earth to protect people.
The temple is not shiny or huge; it is very small and has a rustic touch to it. Yet, it attracted a lot of tourists coming to Sapa to see the spiritual significance this temple has.
And don’t mistake this for a Buddhist temple just because it’s in Vietnam. This Mau San Temple is a Taoist temple (Taoist – follower of Chinese philosophy).
Walk on The Glass Bridge
If you are scared of heights and a little bit faint-hearted, just think twice before walking the glass bridge. But just take the fear out of you because you don’t get a chance to visit different countries and do adventurous things.
You don’t have to worry about safety here. When you are walking, you will feel like floating above Mount O Quy Ho in Vietnam because it is placed 2,200 metres above sea level.
Here are a few things you can do while you are visiting The Glass Bridge
- Just walk across the glass bridge and look down for an adrenaline rush
- Take a zipline available on the site and fly across the valley
- See the enchanting sunset on O Quy Ho mountain.
- Do bungee jumping for the thrill
- Paragliding to feel nature
- Step on the suspension bridge for a more thrilling experience than the glass bridge
Time: 07:30 am – 06:00 pm
Ticket Cost: 1,654 (Adult), 1,000 (Children)
Love Waterfall (Thac Tinh Yeu)
From Lao Cai, you can reach the waterfall in 14 km. Usually, when you are hiking to Fansipan Mountain, this Love Waterfall will be the starting point.
Waterfalls are everyone’s favourite, but you just need to visit for the folklore love story they carry. The legend says that long ago, this was the place for fairies to take a bath. And they came here from heaven very often.
When they are here, a boy from Earth comes here with his flute. And the seventh fairy enjoyed the relaxing sound of the flute played by the boy. Eventually, she waited for the boy and listened to the melodies and also fell in love with that boy.
But her parents discovered what was happening and then restricted her from coming to the falls. Yet, she would stand in the arch and try to get a peek of the boy or even hear the melodies, but it didn’t happen.
So, she turned herself into a bird and started flying around the mountain to hear the music and be with her love.
Thus, this waterfall gets its name “Love Waterfall”, and it is one of the romantic places to visit in Sapa. Though the ending was not happy, it says so much about love.
Time: 08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Cost: 232 INR (Adult) 100 INR (Children)
Trek to Ta Van Village
You can uncover the wonders of Ta Van Village, just 10 km southeast of Sapa Town. You can rent a motorbike, hire a taxi, or go on foot. There are so many guided treks organised for this place, which you can choose or just go solo.
This is a hidden gem that gives you a picturesque village of the Giay minority. It is mostly known for its peaceful ambience, where you can also find a lot of welcoming homestays, which are surrounded by rice terraces.
I know there are other villages, such as Lao Chai and Cat Cat. But this one is a hidden gem for a slower pace, and it gives you the depth of Sapa village life.
The life of people here is joyful, with no modern exploitation. You can see children playing in the rivers, and you can join them too. The setting is a painter’s dream, and without much explanation, poetry flows here.
Things to do here –
- Hike to the Bamboo Forest
- You will find a waterfall where you can have a short swim
- Rice Trek with the Local H’mong Women
- Observe the making of an herbal bath or take one at the local spa
Love Market of Sapa
When you read the word market, anyone would assume it is the bustling market to roam at night and buy local things. Your assumption is correct, but this Love Market is so much more than that.
Let me give you a peek at what you will encounter. So, in front of the Sapa Stone Church, you can find this traditional market where young men and women from ethnic tribes gather to sing, dance, and also find romantic partners.
And many men find their love here and get married to them. And especially when women wear a traditional dress and walk around, men ask if they can kidnap them. This is not the real kidnapping, but a cute little tradition. If he agrees, even the parents can’t interfere in that.
But nowadays, the bride-stealing tradition is no longer in practice due to modern development and education, also, due to some men forcing women even after women respectfully reject them. But when you talk to the locals, they will make you very happy to share about it, but you might need a translator with you.
So, let’s take a look at what you can expect from Love Market Sapa-
- Watch local performances like flute playing, folk songs, & courtship games
- Buy local handmade products like baskets, embroidered textiles, wood carvings, jewellery, and so many
- Eat the best snack on the street food
- Best place in Sapa to click pictures of traditional costumes under colourful lights
Time: Sunday night after 06:00 pm
Note: The grand festival takes place at the end of August and at the start of September
Explore O Quy Ho Pass (Heaven’s Gate)
From Sapa, Lao Cai, you can get here in 14.7 km. When you are going to O Quy Ho Pass, you can see a few viewpoints, but Heaven’s Gate is the most popular one among tourists.
O Quy Ho Pass is nestled 2,000m above sea level, and when you get to the top, you will have one of the most picturesque views.
This incredible place is covered in towering cliffs, pine forests, and endless curves. So, the Motorbike riders and photographers will never want to stop exploring this route. Also, with fog rolling in and out, it makes the place more dreamy.
Top Things to Do:
- Look at the mountain surrounded by an altitude of 2,300m
- Stop at the iconic Heaven’s Gate lookout
- You can spot a lonely Tree, which is a symbol of strength
- Visit nearby coffee shops with terrace views
- Ride a scooter to feel the highland wind
Cost: 400 INR per person
Take an Herbal Bath in Ta Phin Village
By now, you know Sapa is very traditional, even though there is a significant tourist flow in the villages. And with many interesting things to do in Sapa, you should also include bathing in the list.
In Sapa, this traditional herbal bath is very famous, which is called the Red Dao Hot bath. And it is believed to be therapeutic if you have a cold, also when your skin feels dull, or if you have joint pain.
The water is boiled to 35 – 40 degrees, which will be poured into a wooden tub with all the herbs in it, and you can soak for 20 minutes or more
After the bath, if you ask them, they will tell you more about the herbal medicine-making process and where they collect the herbs as well.
If you are interested in taking this soul-soothing bath, you can go to Sapanapro Red Dao Therapy & Spa.
Batik Workshop
Sapa as a whole is a unique experience and has so many rare things you can find to do. One of them is learning the local craft from the local people.
Here, the batik handicraft is a traditional craft, and you can join the workshop that takes about 3 hours per season.
During the session, you will create your own art with beeswax and natural indigo dye techniques. But before that, you have to listen to them clearly on the history of this art, the process, which includes the collecting of the beeswax from the honey and making the intricate pattern.
Throughout the session, you have to be patient and do the craft. These women will explain everything in a friendly way and are the best hosts.
Cost: Approximately 4,000 INR per person.
Visit Hoang Lien National Park
The Hoang Lien National Park stretches around and beyond Mount Fansipan. This is a tremendous biosphere reserve home to forests, wilderness like civets and langurs. Here you can find hidden waterfalls as well.
And this area covers more than 30,000 hectares. For a full experience of wilderness, this is the place to visit in Sapa. Here you can find dense bamboo forests, exotic birds, and trees stretching toward the sky.
Here, you can see 2,000 species of plants and have a chance to spot 347 species of birds and 66 species of mammals.
Entry cost: 240 INR per person
Visit the Majestic Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac)
This Silver waterfall is nestled at the bottom of O Quy Ho Pass. Here you can see a 200-meter-tall waterfall crashing down with its roaring sound echoing through the jungle.
You have to go and sit there just to look at the beauty of the force of water that will mesmerise you, as if you forget you are on earth.
Let’s see a few things you can do when visiting Silver Waterfall-
- Visit salmon and sturgeon farms to learn about salmon farming methods.
- Shop for souvenirs at the entrance of the falls.
- Eat local food like Com Lam, baked eggs, and meat skewers.
Shopping at Quang Truong Square
You can go to Quang Truong Square from Lao Cai by taking a bus or private vehicle in just a one-hour ride. Take a 1-hour bus or private van to Sapa town. Quang Truong Square is at the heart of the town, which is right in front of the Stone Church.
Quang Truong Square is mostly referred to as Sapa Town. And it’s not just a large plaza but a cultural and social hub of Sapa. Encircled by iconic landmarks: The Sapa Stone Church, the town park, and bustling cafes.
When you are here throughout the day, you can see how the palace transforms. By morning, you can see locals gather for morning chit-chats or practise Tai Chi (martial art). By late evenings, the places turn into a lively market filled with a lot of local products, where you can find unique souvenirs and many food options.
You might wonder if Sapa Square and Love Market are the same. No, Sapa Square events happen every day, and Love Market is organised only on Sundays with local performances, which also includes the Market.
Visit the Sapa Culture Museum
If you’re new to Sapa and want to understand the rich culture of Sapa, this is the best place to visit in Sapa. This Museum was founded in 2007 for people to know about the history of Sapa Town.
Here, you will get a lot of insights on religious life, cultural values and the ethnic minorities in Sapa. Also, the museum tells you the information on productive labour, which is the everyday life of ethnic groups who live here- Hmong, Dao, Tay, & Giay.
Here are things to look for inside-
- Traditional clothing
- Farming tools
- Household items, Musical instruments
- Old photographs that depict life in the highlands over the past century.
- Settings that mimic tribal homes
Experiencing Ethnic Homestays
To know Sapa to its depth, try to skip the fancy hotel stays and choose to stay in villages like Ta Van, Lao Chai, Ban Ho, or Giang Ta Chai.
The best place to stay in Sapa is at an ethnic homestay, offering one of the most alluring experiences. These homes typically belong to Hmong, Tay, or Dao families. The best part is that they are nestled in valleys surrounded by rice terraces and forests.
Things to Do in Sapa’s Home Stays.
- Feeding animals
- Help harvest rice or dye fabric with natural indigo
- Learn their Hmong cooking style
- Take a calming bath with forest herbs in Red Dao homes
- You can trek to nearby villages with your host, who will guide the way
- Share meals around a fire
- Listen to folk stories or flute music under the stars.
Some of the best homestays in Sapa to choose from
- Mega View Homestay
- Lá Đỏ Homestay
- Rock Garden Homestay
- Hmong House Sapa Homestay
- Maison de Sapa Homestay & Cafe
Ride the Alpine Coaster at Sun World Fansipan Legend
When you are in Sapa, take a quick ride to Sun World Fansipan Legend to experience the exhilarating ride, but at your own pace. The alpine coaster offers a unique way to take in the mountain scenery. The forte here is that it’s a self-controlled, rollercoaster-style ride.
You get control over the speed with the handbrakes and which is perfect to see misty pine forests, dramatic cliffs, and terraced valleys unfold before you.
This ride is part of the larger Sun World complex, which includes the famous Fansipan Cable Car and several spiritual landmarks.
Cost: Approx 600 INR for adults & 480 INR for kids.
Cook With the Locals
Sapa is a hidden gem that everyone would love to spend their life in. And with a slow pace of life and with subtle activities, you can learn a lot about the local life.
One of the things to do in Sapa is to join a cooking session if you sincerely want to learn about the people and culture. These classes are taught by local women who run the sessions in their own homes.
However, many hotels offer cooking classes. But I suggest booking a session led by a local ethnic minority to learn traditional Northern Vietnamese recipes. This will significantly contribute to their community.
Additionally, some people include shopping for ingredients at local markets as part of the cooking process, making it a more engaging experience.
Cost: Starts from 2,500 INR
Dragon Jaw Mountain (Ham Rong Mountain)
This Ham Rong Mountain is the go-to destination for hiking for many tourists, and it is one of the best things to do in Sapa. From the central Sapa, it is located just 3 km away, which is behind the Sapa Church.
This is named the Dragon because the figure of the mountain looks like the dragon’s jaw. And the locals have a very interesting story for this.
Two dragons were playing, and when the flood hit the ground, one flew away while the other stuck to the earth. And the shape of the mountain says it is looking at the sky for its companion.
Things to do here-
- Go to the orchid garden for a scenic setting
- Visit Peach-blossom Garden to see Japanese cherry blossoms.
- The Central Flower Garden gives you stunning flower arrangements by talented artisans.
- Go to the Microwave Station, where you can get a vantage point view of Fansipan Mountain.
Conclusion
With all the fantastic places to visit in Sapa, you can forget the real purpose of the trip. It is to enjoy each and every second you spend in this country. But we often tend to rush and juggle with multiple thoughts and a worse plan.
So, instead of planning a trip where you challenge yourself to see ten to fifteen places or various things to do in Sapa, for a change, try to do nothing.
Yes! You heard me right, Sapa is a destination for wilderness and adventure enthusiasts. So, just take a hotel or a nice, welcoming home stay where you can rest and get involved with a lot of cultural activities they offer you. Or with endless trekking programs, get your legs ready for an adventurous yet calming venture.
So, plan your trip to Sapa instead of just looking at the Google pictures and dreaming about it. It is also a much affordable place when compared to other parts of Vietnam. So why are you still waiting? Make that trip happen soon.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Things to Do in Sapa
How many days should you spend in Sapa for a complete nature experience?
3 to 4 days in Sapa is enough to explore the rice terraces, markets, local villages, and also the touristy attractions like the Fansipan Mountains.
But overall, Sapa is a place where you can stay for a longer duration. If you are a digital nomad or freelancer, just stay in Sapa, it will give you a peaceful environment and a clear mind like you never had before.
When is the best time to plan your Sapa trip?
March to May and from September to November are the best as they come with moderate temperatures, blue skies and less rain. All these are perfect for trekking, sightseeing, and you get the cooler climate to rest up.
What is there in Sapa, Vietnam?
There are lush green lands, beautiful rice terraces, mesmerising mountain peaks to trek, tribal villages, and local community businesses where you can learn from the people there. So with all these interesting things to do in Sapa, don’t just head to Hanoi and come back home.
