Sapa

Sitting at an elevation of 1,500-1,650m above sea level, 376km northwest of Hanoi is the dreamy, mysterious Sapa…

Sapa is a mountainous city of Lao Cai province. This land contains lots of wonders of the natural landscape. The landscape here is the combination of human creativity along with the terrain of the mountains and hills, the green of the forest poetic…

Overview about Sapa

Sapa is located in the northeast of Vietnam, 350km from Hanoi. Sapa is a highland district of Lao Cai province. There are two ways to get to Sapa, the first one is following the main road from Lao Cai city, or the 4D highway from Lai Chau.

Indigenous people in Sapa land are ethnic minorities, but now the center of the town concentrates mainly Kinh people living for tourist services. 

With a unique location, the weather in Sapa is cool all year round. You can experience four seasons in one day: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the late afternoon and winter at night. The average temperature of Sapa is 15ºC. In the summer, you don’t have to deal with the heat like in Hanoi, the temperature is about 13ºC – 15°C at night and 20ºC – 25°C during the day. Winter is often cloudy and very cold, the temperature is sometimes below 0°C. The average annual rainfall here ranges from 1,800 to 2,200 mm, most concentrated from May to August.

Famous destinations in Sapa 

1. Ham Rong Mountain

One of the most famous destinations in Sapa is Ham Rong mountain. Standing on the top of Ham Rong mountain, you can have a panoramic view of Sapa, Muong Hoa valley and Ta Phi. To Ham Rong, Moreover, Ham Rong mountain always makes tourists feel like being in a fairytale with clouds, bizarre flowers, etc.  

2. Stone church 

The Sapa stone church built in 1895 is considered to be the most complete ancient architectural mark of the remaining French. The church has been embellished and preserved, becoming an indispensable destination for tourist coming to Sapa. 

3. Cat Cat village 

Cat Cat village is one of the oldest villages of Muong people. This village is the net of many traditional handicraft products. Although this place was revamped to be a tourist area, there are lots of locals living here to preserve their traditional occupations. 

4. Ta Phin village 

This village has a beautiful natural landscape, cultural features imbued with the national identity of Red Dao. Coming to Ta Phin village, you can visit Ta Phin cave nearby. In the cave, there are many stalactites showing interesting images such as the pictures of dancing people, sitting people, the field, etc. 

5. Muong Hoa valley – Ancient stone field 

The most special feature of this valley is the ancient stone filed with many different carvings, alternating between trees and terraced fields of ethnic minorities. Hundreds of rocks have drawings, strange characters, whose meaning and origin have not identified. Nowadays, this area has been classified as a national monument, a unique heritage of ancient Vietnamese people. 

6. Fansipan mount 

Fansipan is the highest mountain of Indochina peninsula (3,143 m), located in the center of Hoang Lien Son range. If you are familiar with climbing, you can follow the tour of and travel companies. However, if you are an adventurer, you also can organize a tour yourself with the guidance of the local people of Mong and Dao ethnic groups. On the way to the top of the mountain, you will have a chance to admire amazing flora and fauna of the mountain. Moreover, Hoang Lien Son is also the home of wildlife animals. 

If you don’t have a good physical conditions, you can choose to take a cable car. The Fansipan cable car route went into operation in early 2016. This system has helped lots of tourist reach Fansipan peak. With this kind of transportation, you don’t have to spend hours climbing and being sweaty. 

7. Bac waterfall (Silver waterfall)

From Sapa town, going west about 11 km on the way to Lai Chau, you will meet Silver Waterfall rushing down from a height of over 100 m into the stream of O Quy Ho valley. This creates indescribable view and amazing sound. However, in the dry season, you should consider visiting Silver waterfall because there is not much water. 

8. Heaven gate 

The road to the Heaven gate twists and hides among various mountains. This pass road named Tram Ton, lying in the majestic Hoang Lien Son range. And the Heaven gate is the peak of this pass. Standing in the middle of Sapa Heaven gate, you can admire the vast valley below with the green fields, the road, even the Silver Waterfall. Also in this place, you can feel the heroic beauty of Fansipan peaks.

Sapa’s delicacies

1. Fish

Unlike imported salmon is usually slightly fat, the meat of cold water fish of Sapa is firm, grainy, not fat. In the cold of Sapa, a hot salmon / sturgeon hot pot is served with fresh vegetables is the must-try thing in Sapa.

2. BBQ

Maybe because of the cold climate, in Sapa people can grill anything, from chicken eggs, duck eggs, skewered meat, vegetables wrapped in meat, rice to corn, potatoes, etc. In the evening, the barbecue area near Sapa stone church is the place that attracts lots of tourists because of the warm space and delicious food stalls.

3. Thang co 

Dubbed the “horror specialty” of Sapa, Thang co is favorite dish of many people because of its taste. Thang co is a traditional and famous dish of Mong people in Sapa. The main ingredients for this dish are meat, bone, secretions and organs combined with nearly 20 herbs (cardamom, star anise, cinnamon) , lemongrass, ginger, and other special spices of the Mong people.