Many tourists are drawn to north Vietnam and in particular Sa Pa ― just as many are drawn to Ninh Binh ― because they want a piece of the real Vietnam. You too, must be considering Sa Pa and are just as intrigued. Otherwise, why are you reading a travel guide about Sa Pa? Reasons for coming to Sa Pa include:
Our guide will highlight the best things to expect, after traveling overnight from Hanoi to Lao Cai Province:
From April onwards until September, northern Vietnam experiences temperatures averaging over 70°F most days. The level of rain for the same period is high too, peaking in July and August.
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And yet July and August are the best months to travel to Sa Pa, because:
During July and August, the late evenings and nights are cooler. We suggest your dresswear adjusts to trousers and long sleeve shirt. The rice terraces are maturing by July and by late August the terraces are gold in color going into a September harvest.
For a chance to experience the fog (at its best) the time for your travel must be between December to March. But remember winter in northern Vietnam can be cold ― especially in Sa Pa it's not uncommon to see snow with temperatures as low as 50°F.
You will easily be able to find hotel accommodation in Sa Pa Town without any problem. As always, it's recommended you plan ahead and book in advance. Our suggestion is to stay in Sa Pa Town if you are only thinking of one, possibly a two-day trip. Want to stay longer? Then a homestay in one of the villages is a better option.
In that regard, Ta Van Village resulted in an exceptional homestay experience but at a stretch it may be too far out for most of our interested readership ― at 15km from Sa Pa Town.
It could be argued the "big ticket" attraction in Sa Pa isn't the trekking but Fansipan. With it being the highest point in the Hoang Lien National Park, does that not persuade you to come to Sa Pa? It should. Consider this: it used to be it would take someone two days of trekking to reach the 3,143m summit. Now, it can be done in under 20 minutes and all thanks to a cable car.
There are other mountains in Vietnam of course that let you see clouds float past and the land far below. But not at over 3000m above sea level. Because of those cable cars far more people are finding Sa Pa far more accessible, to experience grand panoramic views for themselves of the forest covered slopes below.
To get your once in a lifetime experience of Fansipan Mountain you need to make haste to Hoang Lien Station to purchase tickets. Ticket prices are US$28 per adult, US$19 per child. Buy the tickets on the day, and not in advance because they are only valid for that day.
Once at the Muong Hoa Mountain Train, present your ticket and enjoy the ride. Sit back and take in the sights below as you fly over villages and farms and forest jungle. Just as you are beginning to enjoy the journey you have arrived. As with all many big attractions (such as Ba Na Hills in Da Nang City for example) you can expect an amazing, relaxed and entertained experience.
The cable ride to the summit is sensational in and of itself as you are so high up, above the valley floor far below. It's unbelievable, and this realization may make you want to hold onto the handrail even more tightly. What puts you immediately at ease is the comfort of the car, and the irresistible sights from the cabin with a complete view outward from the large windows. Each car is full and the other passengers gushing in amazement only adds to your own enjoyment. An unforgettable 20 minutes.
You are already full of excitement and energy long before you come to the end of your vernacular journey. To give you a comparison to high you are going Mount Everest is at 8000m so you're nearly half way to that. Mount Fansipan in Vietnam's Sa Pa is surely your only hope of ever being on top of the world, effort free.
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Before you jump into one of the cable cars to leave for the mountain, be sure you are wearing warm clothes including a jacket. Because, once you step out of the station on arrival you are going to be hit with far cooler surroundings than those you left behind. You are still some distance from the summit properly and must walk up paths for a further 15 minutes to enjoy the panoramic views. Wrap up or freeze.
If you are so lucky there will be clear skies with little or no fog and clouds blanketing over, spoiling your treasured moments. But there are far more things to do at Fansipan than merely taking in the stunning mountain summit views.
One of the more prominent Pagoda's in Vietnam, the location attracts many Buddhists to come to Fansipan for their New Year celebrations and to worship. Built in 2015, overall, the architecture of many of the buildings are spiritual in nature, created out of wood. The architecture is remarkable in terms of detailed carvings: set pieces aged as if they're centuries old.
Other buildings of interest to you include the Dai Hong Chung guard station. Over 30 meters tall the tower affords you grand views out onto the blue hued horizon beyond (on a clear day, obviously). Elsewhere on the complex is a standing sacred Buddha statue, 21m in height and copper plated. It's the biggest Buddha representation of Amitabha in Vietnam and a place of great worship for Buddhists, their spiritual path begins here.
Considering the complex is a temple and a place of religious worship it is only good manners and out of respect you dress appropriately. But there is far more to Fansipan than a religious and cultural landmark. There are several high-quality restaurants and cafes, and a waterfall feature. As with all VinPearl resorts there are seasonal festivals, carnivals and entertainment venues, all family friendly.
Legends aside (we won't spoil it for you) Ham Rong Mountain is a beautiful centerpiece to Sa Pa Town. A variety of paved walkways leading to the top, you are greeted with flowers and landscaped gardens and orchids. Over 6000 orchids from 190 species of plant flower are in full bloom during springtime. You cannot help but fall in love with the mountain as you wander through forests of plum, pear and peach fruit trees.
One desire of climbing Ham Rong Mountain is to reach the 1800m peak for the very desirable panoramic view of Sa Pa Town below. First, before you reach the peak you wish to pass through several (heavenly) gates for respite and to take photographs.
Find the main church in Sa Pa at the foot of the mountain, it's within walking distance of the town center and family friendly. Entrance fees are less than US$5 per adult and US$1 per child. Do pack a lunch or picnic is our advice to enjoy the nature and beauty of the gardens ― before you are distracted by other attractions.
The road network in Sa Pa is reasonable, all considered you are in rural Vietnam. But once you are past the network and closer to the villages the roads become less dependable upon. Our advice is for you to depend heavily on local knowledge. Guides from the villages are worth their weight in gold when it comes to taking you on the best trails.
Less than 3km from Sa Pa Town, somewhere in the Muong Hoa Valley is Cat Cat Village. You can walk the distance and enjoy some amazing rural Sa Pa scenery. Rice terraces are all around and if you are lucky the farmers are out tending to their crops. You need to squint perhaps to see the tiny figures so far away, up the mountainside but it's possible. Before the fog descends, that is.
If you travel to Sa Pa in August then the green will have transformed to a golden bronze ― a sure sign the rice is ripe for harvesting. In our opinion the golden hues are actually more beautiful to see than the young green shoots. And we're not alone in this sentiment either.
Ancient rocks and boulders found throughout the valley are a hidden secret to the local villages. Spread over several kilometers the feature has a UNESCO listing, with speculation the etchings and carvings date back thousands of years. Treasures such as these are only unearthed with guidance from local villagers, which is why we recommend you hire a guide when traveling in the valley.
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The two-hour trek to the village is easier than the return trip because going there is all downhill. Wear a pair of strong shoes or walking boots, especially if there has been rain prior to setting off. This is rural Vietnam at its best and most beautiful. Few roads suitable for vehicles you are on foot for the most part. On reaching the village you are greeted by the H'Mong villagers. Have your camera or smartphone ready for taking a few snaps because Cat Cat Village is the most popular of all villages close to Sa Pa Town.
Other than Cat Cat Village there are other villages. We can recommend you trek in search of:
All five highlighted villages are within the Muong Hoa Valley and share the same stilted houses although their design is distinct between them. The villagers are super friendly and the local dishes they cook are exquisite. You must stay long enough to enjoy their hospitality, and of course to purchase some of their traditional crafted goods.
If you have hired a guide, then they'll undoubtedly take you to one of the waterfalls to cool off. Provided you've traveled during the summer you'll be glad to take a dip in the clear waters flowing off the mountains.
Earlier, we said Fansipan Mountain (for your holiday experience, as attractions go) may outshine your trekking ambitions in Sa Pa. Actually, it may not be like that. Sure, the mountain has gorgeous views that are to die for but remember well the real reason why you've come to Sa Pa. Those ethnic tribal villages you come across on your treks, the people you become friendly with, and their way of life could linger just as long as Fansipan.
In our opinion the trekking takes precedence when in Lao Cai Province because sights and sounds in the Muong Hoa Valley are more emotive. And memories are remembered more from emotional responses.
High cliffs and the charming Chay River have recreated a micro version of Ha Long Bay in Sa Pa, your guide will describe in greater detail. As you listen intently on the way to the cave you are amazed and taken aback by the nature of Muong Hoa Valley and all its diverse features. Every twist in the path presents something new for you, you struggle to contain strong emotions of beauty never seen before.
The cave is an all-year-round attraction for tens of thousands of visitors and in our opinion a major attraction. Your guide will take you upstream from Bao Nhai Commune for 6km, where on the way you'll learn of Trung Do Ancient Citadel and Sa Pa myths. The water is deep, clear and cool but fast flowing so stay in the boat. Onwards, you'll face two walls of rock either side of you and further on the cave presents itself. Various small streams converge to create a pool outside the cave.
Inside the cave the chamber is huge and daunting. But irresistibly beautiful too in so many ways:
Even your excitement echoed in this chasm enhances your experience, especially for young children visiting their first cave. How incredible is that for them, do you imagine?
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It really is all about Sa Pa and its town, and those rural villagers when you hear a seasoned traveler discuss Lao Cai. In our opinion, having been to Sa Pa, that's the obvious focal point throughout. The French colonial architecture of Sa Pa Town can still be seen today and as with elsewhere in Vietnam ― say in Hoi An Town ― it continues to have an influence on Vietnamese culture.
When you plan your holiday to the north for Hanoi and Ha Long Bay trip, remember to include a two-day, one night stay over in Sa Pa for your cultural fix. Life in rural Vietnam will give you an entirely different perspective of Vietnam.
The only practical and sensible way to travel to Sa Pa Town is from Hanoi and by train. We cannot recommend highly enough the Sapaly Express Train service. Excellent service throughout and the 9-hour journey is complete bliss. You pick out your cabin and you sleep through the night in comfort and peace arriving early the next morning relaxed and full of energy. If only every overnight train journey was like this.
On exiting the train station, you may need to find something to preoccupy you until you can check in. Depending on your hotel there may actually be someone waiting for you on arriving, to collect you? Check with the hotel at the time of booking and also enquire if you can check in earlier too.
If you've never been to Vietnam, the first culture shock to you will be the constant honking of horns. Everyone honks their horn, and your bus driver taking you overnight to Lao Cai is no different. We heard from some passengers getting off one bus about their driver honking the horn throughout the night. Few on the bus got any sleep. Knowing ourselves the sound of a bus horn, it can be deafening. Take the train.
Fast becoming a huge pull for many travelers to the north of Vietnam, Sa Pa's ethnic tribal villages are increasingly becoming an important part of the province's ecotourism. Tourists are coming not only for trekking but for the natural world. Great for nature lovers because it is those villagers using their knowledge to guide tourists to the best trails throughout Muong Hoa Valley.
Whatever reasons bring you to Sa Pa: for thrills or adventure, the photography, many of you will already have an interest in Sa Pa's remote communities. That's sensational, because every tourist to Lao Cai's valleys funds and preserves the villages and their traditions for future generations.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.