Sa Pa is one of the main destinations in Northern Vietnam that I visited on my last trip.
It’s one of the towns in Lao Cai, often called the gateway to the northern highlands of Vietnam. From Hanoi, it takes about 6 to 8 hours to get there, depending on the type of transportation you choose.
Visiting Sa Pa is easy since it’s a popular travel spot with plenty of services. But before you go, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your trip.
Here’s what I learned, along with some tips to help you avoid the mistakes I made.
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Should You Visit Sa Pa?
As a travel destination, Sa Pa, though only a small town, has plenty to offer. Based on what I’ve seen, it’s a worthwhile place to visit, but you need to plan well to make the most of your trip.
In general, the experience is a mix of cultural and breathtaking natural sights.
- Mount Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Indochina, is its top attraction.
- The Dao and Hmong people, Sa Pa’s ethnic groups, provide unique encounters.
- Visitors can also explore the terraced rice fields. It’s both natural and cultural immersion.
Among the three, Mount Fansipan inspired me the most to visit Sa Pa. The Buddhist temples and gigantic shrines above the sea of clouds thrilled me. The photos I had seen on Instagram before the trip made so excited.
I felt like visiting Sa Pa would give me a completely new experience. We don’t have attractions like these back home.
On top of that, reaching the summit of Mount Fansipan involves riding a cable car and a funicular train. I had never been on a funicular train before.
Check the cable car ticket prices for Mount Fansipan here. You can read my expectations vs reality experience in Fansipan here.
During my trip to Vietnam, I spent two days in Sa Pa.
The town offered a fun experience. Wandering through the charming town center revealed its beauty. If you love taking photos, you can spend hours around the town’s lake.
While exploring the town was enjoyable, I did not feel satisfied with my two-day visit to Sa Pa.
I could have blamed the weather, but the fault rested with me for not having a backup plan. Rain hit while we reached the top of Mount Fansipan and ruined the ultimate experience.
That said, I could imagine how stunning the scenery at Mount Fansipan would have been. If it had been sunny and the clouds lay below us, I would have felt overjoyed.
Anyway, if I ever get another chance to visit Sa Pa, I will definitely go. I want to see in person everything I missed.
Another reason I want to return to Sa Pa is to experience the local culture. I missed Cat Cat Village, which seems like an amazing place full of unique experiences.
If you’re visiting from the West, it is a must-see. The traditional Hmong stilt houses, corn wine, and handmade crafts? You will find them fascinating.
The village blends nature and culture, featuring a scenic waterfall.
Tips for Visiting Sa Pa
If I decide to visit Sa Pa again, I make sure I don’t repeat the mistakes I made before. I’ll plan better this time, using the tips I’m about to share with you.
By the way, Sa Pa is one of the places that showed me what’s most important in life. Writing this post is my way of giving back and helping others have successful and meaningful travels. In addition to travel, I also write about spirituality and online business. You can read about my mission here.
Avoid Visiting Sa Pa During the Rainy Season
If visiting Mount Fansipan is the ultimate experience for you in Sa Pa, plan your trip for the right time of year.
I’d recommend avoiding the rainy season in northern Vietnam. Heavy rain and clouds can block the view and make visiting the peak feel pointless. According to Vietnam Airlines, the rainy season runs from May to September.
I didn’t know that when I visited, and I regretted it. My trip was in September.
Pack Extra Layers for Your Trip to Sa Pa
Sa Pa is the ideal destination in northern Vietnam to escape the tropical heat. Located high in the mountains, its average temperature is usually several degrees cooler.
If you plan to visit from late fall to early spring, consider packing extra layers. I did this when I visited in September, and I was glad I did. My sweater came in handy while climbing Mount Fansipan.
If you travel in December or January, bring winter clothes. There is even a chance of snowfall during those months.
Transportation to and Around Sa Pa
When traveling between Hanoi and Sa Pa, you have several options: bus, train, or private car. I chose the sleeper bus for two reasons.
It goes straight from Hanoi to Sa Pa, and it also saved me the cost of one night’s accommodation.
I didn’t take the train because it only goes as far as Lao Cai. From there, you still need to transfer to a bus, which isn’t very convenient.
Find the available bus ride options to Sa Pa.
If you’re traveling in a group, renting a private car or luxury minivan is a better choice. You’ll also find it useful for getting around Sa Pa. For example, with a private car, your group can go to the Fansipan cable car station without needing to hire a taxi.
Check the available car and minivan services to Sa Pa.
If you’re new to exploring Southeast Asia, be careful when choosing transportation.
Some shady travel agencies charge tourists far above the average price. If you’re not confident at bargaining, buy tickets from trusted sellers. For example, Klook or GetYourGuide. That’s what I did for my round-trip ticket from Hanoi to Sa Pa.
Good to know, refundable tickets are also available. They can be handy if the forecast predicts rain. You might need to postpone your trip or go somewhere with better weather.
Where to Stay in Sa Pa
What’s the best part of traveling to Vietnam? It’s so cheap.
I couldn’t believe it when I was looking for accommodation, because even a 4-star hotel was affordable.
That made me think… why not go all out and enjoy a relaxing stay, even if only for one night? I’m so glad I did that in Sa Pa. I stayed at Sa Pa Bamboo Hotel and 100% loved it.
Their infinity pool with incredible mountain views was the highlight. Their buffet was delicious too.
I felt like a millionaire for a day! LOL. So yes, I recommend Sa Pa Bamboo Hotel.
Check the room prices for Sa Pa Bamboo Hotel here.
But if you don’t care about the pool, there are plenty of other options with mountain views. And trust me, you don’t want to miss that. Waking up, opening your window, and seeing those spectacular views is one of the best experiences in Sa Pa.
How Many Days in Sa Pa
Unless you’re planning to hike or explore their culture in depth, two days in Sa Pa are enough.
I’ll show you why by sharing our itinerary. But if I will ever return, I’ll plan a longer and more laid-back trip, around five days.
I’d love to trek the rice terraces like I did back home. I’d visit the epic Silver Waterfall. I’d spend time in the rustic Cat Cat Village. I guess, I’d even join a Hmong sewing class.
Anyway, here’s our itinerary.
Day one was our arrival.
- My friend and I started with a chill breakfast at a coffee shop.
- From late morning to mid-afternoon, we headed up to Fansipan. We explored the temples and had lunch at the restaurant on the peak.
- By late afternoon, I strolled around Sa Pa Lake to relax and watch the locals to get a feel of life there.
- That night, we went to the market to look for souvenirs and check out local crafts. I wished it was a weekend, though, because that’s when the Love Market takes place near Sa Pa Stone Church. Hmong and Dao people gather there for music and cultural exchange. Sometimes, they also do matchmaking. It would’ve been such a unique experience!
On day two, we spent the morning at our hotel, relaxing by the pool at Sa Pa Bamboo Hotel. Lunch turned into a fun little food trip, and in the afternoon, we headed back to Hanoi.
If we hadn’t decided to chill, we could’ve used that second day to visit Cat Cat Village instead.
Include Sa Pa Lake to Your Plans
While Sa Pa Lake isn’t a major attraction, I still recommend it for a quick visit. Time your stop around sunset, because it’ll be spectacular, I’m sure.
The houses are colorful. Around the lake, you can find beds of flowers. It’s so charming that I felt like I was walking into a fairy tale. You can expect a lot of photo opportunities!
What I liked more was seeing so much local life around the lake. Some people were fishing, others were cycling, and kids were playing in the park. It was full of life! And I was kinda surprised that only a few people had their eyes on their phones, like back in our country.
If I were to live in Vietnam for a few months as a digital nomad, that scene is what convinced me to choose Sa Pa. Love it.
So that’s it! For more tips, check out all the relaxing and wellness activities I discovered in Sa Pa. Enjoy your trip!