Travel has taught me that beauty is everywhere, but it won’t come to you on its own. Explore, wander, search, and it will find you when you least expect it. I realized this during the last part of our trip to Northern Vietnam, when I discovered Lake Sapa.
Discover?
But isn’t Lake Sapa already one of the main sights in town (Sapa)? Yes, but I didn’t know at that time. For that trip, all I wanted was to do two things.
- First, to experience the breathtaking sea of clouds over Fansipan.
- Second, to unwind at Bamboo Sapa Hotel. I paid little attention to finding another place to visit, such as Lake Sapa. I should have done more research.
That’s why, when I explored the town and came across Lake Sapa, I was so surprised.
Lake Sapa was so lovely it washed away the disappointment I felt after visiting Fansipan. It was picture-perfect, peaceful, and relaxing. It had everything I needed that afternoon!
Thought you’d like to know, my visit to Fansipan didn’t turn out the way I had hoped. That made Lake Sapa feel like finding out your terrible hotel has free breakfast and pancakes.
To share my appreciation for Lake Sapa, I decided to write this post. It’s my way of preserving the small but beautiful moments I experienced there.
I’ll highlight the spots and details where I found beauty that you’ll likely want to capture as well. You’ll also get practical ideas on how to relax and make the most of your visit. Let’s go!
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Must-know fact: Lake Sapa’s Vietnamese name is Quang Truong Ho Sa Pa.
Where is Lake Sapa?
Good to know, Sapa Lake sits within the town. You can find it without a problem, even on your first visit.
From Sapa Square, it’s about a ten-minute walk. That stays true even at a slow pace. Sapa Square is where you can find the striking Sun Plaza Station and Sapa Stone Church.
Here’s the step by step instructions:
- From Sapa Square, walk east toward Sapa Park where you’ll see the Ho Chi Minh Friendship Monument.
- Keep walking east until you reach O Quy Ho Sapa Restaurant, then turn left.
- Soon, you’ll see Sapa Lake.
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When I discovered Sapa Lake, it took me more than ten minutes to get there from Sapa Square.
Charming coffee shops and fancy restaurants line Xuan Vien Street. As I walked along, I couldn’t help but stop and look around. Each building isn’t only one shop. Most have several floors, and you can find three or four places to explore inside.
From what I remember, there’s all kinds of food there like Western, Vietnamese, and Ca Phe. I didn’t see any fast food, though.
Best Time to Visit Lake Sapa?
When I arrived at Lake Sapa, it was late afternoon, close to sunset. I hadn’t planned to be there at that hour since I didn’t even know about the lake, but I’m glad I stumbled upon it that time.
The sky was clear, and the lake looked like a small piece of paradise. The setting sun cast a golden glow over everything. It turned the place into something magical. Every direction offered a scene worth capturing. The bright flower beds and the cozy hotels nearby made me reach for my camera again and again.
What made that late afternoon in Lake Sapa special were the people I shared it with.
Kids played by the water, fresh out of school. I guess. Adults gathered too, relaxing after a day’s work. Some jogged, others took slow walks, and a few cast their lines into the lake. Everyone looked content and enjoying life, and seeing that made me smile.
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I felt a bit jealous, wishing my town had a lake like this. If we did, I’d spend every afternoon there.
Lake Sapa Picture-Perfect Spots
As I mentioned, I went on a photo spree at Lake Sapa. But here’s the thing, I can’t remember exactly where I took each photo. It’s been years since that trip. By good chance, my iPhone saved the geolocation data in the photo metadata. So, I was able to retrieve the exact spots.
Below is a map of Sapa showing where I captured those beautiful photos. You can also download a printable version of the map here. QR codes are available. They reveal the exact location of each photo spot when scanned.
Below are some photos of the beautiful scenes at Lake Sapa. Click on each photo to see where I took it on Google Maps.
Did you like my photos? Did I help you find a good spot to take your own photo souvenir of Sapa? If so, that’s great to hear!
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
Now, let’s head back to Lake Sapa.
Things to Do in Lake Sapa (Relaxation for the Most Part)
There’s more to do at Lake Sapa than only taking photos or strolling around. Good to know: a full loop stroll takes about 30 minutes, and less if you walk at a faster pace.
Relax at the Benches
During my visit, I noticed picnic tables and benches along the shore. They offer calming views that you won’t want to miss it if you want to relax after a day of exploring Sapa.
You should be able to spot the benches right away when you reach the lake. This is especially true if you’re coming from the direction of Sapa Square.
The first ones you’ll see are in the mini playground in the open space, right before the public toilets. That spot, though, is where I saw most locals come to unwind.
For a more peaceful setting, walk past the public toilets. That’s where you’ll find the flower beds, which look especially pretty when they’re in full bloom, like I saw.
Choose the benches facing the lake under the trees for a more relaxing experience.
Have a Short Picnic
Don’t forget, cafés and restaurants line the streets around Lake Sapa.
If you want to have a quick picnic by the lake, it’s easy to do. All you need to do is grab a takeaway meal from one of these shops. Then bring it to the picnic tables or benches along the lake.
Remember the open ground space I mentioned earlier? You have plenty of options there. For example, La Gecko Café, AHA Café, and Aloha Café.
For a more affordable choice, or if you only want a can of beer or soda, Hai Yen Supermarket is nearby. You’ll find the supermarket along Xuan Vien Street, which is convenient if you’re coming from Sapa Square.
Café with Overlooking View of Lake Sapa
Travelers looking to make the most of their visit might like to try Aloha Café.
It’s one of the best places I’ve found to enjoy a panoramic view of the lake while filling your tummy. They have a cozy balcony where you can sip coffee and take in the view.
Too bad it was already sunset when I discovered it, so I didn’t buy coffee or dine there. I thought it might keep me awake that night.
Here is the link to their location. This is not a paid advertisement.
Possible: Rent Pedal Swan Boats
Another thing I noticed at Sapa Lake during my visit was the pedal swan boats along the shore. I spotted them near the public toilets.
I’m not sure if you can rent them because when I was there, no one was using them. I didn’t bother checking since the boats were empty. I only wondered if rentals were available during midday.
Some online sources say tourists can rent them. I doubt it, though, because the pages seemed like they were AI-generated.
Lake Sapa Summary
All in all, I enjoyed visiting Sapa Lake. If you love to wander and take photos, I’m sure you’ll find your visit worthwhile. Since visiting Sapa Lake is free, you won’t regret coming.
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Timing, however, is important.
Consider the weather and the time of your visit. Try to come at the same part of the day I did, from late afternoon to sunset. Besides the scenery, the temperature is cooler then. You’ll enjoy sitting by the lake, relaxing, and unwinding even more.
Of course, if you want to drink coffee with a view, I’m not stopping you from coming before lunch. It’s up to you and your plans.
Speaking of planning your trip, you might want to try other relaxing activities in Sapa besides the lake.
And before you go, check out my tips for visiting Sapa. In that article, I share the lessons I learned and the things I discovered. I’m sure you’ll find my tips useful.
Planning to Explore Sapa?
Take a look at my travel maps, travel tips, and travel planning resources that can help you organize your trip.
Find the best hotel deals, top experiences, and amazing adventures using trusted travel companies with my travel planning resources. Everything you need for your trip is there including SIM cards, car rentals, flights, and more.
Let’s Go Explore Northern Vietnam!
Along with Sapa, Hanoi and Ninh Binh are truly unmissable parts of any Northern Vietnam trip. You can check out my 4-Day Northern Vietnam itinerary to see how we visited all three without feeling rushed.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
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