When I visited Vietnam, Sapa was the last stop on my itinerary.
Not because it’s far from Hanoi, it’s far, about a six-hour bus ride. But because Sapa is the best place to relax. I could return home 100% refreshed.
Planning a trip to Sapa?
Located in the mountains in northern Vietnam, you can expect your trip to Sapa so refreshing! Like, imagine the scenic views. You’ll forget all your remaining worries, for sure! The fresh mountain air? It’ll cleanse more than your lungs.
Combine these two with the relaxing activities in Sapa I’m about to share with you, and your vacation in northern Vietnam will be perfect. Guaranteed.
Click the images below to enlarge
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.
Stay in a Hotel with a Pool and Sapa’s Scenic Mountain Views
If you’re planning a couple of days in Sapa, steal my strategy. It hits two birds with one stone.
Stay in a hotel where you can relax with its leisure facilities and enjoy the views at the same time.
This way, you don’t have to worry about logistics and can focus on unwinding. Use the pool or other facilities whenever you want, like after a sweaty trek along the Muong Hoa Valley Loop. It’s super convenient.
A few hotels in Sapa offer this, but the two that caught my eye were Bamboo Sapa Hotel and Sapa Topas Ecolodge.
Watch their promotional videos below.
Sapa Bamboo Hotel
Topas Ecolodge
I chose Bamboo Sapa Hotel for a few reasons.
First, it’s close to the town center. Second, it’s a 4-star hotel that offers affordable luxury. Third, it has a pool with a view of the tallest peaks in Indochina — I wanted a day of relaxation!
I have no big comments on our room; it was nearly perfect. And I loved the pool.
While I chose Bamboo Sapa Hotel, I’d love to try Sapa Topas Ecolodge next time I go back. Not only does its infinity pool look epic for relaxing, but the whole resort is an experience.
You have to try it if you enjoy sustainable tourism. The staff are locals, and the products they offer come from local communities.
In fact, National Geographic featured Sapa Topas Ecolodge. It even called it one of the best places to stay for travelers who care about the planet.
National Geographic describes it this way:
“A sustainable and spectacular lodge tucked into some of the planet’s wildest places.”
By the way, Sapa Topas Ecolodge has a ‘Rice Spa,’ a unique way to relax during your stay in Sapa.
Try the Sapa’s Unique Traditional Spas: Herbal Baths
If my visit to Sapa had been a little longer, I would have tried Sapa’s famous Herbal Baths.
It is the perfect way to make the most of your time, again, hitting two birds with one stone. You sink into warm, fragrant water. Then, you let your body recharge while experiencing a rich local tradition.
Watch this inspiring short documentary about Sapa’s Herbal Bath.
Did you know the bath has been a wellness ritual of the Red Dao people for centuries? Here’s a fun fact. They use around 20 medicinal herbs harvested from the surrounding highlands. And what’s even more interesting? Locals believe the bath also provides a kind of spiritual cleansing.
The bath usually happens in a private wooden tub and lasts 20 to 30 minutes. A moment of rest while sipping lemongrass tea or hot ginger comes after.
Some establishments in town offer the herbal bath.
But for a more authentic and immersive experience, take the journey to Ta Phin Village. There, Red Dao families will welcome you and let you enjoy their relaxing ritual.
Sip Coffee and Relax in Indochina’s Highest Coffee Shop
Interesting fact: Did you know that the tallest mountain in Indochina lies in Vietnam? It’s called Fansipan and you can visit it from Sapa. To me, it’s the reason why Sapa is such a bucket list.
But there’s more! On top of Fansipan, you can find the most elevated café in Southeast Asia.
Yes, there’s a coffee shop there and it’s an extraordinary place to hang out, chill, and drink coffee. Its name is Du Soleil Café, and it’s the café where you’d feel like you’re in heaven. 100% relaxing views.
Imagine yourself in a coffee shop decorated with fabrics. There’s one on the tables, sofas, and walls, each with a touch of local design.
Gigantic windows open the place to the world outside. You sit with a warm cup of coffee, wrapped in a cozy atmosphere.
As you sip, your eyes meet a sea of clouds drifting beyond the glass. And bit by bit, it sinks in that you are no longer in an ordinary place. It feels magical, like stepping into another world.
Can you see it? That’s the experience in Du Soleil Café.
Well, that amazing experience is what I would have enjoyed if the weather had been good. When I went, clouds covered everything and blocked the view.
I could only imagine how stunning it would be on a clear, sunny day.
Discover the ideal time to visit Fansipan and enjoy the experience we wish we had.
Anyhow, I loved their coffee. The atmosphere of the café was lovely indeed. It was a pleasant couple of hours spent hanging out.
Actually, I was with a friend that time, and we chatted for a while as we waited for the clouds to drift away.
Hangout in Sapa’s Coffee Shops With Rice Terraces View
Is Du Soleil Café already in your plans? Hold your horses.
It looks like the best place to enjoy coffee and relax with a view in Sapa at the moment. But there are several others that rival it.
You’ve gotta check them out, because some even offer a close-up view of the rice terraces. It is the view that will wipe away your urban fatigue for sure.
Something to keep in mind: some of these coffee shops sit a little far from town.
You can hike to reach them, but it’s best to have a car or motorbike. This way, you won’t exhaust yourself and defeat the purpose of going to a scenic and cozy coffee shop to relax.
A quick disclaimer: I haven’t been to any of these coffee shops, but the photos show whether they’re worth it or not. I’m linking their location and official website below.
- Sailing Sapa — Pho Village
- La Dao Spa & Coffee House — Tả Van Dày Village
- Lua Cafe Sapa — Tả Van village
- Pavi Garden Coffee Sapa — Tả Van Hillside
- Demong Sapa — Giàng Tả Chải Village
Stroll Around and Relax by the Picture-Perfect Sapa Lake
Get this: you don’t have to spend money to relax in Sapa. If the weather and temperature are pleasant during your trip, Sapa Lake is ready for you. Visit it.
The lake sits only a stone’s throw from the town center, and it’s a lovely place to hang out and relax. Benches line the shore. Pick one, sit, and watch locals go about their day.
When I visited, it was early autumn and the vibes were amazing.
Kids played, teens and adults socialized, and some people even fished. Everyone seemed present, not hooked on their phones.
And let’s not forget the view, pleasant enough to make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. Flowers bloom everywhere, and colorful buildings surround the lake.
It gets even better during the golden hour, when the scene inspires you to take endless photos. Everything around you makes your problems fade.
Coffee shops sit close to the lake, so you can grab a take-away coffee and enjoy it by the water.
Final Words
All in all, our trip to Sapa was okay. I did feel refreshed after our two-day stay there. The pool and the view from our hotel were the biggest factors, I should say.
But I can’t say I was 100% satisfied with our trip. I’d blame it on myself for not planning enough. If you want to know what I missed, check out my tips before visiting Sapa.
Enjoy your trip!
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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