1 Day

SAPA

Tour detail

Overview

Often referred to as “the town in the mist”, Sapa is its own world - with a different landscape, climate and culture from the rest of Vietnam.

Sapa is 376 km away from Hanoi and is 1600m above sea level. The town is embraced by Hoang Lien Son mountain range and under it are layers and layers of villages tucked in valleys. Sapa landscape, therefore, evokes a sense of sublime and a sense of calmness: with terraced rice fields, waterfalls, streams, mountains, and a town where people gather, have fun, and enjoy the change of air.

Sapa town was officially set up in 1903. During the French period, more than 300 villas were built here, then many were destroyed in the Vietnam-China border war. In 1990, the town was reconstructed. At the moment, its infrastructure is much more developed, with a bustling town center and lovely villages in the periphery.

Let’s together explore Sapa’s nature, history, and culture.

Full itinerary

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Tour photos

SAPA CHURCH

Situated right in the center of Sapa town, right in front of the central Square, Sapa church has been one of the symbols in this town.

The church was built by the French in 1935, and is one of a few intact architectures from this period. Its architectural style is Gothic, with pointed roofs on the outside and colored glass ornaments inside. The materials are chiseled blocks of rock, giving a sense of solidity to the whole building.

The church faces Eastward - where the Sun rises. It worships the Lady of the Rosary Church and is a popular worshiping space for both locals and visitors.

CAT CAT VILLAGE

Cat Cat village is a village in San Sa Ho commune, located 2 km away from Sapa center. This is home of more than 80 households, mainly black H’mong people, from the 19th century.

This is a really popular village and it is easy to understand why. It is a village with a combination of everything: terraced rice fields, lovely cafes, H’mong houses, streams, waterfall, suspension bridge, and even a communal house where you can see ethnic dance of people. Visiting Cat Cat is a good way to experience all of those elements, especially when you are short of time.

When you have more time to explore more deeply nature and culture, you can check out villages located a bit further away from the town center, such as Lao Chai - Ta Van, or Ta Phin village.

LAO CHAI - TA VAN

Located 7km away from Sapa Center, Lao Chai and Ta Van are two lovely villages nestled right in the middle of Muong Hoa valley. From above, it is a canvas of nature and culture, with gentle rice fields, a big stream meandering them all, and small houses of H’mong people.

Lao Chai and Ta Van, though of different names, are quite similar: both are home of mainly H’mong people, and both have homestay as their model of tourism business. There are about 40 households in Lao Chai and about 150 households in Ta Van. Coming here, if you have a longer time, you can experience staying in homestays, be around nature, while still not too far from the center in case you need to get back in town.

In this area there is a beautiful suspension bridge crossing over a village, and a private museum where many artifacts of H’mong people are shown.

TA PHIN

Located 17 km away from Sapa center, Ta Phin village topography is more rugged than other villages of Sapa: a combination of beautiful jungles and scaling terraced rice fields.

This is home to Red Dzao people. There are about 245 Red Dao households in Ta Phin, most of which still retain some key features of their cultures. Out of which, the tradition of Herbal Medicine Bath is the most notable. About 40 Red Dao households provide this service professionally in Sapa. The herbs are a mix of both fresh herbs and dry ones, combining 10 -120 types, turning into a final form that has a de-stressing and healing effect.

In Ta Phin, there is also an ancient monastery. It was a rock monastery built in French style in 1942. 12 nuns lived and practiced their religion for 3 years. In 1945, the nuns moved to Hanoi and the monastery was left in the wild until now. Blending with nature, the site evokes a sense of eerie solemness that is different from other still-functioning sites.

FANSIPAN PEAK

Located at an altitude of 3143 meters, Fansipan is often “the peak of Indochina”. This peak is at the top of a mountain with great biodiversity, and when we ascend to the top, the landscape, fauna and flora will gradually change.

Each year, around November - February, the temperature in Fansipan will drop significantly, creating a contrast with the rest of the area. In such periods of deep coldness, it will be freezing cold, and sometimes there might even be snow.

There are two ways to reach Fansipan peak: by trekking or by taking a cable car. Depending on age, health, and interests, different groups can have the chance to experience Fansipan peak differently.

SILVER WATERFALL

Located 15km away from Sapa center, right next to Highway 4D, Silver Waterfall is not only known for its beauty, but also for the beauty of the landscape along the way.

The waterfall is about 200 meters. When you come here, you will have the chance to see it upclose, since there is a stairway system on both ends, leading gradually to the top. It adds a sense of sublime to the whole landscape - blending smoothly with the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Silver Waterfall is the origin of Muong Hoa stream - the stream flowing in the valley with the same name: one is majestic, one is poetic.