We chose to go to Sapa in order to experience more of the traditional way of life in Vietnam and do a small amount of trekking.

We opted to take the Victoria Express Train which left about 10:00pm and arrived the following morning about 5:00am. The experience was well worth it just for something different. We had booked a private cabin with 2 berths. Unfortunately the train we travelled on did not have a dining cart, but it had bathrooms at either end of the carriage, and a light breakfast was served in the morning. We had a fairly decent sleep on the train, but we would not say it is like an Orient Express!

We arrived at a town called Lao Cai and then we transferred by car to Sapa. This is about an hour’s journey on some very narrow and winding roads, but the drivers take it all in their stride having done it many times before. We chose to stay in a suite in the Sapa Horizon Hotel which had beautiful views across the valley overlooking the hills. The suite was quite compact so we imagine that the standard rooms are very tight for size.  However the hotel was located near the heart of town and so was in easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants.

Sapa is a popular destination not only because of the beautiful mountains and steep rice terraces, but more so because of the ethnic minorities who are willing to open up their homes and show you their way of life. These are lovely, friendly people who are proud of what they have accomplished and are keen for you to experience their unique local culture. Because of the beautiful countryside, Sapa is also enormously popular for trekking. You will be amazed at the number of different treks you can do and the stunning scenery you will enjoy.

Because Sapa is mainly known for trekking, your tourist options are limited, unlike the bigger cities that offer so much. However, don’t be put off because Sapa is smaller. The scenery and beauty of the area are well worth the visit.

  1. Coc Ly Market – we simply loved these markets which were full of colour, local produce and beautiful fabrics unique to the surrounding area and villages. The markets are only open on Tuesdays, so if you are travelling to Sapa try and arrange your travel dates around this market. There are all manner of beautiful dresses, fabrics and handicrafts to buy at very reasonable prices. The locals depend heavily on tourism to supplement their income, so don’t be afraid to buy plenty.
  2. Hill tribe village – we did 2 days of trekking to different hill tribe villages. Both were long days but the scenery was spectacular, and it was a privilege to see some of the locals and their villages. It certainly is a different lifestyle and a real eye-opener as to just how basic their living conditions are. If you are interested in trekking the hills of Sapa we suggest you do some research into what type of village you wish to visit, and of course the length of the trek you wish to undertake.
  3. Walk around Sapa – the town is quite small and easy to get around. There are some pretty good restaurants and local markets to visit in the town itself. What we liked about Sapa was that there were plenty of open spaces for people to meet, and often we would see people playing different sports for enjoyment.

Travel Tips

  • Sapa Lake is a nice spot to sit and watch the world go by. There are a number of very good restaurants surrounding it, and in the evening it was lovely sitting on their verandahs soaking up the atmosphere.
  • There are a couple of market areas in Sapa if you don’t have time to travel to the markets further out. One is located near the Tourist Information Centre and sells local crafts, and the other is located inside the Cable Car Station which is more along the lines of a shopping mall.

Travel Alerts

  • We felt very safe in Sapa and so have no travel alerts to share.

Travel Adventures

  • Fansipan Cable Car – unfortunately this was shut for maintenance when we were in Sapa, but we think this is well worth looking into. The cable car ride is 15 minutes to the top of Fansipan Mount Peak which is 3143m high. This can only provide fantastic views for keen photographers and trekkers.