Sapa Travel Guide
Facts
Area - 6.25 km²
Population - 9,412
Language - Viet, Kinh language, English
State - Lao Cai Province
Currency - Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Time Zone - GMT+7
Religion - Buddhism
Located in the Lao Cai province and about 350 km (218 mi) northwest of Hanoi, Sapa was established as a hill station by the French in 1922. Today, this small mountain town has become one of the most interesting tourism centers of the northwest of Vietnam. Overlooking the plunging valley, and covered by the thick mist rolling across the peaks, this is a town which is mostly inhabited by the local hill tribes. Otherwise a quaint town, there has been some haphazard development of modern day tourism and you can even find some high-rise buildings that is in stark contrast to the majority of the landscape around. That said, it still remains the premier trekking base in northern Vietnam and once you've stepped out into the green, lush fields, you'll find the real charm of your Sapa travel.
Best Places to Visit
2. Dragon Jaw Mountain
3. Fansipan Moutain
4. Sapa Town Park
5. Holy Rosary Church of Sapa
6. Quang Truong Square
7. Sapa Lake
8. Sapa Market
9. Cau May Street
10. Various villages in Sapa
The Cat Cat Village will give you the feel of how the various ethnic tribal folks live. You can have a peek into the H’Mong's lifestyle. Dragon Jaw Mountain or Ham Rong Mountain Park is in the heart of the town and is a must visit for your Sapa travel. With the man-made stone monuments, colorful flower beds and the natural mountain rock formation, the place offers the finest view point of the town. There is a flourishing charm in the Sapa town park that is ideal for a relaxing stroll.
Best Time to Visit Sapa: March to May & Mid-September to Early December
Ranking List of Sapa Food
2. Com Lam (fried rice-in-bamboo-tube)
3. Thit Lon Cap Nach (free-range pig)
Thang Co has an extremely unpleasant odor which is in fact the reason why many travelers like it. Believed to be as old a recipe of about 200 years, this is a traditional dish of the H’mong people. Com Lam is available in almost all food stalls in Sapa. Thit Lon Cap Nach is a pork dish and the sweetness of this meat is very different than the ones you will find in any other place around the world. Some of the other interesting options you will find as popular local food during Sapa travel are Mam Da (a kind of vegetable), Men Men Sapa, Ga Den and Cuon Sui.
Best Restaurants in Sapa
♦ 1. Paradise View Restaurant: 018 Pham Xuan Huan, Lao Cai
♦ 2. Good Morning Vietnam Restaurant: 34, Muong Hoa, Sapa town, Lao Cai
♦3. The Hill Station: 7 Muong Hoa Street, Sapa
Where to Stay in Sapa – 80 % People Stay inside the Town Center
Transportation in Sapa
Inside the town, the best way for Sapa travel is on foot. No matter how experienced rider you are, riding a motorcycle in Sapa will be difficult. Mostly, you have to give a 5,781,720 ($250) deposit or your passport. For per day rentals, the motor bikes are priced at VND 92,500 – 161,900 ($4 - 7).
See more about Vietnam Train
Top Shopping Markets
► 1. Bac Ha Market: Bac Ha Ward, Lao Cai
► 2. Coc Ly Market: Coc Ly, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai
► 3. Muong Hum market: Mường Hum, Bát Xát District, Lao Cai
- Last updated on Mar. 29, 2021 -