Shapa (Sapa): where is it located, how to get there, where to stay, what to see. Sapa - a city of Vietnam in the land of mountains, waterfalls and rice terraces Other hotels in Sapa with the best discounts from Booking

Sapa- the most famous mountain resort in North Vietnam. Sapa is located in the mountainous province of Lao Cai bordering China. It is here that the highest point of Vietnam and the whole of Indochina is located - Mount Fansipan (3143 meters). The provincial capital is the city of Lao Cai. The area of the whole province is 8 thousand square meters. km, the population - a little more than 600 thousand people. In addition to the Vietnamese themselves, numerous mountain peoples live in the Lao Cai province - the Hmong, Tai, Nung, Muong and others. This gives the province a special flavor.
Sapa is located 330 km from Hanoi and 40 km from the provincial center of Lao Cai. To get to Sapa, you need to buy a ticket for the Hanoi - Lao Cai train (4 trains a day, travel time 8 hours; there is night Train which saves the cost of lodging). From the station in Laocai every hour there is a bus to Sapa. There is also a bus that goes from Hanoi directly to Sapa. Departure at 5 am, travel time - about 12 hours.

CLIMATE

Sapa is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level. The climate here is not hot: in summer the temperature fluctuates between 15 - 20 degrees, in winter - about 10 (sometimes dropping below zero). Therefore, visiting the sights here is comfortable at any time. The main thing is not to forget to take warm clothes. By the way, Sapa and the areas near it are almost the only place in Vietnam where you can see snow. Most precipitation falls in July-August.

STORY

The French took up the arrangement of the resort here at the beginning of the 20th century. Captivated by the beauty of these places and at the same time nostalgia for their native lands, the colonialists gave them the name "Tonkin Alps". The first - wooden - rest house was built here in 1905. And by 1943 there were already more than 200 French villas here. Unfortunately, during the wars, almost all of these buildings were destroyed.
A few years ago, Sapa was reopened to tourists and has become one of the most popular destinations for both Vietnamese and foreign travelers.

ATTRACTIONS OF SAPA

First of all, the resort itself, or rather, the fabulous nature of this area. Sapa, like no other city in Vietnam, and perhaps in all of Asia, looks like a city from a fairy tale. This feeling is due to the amazing harmonious combination nature, houses and even people of this mountainous area. While in Sapa, you should definitely get acquainted with the life of the mountain peoples, which differs in many ways from the Vietnamese.

Mount Fansipan - highest peak in Indochina - 3143 meters. Located in the southern part of Sapa in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The relief of this area is very diverse. In the lowest part - 950-1000 m above sea level - the Muong Hoa Valley is located. An ancient stone platform was discovered here, which is considered a monument of ancient Vietnamese civilization.
Higher at an altitude of 1300-1400 m above sea level, a narrow strip of the foot of the mountain stretches. The terrain changes as you go up. The borders pass at an altitude of 1700-1800 m, 2100-2200 m and 2700-2800 m. From the lowest point, the top of the mountain appears as an indistinct, blurry silhouette. Rich vegetable world Fansipan has about 1700 species of plants, many of which are rare and valuable.
This area invariably attracts fans of extreme tourism. Although the top of the mountain is only 7 km bird's eye view from the city of Lao Cai, however, it will take 6-7 days to climb it!

Mountain Dragon Jaw. It is located just 2 km from the center of Sapa. The mountain range resembles a huge dragon curled up in a ball.

Silver Falls (Thac Bak)- one of the most beautiful waterfalls North Vietnam. Located 12 kilometers from Sapa.

Bak Ha Fair- the largest fair of mountain peoples in North Vietnam. Bak Ha is a small town located 80 km northeast of Sapa. The fair is organized on Sundays. For the local population, it's not just

a place where you can buy or sell something is a whole culture with its own traditions.
Having already decided that during your trip to Vietnam you will find time to visit Sapa, you need to decide in advance what to see in this amazing province. Features of the mountainous area suggest that most of the attractions will be located high above sea level, and during the tour all new amazing beauty will, as if by magic, appear before you from the haze of a light mountain mist. The best time to visit this area is from May to November.

Sapa (Vietnam) is a place where travelers from all over the world strive to get, and for whom rest is not just swimming in the sea and lying on the beach. A small town appeared in 1910, it was built by colonists from France to rest from the exhausting heat. In 1993, the country's authorities actively began to develop tourism in this region. Today it is one of the most visited places in Vietnam, where active and inquisitive people come. Why is Sapa so attractive for travelers?

Rice terraces near Sapa

general information

The names of the city are pronounced in two ways - Sapa and Shapa. It is located in the province of Lao Cai, among rice fields, valleys and mountains at an altitude of more than 1.5 km in the northwestern part of the country. Sapa is a border town located near China. The distance to Hanoi is 400 km. The city of Sapa (Vietnam) is interesting for its architectural and historical heritage, beautiful with amazing scenery.

Not far from the town is Mount Fansipan - the highest point in Indochina. The foot of the mountain is covered with dense jungle, but the number of inhabitants of the tropical forests has sharply decreased as a result of the active agricultural activities of the local population.

There are several ethnic groups living in and around the city, which differ in the color of their traditional dress. There are many villages around the city, almost all of them have preserved their medieval appearance. Most of the inhabitants lead secluded lives.

Why you should go to Sapa

First of all, Sapa is a completely different Vietnam - colorful, authentic. In other Vietnamese resorts, everything is different - the climate, the local population, nature and the surrounding landscapes.

On the market

Many come to the city of Sapa to get to know the local way of life, learn about ethnic population and broaden your horizons.

Another reason (albeit not the main one) to visit the town is shopping. There are markets in Sapa where you can buy quality fabrics and handmade souvenirs.

The city is hardly suitable for recreation for the duration of your stay in Vietnam. This is an excursion settlement where you can come for 2-3 days. The infrastructure in the town is quite developed, there are guesthouses and hotels, however, there are not so many entertainments in Sapa. Experienced travelers recommend visiting Sapa only with trekking excursions.

It is important! There is no beach in the town, people come here for hiking, cycling through the highlands densely covered with greenery. The most exotic option for recreation is hiking routes to villages and living in the homes of local residents.

Attractions in the city

The main attractions of Sapa (Vietnam) are the central part of the settlement and the market. There are cafes and restaurants in the center, they cook delicious food here, you can look into souvenir shops, take a walk near the lake, rent a boat.

Sapa Museum

Here the history of the city is told in detail. The exposition is not too rich, but the entrance to the museum is free, and you can go. The main part of the exhibits is presented on the second floor, and a souvenir shop is located on the lower floor.

Useful information:

Each visitor is invited to make a voluntary donation;
The museum is open from 7:30 to 17:00;
The attraction is located near the central square.

stone church

The Catholic Church is also called the Stone Church or the Church of the Holy Rosary. It stands in the central square of Sapa, you won’t be able to pass by. The cathedral was built not so long ago - at the beginning of the last century. The building is completely stone, the interior design is rather modest. The temple is active and open to visitors during services. In the evening, the cathedral is illuminated and looks especially beautiful.

Useful information:

Service times: on weekdays and on Saturday - 5:00, 18:30 and 19:00; on Sunday - at 8:30, 9:00 and 18:30.
the entrance is free.

Mount Ham Rong

The foot is located almost in the center of Sapa, not far from the central square. Climbing to the top is a great way to get to know the unique flora and fauna of the region. It's well maintained beautiful park decorated with gardens and waterfalls. On the territory of the park there is a playground for children, show programs are held here.

Walking will require serious physical preparation. The stairs lead up and down viewpoint located at an altitude of 1.8 km. To get to the top and view the mountain, it is better to allocate at least 2 hours.

Useful information: the cost of a ticket for adults is 70 thousand dong, the price of a child ticket is 20 thousand dong.

Love Market

The unusual name of the attraction is associated with the history of this place. Previously, boys and girls gathered here in search of a soul mate. Today, the market shows a theatrical show program on Saturdays. Be sure to take money with you, their actors ask in exchange for songs.

Note: Admission is free, but actors need to be given a nominal fee. The performance is shown on Saturdays, in the evening, it takes place on the main square.

main market

The entire central part of the city of Sapa can be called a market, because everyone sells and buys here. However, the main place of trade is located near the church. Here they sell fruits, fast food, household goods, everything you need for a trip to the mountains. Locals sell handicrafts on the tennis court (near the market).

The market is open while it is light, admission is free.

Attractions around Sapa

Thac Bac Waterfall

It is located 10 km from the city, its height is 100 meters. The greatness and beauty of the waterfall acquires only in the rainy season, and in the dry season it is significantly reduced in size.

Not far from the waterfall (which is also called Silver) there is a market, paid parking, and the ascent to the top is equipped with stairs. For greater convenience, there are gazebos on the way where you can relax and do nice pictures Sapa (Vietnam).

Advice! It is not necessary to leave transport at a paid parking lot, you can drive to the entrance to the waterfall and leave your bike or car by the road.

Entrance fee - 10 thousand dong.
You can visit the attraction daily from 6:30 to 19:30.
Getting to the waterfall is easy - it is located north of Sapa. You can get here on your own or with a guided tour.

Ham Rong pass

The road passes at an altitude of 2 km through the Fansipan mountain range in the north. From here you have an amazing view of Vietnam. The only thing that can overshadow the view of the landscape is fog and clouds.

The pass separates two zones with different climatic conditions. As soon as you cross Tram Ton, instead of coolness, you feel the hot climate of the tropics. As a rule, tourists combine visiting the pass and the waterfall, they are located 3 km from each other. Near the mountain road there are stalls. The distance from the city to the pass is approximately 17 km.

Tourists with locals in one of the villages

There are regular departures from the city to the surrounding villages. excursion tours. They are sold by travel agencies in hotels and just on the street. Some tours are locals who have already retrained as guides.

Some hiking trails are quite difficult, so it is recommended to go through them exclusively as part of an excursion group. You can also arrange an individual walk with a guide. The cost depends on their duration:

calculated for 1 day - $ 20;
calculated for 2 days - $ 40.

It is important! Climbing to the top and traveling to the villages of Ta Van and Ban Ho cannot be done alone. High risk of getting lost.

visiting the village on average will cost for adults 40 thousand dong for children 10 thousand dong;
it is better to come by bike and rent a room in a guesthouse;
if you are traveling on your own, it is safest to join a group of tourists.

Mount Fansipan

The highest point of the mountain is 3.1 km. This is the highest point in Indochina. Climbing to the top will undoubtedly be an exciting and unforgettable adventure in life. During the trip, you will get acquainted with the amazing flora and fauna, and, having reached the top, you will feel that you have overcome yourself.

There are several tourist routes, which differ in the degree of complexity:

one-day - designed for hardy people who are ready for intense physical activity;
two-day - involves spending the night in a specially equipped camp, which is organized at an altitude of approximately 2 km;
three-day - involves two overnight stays - in the camp and at the top.

All the necessary equipment for spending the night is provided by the organizers of excursion trips.

Advice! You need to have a raincoat, comfortable shoes, socks and sweets with you to provide the body with energy. Things should be at least.

Useful information: the minimum cost of climbing is $30, a tour from Hanoi will cost $150. This amount includes the cost of travel from Hanoi and accommodation in one of the hotels.

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Terraced rice fields

This feature gives the city and its environs a unique appearance and color. Terraced fields are located in the vicinity of Sapa. From afar, it seems that rivers of rice are rolling down from the mountains.

Ancient fields were created by the inhabitants for several centuries. They demonstrate the boundless creative potential of man and the determination of people to fight the forces of nature, to conquer territories, but at the same time live in harmony with it.

Water is carried from the top to the bottom of the technology, which is effective and at the same time safe for the mountain, since it does not destroy it.

Peoples of Sapa

Ethnic peoples living in Sapa and the surrounding area are mountain tribes, each has its own dialect, culture and customs. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that for many centuries they have preserved a way of life.

Black Hmong

The largest group makes up half of the population of Sapa. Their way of life is in many ways reminiscent of paganism - they believe in spirits and worship them. If you see a round burn on the Hmong's forehead, know that this is how a headache is treated - they apply a red-hot coin. Typical clothing colors are black or dark blue.

Women have beautiful, black hair, arranged in a fancy ring and secured with many hairpins. Large earrings in the ears are considered the standard of beauty, they are worn in 5-6 pairs. The Hmong are sociable, if you need a guide to the mountains, choose among the women of this nationality. The Hmong sell many souvenirs in the city market of Sapa.

Red Dao (Zao)

Representatives of the nationality wear red scarves resembling a turban, women completely shave off their eyebrows, hair on their temples and above their foreheads. A woman's shaved hair and eyebrows are a sign that she is married. Crane Zao still perform rituals and bring animals as sacrifices to gods and spirits. The Red Dao make up a quarter of Sapa's population. Their villages are rarely visited by tourists because they are quite far from the city.

Representatives of these nationalities marry early - at the age of 14-15. There are many children in their families, by the age of 40 an average of 5-6 children are born. In the vicinity of Sapa there are mixed villages where Hmong and Tao live in neighboring houses, but in in public places they prefer to appear separately.

Tai and Giai

Together they make up 10% of the population of Sapa. However, in Vietnam, the Tai people are numerous. Their way of life is associated with agriculture, rice cultivation and the worship of gods and spirits. Representatives of these nationalities adhere to many taboos, for example, there is a ban on eating birds. It is believed that it was the Tai people who invented and organized the irrigation system for rice fields. Clothing in indigo tones is made of cotton, the style is reminiscent of tunics from China, complemented by bright belts.

Giay's clothes are juicy pink and are combined with green scarves. Representatives of the nationality are uncommunicative, it is difficult to meet them in Sapa.

How to get there

Sapa is a small village in the mountains, where there is no airport, so you can only come here by bus. Most often, Sapu departs from Hanoi. The distance between the cities is impressive - 400 km, the journey takes from 9 to 10 hours. Most of the way passes along the mountain serpentine, so drivers do not develop high speed.

You can travel in two ways.

If you do not want to solve a lot of organizational issues, just buy a tour from Hanoi. The price includes round-trip tickets, hotel accommodation and program. The cost will cost an average of $ 100 and varies depending on the richness of the excursion scenario.

Ride on your own

Buses leave regularly from Hanoi. At the travel agency you can buy a ticket to the city of Sapa. Stop in the tourist area, near the lake. From Sapa transport comes here.

Buses leave day and night. From the point of view of comfort, it is better to go at night, the seats are laid out, there is an opportunity to relax. In Sapa, all transport arrives at the bus station, it is located almost in the center of the city.

On a note! You can also buy a return ticket at a travel agency. If you buy it at the ticket office of the bus station, the bus will take you to the bus station, not to the lake. The cost of a one-way ticket is about $17. AT holidays fare increases.

You can also go to Sapa from Halong. The fare will be $ 25, almost all flights follow through Hanoi.

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Transport in the city

Considering that the town is small, it is better to see it on foot. It's more interesting and educational. public transport not in the city, you can take a motorcycle taxi or a regular taxi. The best solution is to rent a bike. There are rental points in every hotel and on the street. The cost of rent is about $5-8 per day.

It is convenient to explore the city and its surroundings on a motorbike, and besides, it is cheaper than paying for sightseeing tours.

Good to know! There is a bicycle rental, renting a vehicle will cost only $ 1-2, and if you live in a hotel, you can get it for free.

Sapa (Vietnam) is a special place where harmoniously intertwines ancient history, picturesque nature and interesting sights.

More visual information about the city of Sapa (Vietnam) in the video.

Photographers come to Vietnamese Sapa, so that later images of rice fields flaunted on many desktops in laptops. Endless green plantations adorn many postcards about Vietnam, they are dedicated to paintings, stories on silk canvases. Vietnamese cone hats in the middle of rice ears are a real national business card.

Sapa is that authentic peasant Vietnam. Rainy and cloudy. Where everyone works hard, including children.

There are few attractions for tourists, and they are all natural. There are quite a few excursions, and all of them will be interesting. There is no sea in the city, but a cozy atmosphere, small hotels with warm electric sheets, restaurants, bars and squares will make the trip unforgettable.

The place is located in the north-west of Vietnam, in the province of Lao Cai, almost adjacent to the border with China. The place is considered unique for tourists by originality and beauty.

Nature differs from other cities in that Sapa is located in a mountainous area. Compared to Dalat, Sapa is more rainy and foggy. Here the mountainous relief is replaced by plains and rice fields. From here and clean fresh air, warm wind, picturesque area.

The population of Sapa is made up of ethnic groups. Each has its own traditions, customs, religion. The most famous categories are Hmong, Tao, Yao, Vietnamese and others. Casual wear is considered folk, for example, bright and colorful dresses.

Sapa city on the map of Vietnam:

Weather and climate

The city has a temperate climate, rains occur in summer and autumn. Winter and spring are quite dry. Summers are cool with frequent rainfall. Officially, the rainy season lasts for three months - from June to September (in fact, it rains all year round in Sapa, just more during this period).

In winter, the mark on the thermometer can reach minus, and in some places you can see snow. Sapa is one of the few cities in Vietnam where snow falls and impenetrable fog spreads. The snow-capped mountain ranges are something everyone should see.

We arrived in the mountains just in one of the most successful months - in April. The fact is that it is recommended to visit Sapa in September or November, April or May, when a comfortable temperature is set during the day, and rain is at a minimum. However, it rained every day during our weeklong stay. Therefore, it is not worth counting on visiting Sapa and not seeing the rains at all.

A typical April day in Sapa: fog and drizzle

For tourists looking for peace, calm, meditative walks and can not stand the heat, Sapa will become a favorite place.

The rains end and Sapa transforms

See how a city can disappear into the fog in a matter of minutes:

Sights of Sapa

Most famous place in the city, this is a market where you can buy many unique souvenirs, including home-made ones: wallets, flasks, binoculars, dried mushrooms, roots, healing potions, spices, candied fruits and other goodies.

People of different nationalities often meet here. Women of the Zao nationality can be recognized by their red headscarves and shaved eyebrows. The fact is that according to tradition, when a girl of the Dao (or Zao or Zao) peoples gets married, she shaves off her eyebrows.

The Hmong wear black or blue clothes and decorate them with handmade patterns and embroideries.

In addition, in Sapa you can climb the highest point in Indochina - Mount Fansipan (or Fansipan). Its height is 3140 meters. Located at a distance of 19 km from the city. Read about our ascent to the mountain.

The surroundings of the city are a variety of landscapes. Thak Bak waterfall (second name silver waterfall) is located 12 kilometers from the city. Its height is one hundred meters. A huge and powerful stream of water creates an indescribable landscape. Clean air, breathtaking view from above. You can climb up the stairs, there is also a bridge over the waterfall itself, which offers a magnificent view.

Entertainment in the city

The most famous entertainment in the city is trekking. It means hiking in the surrounding villages, mountains and fields. Usually, trekking is accompanied by local Hmong, so that they show the way and, to the best of their knowledge of English, talk about their way of life and customs.

As a reward, tourists buy some simple crafts from local guides. The lightest walking route is a hike from Sapa to the village of Cat Cat, which is only 3 km from Sapa. There is a long-established and clear path here, which can be overcome without any difficulties.

The distance from Sapa to the village of Sinchay is only 6 km, but you will have to go through serpentines, mountains and narrow paths. There is a waterfall near the village. There is also a beautiful view of the mountains. On the way, you can meet locals, get to know their way of life, customs, buy something as a souvenir or even dine with a family.

Another hike can be made from Sapa to Tafin via Macha. And the distance of this hike will be 10 km. On the way you can see villages with Hmong and Zao tribes. Nearby there are caves, the cost of entering them is 30-40 thousand dongs. The journey by car or on a special motorbike from Sapa takes about half an hour. For transport, the fare is more expensive - $ 15.

We rented a motorbike and drove a little along the way to the village of Lao Chai to take pictures of the famous rice terraces of Vietnam:

Who are the Black Hmong?

As we have said, the bulk of the population of Sapa are Hmong. They look like our Yakuts. The Hmong are separate folk tribes. They are divided into two groups: black and iridescent (or colored) Hmong. Black Hmong wear only black clothes, while Rainbow Hmong only wear multi-colored clothes. The costumes are decorated with handmade embroidery.

The people of the tribe love freedom, and according to ordinary people, the Hmong are considered a proud people. Perhaps their bright embroidered patterns mean symbols of freedom. Most of the Hmong live in China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

Hmong girls are waiting tourist buses to sell more handmade

Nationality has its own language of communication, which resembles the language of Tibet and Myanmar. It is interesting that many Hmong could not learn to write for a long time, even now not everyone knows how to do it. But this does not prevent them from developing the tourism industry and engaging in trade - this is all that you can do in Sapa.

Cuisine features in Sapa

The kitchen is nothing special - everything is in the style of North Vietnam. As befits, in restaurants for breakfast you will be offered pho soup, for lunch - rice noodles with beef (bun bo) and fried (nem). Everything is standard.

It is worth noting that in Northern Vietnam they often prepare a rare drink - coffee with an egg. It tastes like tiramisu, and the lips after it are slightly sticky, like after scrambled eggs.

I also noticed a peculiarity - each region of Vietnam brews its own beer. It also has its own brand - "Lao Kai".

There is another rare feature. In Sapa, porcupines and horses are eaten, and the future dish is often put up in a cage in front of the restaurant.

Visual menu in a restaurant in Sapa

The cost of meals is slightly higher than in Hanoi and 20-30% higher than in southern Vietnam. Here are the average prices in restaurants and cafes in Sapa (scroll through the menu):

Good and cheap hotels in Sapa

The spa hotel is located in the city, near the central church in Sapa. Here are luxurious rooms, made in an interesting design. For visitors there is an outdoor pool, gym, spa and restaurant.

Each room is tastefully decorated in a contemporary style and is equipped with air conditioning, heating and a personal safe. Some rooms have balconies and terraces. Food and drinks can be brought to the room.

Sapa House Hotel

Luxurious hotel in the city center. Each room has a balcony, refrigerator for drinks, plasma TV with cable TV.

From the windows of the rooms there is a beautiful view of the mountains. The on-site restaurant serves Vietnamese and Western cuisines. There is an excellent restaurant and free Wi-Fi for visitors. The rooms are stylish and spacious. Equipped with everything necessary. The reception staff are very helpful, helpful and friendly. Breakfasts are included in the price of accommodation.

Sapa Romance Hotel

The hotel is close to cable car to Fansipan. As in all hotels, the rooms are comfortable. The bathroom provides hygiene products, cosmetics, slippers, towels. Plasma TV and free Wi-Fi in every room.

The hotel can rent a bike or motorbike (150 thousand VND per day). Nearby is a lake and a park, which is located on Mount Ham Rong.

This is the hotel we stayed at and we really liked it - so we recommend it. Very cozy, clean, highly rated on Booking.com. The room rate includes breakfast (usually pho, scrambled eggs or pancakes + hot drink).

A distinctive feature of the hotel was the presence of carpeting in the rooms and electric sheets, which saved us a lot in the conditions of mountain cold and round-the-clock dampness.

Other hotels in Sapa with the best discounts from Booking:

How to get to Sapa city (from Hanoi)

The city can be reached either by slipbus or by train. We recommend the bus (sleeper bus). This option is faster, besides, the bus arrives directly to Sapa, while the train (which takes, by the way, 8-9 hours) goes to the Lao Chai station, from which Sapa is still more than an hour's journey along the serpentine. The only advantage of traveling on the Hanoi-Lao Chai train is that you can sleep comfortably, stretched out on a comfortable shelf.

The road on which fast slipbuses travel today was opened relatively recently, around 2015. Previously, the only way to get there was by train + bus. Now the Hanoi-Sapa route takes about 6 hours, you can take night bus, but you still won’t be able to sleep during a trip along the serpentine. Therefore, it is better to leave early in the morning and be in Sapa by lunchtime. Distance from Hanoi 300 km.

Public buses leave from Hanoi to Sapa from My Dinh bus station, private bus companies depart from other places. One way ticket will cost around $10-20. You can book them right here.

located in northern mountains Vietnam, the city of Sapa is obligatory place to visit visitors to Vietnam because of the beauty of nature, comfortable weather and many attractions. In this article you will find the necessary information for a trip to this paradise.

Sapa is a small town in the mountains of Vietnam

Sapa is beautiful in different seasons. If you want to see the peach blossom you should come here in January or February, the pear blossom in March, in May you will see the water fill the rice terraces, the fruit season here lasts from June to August, and in September you can watch how farmers harvest from rice terraces.

Geographical position

Sapa is located in the province of Lao Cai, northwestern Vietnam, 380 km from Hanoi, near the border with China. Near Sapa rises the most high mountain Vietnam, Fansipan, whose height is 3143 m above sea level.

Sapa - quiet mountain town, as well as a haven for diverse ethnic groups. The total population is 36 thousand people. Most of the locals work on the mountain slopes. The main products are rice and corn.

The geographical location of the area makes it a truly unique place for the growth of many unusual plants and exotic animals, which attracts many tourists.

Shapa Map

How to get there

From Kyiv, Moscow and others big cities you can fly to Hanoi by plane, and then from it get to Sapa using a bus, taxi or train. The latter travels 7–8 hours to Lao Cai, after which you still need to travel an hour on a regular bus to Sapa. A regular compartment train ticket costs from 375,000 dong, which is about $17 per person one way. Intermediaries sell tickets more expensive: at least $35. It is much more profitable to get to Sapa by sleeper bus. A ticket costs from 18 dollars (about 360 thousand dong). The bus arrives at Lao Cai station, from where regular buses leave for Sapa.

Climate and weather by months

The climate in the city is mild and rainy in summer (May-August) and foggy and cold in winter. The average annual temperature is +15.4 °C. It is warmest here in July and August, and coldest in December and January. Sapa has subtropical summers, mild winters and 160 days of fog.
The average annual rainfall in Sapa is 2763 mm, the humidity ranges from 75 to 91%, the average is 86% per year.

Important! The rainy season lasts from May to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August.

The prevailing wind direction during most of the year is from west to east, which leads to the formation of clouds on the upper slopes of the Fansipan massif. These areas are covered with clouds most days of the year and have very high humidity. Clouds also penetrate the valleys, but these areas are usually less humid than the mountain slopes.

The main attractions of the city

Visiting any city means familiarity with its sights. Sapa in this regard can surprise even experienced tourists.

Be sure to visit these places:

This is one of the most interesting ethnic markets in Vietnam and perhaps in the whole South-East Asia. Sunday is a market day in Bac Ha. On this day, locals gather here in huge crowds to share the latest news, gossip, as well as for shopping and a hearty meal.
Love market. Various performances and shows are arranged here. He works on Saturday evenings.
The path leading to this mountain consists of many stone steps on a winding path. About half way you will come across an orchid garden with a wide variety of these plants. Standing on my own high point Mount Hamrong, you will have a breathtaking view of the picturesque city of Sapa. In spring, the mountain is covered with bright flowers.
located in the very center of the city. On it you can ride a boat or just take a walk near it.
. Located in the very center of the city, built at the beginning of the 20th century. You can visit it for free, but only during the service.
terraced fields is a feature of this area. Here the locals grow rice. Using the experience of previous generations, they were able to conduct water from the tops of the mountains to their foot without destroying the mountains themselves.

Did you know? There are a lot of Buddhist temples in Vietnam. Although it is a mistake to assume that the Vietnamese are Buddhists. 80% of them are atheists and only 9% are Buddhists.

What to see for a tourist in the vicinity

Outside of Sapa, there are many beauties to see:

Field of the Ancients. There are more than 200 inscribed and painted boulders here. They have various shapes and sizes and are scattered over an area of 8 km. The age of the inscriptions and drawings on the stones is more than 2 thousand years.
Climbing it will take approximately 7 hours. It is better to make the ascent with a guide, as you can get lost because of the fog.
: located 10 km from the city. This place has ancient cave drawings and mysterious inscriptions. In the Muong Hoa Valley, many travelers choose to walk to explore the life and culture of the indigenous peoples while watching the Muong Hoa Waterfall as it passes through beautiful terraced rice fields.
Excursion to urban villages. You can see how the locals live and work. Walking through the villages, you will meet many women in traditional embroidered dresses.
Thak-Bak Waterfall or Silver Falls. It is especially beautiful during the rainy season.
- the highest in Vietnam. On the way to it, you can enjoy nature and beautiful landscapes.
Cat Cat and Ta Phin Villages. Those who are interested in local culture will like it here. A visit to Cat Kat is paid, and Ta Phin is free. The locals are very friendly and hospitable, but keep in mind that they expect reciprocity from you, which you can show by buying souvenirs from them. In the village of Ta Phin there is a small hotel for those who want to stay here.

Important!In especially popular places where many tourists often concentrate, you need to be on the lookout: valuables and money can be stolen from you without you even noticing it.

Hotels

Sapa has a good selection of hotels. The room rate usually includes breakfast, and the rooms themselves are comfortable and equipped with heating.

The most popular hotels:

Did you know? Sapa is the only city in Vietnam, where hotels have heating. In older establishments, fireplaces and stoves are used for this, and in new ones, electric heaters.

Where to eat tasty and inexpensive

In Sapa, there are cafes, restaurants, pubs, eateries or food stalls at every step.
Popular places among tourists:

What to bring

In numerous souvenir shops or at the local market, you can buy anything you want to remember your vacation in this town. The largest market in the area is Bak Ha Market. Here, locals sell handmade goods: pillowcases, bedspreads, paintings, silver jewelry, handmade clothes. Moreover, not only goods are of interest, but also the merchants themselves, who are dressed in colorful, bright national costumes. Souvenirs can also be bought from locals in the city itself for just a couple of dollars. This is their main income. When buying, bargain with the seller, but avoid aggressive negotiations.

Sapa - amazing place where you should visit when building your itinerary to Vietnam. Here you can enjoy extraordinary beautiful nature and plunge into the life and culture of local residents. You will remember this trip for a long time!

As it is not difficult to guess, people come to Sapa not for some man-made miracles, monuments or museums. Tourists from all countries come here (although there are few Russians) for the extraordinary nature. You can walk around Sapa with your mouth open - from admiration and from the severity of walking due to constant descents and ascents. I confess that two days spent here were not enough for us. So there are many, many more sights in Sapa and around it, but I will write about those that we managed to see.

Oh yes, on the right is a map of Sapa sights from our hostel. Click to enlarge.

Attractions in Sapa itself

There are not very many sights in Shapa itself. With the exception of stunning views that do not cease to amaze even after 3 days, the city has a church, Mount Ham Rong (a demo version of natural wealth, for those who do not plan to travel outside Sapa itself), a lake - in a word, places that, with a tiny the size of the town, it is almost impossible to miss. So it makes no sense to write about them separately.

Despite the limited number of attractions within the city, there is still something to be surprised at. Firstly, European motives are clearly felt in the architecture of Sapa, and secondly, about these restaurants, museums, shops on the edge of a cliff ...

Oh, I can’t move away from natural beauties. But I will try.

Population

Lao Cai Province is famous not only for its species, but also for its terribly rare ethnic groups. These guys are neither Vietnamese nor Chinese, but such original people leading a traditional way of life - like a hundred or two hundred years ago. There are a lot of nationalities, they differ in clothes and some habits. Female Red Daos, for example, shave off their eyebrows and shave part of their head hair.

In general, they say that this is window dressing, and partly it is, many of them have mobile phones and normal modern clothes, and stories about tribes leading a traditional way of life are a way to attract tourists.

However, outside the city - classical life flows.

Trekking in Sapa

Most likely, after you find yourself in Sapa, it will not even take 10 minutes for locals in national costumes to offer to accompany you to the sights. We would feel uncomfortable next to them, but many Europeans use the services of such guides. There are a lot of positive reviews on the Internet about such a pastime, so it’s quite possible to agree. After the tour, they will not demand money from you directly, but will ask you to buy something from home-made things. And the landscapes, even next to Sapa itself, are so good that it’s definitely worth a walk.

Villages of ethnic tribes around Sapa

The closest of the folk villages is Kat Kat or Ket Ket, located very close to Sapa. You can and should walk here. If you go in in the evening, you can easily make sure that the guys know what jeans are and are aware that they live in 2016. But despite this, the village is made quite interesting, and the nature around, as elsewhere in Sapa, delights. It looks something like this.

Impressive, right? Here are the rest from there.

shopping

Many complain that the tribal terribly sticky and the passage from them, they say, no, in my opinion this is not so. In general, they stick no more than in any market in Vietnam. And the little things they sell are much nicer. Here they sell excellent quality fakes of the North Face brand (it's cold). So you can buy a cool thing several times cheaper than in a store in your city.

But of course, other shopping is especially valuable here - things made by hand (or well disguised as handicrafts). In general - Vietnam is a hell for a shopaholic, things here are of poor quality and are not distinguished by beauty. Hanoi and especially Shapa are the only exceptions.
In Sapa, you can find handmade jewelry made of 999 silver and precious materials, bone china tea sets for ridiculous money, as well as blankets, bedspreads and other things hand-embroidered by local residents.

Even on weekends, part of the streets in Sapa are blocked and people come from all villages to sell their creativity - embroidery, leather and fur products, knives and daggers are especially held in high esteem here. This is not just a great time to buy an exclusive item very cheaply, but also a beautiful and interesting sight in itself.

However, 80 km from Sapa there is the town of Bak Ha, in which this fair is even more ambitious, if you are not limited in time, it makes sense to go there.

Thak Bak - silver waterfall

And now about the places that can only be reached by transport (of course, a motorbike). Just 12 km from Sapa is the stunning Thac Bak waterfall. The height of the silver waterfall is already 100 meters. Civilized paths lead to it, you have to pay for the entrance.

Initially, we did not reach the waterfall for a couple of tens of meters, mistaking the winding path up for the road to the waterfall. A half-hour climb under the scorching sun even in March was worth it. At the top there was a small artificial reservoir, and inedible (as we found out later) strawberries grew in the fields.

It’s beautiful and the view from above is breathtaking, but the climb is quite difficult and if you don’t have much time, it’s better to go to the waterfall by the standard path 🙂

Thak Bak itself is marked on the map, and on the right is the path that we chose.

Love Waterfall

Another couple of kilometers from the Silver Falls and you will arrive at Thác Tình Yêu.

In fact, the place is not limited to one waterfall - this is a small park, which is just nice to walk around.

In the second photo, the Vietnamese asked to take a picture of his children with a white European 🙂

Forward on a motorbike - no matter where

In fact, all the previous attractions around Sapa are a warm-up. The most beautiful things are along the way. Take cameras with a large flash drive, charge your smartphones and fill up a full tank! These are the most beautiful roads you can drive on. There are essentially two directions.

towards Lao Cai

As I already wrote, Lao Cai is the province in which Shapa is located, as well as the city of the same name. The distance between settlements- 37 km. There is absolutely nothing to do in Lao Cai itself - an ordinary small Vietnamese city, which great amount can be found in every area. And what is impressive is the way here. It is in this side that there are a huge number of famous rice terraces with bizarre patterns, from which it is simply impossible to take your eyes off.