Getting to Sapa from Hanoi, it is very convenient to take a train to Lao Cai and then continue with a 45-minute drive to Sapa. Alternatively, adventurers can reach Sapa by road.

Things to See in Sapa

Shrouded in mist, Sapa was originally a hill station built by the French in 1922 for summer retreats from Hanoi. Here, people can relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. The best way to get around Sapa is to walk and almost everywhere it's steep. Besides, Sapa is also a good base for trekking, climbing, cycling and motorbike trips to explore the mountainous region as well as Montagnard villages. Visits to markets are also a highlight of most trips.

Fansipan Mountain is branded "the Roof of Indochina" at the height of 3,143m; Fansipan is to be approved as one of the very few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species.

Ham Rong Mountain is an attractive tourist area in the center of Sapa Town. Tourists to Ham Rong have chances to climb up the San May (Cloud Yard) to enjoy the panorama of Sapa Town, visit the orchid gardens with beautiful and colorful flowers. In addition, Ham Rong Mountain has numerous caves and stones in extraordinary shapes.

Can Cau Market is held on every Saturday from early morning until midday. Though small but it is the place where tourists wil have chanceto see Flower H'mong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities in colorful costumes. Set in the mountains near the Chinese border, Can Cau Market is the area where different minority groups in colorful dress exchange local items. You will spend the whole morning there then go to Bac Ha for lunch. Light trekking to nearby villages and visit the old castle of the former Hmong king are also highlights of trips. Visitors can stay at hotel in Bac Ha waiting for Can Cau Market next day or return to Sapa for overnight.

Bac Ha Market, approximately 80km from Sapa, is the most colorful and biggest fair for minority groups. At the market, visitors can see colourful ethnic people such as Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gathering to buy and sell very lively. It is a chance to take nice photos.
Nearby Bac Ha, it's the Ban Pho village inhabited by the Flower H'mong, you can do a light trekking to the village and meet hospitable, friendly people. Other villages are also close by Bac Ha including Trieu Cai, Na Ang and Na Hoi.

When to go?

The best time to visit Sapa is March and May or mid-September to early December when the weather is pleasant. Before or after these periods, it is different experiences. The winter is cold and brings fog and drizzles while the summer is warm and has frequent showers. The rainy season starts in May through September.

Travel Tips:

In Sapa, you will meet ethnic vendors, who keep following you to sell handmade articles. It is fine to buy, but if you are not interested, you might want to take care to show lack of interest. Also please note that it'd better to separate handmade articles within your bag preventing some color bleeding as those beautiful articles are used natural dyes. Riding on motorbikes around Sapa is interesting, adventurous and becomes a popular option. However, just do it with experienced riders or a tour guide

• - Discovering Bac Ha