Sapa Bucket List: 8 Best Places to Visit in Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa is a mountain town nestled in the Hoang Lien Son ranges in the northwestern region of Vietnam, just 300 kilometers away from the nation’s capital. Incredibly scenic and serene, Sapa is a must on every explorer’s bucket list. There are many opportunities for trekking, eating, shopping, and simply adventuring. Without further ado, here are 8 things to do in Sapa, Vietnam!
Traverse through the Muong Hoa Valley
A trip to Sapa wouldn’t be complete without a tour through these terraced rice paddy fields. The best time to visit would be during harvest time around September to see the terraces at their most picturesque.
Spending a day or two at one of the local village home-stays is a fantastic way to truly learn about this age-old way of life and appreciate the landscape.
Shop at the Sapa Market
This lively market in the middle of Sapa is full of interesting stalls offering an array of colorful, local handicrafts and delicious delicacies.
The Sapa Market is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the culture, eat a few yummy treats, and collect small mementos to bring back home!
Set foot on the top of Fansipan
Known as the Roof of Indochina, this mountain’s highest peak stands at 3143 meters above sea level. You can catch the Fansipan Cable Car to the mountaintop but if you’re up for the challenge, experienced climbers can trek their way to the peak and still be gifted with breathtaking views of Hoang Lien Son.
There are several treks for those that want to just go part of the way as well.
Check out the Charming Cat Cat Village
After spending some time at Sapa Market, you can make your way to the nearby Cat Cat Village. Set in a beautiful landscape, this ethnic village is the home of the Hmong people.
It is one way to catch a glimpse of the more authentic and traditional side of town. The village is also home to the Cat Cat Waterfalls.
See the Silver Waterfalls
As a town set on the mountains, there are sure to be many opportunities to see a couple of majestic waterfalls in Sapa and the Silver Waterfall is no exception.
The long trek to the top is made totally worth it as you watch water descend from 200 meters up in the air and onto the rocks below.
Drop by the Sapa Museum
This small attraction near Sapa Station may not seem like much, but with its free admission fee, it is surely a treasure trove of information worth spending some time in.
It features several exhibits on the region’s unique culture and history, you can even take look at a few authentic artifacts and displays of clothing and embroidered items.
Sample a Few Local Foods
Top recommendations for foodies include the Hmong peoples’ traditional dish called Thang Co, which is a stew made out of horsemeat and many different spices. Another popular dish is Salmon Hotpot which is best eaten on particularly cold days as it instantly helps warm you up!
Bamboo Sticky Rice is another dish that is served everywhere, from fancy restaurants to roadside stops.
Take a tour to Ham Rong Mountain Park
Also known as Dragon Jaw mountain due to the shape of the peaks, this park has both natural and man-made landscapes in the lower areas.
If you didn’t have the chance to reach Fansipan’s peak, the top of Ham Rong is a little more novice-friendly at an altitude of 1800m. You can actually spot Fansipan from the peak on extra sunny days!
Sapa Travel and Tour Packages
Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable Sapa hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about new package tours and tourist spots in Sapa, Vietnam? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
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