Sapa is one of- if not the- highlight of Northern Vietnam.
Along with the famous Ha Giang Loop, it’s the largest attractor of travelers to the region.
Sapa is best known for its incredible rice fields.
But most tourists miss out on some of the other best things Sapa has to offer.
Luckily, our hostel host was able to give my friend and I a few tips on the best things to do in Sapa, and I’m going to share them with you.
Rent a motorbike
Rent a motorbike. It’s an activity on its own and also opens up the potential for so many others.
In Sapa it’s especially useful. In order to access the lesser known (and better) places in the region, having a motorbike is really a must.
It also opens up options for your accommodation in the area, allowing you to stay at cheaper places a little away from the city center without having to walk long distances (hello, Pea Hostel!).
A bike here should cost you 100k dong/day. Don’t pay more than 120k.
If you want to check out the spots I’m about to list, a motorbike will make it far easier and far cheaper. If you’re not comfortable riding, try and make a friend who is.
Hike up the tallest mountains in Vietnam
Ngu Chi Son
Ngu Chi Son may be the ultimate hidden gem in Sapa.
And I mean hidden. The mountain takes around 6 hours to climb, and my group ran into five people total.
The hike is magnificent, with incredible views at every turn and difficult sections that keep things interesting.
I’ve written extensively about this hike, so read here for more info.
Fansipan
I’m including Fansipan here for one reason, really. Which is that it is the tallest mountain in the region, and summiting countries makes me feel very powerful.
For the most part, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s a pretty awesome hike, no doubt.
The problem lies at the summit, which has become overly commercialized and touristified over the years.
This was due to the utterly terrible decision to install a cable car to the top and allow all the lazies to get up without any work.
Seriously, imagine trekking for over 6 hours and having to wait in line to take photos behind a group of people with “I conquered Fansipan” t-shirts who in fact conquered nothing but the cable car.
Preposterous.
And if you’re thinking that the cable car is good- since that way you can hike up and take the car down- that’s true. But be aware that a one way and round trip ticket go for the same rate- about 800k dong ($33 USD).
But if you haven’t got a problem with any of that, give Fansipan a shot.
Or read between the lines and head to Ngu Chi Son instead.
Check out the rice fields
Sapa is undoubtedly most well-known for its stunning rice fields.
Tourists are drawn from all over the world after seeing the images of the unending terraces of bright green that make up the mountains around the town.
What many tourists don’t realize is that the rice fields- and therefore Sapa as a whole- look entirely different based on the season in which you visit.
Unfortunately, peak travel season in Vietnam is in the winter and spring, which doesn’t match up with the best times to see the fields.
The best times are in the rainy late summer into autumn, where the fields turn their brightest green and then begin to turn golden as the rainy season comes to an end.
If you’re visiting during these times, it’s well worth doing a day or multi-day trek through the fields, which is a very popular activity in Sapa.
If you’re visiting in the winter or spring, check out the fields but I’d pass on the trek. Do a hike instead.
Go waterfall hunting
Love Waterfall
The Sapa area is absolutely filled with waterfalls.
Love waterfall is no doubt one of the most popular in the region. It’s located right next to Fansipan, so this makes sense. In fact, the waterfall is fed from a stream originating on Fansipan.
It’s stunning, with a nearly 100m drop that is unparalleled by other waterfalls in the region.
The only issue is the cost of admission, which is currently at 70k dong (around $3 USD) for adults.
Tac Tinh Waterfall
Tac Tinh Waterfall is totally different vibe.
Here, you’re unlikely to find many other tourists. This is mainly due to its distance from Sapa Town- about an hour and a half.
But it may just be worth it. Tac Tinh is quiet and serene, not to mention downright stunning.
If you have an extra day, a trip to Tac Tinh is a great idea.
And not to beat a dead horse, but you’ll be needing a motorbike to get there.
The distance may be long, but it’s a beautiful drive and the time passes quickly. The road is also very entertaining to drive, almost completely smooth once you get out of Sapa Town and full of twists and turns.
Other waterfalls
I didn’t have the chance to visit all the waterfalls my hostel host recommended to me, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention they exist.
I’d recommend reading this article to find out about some others. Most of the ones listed here were mentioned by my host.
Check out Sapa Town
Before coming to Sapa, I was fully expecting it to be jaw-droppingly beautiful. The mountains, rice fields and waterfalls, that is.
What I didn’t expect was to find that Sapa Town itself is perhaps the most beautiful town I’ve come across in Southeast Asia.
It was a happy little surprise.
Between the lake in the center of the town, rustic wooden buildings and alpine air, I was somehow reminded of Switzerland in North Vietnam. Not something on my bingo card.
It’s a pleasure to stroll by the lake and around the town generally at night, which is lit up beautifully and has a really nice and lively atmosphere.
Also check out the market in the center of town in the morning. It’s where we’d go to stock up on fruit and snacks before heading off to start the day’s adventure.
